Battle of Derby

In July 917, Æthelflæd launched her first offensive foray and selected the fortress at Derby as her target. At that time the local ruler had probably joined with the armies from Northampton and Leicester in a number of raids to attack Mercia.[1] Aethelfled took advantage of the weakened burh and successfully assaulted the town in July 917; the whole region subsequently being annexed into English Mercia.

Battle of Derby
Part of the Viking invasions of England

Derby shown within Derbyshire and England
DateJuly 917 AD
Location
Derby, England
Result Anglo-Saxon victory
Belligerents
Anglo-Saxons Danelaw
Commanders and leaders
Aethelflaed Unknown
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says that in 917 "Aethelflaed Lady of the Mercians, with God's help, before Lammas obtained the borough that is called Derby. With all that belonged to it. There were also killed four thegns who were dear to her inside the gates" [2]

The Danes may well have established their military headquarters on the former Roman fort of Derventio.[3] This 6-acre (24,000 m2)[4] rectangular fort would have given the burh the equivalent of c. 500 hides. The Vikings had camped at nearby Repton in 874, and had abandoned it a year later after suffering significantly from disease during their stay (leading to the discovery of a grave containing 245 bodies).[5]

References
  1. Walker, Ian W (2000). Mercia and the Making of England, Sutton
  2. Savage, Anne (2002). The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. Salamander Books Ltd. p. 118. ISBN 0-86288-440-3.
  3. Fellows-Jensen, Gillian (1994) The Vikings and their Victims: The Verdict of the Names" Viking Society ISBN 0-903521-39-3 p19
  4. British History Online: Antiquities, Derbyshire. Retrieved on 15 January 2008.
  5. Walker, Ian W (2000). Mercia and the Making of England, Sutton


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