Battlefields›Viking Siege of Exeter 876
Early Medieval

Viking Siege of Exeter 876

876
England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danes
Forces
Alfred and West Saxon forces
VS
Victor
West Saxons
Forces
Danish army under Guthrum
Outcome
Danes hold Exeter for a season; Guthrum withdraws after relief fleet destroyed; Alfred enters Exeter
The Battle

History & Significance

Guthrum led the Danish army from Wareham to Exeter in 876 under cover of night, breaking the treaty with Alfred; the Danes garrisoned Exeter while Alfred pursued but could not force battle, and a relieving fleet was wrecked in a storm off Swanage, compelling Guthrum to negotiate withdrawal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Viking Siege of Exeter 876

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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