Battlefields›Battle of Reading
Early Medieval

Battle of Reading

871
Berkshire, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Berkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
West Saxons
Forces
West Saxons c.3,000–5,000.
VS
Victor
Danish Vikings
Forces
Danish Vikings c.5,000–8,000
Outcome
The Danish Vikings decisively defeated the West Saxon army, killing several ealdormen and establishing a fortified position that allowed them to continue their invasion of southern England.
The Battle

History & Significance

Saxons fought to gates of Danish camp then repulsed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Reading

High Bridge
Scheduled monument · ~0.3 miles
Reading Abbey: a Cluniac and Benedictine monastery and Civil War earthwork.
Scheduled monument · ~0.5 miles
Cropmark complex S of Charvil Lane
Scheduled monument · ~3.5 miles
Site of St Bartholomew's Church
Scheduled monument · ~3.6 miles
Cropmark complex in Straighthanger Field
Scheduled monument · ~3.6 miles
More from this era

Other Early Medieval Battles

Battle of Crecganford
456
Kent, England
Battle of Aylesford
455
Kent, England
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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