Battlefields›Battle of the Trent (679)
Early Medieval

Battle of the Trent (679)

679
Nottinghamshire, England
Also known as: Death of Aelfwine at Trent
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Nottinghamshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Ecgfrith of Northumbria
Forces
c. 2,500–4,500 Northumbria
VS
Victor
Aethelred of Mercia
Forces
c. 3,000–5,000 Mercia
Outcome
Aelfwine (Ecgfrith's brother) killed; Northumbria-Mercia peace brokered by Archbishop Theodore
The Battle

History & Significance

Ecgfrith of Northumbria attacked Mercia on the River Trent. His brother Aelfwine was killed. Bede records that a potentially ruinous blood-feud was prevented only by Archbishop Theodore of Canterbury's mediation, which secured monetary compensation. The episode shows both the scale of inter-kingdom warfare and the increasing role of the Church in regulating violence among Christian kings.

Casualties & Losses

Aelfwine of Northumbria killed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of the Trent (679)

Deserted medieval village
Scheduled monument · ~1.2 miles
All Saints' Church, Dishley
Scheduled monument · ~1.4 miles
Cistercian abbey and mansion, with fishpond and mound at Garendon
Scheduled monument · ~2 miles
Village cross at junction of Church Street and Cross Street
Scheduled monument · ~2.2 miles
Anglo-Saxon cremation cemetery 750m west of Rempstone Hall
Scheduled monument · ~3 miles
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
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