BattlefieldsDanish Guthrum Invades Wessex 876
Early Medieval

Danish Guthrum Invades Wessex 876

876
Dorset, England
Also known as: Guthrum raids Dorset 876 · Danes seize Wareham 876
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Dorset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Wessex (Alfred)
Forces
West Saxon army and fleet
VS
Victor
Danes (Guthrum)
Forces
Danish army with fleet support
Outcome
Wareham seized; Alfred blockaded them but Danes escaped by sea; settled Exeter
The Battle

History & Significance

Guthrum moved into Wessex and seized Wareham, a well-defended coastal position. Alfred blockaded the town and a peace was sworn on sacred rings, but Guthrum broke the oath and escaped by sea to Exeter. A Danish fleet of 120 ships sent to support him was wrecked in a storm off Swanage with great loss. The war of attrition against Wessex continued.

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