BattlefieldsBattle of Sandwich 851 — Danish fleet defeated
Early Medieval

Battle of Sandwich 851 — Danish fleet defeated

851
Kent, England
Also known as: Sandwich 851 · Aethelstan defeats Danes at Sandwich
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Naval Engagement
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danish fleet
Forces
Danish fleet c. 30-40 ships.
VS
Victor
Kentish English (Aethelstan, sub-king of Kent)
Forces
Kentish English naval force c. 10-15 ships
Outcome
Danish fleet defeated; nine ships captured; first recorded English naval victory
The Battle

History & Significance

The Battle of Sandwich in 851 was one of the earliest recorded English naval victories. Aethelstan, son of King Aethelwulf and sub-king of Kent, intercepted a Danish fleet at Sandwich and captured nine ships, routing the rest. This engagement occurred in the same year that the Danes first wintered in England (on Thanet) and first sacked Canterbury and London. The victory at Sandwich was the Kentish counterpoint to these disasters and demonstrated that the English could fight effectively at sea when they caught the enemy.

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