The Most Decisive Battle of English History

The Battle of Ellandun has been dubbed one of “The most decisive Battle of English History” by many. It completely changed the face and politics of Saxon Britian and ensured King Egbert (Ecgbehrt) of Wessex made the history books. More information on Egbert can be found on my previous blog, “From exile to First King of England”. The Battle of Ellandun ended Mercian Supremcy. 

This blog probably isn’t going to be very long, the reason being is because the Battle of Ellandun was not recorded, or if it was recorded then these records got lost. 

However I wanted to do a blog on it as it was such a important battle in Saxon Britian and it was, as previously mentioned, the battle which put King Egbert in the history books. 

Location 
Due to no records being recorded, or the records being lost, the exact location of the Battle is unknown and very much debatable. However, we know it was near Swindon. Evidence and research suggests that it was likely to have taken place near Windmill Hill in the parish of Lydiard Tregoze. 

The Battle
The battle was fought between King Egbert of Wessex and Beornwulf of Mercia, it ended in clear victory for King Egbert of Wessex. 

We don’t know how many people lost their lives in this battle, but everyone can agree that this would have been a big battle with a lot of lives lost. We know Beornwulf survived the battle, so we can take a educated guess that Beornwulf retreated. 

Once King Egbert won the Battle of Ellandun, Kent, Surrey, Essex and Sussex all submitted to King Egbert and we know King Egbert sent his son, Athelwulf, to rule these kingdoms on his behalf. 

Just before the Battle of Ellandun, it appears that Beornwulf appears to have taken advantage, or tried to take advantage, of the fact Egbert was on a campaign to conquer Dumnonia. It seems Beornwulf launched an attack as he thought Egbert would be to busy with Dumnonia to launch a successful defence against him. However, there is not much evidence to suggest the two events were linked, and it very debatable. However, if the two events were linked or not, it didn’t turn out positive for Beornwulf, and Egbert managed to win the Battle of Ellandun and take control of Dumnonia. 

After match of the Battle.
The Battle of Ellundun marks the point at which Wessex become the top nation, and saw the collapse of Mercia to roughly half the size of its former size. 
A lot of historians argue that it also was when Wessex lost its identity, as the kingdom of Wessex expanded to the whole of southern England and was under the rule of Egbert. 

My final say.
That is all that is known about the Battle of Ellandun, which is a little disappointing as I can imagine it would have been an interesting battle. However it was interesting to hear the historians arguements about Wessex losing its identity. I never thought of it, but I can understand it now, as by becoming the First King of England, everyone would be under the rule of Wessex and Egbert.
I am sure we will find out more about how this changed things regarding the seven kingdoms in futures blogs, when we start looking at the Saxon Kings after the reign of Egbert. 

Look out for! 
I am going to be posting pictures of the battle
Of Ellundun on my Instagram and Twitter so make sure you keep and eye out for those. 

Sneek peak! 
My next blog is going to be “A Century of Warfare comes to an end” which is going to focus on the Battle of Hingston Down. The Battle of Hingston Down was the battle where the people of Dumnonia made a treaty with the Vikings and joined forces against King Egbert and Wessex. A lot of historians claim it marks the end of a century of warfare between Dumnonia and Wessex. 

Keep an eye on my Instagram and Twitter for a release date. 

Contact Me
If you wish to contact me for any reason, should it be feedback or requests you can email me tellershistory@gmail.com 

Twitter @tellers_history 
Instagram @history_tellers_uk

Until next time, 

The History Teller.



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