First Battle of Alton facts for kids
The First Battle of Alton was a small fight in the year 1001. It happened between the English people and the Vikings. The battle's exact location is not fully known. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says it took place at a spot called Æthelingadene. This name is from Old English. For a long time, people thought it was near Alton in Hampshire. But now, many historians believe it was more likely in the East and West Dean areas of West Sussex.
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Why the Battle Happened
Between the years 991 and 1005, Viking attacks on England grew much bigger. At first, they were small raids. Then, large groups of Danish Vikings started attacking. They caused a lot of damage across the countryside.
The Danes demanded huge payments from the English king, Æthelred. These payments were called Danegeld. Even with these payments, the attacks kept going. The Vikings would steal goods and burn towns. They moved very quickly, reaching places like Æthelingadene.
The Viking Attack
The battle began when the Viking ships arrived off the coast of Sussex. From there, the Vikings moved inland to Æthelingadene. Men from Hampshire gathered to fight against them.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle tells us about the English losses. Eighty-one English fighters died. This included important leaders like two high-reeves and three of the Bishop of Winchester's thegns. The Danes lost "a much greater number" of their men.
Even with their losses, the Danes won the battle. They continued to move west. The Anglo-Saxons had to retreat to Winchester.
What Happened Next
The First Battle of Alton did not stop the Danish army. After their victory, they attacked Devon. They burned many towns there, like Teignton. The area eventually had to surrender to them.
The Vikings kept moving towards Exmouth. They reached a place called Pin-hoo. Here, King Æthelred's high-steward, Cole, and his reeve, Edsy, gathered another army. They fought the Vikings at the Battle of Pinhoe.
Again, the Danes won. They burned "many goodly towns that we cannot name." After this, they turned east. They reached the Isle of Wight. The people there eventually made peace with the Vikings.
In 1006, King Æthelred had to make a lasting peace with the Vikings. He gave them a huge payment of 30,000 pounds. In 1008, he ordered a large fleet of ships to be built. By 1009, this new fleet was ready. It was sent to Sandwich to help defend England from future attacks.
What "Æthelingadene" Means
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says the battle happened at Æthelingadene. This name comes from Old English.
- Ætheling means "Prince."
- Ingas refers to a settlement of people connected to a leader.
- Dene comes from denu, which means "valley."
So, Æthelingadene means "the valley connected with the Æthelings" (Princes). It has been suggested that the area of Dene (now East and West Dean, West Sussex) was where Queen Ælfthryth raised her grandchildren. These were the sons of King Æthelred, and they would have been called Æthelings.
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