Battlefields›Battle of Thetford 870
Early Medieval

Battle of Thetford 870

870
Norfolk, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Norfolk, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
East Anglian fyrd
Forces
the East Anglian fyrd under King Edmund
VS
Victor
Danish Great Heathen Army
Forces
Danish Great Heathen Army
Outcome
East Anglian forces were defeated and the kingdom fell to the Danes. Edmund was killed, traditionally shot with arrows and beheaded.
The Battle

History & Significance

The Great Heathen Army defeated the East Anglians at Thetford and King Edmund was captured. Edmund was subsequently martyred and became the patron saint of East Anglia.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Thetford 870

Priory of the Canons of the Holy Sepulchre and part of Saxon town
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Site of Saxon town: car park to N of Anchor Hotel
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Blackfriars
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Site of St Ethelred's Church and adjoining area to south
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Site of Saxon town including site of St John's churchyard on playing fields
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
More from this era

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Battle of Crecganford
456
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Battle of Aylesford
455
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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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