Battle of Englefield

Prehistory

The Danes were the end of the year 870 Coming invaded from East Anglia, Wessex, to the last great Anglo-Saxon Kingdom ( Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia had already been conquered by the Danes ) take. In Reading, they built between the Thames and the river Kennet a wall and fortified their camp.

Battle Record

Ealdorman Æthelwulf, the brother King Alfred the Great, had mobilized his forces within three days and began at Englefield one of two Danish Jarlen out marauding party from grazing. Despite the Danish outnumbered the Anglo-Saxons attacked with faith in God. Both sides had heavy losses in killed and wounded. Jarl Sidrac fell in long and brave battle out. The surviving Danes fled to Reading and entrenched themselves there. Four days later found the fighting in the Battle of Reading continued.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle notes to the battle:

"This year came the army to Reading in Wessex; and in the course of three nights after rode two earls up, who were met by Alderman Ethelwulf at Englefield; where he fought with them, and Obtained the victory. There one of them what slain, Whose name what Sidrac. "

"This year came the army to Reading in Wessex; and during the three following nights rode around two Earls, who met at Englefield on Ealdorman Æthelwulf. There he fought against them and won the victory. One of them was slain, whose name was Sidrac. "

Note

The other annual statement in the source based on the fact that in 1582 the Gregorian calendar reform moved from 24 December to 31 December ( New Years Eve) the last day of the year.

Primary sources

• Symeon of Durham, Historia regum Anglorum et Dacorum
• Asser, Vita Ælfredi regis Angul Saxonum, The Life of King Alfred Angel thing
• Anonymous Anglo-Saxon Chronicle