ERO Presents: The Battle of Assandun 1016

The Battle of Assandun took place on 18th October 1016 in Essex.

The Danish army under Cnut defeated the English army of Edmund Ironside, ultimately resulting in Cnut becoming King of England.

The impact of the battle was much greater than just a change in ruling house, the conclusion of the Danish Conquest of England. The battle, the events leading up to it, and its consequences set the scene for what would happen 50 years later at Hastings, and the Norman Conquest of England.

However, little is known about the actual battle. Its location is disputed (the two main contending areas are Ashdon/Hadstock in north-west Essex and Ashingdon/Canewdon in south-east Essex), and most people in England have never even heard of it.

The talks during this event are all delivered by members of the Battlefields Trust sponsored project team who are currently investigating the battle and trying to find where it took place.