Possible site of Danish camp, 'Hasten's Camp', South Benfleet (EHER 7090)

Alleged site of Viking camp of 893 AD at South Benfleet suggested by earthworks around the church. The Viking leader, Hasten (also known as Haesten or Hastein), had built a camp at Benfleet which was captured and sacked by the English in 893 or 894, with the Viking army being scattered to London and Rochester. Ship remains and human skeletons were found in the creek at this location in 1855, while representative records for the ships broken up and burnt by the English.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Danish Campaign Fort. <1> Although no definite earthworks remain, the churchyard and adjoining land, bounded on the north and west by the backwater from Benfleet Creek, is probably the site of Hasten's Camp mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle under AD 894. Considerable remains of burnt ships and human skeletons were found about 1855 when the railway bridge was built over the backwater. <2> In the Saxon Chronicle, under the date of AD 894, we hear of "Beamfleote" having been already constructed by Hasten, the Danish leader. We seek in vain for satisfactory traces of Hasten's fort at Benfleet. It has been thought that it occupied the higher ground above the railway but, as H. Laver says, 'there is quite enough remaining around the churchyard to mark out one corner of the fortress'. Assuming this to be correct, the fort occupied a position by the side of the creek. It is worthy of note that when the railway was being constructed, remains of burnt vessels were found in the waterway; valuable evidence when we remember that the Saxon Chronicle tells us the deeds of King Alfred's men: "And all the ships they either broke in pieces or burned or brought to London or to Rochester". <3> The raiders often preferred to shelter, if they could, not behind fortifications but on islands where they could conveniently beach their boats. The camp at Benfleet was proved vulnerable in 893 and possibly because of this in 894 they used the Isle of Mersea. <4> The low spit at Benfleet was the site of the camp, and banks may be feebly traced about the whole area of the village and churchyard... I have carefully examined the whole country side; there is no other spot suitable to the need of the Danes or which shews even the semblance of earthworks. <5> Years of civil strife in Scandinavia culminated in revolution in 893, a consequent exodus of the beaten, and a fresh invasion of England by them. The descent came upon Kent, but a portion of the force under Hoesten [sic] sailed for the Thames and eventually entrenched itself at South Benfleet. No sea-fight occurred, but Edward, Alfred's son, carried the fort by storm in 894, and the Danish ships, which must have been lying in the creek between Canvey Island and the mainland, were all taken or destroyed. Ship timbers, supposed to be the remains of the Viking ships, were found in Canvey Creek when the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway was in construction. <6> "Beamfleet" is certainly Benfleet. It has been asserted that on the hill near the railway station, at a considerable elevation, are situated the remains of Haesten's Camp. But this is not so. No such remains are to be found on the spot indicated nor in the country round. At the low spit of land on which the village stands by the stream and about the church, however, attentive observers may find irregular observations, and these I take to be evidence of the ancient works. Moreover, as the fleet of ships lay in the Beamfleet, it is obvious that the Camp must have partaken of the character of a fortified Hythe, with the wall landward and the shore open to the fleet and the ships. <7> February 1966. Field survey. There are no remains of a camp at South Benfleet. The church and churchyard stand in a prominent position overlooking Benfleet Creek, as described above. The bridge referred to is at TQ 7766 8593. <8> <9> March 1994. Field survey. No earthworks survive. A 10th century coin from Kashmir (EHER 7170) may be evidence of later Viking activity in the area. <10> See also: <11> - <13>