Battlefields›London and Rochester Great Slaughter 842
Early Medieval

London and Rochester Great Slaughter 842

842
Middlesex, England
Also known as: Viking Great Slaughter 842 · Norse Attack London Rochester 842
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Middlesex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
London and Rochester inhabitants
Forces
c. 2,000–5,000 London/Rochester defenders.
VS
Victor
Danish raiders
Forces
c. 1,200–3,500 Danish raiders
Outcome
Both towns sacked with heavy civilian losses
The Battle

History & Significance

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records a mycel wael — great slaughter — in London and Rochester in 842, marking the first major Norse strike on the Thames urban centres and revealing the inadequacy of English defences.

Casualties & Losses

Great slaughter recorded in the chronicle

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near London and Rochester Great Slaughter 842

The Roman riverside wall and wharves at Three Quays
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
The Roman riverside wall and wharves at Sugar Quay
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Tower Hill West
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Roman hypocaust and building on site of Coal Exchange
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Structures of archaeological interest below Billingsgate Market
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
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Battle of Aylesford
455
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Jutish Revolt — Battle at Aegelesthrep (Aylesford approach)
455
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
450
Yorkshire, England
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