BattlefieldsDanish Attack on Bedford Repelled 917
Early Medieval

Danish Attack on Bedford Repelled 917

917
Bedfordshire, England
Also known as: Bedford Danish Attack 917 · Danes Attack Bedford Burh
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Bedfordshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danes
Forces
Danish army from the East Midlands
VS
Victor
Edward the Elder (garrison)
Forces
Bedford burh garrison
Outcome
Danish attack on Bedford burh repelled with heavy losses
The Battle

History & Significance

In the same campaign season as the fall of Tempsford and Colchester, the Chronicle records that a Danish army attacked Bedford but the garrison sallied out and killed many of the attackers, taking much plunder. This counter-attack by the Bedford garrison illustrated how Alfred burh system was now operating as designed: fortified garrisons could resist attack and even take the offensive rather than simply sheltering behind walls.

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