BattlefieldsFall of York to Danes and Rebels
Medieval

Fall of York to Danes and Rebels

1069
Yorkshire, England
Also known as: York massacre 1069 · Danish capture of York 1069 · Storming of York 1069
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Norman garrison of York
VS
Victor
Edgar Aetheling and Danish allies
Outcome
Norman garrison annihilated; city taken; triggered the Harrying of the North
The Battle

History & Significance

The destruction of the Norman garrison at York by Danish and English forces was the most serious military setback of Williams reign and directly provoked the systematic destruction of northern England known as the Harrying of the North.

Casualties & Losses

Norman garrison of approximately 3000 killed

Forces Involved

Edgar Aetheling & Danes: c. 3,000–5,000. Norman garrison: c. 300–500.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Yorkshire

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 Yorkshire