BattlefieldsNorthumbrian Rearguard Action at Castleford 948
Early Medieval

Northumbrian Rearguard Action at Castleford 948

948
West Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Battle of Castleford 948 · Castleford Rearguard 948
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
West Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Eadred (rearguard)
Forces
English rearguard under Eadred
VS
Victor
Northumbrians
Forces
Northumbrian forces
Outcome
Northumbrian force destroys Eadred rearguard at Castleford; Eadred threatens total devastation
The Battle

History & Significance

As Eadred marched south after ravaging Northumbria in 948, the Northumbrian army attacked and destroyed his rearguard at Castleford on the Aire. The Chronicle records this was a great slaughter. Eadred turned back threatening to devastate all of Northumbria; the Northumbrians bought peace by expelling Eirik Bloodaxe. The incident at Castleford is one of the few named sub-engagements of the Northumbrian campaigns and shows the hazard of deep penetration raids.

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