BattlefieldsBattle of the River Avon 851
Early Medieval

Battle of the River Avon 851

851
Surrey, England
Also known as: Aethelwulf defeats Great Heathen Army at Aclea · Battle of Acleah 851
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Surrey, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danish Great Summer Army
Forces
Danish Great Summer Army of 350 ships
VS
Victor
Wessex (Aethelwulf and Aethelbald)
Forces
West Saxon and Kentish forces
Outcome
Largest Danish force yet in England destroyed; 350 ships crews defeated
The Battle

History & Significance

Aethelwulf and his son Aethelbald won the greatest English victory over the Vikings to that date at Acleah (possibly Oak Lea in Surrey). The Chronicle records that never before had so great a slaughter been made of a heathen army. A Viking force that had wintered in England for the first time in 850-851 was destroyed.

Casualties & Losses

The greatest slaughter of heathen forces recorded to that date

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Surrey

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Surrey