Battlefields›Siege and Capture of Derby (917)
Early Medieval

Siege and Capture of Derby (917)

917
Derbyshire, England
Also known as: Battle of Derby · Taking of Derby
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Derbyshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danish garrison of Derby
Forces
Danish garrison (c. 300–600).
VS
Victor
Aethelflaed of Mercia (Lady of the Mercians)
Forces
Mercian assault force (c. 800–1,500)
Outcome
Derby taken; first of the Five Boroughs to fall to English forces
The Battle

History & Significance

Aethelflaed, daughter of Alfred and Lady of the Mercians, led the assault on Derby — one of the five Danish fortified boroughs. The Chronicle records that four of her thegns were killed in the gateway. Derby was the first of the Five Boroughs to be retaken. Aethelflaed's personal military leadership in this campaign is exceptional for the period and has made her one of the most celebrated rulers of Anglo-Saxon England.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Siege and Capture of Derby (917)

St Mary's Bridge
Scheduled monument · ~0.5 miles
Roman bath house at Parker's Piece
Scheduled monument · ~0.9 miles
Littlechester Roman site
Scheduled monument · ~1 miles
Derby Racecourse Roman vicus and cemetery
Scheduled monument · ~1.3 miles
Darley Abbey (remains of)
Scheduled monument · ~1.5 miles
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
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