18/10/1016 Battle of Ashingdon

[PeterMacD]

The Battle of Ashingdon was fought on October 18, 1016, at Assandun, which is now believed to be Ashingdon in southeast Essex, England, though the location is still debated. It was a victory for the Danes, led by Canute the Great, who triumphed over the English army led by King Edmund II ('Ironside'). The battle was the conclusion to the Danish reconquest of England.

 

Canute had besieged London with major support from the English nobility against the Saxon hierarchy; particularly the Southampton nobles. The siege was in response to Edmund's reconquest of recently Danish-occupied Wessex, as well as conducting various indecisive offensives against Canute's army. London had withstood the siege and Edmund repulsed the Danes, but needed troops following a successful attack against the Danes in Mercia.

 

Leaving London, Edmund risked travelling into the countryside, dominated by enemies and at risk of being attacked by Danish soldiers. Canute's intelligence became aware of Edmund's movements, and while marching through Essex, Edmund's army was intercepted by Canute. The surprise interception overwhelmed the English, causing some of them to desert, and the Danes poured on the English, killing much of the nobility. Some sources claim that the Danes were losing ground, and that Eadric Streona had previously made a deal with Canute to desert the other English forces.

 

Following his defeat King Edmund II was forced to sign a treaty with Canute in which all of England except for Wessex would be controlled by Canute, and when one of the kings should die, the other king would take all of England; his sons being the heir to the throne. After Edmund's death on 30 November, Canute ruled the whole kingdom.

 

A few years later saw the construction of St. Andrews memorial church in 1020 on the hill of the site of the Battle in Ashingdon, which still stands to this day. The church was founded after Canute's succession to the throne in 1020.

 

 

[Tony B]

So was this the first 'United Kingdom' as such?

[LeeEnfield]

So was this the first 'United Kingdom' as such?

 

 

 

Guess it depends on belief/disbelief in the ARTHURIAN tales. :dunno:

[Tony B]

this one has the checkable record.

[LeeEnfield]

this one has the checkable record.

 

 

 

true,............but...................(I'm an old hippy. :-D)

[Tony B]

Ah go to Justin's part of the world, The Cwmdu and vist Castell Dinas. why do you lot always assume Artur was English, We'll keep a welcome in the Hillsides.

[LeeEnfield]

Ah go to Justin's part of the world, The Cwmdu and vist Castell Dinas. why do you lot always assume Artur was English, We'll keep a welcome in the Hillsides.

 

 

 

ahh, but I don't;. :whistle:

my moneys on Owain Ddantgwyn.

[Tony B]

You should have kept up Offa,s dyke. After all we kept the English channel. :-D

[LeeEnfield]

You should have kept up Offa,s dyke. After all we kept the English channel. :-D

 

 

 

Ahh, thats assuming I'm anglo saxon............... :whistle:

 

(I'm NOT. ;-))

[Tony B]

I'm a lot Welsh a bit of french and all jersey, so Mongrel fits I suppose. :-D

[LeeEnfield]

I'm a lot Welsh a bit of french and all jersey, so Mongrel fits I suppose. :-D

 

 

 

that goes for MOST of those who inhabit these isles. tThink the 'modern' term is 'european'. :dunno:

[Tony B]

I always go'White, Other' just to be awkward. :evil:

[LeeEnfield]

I always go'White, Other' just to be awkward. :evil:

 

 

:-o s'funny,............so do I.

Do get some funny looks, at times.............. :whistle: