Battle of Woden's Burg (592)

Battle of Woden's Barrow (592)
Part of the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain
Date592
Location
Adam's Grave, Wiltshire
Result West Saxon defeat
Belligerents
West Saxons Britons
Commanders and leaders
Ceawlin Unknown

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records a battle fought in the year 592 at Woden's Barrow (Old English "Wōdnesbeorġ"), the neolithic long barrow now known as Adam's Grave, near Marlborough, Wiltshire. The year entry states: "Her micel wælfill wæs æt Woddes beorge, 7 Ceawlin wæs ut adrifen." (There was great slaughter at Woden's hill, and Ceawlin was driven out.)

Ceawlin was king of Anglo-Saxon Wessex. In most versions of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle the entry does not record the identity of the force opposing Ceawlin but one version, Manuscript E, says they were Britons.[1] Yorke, however, says the opponent was Ceol, Ceawlin's nephew.[2] Ceawlin is recorded as dying the following year and was succeeded by Ceol; his son Cuthwine went into exile.

The Chronicle records a second battle on the same site in the year 715. The area was of strategic importance since it lay near the intersection of the ancient Ridgeway with Wansdyke.

  1. ^ ...7 mycel wæl gewearð on Brytene þes geares æt Wodnesbeorge, 7 Ceawlin wæs ut adrifen. (... and great slaughter was there of the British that year at Wodnesbeorge, and Ceawlin was driven out.) http://asc.jebbo.co.uk/e/e-L.html
  2. ^ Yorke, Barbara (1990). Kings and Kingdoms of Early Anglo-Saxon England. London: Seaby. ISBN 1-85264-027-8.