BattlefieldsThetford Sacked by Sweyn 1004
Early Medieval

Thetford Sacked by Sweyn 1004

1004
Norfolk, England
Also known as: Sweyn Sacks Thetford 1004
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Norfolk, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Thetford
Forces
Thetford: c.500–800.
VS
Victor
Sweyn Forkbeard
Forces
Sweyn Forkbeard: c.3,000–4,000
Outcome
Thetford sacked and burned; Ulfcytel's pursuit inflicted Danish casualties; Sweyn returned to ships with plunder; East Anglia deeply damaged
The Battle

History & Significance

Sweyn Forkbeard sacked Thetford in 1004 after defeating Ulfcytel's attempt to stop the Danish advance. The Chronicle records that Ulfcytel met the Danes with such forces as he could gather in short time and the Danes suffered their heaviest losses there, though the English were ultimately defeated. Sweyn then ravaged widely before returning to his ships.

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