BattlefieldsOsbryht and Ælle Both Killed at York 867
Early Medieval

Osbryht and Ælle Both Killed at York 867

867
England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Kingdom of Northumbria
Forces
Great Heathen Army garrison of York
VS
Victor
Great Heathen Army
Forces
Northumbrian army of both kings
Outcome
Both Northumbrian kings killed; Northumbrian army destroyed; Viking kingdom of Jorvik secured
The Battle

History & Significance

The rival Northumbrian kings Osbryht and Ælle set aside their feud and jointly attacked the Danish-held York. The assault on 21 March 867 broke through the Roman walls but the Northumbrians were cut down inside the city. Both kings were killed along with most of their army. The Danes may have subjected Ælle to the blood eagle torture according to later Norse saga tradition.

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