BattlefieldsCanterbury Sack 851
Early Medieval

Canterbury Sack 851

851
Kent, England
Also known as: Viking sack of Canterbury 851 · Danes sack Canterbury 851
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Canterbury
Forces
Canterbury defenders c. 500-1,000.
VS
Victor
Danish raiders
Forces
Danish raiders c. 2,000-3,000
Outcome
City sacked; cathedral treasury plundered
The Battle

History & Significance

The sacking of Canterbury in 851 as part of the same campaign that involved Thanet overwintering showed that the Danes could now strike major urban ecclesiastical centres in Kent with impunity.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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