BattlefieldsBattle of Beranburh 556
Early Medieval

Battle of Beranburh 556

556
England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
British forces defending Barbury hillfort
VS
Victor
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
West Saxons under Cynric and Ceawlin
Outcome
West Saxons capture Barbury Castle; British resistance in Wiltshire broken
The Battle

History & Significance

Cynric and Ceawlin fought the British at Beranburh, identified with Barbury Castle hillfort on the Marlborough Downs, in 556. The battle extended West Saxon power across Wiltshire toward the Thames valley. The Iron Age hillfort at Barbury was a natural British rallying point against the Saxon advance.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around this battlefield

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near this battlefield