BattlefieldsNaval Battle at the Stour (885)
Early Medieval

Naval Battle at the Stour (885)

885
Essex, England
Also known as: Alfred's fleet at the Stour
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Naval Engagement
Location
Essex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Alfred's fleet
Forces
c.800–1,200 Alfredian fleet; naval victory to Danes.
VS
Victor
East Anglian Danes
Forces
c.1,000–1,500 East Anglian Danes
Outcome
English naval force defeated returning from East Anglian raid
The Battle

History & Significance

After successfully relieving Rochester, Alfred sent his fleet to raid the East Anglian coast, capturing sixteen Danish ships at the Stour mouth. On the return journey, a larger Danish fleet intercepted them and won. This naval defeat, following a land success, illustrated that England's naval capacity was still inferior to the Danes'. It drove Alfred to commission his famous new class of larger warships.

Questions & Answers

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