Thetford

   Two years ago, I was lucky enough to go to Thetford, Norfolk. With history ranging from the Iron and Roman age right through to the Reformation (Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, was originally buried at Thetford Priory), it certainly is an interesting town.

   My personal interest in Thetford though dates back to the year 1004, when the sea-pirates (or Vikings), ravaged the area after having broken a truce to thegn (possibly an ealdorman): Ulfcetel.

'the force came to Thetford within three weeks of ravaging Norwich, and were there for one night, ravaged the borough and burnt it down' - The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

   After this ravaging King Swein of Denmark met Ulfcetel and the men of East Anglia in battle and won, though both sides had heavy losses. The Chronicle also states that 'they had never met harder hand-play in England that Ulfcetel brought them' - this shows that if Ulfcetel had had more men, more strength, then the battle probably would've had a different outcome. 

   Because this battle occurred over a 1,000 years ago the exact location for it is difficult to determine. However I can offer two scenarios - they either fought in two shield-walls outside the ditched enclosure (burh), or within the town with the Danes making use of the old Roman fort. My understanding of Vikings is that they only did battle as a last resort, so they were most certainly caught unawares by (possibly Ulfcetel), and some of the East Anglian fyrd on this occasion.  

   Another Anglo-Danish battle (battle of Ringmere) took place on 5th May 1010, about 5 miles north of Thetford, so it is my mission to follow in author Patricia Bracewell's footsteps and locate the battlefield! 

Last picture is courtesy of Patricia Bracewell