BattlefieldsAethelflaed Takes Leicester
Early Medieval

Aethelflaed Takes Leicester

918
Leicestershire, England
Also known as: Recovery of Leicester 918 · Leicester Submits to Aethelflaed
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Leicestershire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Danes of Leicester
Forces
Leicester Danes c.200–400.
VS
Victor
Mercia (Aethelflaed)
Forces
Mercian c.1,500–2,500
Outcome
Leicester submitted to Aethelflaed without major battle
The Battle

History & Significance

Leicester — one of the Five Boroughs — submitted to Aethelflaed without the fierce fighting that had characterised the capture of Derby. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle notes that the inhabitants "submitted to her." This may reflect Danish war-weariness or effective psychological pressure. York then sent to offer submission — but Aethelflaed died before she could accept it. Her death in June 918 deprived England of its most capable commander at the moment of triumph.

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