BattlefieldsBattle of Saucourt-en-Vimeu (881)
Early Medieval

Battle of Saucourt-en-Vimeu (881)

881
Somme, france
Also known as: Frank victory displacing Vikings to England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Somme, france
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Vikings
Forces
c.5,000–7,000 Vikings; pitched battle in Francia.
VS
Victor
Franks (Louis III)
Forces
c.6,000–8,000 Franks (Louis III)
Outcome
Viking army defeated in Francia; redirected raids to England
The Battle

History & Significance

Though fought in Francia, the battle of Saucourt-en-Vimeu directly affected England: the Frankish victory over Viking forces there caused those armies to redirect their attention across the Channel. The Great Army that had been operating in Francia from 879 moved to England in 884. This cross-Channel interconnection of Viking operations meant that English security depended partly on Frankish military success.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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