Battlefields›Danish Army Breaks Out from Exeter 877
Early Medieval

Danish Army Breaks Out from Exeter 877

877
England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Danish army under Guthrum
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
Alfred West Saxon army besieging
Outcome
Danes depart Exeter under treaty; Danish fleet destroyed by storm; Alfred gains respite
The Battle

History & Significance

Guthrum Danish army was besieged in Exeter by Alfred in 877 after breaking the Wareham peace; a relieving Danish fleet was destroyed by storm off Swanage, forcing Guthrum to negotiate and withdraw from Exeter, temporarily relieving pressure on Wessex before the Chippenham attack.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Danish Army Breaks Out from Exeter 877

Part of the Roman town of Exeter, beneath Cathedral Green
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Law Library, Cathedral Yard
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Bomb damaged remains of St Catherine's Almshouses and chapel and adjacent canon's house, 140m north of the Cathedral
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Roman, Anglo Saxon and medieval defences called collectively Exeter City Walls
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Underground passages
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
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