Battle of Chippenham

Some of this article's listed sources may not be reliable. Please help improve this article by looking for better, more reliable sources. Unreliable citations may be challenged and removed. (April 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Battle of Chippenham
Part of Viking invasions of England
Date January 878[1] Location Chippenham, Wiltshire, England 51°27′31″N 2°06′57″W / 51.4585°N 2.1158°W / 51.4585; -2.1158 Result Viking victory
Belligerents
Great Heathen Army	Wessex
Commanders and leaders
Guthrum	Alfred the Great
Strength
5,000[2]	Unknown. At least 300 of Alfred's Hearthweru guard deployed.[2]
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Heavy
Chippenham class=notpageimage| Modern day Chippenham shown within Wiltshire

The Battle of Chippenham was a January 878 battle between a Viking army led by Guthrum and an Anglo-Saxon army led by Alfred the Great. The Vikings forced Alfred to flee Chippenham and managed temporarily to gain control over most of Wessex.

The battle was part of a coordinated strike on Wessex led by Guthrum and Ubba, breaking an earlier truce between the two sides. Alfred, spending the winter at Chippenham, was without his army and was forced to flee to Athelney.

Following Ubba's defeat to Odda, Ealdorman of Devon, Alfred managed to muster his forces and reclaim Wessex following the Battle of Edington in May 878. Guthrum would not attack Wessex again, agreeing to the Treaty of Wedmore. Alfred would then reorganise the army of Wessex to ensure there was always a standing force ready to meet a threat.