The Battle of Sherston, which saw armies led by a King of England and his successor slog it out for two days, is set to be re-enacted in the village next year to commemorate its 1,000th anniversary.

Taking place exactly 50 years before the Battle of Hastings, the bloody encounter in Sherston near Malmesbury took place in the summer of 1016 when the men of Wessex fought the Vikings.

The engagement saw the King of England Edmund II, aided by local hero John of Sherston – also known as Rattlebone – defeat King Canute of Denmark in fields around the village.

Despite his defeat Canute, who led a 'great army' during a series of battles with the Saxons in 1016, became King of England just months later following the death of Edmund, who was also known as Ironside.

Village pub The Rattlebone Arms takes its name from John of Sherston who died in the battle after fighting on while mortally wounded. A fund raising group called Sherston 1016 also exists today.

Now plans are being laid to commemorate the most important event of Sherston’s history in a spectacular manner next year to mark the anniversary.

A meeting is being held next month to discuss the funding and how, on what date and in which way the anniversary should be commemorated.

Nothing has been officially arranged but the proceedings will almost certainly include the first ever re-enactment of the battle, probably at the village recreation ground.

It is understood that around £4,000 is required to pay for a special Saxon-era re-enactment company for the occasion. Its members will perform for free but costs of transport and possibly accommodation will have to be met.

Chairman of the Sherston Boules & Carnival, estate agent James Pyle, said: “This is a very, very significant anniversary for Sherston. A re-enactment of the Battle of Sherston will obviously be the highlight.”

He suggested it could be incorporated into the boules and carnival weekend when the village was packed anyway, but others feel it should take place around two weeks afterwards in late July when the battle was understood to have taken place.

“Nothing is settled yet but it’s something that must happen and will happen,” said Mr Pyle Martin Jacques of the Sherston 1016 group said: “It’s a very big anniversary. The plan is to re-enact the battle, which will make a great spectacle.

“I think there will be a small group of people who will be interested in the historical side of it whereas the wider village will come along to have a great time and watch the re-enactment.”