Battle of Brentford (1016) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Brentford
Part of the Viking invasions of England
A monument commemorating this and other battles in Brentford
Date 1016 Location Brentford, Middlesex Result Anglo-Saxon victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of England	Kingdom of Denmark
Commanders and leaders
Edmund Ironside	Cnut the Great
Casualties and losses
Heavy losses	Unknown

The Battle of Brentford was a big fight in 1016. It happened between the Danish army, led by Cnut, and the English army, led by Edmund Ironside. This battle was part of Cnut's plan to take over England. The English won the battle, but they lost many soldiers.

Even after this victory, Cnut kept invading. Later that year, Edmund lost another fight called the Battle of Assandun. After this, Edmund and Cnut made a peace deal. Cnut got control of a part of England called Mercia. He also received money for his army. Edmund kept control of Wessex. When Edmund died on November 30, 1016, Cnut became the king of all England.

Why Did the Battle of Brentford Happen?

England Before the Battle

For about 80 years, from 900 to 980, Vikings mostly stopped raiding England. But then, they started again. In 994, the Danish king Svein attacked England. He came back in 1003. This was after King Aethelred of England had many Danes killed in 1002. This event is sometimes called the St Brice's Day massacre.

The Vikings stayed in England. In 1013, Svein, along with his son Cnut, was accepted as king. King Aethelred had to escape to Normandy. When Svein died in 1014, his son Harald became king of Denmark. But the Danish army in England chose Cnut as their king.

The English people then asked Aethelred to come back. Cnut was forced to leave his base at Gainsborough after a surprise English attack.

During this time, a powerful English leader named Eadric Streona was supposed to help fight the Vikings. But old records say he often made it harder for the English. In 1015, Eadric killed two important leaders, Sigeferth and Morcar. We don't know why he did this.

This made Edmund Ironside, King Aethelred's oldest son, decide to act. Edmund wanted to stop Eadric from becoming too powerful. In 1015, Edmund married Sigeferth's widow, even though his father, the king, didn't want him to. He also took control of the lands that belonged to Sigeferth and Morcar.

Cnut's Invasion of England

Cnut, who might have already called himself King of Denmark, arrived in Sandwich in September 1015. He attacked and robbed lands in Dorset, Wiltshire, and Somerset. King Aethelred was sick, and Edmund was having problems with Eadric. So, Cnut didn't face much resistance. By Christmas, the people of Wessex had accepted Cnut as their king. They even gave him hostages.

Edmund gathered an army in late 1015. But he stopped his plans when he learned that Eadric planned to betray him to Cnut. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says that Eadric took 40 ships from the king and joined Cnut. The first army Edmund gathered in 1016 broke up because King Aethelred didn't show up to lead it. A second army didn't achieve much either.

Then, Edmund was joined by his brother-in-law, Earl Uhtred of Northumbria. They attacked towns that had sided with Cnut. But Uhtred had to go back north when Cnut started attacking his own lands. Uhtred was later killed after he gave up to Cnut.

Edmund went back to London, where King Aethelred died on April 23. The people of London and the English leaders there chose Edmund as their new king. However, many other nobles in Southampton chose Cnut. Edmund then went to Wessex, where the people accepted him. He fought several battles against the Danes and their English friends, but none of them were a clear win. Edmund then forced another Danish army to stop trying to capture London.

The Battle of Brentford

After Edmund saved London, he chased the Danes. The Battle of Brentford happened two days later. Edmund won this battle. However, he lost so many men that he had to go back to Wessex to gather a new army.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says that many men were lost because they drowned in the River Thames. But some historians, like Frank Stenton and Russel Poole, believe the men were lost during the actual fighting.

Some old writings suggest the battle was fought south of the river crossing at Brentford. Other sources, like the poem Knútsdrápa, suggest the battle happened on both sides of the river.

What Happened After the Battle?

While Edmund was in Wessex getting a new army, Cnut tried to capture London again. But he failed once more. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says Edmund raised an army from "the entire English nation." This army chased Cnut into Kent. There, Eadric left Cnut's side. From Kent, Cnut crossed the Thames into Essex and began raiding Mercia.

Edmund caught up with Cnut at the Battle of Assandun on October 18, 1016. This time, Cnut won. Edmund and Cnut then made peace at Alney in Gloucestershire. Cnut took control of the area north of the Thames. He was also promised a payment for his army. Edmund kept Wessex. London also made a deal with Cnut, giving him money and a place for his army to stay for the winter. When Edmund died on November 30, 1016, Cnut became the king of all England.

In 1017, Cnut married Emma of Normandy, who was King Aethelred's widow. After Cnut died in 1035, Emma tried to make her son, Harthacnut, king of England. Harthacnut ruled with Harold Harefoot, Cnut's son from his first wife. But in 1037, Emma and Harthacnut were sent away from England.

There is a monument in Brentford that remembers important historical events, including the 1016 battle. It stands outside the County court in Brentford.

A monument commemorating this and other battles in Brentford

Images for kids

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  A monument commemorating this and other battles in Brentford