BattlefieldsAnglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
Early Medieval

Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)

450–500
Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Anglian capture of Eboracum · End of Roman York
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Sub-Roman Britons
Forces
c. 800–2,000 Sub-Roman British defenders.
VS
Victor
Angles (Deira)
Forces
c. 1,000–3,000 Anglian assault force
Outcome
York passed from British to Anglian control; renamed Eoforwic
The Battle

History & Significance

The transition of York from Roman-British to Anglian control sometime in the fifth century was likely marked by violence though the exact circumstances are unknown. The Anglian kingdom of Deira was centred on York and the Vale of York. Eboracum became Eoforwic; Latin was replaced by Old English; the Roman street plan survived in the city's bones. This transition, however it occurred, set the stage for York's role as the capital of Northumbria.

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