Battlefields›Viking Attack on Portland 789
Early Medieval

Viking Attack on Portland 789

789
Dorset, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Dorset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Dorset Anglo-Saxons
Forces
the local Dorset population
VS
Victor
Norwegian raiders
Forces
Norwegian raiders
Outcome
The reeve who went to meet the strangers was killed. The ships withdrew but the raid signalled the start of the Viking threat to British coasts.
The Battle

History & Significance

This is traditionally the first recorded Viking raid on England when three ships from Hordaland landed and the local reeve was killed. Though in Dorset it marks the beginning of the Viking Age in England.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Viking Attack on Portland 789

Sandsfoot Castle
Scheduled monument · ~0.7 miles
Portland Castle
Scheduled monument · ~1.3 miles
Nothe Fort, tramway and searchlight battery at The Nothe
Scheduled monument · ~1.6 miles
Battery 200yds (180m) E of the Naval cemetery
Scheduled monument · ~1.7 miles
The Verne Citadel
Scheduled monument · ~2 miles
More from this era

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Battle of Crecganford
456
Kent, England
Battle of Aylesford
455
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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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