BattlefieldsBattle of Athelstaneford
Early Medieval

Battle of Athelstaneford

832
East Lothian, Scotland
Also known as: Battle of Athelstane Ford
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
East Lothian, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Northumbria (Athelstan)
VS
Victor
Picts and Scots (Óengus II)
Outcome
Pictish/Scottish victory; basis of the Scottish flag legend
The Battle

History & Significance

According to legend, before the battle Óengus II saw a saltire of white clouds against a blue sky and took it as a sign from St Andrew. Whether historical or legendary, this battle is the origin story of Scotland's patron saint and the Saltire flag — one of the oldest national flags still in use.

Forces Involved

Picts & Scots: c. 1,000-3,000. Northumbrians: c. 500-2,000.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around East Lothian

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near East Lothian