Battlefields›Danish Army at Chippenham 878
Early Medieval

Danish Army at Chippenham 878

878
Wiltshire, England
Also known as: Guthrum winter attack on Alfred 878 · Vikings seize Chippenham
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Wiltshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Alfred of Wessex
Forces
Wessex garrison c.200–400; surprise
VS
Victor
Guthrum (Danish)
Forces
Guthrum's Danes c.2000–3000
Outcome
Alfred driven into the Somerset marshes; Wiltshire falls to the Danes
The Battle

History & Significance

Guthrums surprise winter attack on Chippenham drove Alfred into the Somerset fens at Athelney, representing the nadir of Anglo-Saxon resistance in the south-west.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Danish Army at Chippenham 878

Moated Site and Fishponds east of Rowden Manor
Scheduled monument · ~0.8 miles
Roman site at Manor Farm
Scheduled monument · ~1.5 miles
Medieval settlement of Sheldon
Scheduled monument · ~2.3 miles
Lanhill Barrow: a long barrow 300m south of Sparrow Farm
Scheduled monument · ~2.8 miles
Dovecote at Manor Farm, Draycot Cerne
Scheduled monument · ~3.1 miles
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
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