Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, Viking raids, and the battles that forged England and Scotland.
The early medieval period saw the collapse of Roman authority and the emergence of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms across what became England. Viking raids from the late eighth century onwards reshaped the political landscape, creating the Danelaw and fuelling the resistance of Alfred the Great. The period closes with the Norman Conquest of 1066 — itself set in motion by battles at Fulford Gate, Stamford Bridge, and Hastings in a single extraordinary year.
320 battles and skirmishes are recorded in this period. A selection of the most significant are shown below — use the full battlefield directory to search and filter all of them.
Key early medieval battles include the Battle of Mount Badon (c.500 AD), the Battle of Nechtansmere (685 AD), Alfred's victory at Edington (878 AD), and the three decisive battles of 1066: Fulford Gate, Stamford Bridge, and Hastings.
Viking raids beginning in the 790s led to widespread military conflict across Britain. The Great Heathen Army of 865 AD conquered much of northern and eastern England, establishing the Danelaw and triggering a century of warfare between Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and Scandinavian settlers.
Early medieval battles were fought across Britain — from Northumbria and Yorkshire (Viking campaigns) to Wessex (Alfred's wars), the Midlands (Mercian conflicts), and Scotland (Pictish and Dál Riatan engagements).
The early medieval period effectively ended with the Norman Conquest following the Battle of Hastings in October 1066, when William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson and fundamentally transformed English society, language, and governance.
Pick any location and Aubrey pulls together 15 strands of its history, each drawn from the record:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.