BattlefieldsOswiu of Northumbria Defeats Aethelhere of East Anglia — Winwaed 655
Early Medieval

Oswiu of Northumbria Defeats Aethelhere of East Anglia — Winwaed 655

655
West Riding, England
Also known as: Battle of the River Winwaed · Oswiu's victory over Penda's coalition
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
West Riding, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Penda of Mercia / coalition
Forces
Penda/Aethelhere coalition.
VS
Victor
Oswiu of Northumbria
Forces
c. 6,000–15,000 per side; Oswiu's Northumbrians
Outcome
Penda and thirty rebel princes killed; Mercian hegemony over Northumbria ended; Oswiu became overlord of England
The Battle

History & Significance

The Battle of the River Winwaed — fought in a Yorkshire river valley during severe flooding — ended Penda of Mercia's three-decade domination of northern England. Penda had killed Edwin, Oswald, and Oswin of Northumbria in turn. Oswiu, trapped and apparently willing to buy peace, instead turned and defeated Penda's vast coalition army. Penda was killed along with the East Anglian king Aethelhere. The battle transformed Oswiu into the most powerful king in England and allowed Northumbrian Christianity — the tradition of Lindisfarne and Iona — to expand throughout the land.

Casualties & Losses

Penda killed; Aethelhere of East Anglia killed; thirty allied princes killed; heavy coalition losses in the flood

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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