Battle of the Holme facts for kids

The Battle of the Holme was a major fight that happened on 13 December 902. It took place in a region called East Anglia in England. In this battle, the Anglo-Saxon armies from Wessex and Kent fought against the Danelaw (areas controlled by Vikings) and the East Anglian Danes.

We don't know the exact spot where the battle happened. But it might have been near a place called Holme in Huntingdonshire. Today, this area is part of Cambridgeshire.

What Caused the Battle of the Holme?

The battle happened because of a struggle for power after King Alfred the Great died in 899. Alfred was a famous king of Wessex. His son, Edward the Elder, became the new king.

However, Edward's cousin, Æthelwold, also wanted to be king. Æthelwold was the son of Alfred's older brother, King Æthelred. Æthelwold tried to take the throne, but he didn't succeed.

Æthelwold's Alliance with the Vikings

After failing to become king, Æthelwold ran away. He went to the Northumbrian Danes, who were Vikings living in northern England. Some historical records say they even accepted him as their king.

In 902, Æthelwold returned with a fleet of ships to Essex. The next year, he convinced the East Anglian Danes to attack Mercia and northern Wessex. These were parts of England controlled by the Anglo-Saxons.

Edward's Response and the Kentish Mistake

King Edward the Elder fought back. He attacked and damaged East Anglia, forcing the Danish army to return home to defend their own land. Edward then decided to pull his troops back.

However, the soldiers from Kent did not follow Edward's order to retreat. They stayed behind and ended up facing the Danes in the Battle of the Holme.

What Happened During the Battle?

We don't know all the details of the battle itself. But it seems the Danes won. Historical records say they "kept the place of slaughter," which means they held the battlefield. This usually shows they were the winners.

However, both sides suffered heavy losses. The Danes lost many important leaders, including:

• Æthelwold, who had claimed the throne.
• Eohric, who was probably the Danish king of East Anglia.
• Brihtsige, the son of a noble called Beornoth.
• Two "holds" (Viking leaders), Ysopa and Oscetel.

Because Æthelwold was killed, his attempt to take the throne, known as Æthelwold's Revolt, came to an end.

Losses for the Anglo-Saxons

The Kentish side also lost important people. One of them was Sigehelm. He was the father of Eadgifu of Kent, who later became King Edward the Elder's third wife.

A writer from Wessex who wrote about the battle made sure to explain why King Edward and the rest of the English army were not there. This suggests that some people might have criticized Edward for not being present at the battle.