Battle of Ellandun facts for kids
The Battle of Ellandun (also called Ellendun) was a very important fight in 825. It was between the armies of Egbert of Wessex and Beornwulf of Mercia. Even though many soldiers died on both sides, King Egbert won the battle. This victory ended the power of Mercia in southern England. It also made Wessex the most powerful kingdom among the Anglo-Saxons in the south. About 100 years later, the kingdom of Wessex became the kingdom of England.
Why the Battle Happened
During the 700s and early 800s, the kings of Mercia were very strong. They were often in charge of other kingdoms in south-eastern England. Sometimes, they even ruled these kingdoms directly. Wessex, another kingdom, sometimes had to accept Mercian power. But Wessex usually tried hard to stay independent.
A king of Wessex named Beorhtric of Wessex (786–802) probably got help from Offa of Mercia to become king. In 789, Beorhtric married Offa's daughter. Because of this, Wessex was under Mercia's control for the rest of Beorhtric's rule.
At that time, Egbert also wanted to be king of Wessex. He was sent away from Wessex for a while. He spent time at the court of Charlemagne, a famous European ruler. When King Beorhtric died, Egbert came back and became king. The Mercian king at this time was Coenwulf of Mercia. He made a peace agreement with Wessex.
In 815, King Egbert attacked Cornwall and took control of it. He let local rulers, called sub-kings, govern Cornwall for him. In 825, Egbert started more military actions. He wanted to increase his power over Wales. At the same time, the new king of Mercia, Beornwulf of Mercia, had also grown his power. He controlled areas like Kent, Essex, and Middlesex. Beornwulf then decided to invade Wessex.
The Battle Itself
King Egbert was in Cornwall with his army when he heard the Mercians had invaded Wessex. He quickly led his army back to Wessex. They met Beornwulf and his army at a place called Ellendun. This place is now known as Wroughton, south of Swindon.
Historians say this was one of the most important battles in Anglo-Saxon history. Egbert defeated Beornwulf. The battle was very costly for both sides. Many soldiers died. One writer, Henry of Huntingdon, even said the river ran red with blood. Egbert's victory changed everything. He was now the most successful and powerful king in southern England.
How Power Changed
Right after the battle, Egbert sent his son, Athelwulf, with an army. Their job was to remove Baldred, the Mercian sub-king in Kent. Because of this, all of Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and East Anglia joined Egbert's side.
Later that same year, Beornwulf tried to take back East Anglia. But he was killed during this attempt. Kent, Surrey, and Sussex stayed part of the kingdom of Wessex from then on. Egbert made his son Athelwulf the sub-king of Kent. This new area included all the lands Wessex had just gained.
In 829, Egbert attacked and defeated all of Mercia. Its king, Wiglaf of Mercia, was sent away. Even the king of Northumbria accepted Egbert's power after Mercia's defeat. Egbert even called himself "King of Mercia." This title appeared on coins made in London, which used to be a Mercian port. In 830, Wiglaf returned to power in Mercia. However, Wessex kept the lands it had gained in Kent and southwest England.
Egbert died on February 4, 839. He left behind a kingdom that was larger than any other Wessex king had ruled since King Ine.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Ellandun para niños
