The Battle of Englefield was the opening West Saxon victory in a series of engagements against the Danish Viking invasion of Wessex in 870–871.
Key Facts
- Date
- c. 31 December 870
- Location
- Englefield, near Reading, Berkshire
- West Saxon commander
- Æthelwulf, Ealdorman of Berkshire
- Danish earls engaged
- Two earls; one killed in battle
- Follow-on battle
- Battle of Reading, four days later (4 Jan 871)
- Outcome
- West Saxon victory; Danish force routed
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
By 870, the Danish Viking army had conquered Northumbria and East Anglia. In late December 870, they marched into Wessex, arriving at Reading around 28 December, seeking to add the remaining major Anglo-Saxon kingdom to their conquests. Three days after arriving, they dispatched a large foraging and reconnaissance party under two earls.
The Danish foraging party was intercepted at Englefield by local West Saxon levies commanded by Æthelwulf, Ealdorman of Berkshire. One of the two Danish earls was killed in the fighting, and a large portion of the Viking force was defeated and put to flight, giving Wessex its first victory of the campaign.
The victory proved short-lived. Four days later, on 4 January 871, the main West Saxon army under King Ethelred and his brother Alfred attacked the Danish camp at Reading and was bloodily repulsed. Æthelwulf himself perished in that battle. Further engagements followed, including the West Saxon success at Ashdown and the Danish victory at Meretun, before Ethelred died and Alfred succeeded him.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Æthelwulf, Ealdorman of Berkshire.
Side B
1 belligerent