BattlefieldsOswiu of Northumbria Raids Mercia 655
Early Medieval

Oswiu of Northumbria Raids Mercia 655

654
Derbyshire, England
Also known as: Oswiu ravages Mercia before Winwaed · Northumbrian raids south 654 to 655
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Derbyshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Mercia
Forces
Penda massive coalition
VS
Victor
Northumbria (Oswiu)
Forces
Small Northumbrian army
Outcome
Oswiu raided Mercian territory and offered tribute to Penda which was refused; led to the Winwaed campaign
The Battle

History & Significance

Before the climactic battle of the Winwaed, Oswiu attempted to buy peace by offering Penda an enormous tribute. Penda refused and continued to devastate Northumbrian territory. Oswiu was forced to gather his much smaller army and fight. The story of the refused tribute is told by Bede and illustrates Penda insatiable aggression.

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