BattlefieldsÆthelred of Mercia Defeats Ecgfrith at the Trent 679
Early Medieval

Æthelred of Mercia Defeats Ecgfrith at the Trent 679

679
England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Ecgfrith of Northumbria
Forces
Northumbrian forces under Ecgfrith
VS
Victor
Æthelred of Mercia
Forces
Mercian forces under Æthelred
Outcome
Northumbrian prince Ælfwine killed; Northumbrian southern expansion ended by treaty
The Battle

History & Significance

Æthelred of Mercia defeated and killed Ecgfrith's brother Ælfwine at the River Trent in 679, checking Northumbrian southern expansion. Archbishop Theodore personally intervened to prevent further war and negotiated a peace settlement and wergild payment for Ælfwine. The battle ended Northumbrian ambitions in Mercia.

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