BattlefieldsFarnham Pursuit and Thorney Island Siege 893
Early Medieval

Farnham Pursuit and Thorney Island Siege 893

893
Hampshire, England
Also known as: Farnham-Thorney 893
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Hampshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Haesten
Forces
c.2,000–3,000 Haesten; siege and pursuit.
VS
Victor
Edward the Elder
Forces
c.2,000–3,500 Edward the Elder
Outcome
Danish army defeated at Farnham; baggage and plunder recovered; Danes besieged on Thorney Island but eventually escaped
The Battle

History & Significance

After the storming of Benfleet camp, Haesten moved his army westward. Edward the Elder intercepted and defeated the Danish army at Farnham in Surrey, capturing their plunder and baggage. The Danes fled across the Thames to an island in the Colne (Thorney Island in Buckinghamshire), entrenched and were besieged. Edward's forces lacked provisions to maintain the siege alone and the Danes eventually escaped westward. The engagement demonstrated Edward's growing military ability.

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