Battle of Badon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Mount Badon
Part of the Anglo-Saxon conquest of Britain
Arthur leading the cavalry charge at Mount Badon in an 1898 illustration for Idylls of the King
Date Unknown, c. 500 AD Location Unknown, various locations proposed Result Strategic Brittonic victory; Anglo-Saxon expansion halted for many decades
Belligerents
Romano-Britons Celtic Britons	Anglo-Saxons
Commanders and leaders
Unknown (possibly Ambrosius Aurelianus and/or Arthur)	Unknown (possibly Ælle of Sussex or Cerdic of Wessex)

The Battle of Badon, also called the Battle of Mount Badon, was a very important fight that probably happened in Post-Roman Britain around 500 AD. It was fought between the native Britons and the invading Anglo-Saxons. The Britons won a big victory, which stopped the Anglo-Saxons from taking over more land for many years.

This battle is famous because some stories say the legendary King Arthur was involved. While we don't know for sure if Arthur was a real person, his name first appears in connection with this battle in a book from the 800s. Because there are not many old records, historians aren't certain about the exact date, where it happened, or all the details of the fight. Most experts agree the battle did happen, but some early writings describe it more like a "siege" (when an army surrounds a place) rather than a direct battle.

Historical Accounts of the Battle

Historians have learned about the Battle of Badon from a few old writings. Each one tells us a little more, but they also sometimes add new ideas or change details.

Gildas's Story

The earliest mention of the Battle of Badon comes from a British writer named Gildas. He wrote a book called De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae (which means On the Ruin and Conquest of Britain) in the early to mid-500s. Gildas described how the Anglo-Saxons were spreading across Britain. He said that a British leader named Ambrosius Aurelianus helped organize a resistance.

Gildas wrote that the Battle of Badon was an "unexpected recovery" for the island. After this victory, there was a long period of peace. It's interesting that Gildas, who wrote closest to the time of the battle, does not mention King Arthur. This has made some people wonder why, especially since later stories connect Arthur so strongly to the battle.

Bede's Account

Another important mention of the battle is in a book by Bede, an English monk who wrote in the 700s. His book, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, says the "siege of Mount Badon" happened 44 years after the first Anglo-Saxon settlers arrived in Britain. This would place the battle sometime between 493 and 500 AD.

Bede also tells a story about Saint Germanus, who helped the Britons win a bloodless victory against the Saxons and Picts. However, this was likely a different event, as it happened much earlier and didn't involve fighting.

Nennius and the Welsh Annals

The first time King Arthur is clearly linked to the Battle of Badon is in a book from the early 800s called Historia Brittonum (The History of the Britons). This book is thought to be written by a Welsh monk named Nennius. In it, Arthur is described as a military leader, not a king, who led the Britons to victory at Badon.

The book says:

• "The twelfth battle was on Mount Badon, in which there fell in one day 960 men from one charge of Arthur's, and no one struck them down except Arthur himself."

Later, in the Annales Cambriae (Annals of Wales), written in the mid-to-late 900s, the battle is mentioned again. This short entry simply states: "The Battle of Badon, in which Arthur carried the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ on his shoulders for three days and three nights and the Britons were victors."

Geoffrey of Monmouth's Story

Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote a very popular book around 1136 called Historia Regum Britanniae (The History of the Kings of Britain). He added many details to the story of the Battle of Badon, though many of them were made up. Geoffrey connected Badon closely with the city of Bath.

In his version, the battle starts as a Saxon siege, but then Arthur and his men arrive. Geoffrey says Arthur carried an image of the Virgin Mary on his shield and shoulder. He also gave Arthur his famous sword, Caliburnus (Excalibur), and his spear, Ron. Geoffrey's stories made Arthur and the Battle of Badon much more famous.

Where and When Did it Happen?

Historians still debate the exact date and location of the Battle of Badon. Most agree it took place in southern England around the year 500 AD.

Possible Dates

Some scholars have suggested dates like 493, 501, or 516 AD. One idea is that Gildas's mention of "44 years and one month" wasn't a simple count of years, but a reference to a special calendar cycle used at the time. If that's true, the battle might have happened in February 482.

Possible Locations

Many places have been suggested as the site of Mount Badon.

• The hills around Bath are a traditional choice, especially Bathampton Down.
• Some researchers suggest Caer Badden (which is now Bath), based on old Welsh records and archaeological finds.
• 

  Liddington Castle site. The ramparts of the Iron Age hillfort can be seen at the highest point of the skyline.
• Other historians point to Liddington Castle near Badbury in Wiltshire. This spot is on a high hill and controls important ancient roads.
• Badbury Rings in Dorset is another strong candidate.
• One scholar, Andrew Breeze, believes the name "Badon" comes from an old British language, not English. He suggests Ringsbury Camp near Braydon in Wiltshire as the location.

Possible Saxon Leaders

It's not known who led the Saxon forces at Badon. Some people think it might have been Ælle of Sussex. Others suggest Cerdic of Wessex, because his name sounds similar to "Cheldric," a Saxon leader mentioned by Geoffrey of Monmouth.

The Second Battle of Badon?

Some old records mention a "second battle of Badon." One text, the Annales Cambriae, has an entry that says: "The first celebration of Easter among the Saxons. The second battle of Badon. Morgan dies." This entry is dated to 665 AD. However, other versions of the same text don't mention a second Badon. This makes it unclear if another battle with the same name actually happened.

Badon in Stories and Movies

The Battle of Badon has appeared in many stories and films, especially those about King Arthur.

• In the 1200s, a French story called the Vulgate Cycle replaced the Battle of Badon with the "Battle of Clarence." In this story, Arthur joins the fight and helps defeat the invaders.
• The 1975 comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail jokingly mentions the battle.
• The battle is a major part of Bernard Cornwell's 1997 book Excalibur: A Novel of Arthur. In this story, Arthur's cavalry, with crosses on their shields, defeats the Saxon kings.
• The 2004 film King Arthur ends with a big battle scene near Hadrian Wall, where Arthur's forces defeat the Saxons.

Images for kids

• 

  Arthur leading the cavalry charge at Mount Badon in an 1898 illustration for Idylls of the King

See also

• Battle of Camlann (Salisbury), King Arthur's final fight in his legend