BattlefieldsSiege of Nottingham (868)
Early Medieval

Siege of Nottingham (868)

868
Nottinghamshire, England
Also known as: Danish Occupation of Nottingham
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Nottinghamshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Mercians and West Saxons (failed to dislodge Danes)
Forces
Mercian-Wessex relief force c. 4,000–6,000.
VS
Victor
Great Heathen Army (negotiated withdrawal)
Forces
Great Heathen Army c. 4,000–6,000
Outcome
Stalemate; Danes returned to York after negotiations
The Battle

History & Significance

After establishing a base at York, the Great Heathen Army moved south and seized Nottingham. Burgred of Mercia appealed to his brother-in-law Aethelred of Wessex (accompanied by his younger brother Alfred), who marched north with a West Saxon army. Combined Mercian and West Saxon forces besieged Nottingham but could not take it. Peace was made and the Danes withdrew to York — a strategic failure that left Mercia vulnerable.

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