Battlefields›Battle of Meretun
Early Medieval

Battle of Meretun

871
Wiltshire, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Wiltshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
West Saxons
Forces
c. 2,500–4,000 West Saxon forces under Aethelred.
VS
Victor
Danish Vikings
Forces
c. 3,000–4,500 Danish Vikings
Outcome
The Danish Vikings defeated the West Saxon forces under King Aethelred, forcing the West Saxons to cede further territory and influence to the Viking invaders.
The Battle

History & Significance

Heavy losses both sides; King Aethelred died shortly after

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Meretun

Lidbury Camp, associated trackways and bowl barrow, on Littlecott Down
Scheduled monument · ~3.7 miles
Strip lynchets north-east of East Chisenbury
Scheduled monument · ~3.8 miles
West Chisenbury Settlement
Scheduled monument · ~3.9 miles
Bowl barrow five hundred metres north-west of Baden Down Farm
Scheduled monument · ~4 miles
Bowl barrow on Longstreet Down
Scheduled monument · ~4.1 miles
More from this era

Other Early Medieval Battles

Battle of Crecganford
456
Kent, England
Battle of Aylesford
455
Kent, England
Jutish Revolt — Battle at Aegelesthrep (Aylesford approach)
455
Kent, England
Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
450
Yorkshire, England
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