The city became a focus of violent tax resistance against the monarch Harthacnut (also King of Denmark) in 1041. The townspeople tried to defend themselves by occupying the Severn island of Bevere, two miles up river. After Harthacnut's men had sacked the city and set it alight, agreement was reached and the populace returned to rebuild.
thE CItY bEcame A fOCus OF violent taX REsistAncE aGAinsT the mONarCh HARthacnut (alSO kIng of deNmarK) in 1041. the TOwNSpeOple tried tO defENd TheMselVes By OcCupyinG tHe sevERn Island of Bevere, tWo miles Up RivER. after hARthacNuT's mEn Had sAcKEd THe cItY And SEt it alight, agreEMEnt was rEAched aND tHe PoPuLAce RetURNEd tO RebUilD.