BattlefieldsBattle of Hingston Down 838
Early Medieval

Battle of Hingston Down 838

838
Cornwall, England
Also known as: Ecgberht defeats Danes and Cornish at Hingston Down
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Cornwall, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danes and Cornish Britons (combined)
Forces
Danish fleet with Cornish ground forces
VS
Victor
Wessex (Ecgberht)
Forces
West Saxon army
Outcome
Danish-Cornish alliance defeated; Cornish resistance permanently broken
The Battle

History & Significance

The Cornish allied with a Danish fleet and together marched into Devon. Ecgberht met them at Hingston Down near the River Tamar and defeated both. The Chronicle records a great slaughter. This was the last significant attempt at Cornish resistance; thereafter Cornwall was gradually absorbed into Wessex and Anglo-Saxon settlement began in earnest.

Casualties & Losses

Great slaughter of the combined Danish-Cornish force

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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