BattlefieldsBattle of York (Second)
Medieval

Battle of York (Second)

1069
North Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Second Battle of York 1069 · Fall of York 1069 · York massacre 1069
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
North Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Norman garrison
Forces
Norman garrison c.1,000–1,500.
VS
Victor
Northumbrian rebels and Danish allies
Forces
Northumbrian rebels and Danish allies c.4,000–6,000
Outcome
Norman garrison of ~3,000 annihilated; triggered Harrying of the North
The Battle

History & Significance

The catastrophic defeat that forced William I to unleash the Harrying of the North. Edgar Aetheling allied with a Danish fleet under King Sweyn; together they stormed York and massacred the Norman garrison. William's response was the systematic devastation of the north — burning villages, salting fields, killing livestock — which Domesday Book recorded twenty years later as still-wasted land.

Casualties & Losses

c.3,000 Norman garrison killed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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