BattlefieldsNorse Raid on Gwent 914
Early Medieval

Norse Raid on Gwent 914

914
Monmouthshire, Wales
Also known as: Vikings raid Bristol Channel and Gwent 914
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Naval Engagement
Location
Monmouthshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Vikings (captured Bishop Cameleac)
Forces
Viking raiding party (c. 300–500).
VS
Victor
Wales (Gwent — partial)
Forces
Gwent Welsh (c. 200–400)
Outcome
Viking force raids Gwent; captures Bishop Cameleac; Aethelflaed ransoms him; raiders driven off
The Battle

History & Significance

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records a Viking raid on Gwent in 914 in which the Norse raiders captured Bishop Cameleac of Archenfield. Aethelflaed, the Lady of the Mercians, paid the enormous ransom of forty pounds of silver to secure his release. The raid demonstrates that south-east Wales was not immune to Viking activity even though the Norse mainly targeted the west coast. The Bristol Channel was a major Norse highway and Gwent's Severn coastline was permanently vulnerable.

Casualties & Losses

Bishop Cameleac captured

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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