BattlefieldsBattle of Hatfield Chase
Early Medieval

Battle of Hatfield Chase

633
South Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Battle of Heathfield · Battle of Hatfield
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
South Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Edwin of Northumbria
Forces
Penda of Mercia with Cadwallon of Gwynedd
VS
Victor
Penda of Mercia and Cadwallon of Gwynedd
Forces
c.5,000 Northumbrians (Edwin)
Outcome
Edwin killed; Northumbria briefly fragmented
The Battle

History & Significance

The pagan Mercian king Penda allied with the Christian Welsh king Cadwallon to destroy the most powerful Christian king in England. Edwin's death shattered Northumbrian hegemony and triggered a pagan backlash. Bede regarded it as a catastrophe. It temporarily reversed the Christianisation of Northumbria and established Mercia as a major power.

Casualties & Losses

Edwin killed along with his son Osfrith

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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