BattlefieldsSaxons Defeat Britons at Bede\'s River Idle 616
Early Medieval

Saxons Defeat Britons at Bede\'s River Idle 616

616
Nottinghamshire, England
Also known as: Battle of River Idle 616 · Aethelfrith Kills Aethelric
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Nottinghamshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
East Anglians and exiled Deirans
Forces
Northumbrian: Aethelfrith\'s forces
VS
Victor
Northumbrians (Aethelfrith)
Forces
East Anglian: Raedwald\'s army
Outcome
Aethelfrith won; Raedwald of East Anglia later avenged this at the River Idle
The Battle

History & Significance

The River Idle in Nottinghamshire was the site of an important battle in 616 in which Raedwald of East Anglia defeated and killed Aethelfrith of Northumbria, restoring Edwin to the Northumbrian throne. Raedwald — widely identified with the Sutton Hoo ship burial king — was the dominant English ruler of the early 7th century. The battle on the Idle marked the high point of East Anglian power and had consequences for the entire political map of early England. It is recorded by Bede.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Nottinghamshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Nottinghamshire