BattlefieldsBattle of the Two Rivers — Picts vs Northumbria 672
Early Medieval

Battle of the Two Rivers — Picts vs Northumbria 672

672
Midlothian, Scotland
Also known as: Pictish counterattack in Lothian 672
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Midlothian, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Picts
Forces
Pictish levy force
VS
Victor
Northumbria (Ecgfrith)
Forces
Northumbrian military retinue
Outcome
Northumbrian victory; Ecgfrith crushed a Pictish uprising and pushed his frontier deep into Pictland
The Battle

History & Significance

Ecgfrith of Northumbria made his reputation with a series of brutal campaigns against the Picts in the early 670s. After his father Oswiu died in 670, the Picts and Mercia rose simultaneously against Northumbrian overlordship. Ecgfrith suppressed the Picts so savagely that contemporary sources describe rivers running red with blood — foreshadowing the final reckoning that would come at Nechtansmere thirteen years later.

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