General Info

The Battle of Benfleet took place between the Saxons and Danish Vikings in 894. This was towards the end of the Saxon period, and the Thames and other waterways made the area vulnerable to Viking attacks. Benfleet was used as a Viking base. However, the Vikings were defeated in the battle by the army of King Alfred under the command of his son Edward the Elder and his son-in-law Earl Aethelred of Mercia. Subsequently, a church was built by the Saxons in thanksgiving for the victory over the Vikings. St Mary’s church is the most recent church building occupying this site.

South Benfleet History

Throughout the intervening period various documented versions of the names have been ‘Benfleota’, ‘Beamflet’, ‘Bemflet’, ‘Bienflet’ and ‘Bemfleet’. The last was used on John Norden’s maps in the 17th Century. In Saxon times the village became known as South Benfleet when a new settlement, which became known as Little Benfleet, developed to the north of the original settlement. The new settlement did not last, and its site, which has since become known as North Benfleet, is now largely rural.

Tree Surgeon South Benfleet