The Viking victory at Basing in 871 was part of a rapid series of battles that nearly extinguished the West Saxon kingdom before Alfred's reign began.
Key Facts
- Date
- c. 22 January 871
- Location
- Royal estate of Basing, Hampshire
- Outcome
- Viking victory over West Saxons
- Viking invasion of Wessex
- Late December 870
- Battles in the campaign
- Englefield, Reading, Ashdown, Basing, Meretun
- West Saxon leaders
- King Æthelred and his brother Alfred
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
In late December 870, a Viking army invaded Wessex and occupied Reading. A rapid sequence of engagements followed — a West Saxon victory at Englefield, a Viking victory at Reading, and a West Saxon victory at Ashdown on about 8 January 871 — leaving both sides engaged in continued fighting across the kingdom.
Around 22 January 871, King Æthelred of Wessex and his brother Alfred, the future king, were defeated by the Viking army at Basing, a royal estate in Hampshire. The battle was one of several fought in quick succession during the Viking campaign to subdue Wessex, and it resulted in a clear victory for the invaders.
After a lull of approximately two months, fighting resumed at the Battle of Meretun, where the Vikings again prevailed. Shortly after Easter 871, King Æthelred died and was succeeded by Alfred, who would go on to lead West Saxon resistance against further Viking incursions.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
King Æthelred, Alfred (future King Alfred the Great).
Side B
1 belligerent