AncientPages.com - On December 31, 870, the Battle of Englefield was fought between the Saxons and the invading Danelaw Vikings.
It marks the opening of the bitter struggle between the West Saxons and the Danes, whose army invaded the Kingdom of Wessex. It was one of the series of battles between these two military forces.
The battle took place in the vicinity of Reading in the modern English county of Berkshire.
According to Englefield Estate, the battle was fought on the hill above the village, marking a significant victory by King Alfred over the Danes. The Saxons named the battlefield ‘Anglefield’ or ‘Field of Angles’, which became Englefield over time.
Many Danes were killed in the battle while the rest were driven back by the West Saxon army on that day to Reading, where they established a camp.
However, the Saxon victory at Englefield did not last long. Four days later, the main West Saxon army, led by King Ethelred and his brother, Alfred the Great, attacked the main Danish encampment at Reading and were bloodily repulsed.
This encounter is known today as the first Battle of Reading, and this historical event recorded many dead on both sides.
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