Battle of Reading: Æthelred of Wessex fights, and is defeated by, a Danish invasion army.

The Battle of Reading: A Crucial Clash in the Viking Invasion of Wessex (871 AD)

The Battle of Reading, fought on or around 4 January 871 AD at Reading in the historic county of Berkshire, marked a significant, albeit disheartening, victory for a formidable Danish Viking army against the forces of the West Saxons. This pivotal engagement saw the Viking host, part of the renowned Great Heathen Army, led by their prominent kings, Bagsecg and Halfdan Ragnarsson. Opposing them were the West Saxon forces commanded by King Æthelred and his younger brother, Alfred, who would later earn the epithet "the Great" for his pivotal role in defending Anglo-Saxon England.

Context: The Viking Onslaught on Anglo-Saxon England

By 870 AD, the relentless Viking expansion had already seen the subjugation of two of the four primary Anglo-Saxon kingdoms: Northumbria and East Anglia. Northumbria, a powerful northern kingdom, had fallen in 867 AD, with its key city of York (Jórvík) becoming a major Viking stronghold. East Anglia followed in 869 AD, tragically marked by the martyrdom of its king, Edmund, who famously refused to renounce his Christian faith for the Viking invaders. This left Mercia and Wessex as the last independent Anglo-Saxon realms, with Wessex, under the rule of King Æthelred, facing the immediate and grave threat.

In December 870 AD, the Danish army, having established its dominance in East Anglia, launched a concerted invasion of Wessex. Their strategic objective was clear: to conquer the last bastion of Anglo-Saxon resistance. They marched swiftly from East Anglia, establishing their new winter camp at Reading, a strategically advantageous location at the confluence of the River Thames and the River Kennet. Arriving on approximately 28 December 870, the Vikings immediately set about fortifying their position, constructing a substantial ditch and rampart on the southern side of the town, effectively creating a secure, defensible encampment between the two rivers. This demonstrated their intent to establish a long-term presence and use Reading as a base for further operations.

The Preceding Skirmish: The Battle of Englefield

Just three days after their arrival in Reading, on 31 December 870, the Vikings dispatched a large foraging party. Such parties were essential for provisioning their vast army, which relied on local resources for food, livestock, and supplies. However, this expedition met unexpected resistance. An army of local West Saxon levies, composed of the fyrd (militia) of Berkshire, under the astute command of Æthelwulf, the Ealdorman of Berkshire, engaged and decisively defeated the Viking detachment at the Battle of Englefield. This initial West Saxon victory, though relatively minor in scale, provided a vital boost to morale and served as an early warning to the Viking command that Wessex would not fall easily.

The Main Engagement: West Saxon Attack and Viking Counter-Attack

Buoyed by the success at Englefield, and understanding the urgency of dislodging the Viking invaders, King Æthelred and his brother Alfred rapidly mobilized the main West Saxon army. Four days after Englefield, on approximately 4 January 871, they joined forces with Ealdorman Æthelwulf’s victorious contingent and launched a full-scale assault on the fortified Viking camp at Reading. The West Saxons fought with fierce determination, reportedly slaughtering any Danes encountered outside the town’s fortifications, as they pressed their attack towards the main Viking stronghold.

However, as the West Saxon forces reached the town gate, they were met with a devastating and highly disciplined Viking counter-attack. The Danish warriors, well-entrenched and prepared, burst forth from their defenses, catching the West Saxons by surprise. The ferocity and tactical effectiveness of this Viking sally overwhelmed the West Saxon lines, turning their offensive into a rout. The West Saxons suffered a crushing defeat, marking a significant setback for their efforts to expel the invaders. Among the prominent casualties was Ealdorman Æthelwulf, the hero of Englefield, whose death was a severe blow to the West Saxon leadership. His body was reportedly carried off in secret to be buried in his native Derby, a measure likely taken to prevent desecration by the victorious Vikings.

According to later historical accounts, King Æthelred and Prince Alfred narrowly escaped the carnage. Their survival was attributed to their superior knowledge of the local terrain, which allowed them to effectively evade their Viking pursuers, reportedly by fording the River Loddon and utilizing the familiar landscape to their advantage.

The Continuing Campaign of 871: A Year of Battles

Despite the severe defeat at Reading, the West Saxon spirit of resistance remained unbroken. The surviving forces of Æthelred and Alfred regrouped at Windsor. Just four days after the debacle at Reading, on approximately 8 January 871, the West Saxons achieved a remarkable and much-needed victory at the Battle of Ashdown. This major engagement saw a decisive defeat of a significant Viking force, boosting West Saxon morale and demonstrating their resilience. However, the respite was short-lived. The relentless Viking pressure continued, leading to further West Saxon defeats at the battles of Basing (approximately 22 January 871) and Meretun (approximately 22 March 871).

The year 871 AD proved to be one of constant warfare for Wessex, with numerous battles fought against the formidable Great Heathen Army. Soon after Easter, which fell on 15 April in that year, King Æthelred tragically died, likely from wounds sustained in battle or from the sheer exhaustion of campaigning. His death paved the way for the succession of his younger brother, Alfred, who would go on to become one of England’s most celebrated monarchs, renowned for his eventual success in stemming the tide of Viking expansion and laying the foundations for a unified English kingdom.

Historical Dating of the Battle of Reading and the 871 Campaign

The precise dating of the Battle of Reading and the other engagements of the 871 campaign is primarily derived from the invaluable historical record of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a collection of annals compiled in Anglo-Saxon England. This primary source provides a chronological framework for these crucial events, allowing historians to reconstruct the sequence of battles.

How do historians date the Battle of Reading?
The most reliable anchor point for dating these battles is the death of Bishop Heahmund of Sherborne, who is recorded to have died at the Battle of Meretun on 22 March 871. Working backward from this fixed date, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle provides intervals between the preceding battles:
  • The Battle of Basing is recorded as occurring approximately two months before Meretun, placing it around 22 January 871.
  • The Battle of Ashdown is noted as being fourteen days before Basing, suggesting a date of 8 January 871.
  • The Battle of Reading is then recorded as four days before Ashdown, approximately 4 January 871.
  • The Battle of Englefield is placed another four days before Reading, around 31 December 870.
  • The arrival of the Vikings in Reading is noted as three days before Englefield, approximately 28 December 870.
Are these dates exact?
While the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle offers a detailed sequence, the intervals, particularly the "two months" between Meretun and Basing, are likely approximations rather than precise calendar calculations. Therefore, the dates for Reading, Ashdown, Basing, and Englefield should be considered approximate, though they accurately reflect the rapid succession of engagements during this intense period of conflict.
Why was the 871 campaign so significant for Wessex?
The campaign of 871 was a pivotal period for the survival of Wessex. Despite suffering several defeats, the West Saxons demonstrated remarkable resilience. The sheer number of battles fought within a few months – estimated to be nine by some accounts – highlights the intensity of the Viking pressure. It was during this brutal period that Alfred, who would later become Alfred the Great, honed his leadership skills and strategic acumen, laying the groundwork for his eventual success in unifying much of England against the Viking threat.