Battlefields›Battle of Carhampton (first)
Early Medieval

Battle of Carhampton (first)

836
Somerset, England
Also known as: First Battle of Carhampton
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Somerset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Ecgberht of Wessex
VS
Victor
Vikings
Outcome
West Saxons defeated; Vikings held the field
The Battle

History & Significance

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records Ecgberht of Wessex (who had recently become the most powerful king in England) fighting "a great slaughter" at Carhampton in Somerset. The Viking force — 35 ships — defeated the West Saxons. This humbling of Egbert showed that even the preeminent English king could not easily repel Viking raids.

Forces Involved

Vikings: c. 1,000-3,000. Wessex (Ecgberht): c. 1,500-4,000.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Carhampton (first)

Black Ball Camp: a later prehistoric defended settlement on Gallox Hill
Scheduled monument · ~1.3 miles
Bat's Castle: a small multivallate hillfort and associated outwork
Scheduled monument · ~1.8 miles
Hillslope enclosure 155m west of Brougham Farm
Scheduled monument · ~2.2 miles
Early Christian to medieval settlement and cemetery
Scheduled monument · ~2.5 miles
Later prehistoric defended enclosure, Long Wood
Scheduled monument · ~2.6 miles
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
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