BattlefieldsViking Sack of Canterbury (851 AD)
Early Medieval

Viking Sack of Canterbury (851 AD)

851
Kent, England
Also known as: Danes sack Canterbury 851 · Canterbury burned 851
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English (Canterbury)
Forces
Canterbury garrison c. 500-1,000.
VS
Victor
Vikings
Forces
Viking fleet c. 350 ships (c. 10,000-15,000 men)
Outcome
Canterbury sacked; Mercia attacked and Beorhtwulf defeated; Thames estuary ravaged
The Battle

History & Significance

In 851 a massive Danish fleet of 350 ships stormed Canterbury, sacking the city. The same force defeated King Beorhtwulf of Mercia, who had come to defend London, and temporarily overwintered on the Thames estuary island of Thanet. The attack on Canterbury — seat of the Archbishop and spiritual capital of England — shocked the kingdom. Aethelwulf's victory at Aclea later in the year partially restored confidence.

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