BattlefieldsBattle of Cirencester (628)
Early Medieval

Battle of Cirencester (628)

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

Who Fought

Defeated
Cynegils and Cwichelm of Wessex
Forces
c. 1,500–2,500 Wessex; pitched battle at Cirencester.
VS
Victor
Penda of Mercia
Forces
c. 1,500–2,500 Mercia
Outcome
West Saxon kings submitted to Penda; Hwicce region transferred to Mercia
The Battle

History & Significance

The Chronicle records Penda fighting the West Saxon kings at Cirencester, after which they came to terms. This engagement established Mercian control over the Hwicce sub-kingdom (centred on Gloucestershire and Worcestershire) and pushed the Mercian-West Saxon border southward. It was part of Penda's systematic expansion that would make Mercia the dominant English kingdom by mid-century.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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