Battlefields›Battle of Medeshamstede 654
Early Medieval

Battle of Medeshamstede 654

654
Cambridgeshire, England
Also known as: Penda attacks East Anglia 654 · Fall of Anna of East Anglia
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Cambridgeshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
East Anglia (Anna)
Forces
East Anglian forces
VS
Victor
Mercia (Penda)
Forces
Mercian army
Outcome
Anna of East Anglia killed; East Anglia fully subject to Mercia
The Battle

History & Significance

Penda killed Anna of East Anglia, a Christian king whose daughters became major saints including Etheldreda of Ely, Withburga, Sexburga, and Ethelburga. Anna was the second East Anglian king Penda killed. East Anglia became a Mercian dependency. Penda victory also exposed the vulnerability of the Christian kingdoms to his paganism.

Casualties & Losses

Anna killed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Battle of Medeshamstede 654

Old Customs House
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Peterborough Cathedral Precincts, including Table Hall and Infirmary Arcade
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Touthill and site of castle bailey
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
Stanground churchyard cross
Scheduled monument · ~0.7 miles
Fletton churchyard cross
Scheduled monument · ~0.8 miles
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Anglian Assault on Roman York (c.450-500 AD)
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