BattlefieldsBattle of Kempsford
Early Medieval

Battle of Kempsford

800
Gloucestershire, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Gloucestershire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Both sides
Forces
each other c.500–1,500
VS
Victor
Aethelmund of Mercia / Weohstan of Wiltshire (mutual destruction)
Forces
Mercian/Wiltshire c.500–1,500
Outcome
Both commanders killed; West Saxons held the field
The Battle

History & Significance

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records a dramatic encounter at the Kempsford ford on the Thames, where Aethelmund of the Hwicce (a Mercian sub-kingdom) crossed into Wiltshire and was met by Weohstan. Both leaders were slain, but the West Saxons held the field. This border skirmish illustrates the continued contest for the Thames valley as Mercian supremacy began to wane.

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