Battle of Cynwit facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Cynwit
Part of the Viking invasions of England
Cannington hill fort, a possible site of the battle
Date 878 Location Uncertain Result West Saxon victory
Belligerents
West Saxons	Vikings
Commanders and leaders
Odda, Ealdorman of Devon	Ubba  †
Strength
Unknown	1,200
Casualties and losses
Unknown	800

The Battle of Cynwit was a major fight between the West Saxons and the Vikings in the year 878. This battle was part of the larger Viking invasions of England. The exact place where the battle happened is not known for sure. It might have been at Countisbury Hill or Wind Hill in Devon. Another possible spot is Cannington Camp, near the River Parrett.

Preparing for Battle: The Viking Attack

The Viking army was led by a famous warrior named Ubba. He was the brother of other well-known Viking leaders, Ivar the Boneless and Halfdan Ragnarsson. Ubba's army had spent the winter in Dyfed (modern-day Wales). In 878, they sailed to the coast of Countisbury. They arrived with 23 ships and about 1,200 men.

When the Vikings landed, they found that the West Saxons had taken shelter in a strong fort. This fort was called "Cynuit." Many historians think this was the fort at Countisbury Hill. The West Saxons were led by Odda. An ealdorman was a high-ranking official, like a powerful governor or military leader.

The Vikings saw that the fort seemed unprepared for a long fight. It looked like the people inside did not have much food or water. So, the Vikings decided to surround the fort and wait. They planned to starve the West Saxons out.

The Battle of Cynwit

The West Saxons, led by Odda, did not give up easily. One morning, at dawn, they suddenly rushed out of the fort. This surprise attack caught the Viking forces off guard. The West Saxons fought bravely and managed to defeat the Vikings.

During the battle, the West Saxons killed the Viking leader, Ubba. They also killed more than 800 of his men. This was a huge victory for the West Saxons. They also captured a very important Viking symbol: the "raven banner." This was a special flag that Vikings believed had magical powers.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a historical record from that time, wrote about this battle. It said:

And the same winter the brother of Hingwar and of Halfdene came with twenty-three ships to Devonshire in Wessex; and he was there slain, and with him eight hundred and forty men of his army: and there was taken the war-flag which they called the Raven.

Track up Wind Hill (Countisbury Hill), a likely site of the battle

A modern picture of what the Raven banner might have looked like.

Cannington Camp, another possible site for the battle.

What Happened After the Battle?

At the time of the Battle of Cynwit, Alfred the Great, the King of Wessex, was hiding. He was in the marshes of Somerset, trying to escape from the Vikings. This meant that the victory at Cynwit was very important. It showed that the West Saxons could still win battles even without King Alfred leading them directly. Odda's victory helped keep hope alive for the English.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle mentioned that in 878, almost everyone in Wessex had been defeated by the Vikings' Great Heathen Army. It said:

This year, during midwinter, after twelfth night, the army stole away to Chippenham, and overran the land of the West-Saxons, and sat down there; and many of the people they drove beyond sea, and of the remainder the greater part they subdued and forced to obey them, except king Alfred

The Battle of Cynwit was one of several important victories for the English in 878. These wins eventually led to a big English victory over the Vikings at the Battle of Edington.

The Battle in Stories

The Battle of Cynwit has appeared in several stories and books.

In Children's Books

The battle is featured in The Marsh King. This is a children's historical novel by C. Walter Hodges. In the book, the battle takes place at a place called "Kynwit." The story gives credit to Ealdorman Odda for the victory. However, the description of the battle might not be completely accurate. It shows the Vikings landing at night and being defeated right away.

In Modern Novels and TV Shows

The battle also appears in Bernard Cornwell's novel The Last Kingdom. In this book, Cornwell gives the victory and the killing of Ubba to his main character, Uhtred. However, Uhtred is still supported by Odda's forces.

The battle is also shown in the BBC and Netflix TV series The Last Kingdom. Just like in the novel, the show's hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, fights and kills the Viking leader Ubba in a duel. Then, Odda's soldiers arrive to help win the battle.