BattlefieldsBattle of Mearcredesburna
Early Medieval

Battle of Mearcredesburna

485
East Sussex, England
Also known as: Battle at the boundary stream
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
East Sussex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Britons
Forces
c.500–1,500 Britons; early medieval warband engagement.
VS
Victor
Aelle (South Saxons)
Forces
c.500–1,500 South Saxons
Outcome
South Saxons victorious; continued conquest of Sussex
The Battle

History & Significance

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records Aelle fighting at a stream called Mearcredesburna in 485. The location is unknown but presumed to be in Sussex — the name means "the boundary stream agreed upon by treaty". It formed part of the South Saxon conquest of the coastal plain of modern Sussex.

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