Battlefields›Aelle of Sussex — Landing and First Kent/Sussex battles c.477
Early Medieval

Aelle of Sussex — Landing and First Kent/Sussex battles c.477

477–491
East Sussex, England
Also known as: Aelle South Saxon landing 477 · Saxon landing at Cymenesora
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
East Sussex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Romano-British defenders of Sussex coast
Forces
c. 1,000–2,500 Romano-British Sussex defenders.
VS
Victor
South Saxons (Aelle)
Forces
c. 1,000–2,500 South Saxons (Aelle)
Outcome
South Saxons established in Sussex; British driven into the Weald; Anderida eventually captured and slaughtered 491
The Battle

History & Significance

Aelle, the first Bretwalda (overlord of the English), landed at Cymenesora (possibly near Selsey) in 477 with his sons Cymen, Wlencing and Cissa. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records battles in 477 (landing), 485 (at Mercredesburna) and 491 (siege of Pevensey/Anderida). At Anderida in 491 the Saxon Chronicle records that the Saxons slew every single Briton there and left not one alive. This is one of the most explicit records of ethnic cleansing in the Anglo-Saxon settlement narrative.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Aelle of Sussex — Landing and First Kent/Sussex battles c.477

Herstmonceux Castle
Scheduled monument · ~1.1 miles
Medieval moated site and associated earthworks, Pound Piece, Manxey
Scheduled monument · ~1.7 miles
Medieval farmstead at Downash, 300m north east of Freshfield Farm
Scheduled monument · ~2.7 miles
Pevensey Castle: a Saxon Shore fort, Norman defences, a medieval enclosure castle, and later associated remains
Scheduled monument · ~2.9 miles
Deserted medieval village of Northeye, 885m south-west of Old Road Farm
Scheduled monument · ~3.3 miles
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455
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
450
Yorkshire, England
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