Battlefields›First Viking Raid - Portland
Early Medieval

First Viking Raid - Portland

789
Dorset, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Dorset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Reeve Beaduheard
Forces
Beaduheard: c. 150–300 Norse vs small English force.
VS
Victor
Vikings
Forces
Vikings (3 ships)
Outcome
The Viking raiders, despite their small numbers, overwhelmed the local English forces under Reeve Beaduheard, plundered the settlement, and escaped with their ships, establishing a pattern of hit-and-run attacks that would characterize Viking warfare in England for generations.
The Battle

History & Significance

First Viking raid on England; reeve killed thinking them merchants

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near First Viking Raid - Portland

Sandsfoot Castle
Scheduled monument · ~0.6 miles
Portland Castle
Scheduled monument · ~1.4 miles
Nothe Fort, tramway and searchlight battery at The Nothe
Scheduled monument · ~1.6 miles
Battery 200yds (180m) E of the Naval cemetery
Scheduled monument · ~1.9 miles
The Verne Citadel
Scheduled monument · ~2.1 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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