BattlefieldsBattle of the Pens (658)
Early Medieval

Battle of the Pens (658)

658
Somerset, England
Also known as: Battle at Peonnum · Battle of Penselwood
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Somerset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Britons (Welsh)
Forces
c. 1,000–2,500 Welsh Britons
VS
Victor
Cenwalh of Wessex
Forces
c. 1,500–3,000 Wessex
Outcome
Britons driven to the Parrett; West Saxons took Somerset
The Battle

History & Significance

Cenwalh drove the Britons from the Peun (the Pen Hills in Somerset) to the River Parrett. This battle effectively gave Wessex control of much of Somerset and pushed the effective British frontier to the Parrett and Exe. It was one of the most significant territorial expansions in early West Saxon history, giving the kingdom the agricultural wealth of the Somerset levels.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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