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General

Today’s Date: Danegeld precedent

TheCopenhagenPost
January 22nd, 2016


This article is more than 7 years old.

And they didn’t even get any bacon!

Not a welcome sight from British shores (photo: unknown)

On this day in 871, Danish Vikings fought the Saxons of Wessex at the Battle of Basing in southern England.

The battle was one of several with no decisive victory during a bloody year that ended with the new king.

Alfred the Great (although he had not earned his greatness yet) paid the Vikings to leave – a predecessor to the Danegeld, which did not start until 991.

 


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