| Danish
Invasion of 870
The first Danish or Viking raids in the south were in 835. Over the
next 30 years the raids became ever worse, until in 865 the Danish raiders
began to stay overwinter rather than returning to their homes. In 870,
according to the Anglo Saxon Chronicles, the raids reached Reading.
At the coming of the army, the local Saxons probably fled. The Danes
camped in the town before moving off to the west towards Englefield.
A battle took place there between the Danes and a West Saxon army, and
one of the Danish leaders was killed with many men, and the invaders
had to retreat to Reading.
Four days later, the main army under King Ethelred and his brother Alfred
had arrived and attempted to destroy the Danish camp at Reading. After
a bloody battle, in which many men from both sides were killed, the
Saxon army had to retreat, leaving the way clear for the Danes to invade
Wessex.
Ethelred reformed his army on the Berkshire Downs. Here another battle
was fought, Ashdown, which was a great victory for the Saxons, with
many of the Danish leaders killed. A large number of men were killed
in this battle, and the Danes were forced to retreat to Reading.
Reading was still occupied by the Danes in 871, but in that year the
army moved to London.
The battles between the Danes and Saxons then continued, although there
is no record of the part that their camps in Reading played in this.
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