Battlefields›Danish Attack on Reading 870
Early Medieval

Danish Attack on Reading 870

870
Berkshire, England
Also known as: Great Army camps at Reading 870 · Viking fortified camp Reading 870
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Berkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
West Saxons (initial)
Forces
West Saxons c.1,000–3,000.
VS
Victor
Danish Great Army
Forces
Danish Great Army c.5,000–8,000
Outcome
Danes fortified a camp at the confluence of Kennet and Thames; West Saxon attacks repulsed
The Battle

History & Significance

The Danish fortification of Reading at the Thames-Kennet confluence in 870 created a strategic base that threatened both Wessex and Mercia simultaneously and forced the sequence of battles fought in early 871.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Danish Attack on Reading 870

Reading Abbey: a Cluniac and Benedictine monastery and Civil War earthwork.
Scheduled monument · ~0.3 miles
High Bridge
Scheduled monument · ~0.4 miles
Cropmark complex S of Charvil Lane
Scheduled monument · ~3.2 miles
Cropmark complex in Straighthanger Field
Scheduled monument · ~3.3 miles
Cropmark complex NE of Model Farm
Scheduled monument · ~3.5 miles
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
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