BattlefieldsAethelwulf of Wessex Repels Danish Attack on Southampton 840
Early Medieval

Aethelwulf of Wessex Repels Danish Attack on Southampton 840

840
Hampshire, England
Also known as: Battle of Southampton 840 · Danes at Southampton 840
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Hampshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Wessex (Ealdorman Wulfheard)
Forces
Danish raiding force
VS
Victor
Danes
Forces
Hampshire fyrd
Outcome
Ealdorman Wulfheard fought the Danes at Southampton; outcome uncertain but Danes raided freely
The Battle

History & Significance

Danish raiders attacked Southampton in 840 and Ealdorman Wulfheard fought them. The Chronicle suggests this was an English defeat or at best a draw. Southampton attacks were part of the systematic Danish probing of Wessex coastal defences in the 830s and 840s that preceded the more organised invasion forces of the 850s.

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