Battlefieldsݮthelfrith Ravages Bernicia and Deira Union c.604
Early Medieval

Æthelfrith Ravages Bernicia and Deira Union c.604

604
Northumberland, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Deira
Forces
Deiran resistance
VS
Victor
Æthelfrith of Bernicia
Forces
Bernician Northumbrians under Æthelfrith
Outcome
Deira absorbed into Northumbria; Edwin of Deira driven into exile
The Battle

History & Significance

Æthelfrith united Bernicia and Deira into Northumbria by expelling the Deiran dynasty and seizing the southern kingdom. Bede compared him to Saul for his destruction of the British kingdoms. The violent union of Bernicia and Deira created the most powerful kingdom in early medieval England.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Æthelfrith Ravages Bernicia and Deira Union c.604

Hut circle settlement and field system, Romano-British settlement, hush and lead ore works, 750m north east of Burntshield Haugh
Scheduled monument · ~1.6 miles
Prehistoric hut circle settlement, farmstead and field system, 425m east of Burntshield Haugh
Scheduled monument · ~1.9 miles
Cairnfield 730m south east of Burntshield Haugh
Scheduled monument · ~2.2 miles
Burntshieldhaugh Fell prehistoric settlement and field system, 570m east of Ivy Pool
Scheduled monument · ~2.7 miles
Shildon Cornish engine house
Scheduled monument · ~3.5 miles
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