Events on January 22 in history

Battle of Basing: The West Saxons led by king Æthelred I are defeated by the Danelaw Vikings at Basing.

The Battle of Basing: A West Saxon Defeat in the Viking Incursions of 871 AD

The Battle of Basing, fought on approximately 22 January 871 AD, marked a significant victory for a formidable Danish Viking army over the West Saxons. This engagement took place at the royal estate of Basing, strategically located within Hampshire, and was one in a rapid succession of intense clashes during a critical period of Viking expansion into the kingdom of Wessex.

The Viking Invasion of Wessex and the Initial Skirmishes

The campaign leading to Basing began in late December 870 when the 'Great Heathen Army', a large-scale Viking force, invaded Wessex, the last independent Anglo-Saxon kingdom, and successfully occupied the town of Reading. This audacious move set the stage for a series of brutal confrontations as the West Saxons, led by King Æthelred and his younger brother, Alfred, vigorously defended their lands. What followed was an incredibly swift sequence of battles, showcasing the high stakes and constant pressure on both sides.

• Englefield: The first major engagement, fought around 31 December 870, resulted in a crucial West Saxon victory, offering initial hope.
• Reading: Just four days later, on approximately 4 January 871, the Vikings secured a victory at Reading, consolidating their foothold.
• Ashdown: On about 8 January 871, approximately fourteen days before Basing, the West Saxons achieved another significant triumph at the Battle of Ashdown, temporarily turning the tide.

The Defeat at Basing

Despite the recent success at Ashdown, King Æthelred and his brother, Alfred, suffered a decisive defeat at the Battle of Basing. This occurred roughly two weeks after their victory at Ashdown, highlighting the relentless nature of the Viking campaign and the fluctuating fortunes of war. The loss at Basing, taking place at a royal estate, suggested a significant blow to West Saxon control and resources in the region of Hampshire, underscoring the Vikings' strategic advances.

The Aftermath: Meretun and Alfred's Ascension

Following the Battle of Basing, there was a brief lull in major hostilities, lasting for approximately two months, before the Vikings again prevailed at the Battle of Meretun. This subsequent Viking victory was notable for the death of Bishop Heahmund of Sherborne, a key figure, who perished on 22 March 871. Soon after Easter, which fell on 15 April in that pivotal year, King Æthelred himself died. His death, likely exacerbated by the stresses and wounds of continuous campaigning, paved the way for his younger brother, Alfred, to ascend to the throne. Alfred, later known as Alfred the Great, would go on to reshape the fate of Wessex and Anglo-Saxon England.

Dating the Campaigns: Insights from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

The precise dating of the Battle of Basing and the surrounding engagements is largely derived from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a primary historical source compiled in Old English. This invaluable document provides a chronological framework:

• The death of Bishop Heahmund at the Battle of Meretun on 22 March 871 provides a fixed point.
• The Chronicle records that the Battle of Basing occurred two months prior to Meretun, placing it around 22 January 871.
• Ashdown is noted as fourteen days before Basing, dating it to approximately 8 January.
• The Battle of Reading is recorded as four days earlier, around 4 January.
• Englefield is placed another four days before that, around 31 December 870.
• The initial arrival and occupation of Reading by the Vikings is indicated as three days prior to Englefield, on roughly 28 December 870.

It is important to note that while the Chronicle offers a sequential timeline, the exact two-month interval stated between Meretun and Basing is probably not precisely accurate. Consequently, the earlier dates for Ashdown, Reading, Englefield, and the arrival in Reading should be regarded as approximate, serving as valuable indicators of the rapid succession of events rather than definitive calendar days.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Battle of Basing

When did the Battle of Basing take place?

The Battle of Basing occurred on approximately 22 January 871 AD. This date is derived from entries in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, linking it to the more precisely dated Battle of Meretun.

Who fought in the Battle of Basing?

The battle was fought between the West Saxons, led by King Æthelred and his brother Alfred (later Alfred the Great), and a Danish Viking army, part of the larger 'Great Heathen Army' that had invaded Wessex.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Basing?

The Battle of Basing resulted in a victory for the Danish Viking army, marking a defeat for the West Saxon forces of King Æthelred and Alfred.

Where is Basing located?

The battle took place at the royal estate of Basing, situated in Hampshire, a county in southern England. The exact location of the battlefield is not definitively known today.

What was the significance of the Battle of Basing?

While a defeat for the West Saxons, Basing was one of many intense battles fought during the critical 871 campaign. It highlighted the severe pressure on Wessex and preceded King Æthelred's death and Alfred's ascension to the throne, a pivotal moment in the Anglo-Saxon struggle against Viking invaders.