BattlefieldsCaedwalla of Wessex Conquers Isle of Wight 686
Early Medieval

Caedwalla of Wessex Conquers Isle of Wight 686

686
England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Jutes of Isle of Wight
Forces
Jutish defenders of the Isle of Wight
VS
Victor
Caedwalla of Wessex
Forces
West Saxon forces under Caedwalla
Outcome
Isle of Wight conquered; indigenous population exterminated; West Saxon settlement
The Battle

History & Significance

Caedwalla of Wessex conquered the Isle of Wight in 686 and exterminated or expelled much of its British and Jutish population, replacing them with West Saxon settlers. He killed the last king of the island and had his young brother brought out of hiding to be baptised before dying of his wounds. Bede records this as the last pagan people to be converted by force.

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