Siege of Canterbury and Capture of Archbishop Alphege, 1011 was an early medieval siege, the investment of a fortified position, fought at Kent, England in 1011. Viking raiders led by Thorkell the Tall prevailed over Anglo-Saxon defenders of Canterbury. After three weeks of fighting the Vikings broke into the city, aided by the treachery of a man named Aelfmaer; Canterbury Cathedral was plundered and burned, and hostages including Archbishop Alphege, Bishop Godwine of Rochester, abbess Leofrun and the king's reeve Aelfweard were captured. Alphege was held captive for seven months and killed on 19 April 1012 at Greenwich after refusing to allow a ransom to be paid.
The site of Siege of Canterbury and Capture of Archbishop Alphege, 1011 lies on White Chalk Subgroup, bedrock that formed in the Maastrichtian. The rock here is chalk.
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