BattlefieldsBattle of Cirencester
Early Medieval

Battle of Cirencester

628
Gloucestershire, England
Also known as: Mercian Capture of Cirencester
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Gloucestershire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Wessex (Cynegils / Cwichelm)
Forces
c. 1,500–2,500 Wessex; pitched battle resulting in peace.
VS
Victor
Mercia (Penda)
Forces
c. 1,500–2,500 Mercia
Outcome
Mercian victory; Penda secured western frontier
The Battle

History & Significance

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that Penda fought the West Saxons at Cirencester and that peace was made. The encounter consolidated Mercian control of the former Roman town and established the frontier between Mercia and Wessex in the upper Thames region. It was an early demonstration of Penda's aggressive expansionism that would define Mercia for a generation.

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