Medieval Mystery of Brunanburh Battle May Be Solved

 From Medievalists:

A long-running debate over the location of one of the most important battles fought in medieval England may finally be nearing an answer. A new study argues that the Battle of Brunanburh, fought in 937, took place at Bromborough on the Wirral, bringing fresh clarity to a question that has occupied historians for more than a century.

The book, Finding the Battle of Brunanburh, published by the University of Chester Press, is written by Paul Cavill, Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham, and Steve Harding, Professor Emeritus in Applied Biochemistry at the University of Nottingham. The authors present what they describe as the most comprehensive analysis of the available evidence yet undertaken.

Brunanburh was a decisive clash between the West Saxon king Athelstan and a coalition force led by King Anlaf of Dublin, King Constantine of Alba, and King Owain of Strathclyde. After a day-long and exceptionally bloody battle, Athelstan’s army emerged victorious. The defeated Hiberno-Norse forces retreated by sea to Dublin, while the northern British armies returned home. For Athelstan, the victory was the crowning moment of his reign, supporting his claim to be the “ruler of all Britain”. (Read more.)