BattlefieldsPursuit After Brunanburh 937
Early Medieval

Pursuit After Brunanburh 937

937
Merseyside, England
Also known as: Brunanburh Pursuit Phase 937 · Flight from Brunanburh
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Merseyside, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Coalition
VS
Victor
Athelstan
Outcome
Coalition forces routed; Constantine retreats to Scotland; Olaf flees by sea; five Norse kings killed
The Battle

History & Significance

The Brunanburh poem records the pursuit in vivid detail: the Norse fled to their ships on the dingy sea, the Scots returned to Scotland with diminished reputation, and five Norse kings and seven earls were left dead on the field. Constantine lost his son in the battle. Olaf escaped by ship and returned to Dublin. The poem calls Brunanburh the greatest English victory since the Angles and Saxons first came from the east. The pursuit phase decided the political consequences.

Forces Involved

English cavalry pursuit; routing coalition forces

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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