BattlefieldsBattle of Farnham
Early Medieval

Battle of Farnham

893
Surrey, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Surrey, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Haesten's Danish army
VS
Victor
Edward (son of Alfred)
Outcome
Danes defeated; withdrew across Thames into Essex
The Battle

History & Significance

In 893 a new Viking army under Haesten invaded from the Continent. Alfred's son Edward (the Elder) caught Haesten's force at Farnham, defeated them, and drove them across the Thames. The victory showed that Alfred's reformed army, his burh network, and the training of noble sons like Edward were working. It also demonstrated a new English strategic doctrine: intercept Vikings before they could fortify.

Forces Involved

Edward's forces: c. 3,000–4,000. Haesten's army: c. 2,000–3,000.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Surrey

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Surrey