BattlefieldsHarold Godwinsons sons raid Somerset and Devon
Medieval

Harold Godwinsons sons raid Somerset and Devon

1069
Devon, England
Also known as: Sons of Harold raid SW England 1069
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Devon, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Sons of Harold Godwinson
Forces
Harold's sons' raiders c. 500-1,200; seaborne invasion repelled.
VS
Victor
Normans (Count Brian of Brittany)
Forces
Norman forces c. 1,000-2,000
Outcome
Raiding force defeated near Exeter; sons of Harold flee back to Ireland
The Battle

History & Significance

Harold Godwinsons sons launched a seaborne raid from Ireland into Devon and Somerset in 1069 but were defeated by Norman forces near Exeter.

Casualties & Losses

c.2,000 raiders killed according to Norman sources

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Devon

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Devon