Battle of Ellendun facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Ellendun
Part of Mercian Supremacy
Date 825 Location near Swindon, Wiltshire Result West Saxon victory End of Mercian hegemony over southern England
Belligerents
Mercia	Wessex
Commanders and leaders
Beornwulf of Mercia	Ecgberht of Wessex

The Battle of Ellendun, also known as the Battle of Wroughton, was a very important fight in English history. It happened in September 825. The battle was between two powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdoms: Wessex, led by King Ecgberht, and Mercia, led by King Beornwulf.

This battle changed who was in charge in southern England. Before Ellendun, Mercia was the most powerful kingdom. After Ecgberht's big win, Wessex became the main power. This event is seen as one of the most important battles in early English history.

Why the Battle Happened

Mercia's Power Before Ellendun

For a long time, Mercia was the strongest kingdom in Anglo-Saxon England. Its kings often controlled other kingdoms in the south-east. They made these smaller kingdoms accept Mercian rule. Sometimes, Mercia even ruled them directly.

Wessex, however, managed to stay mostly independent. While it had to recognize Mercian power sometimes, it wasn't as controlled as other kingdoms.

Ecgberht's Early Life

King Ecgberht of Wessex had a tough start. His father, Ealhmund, was a king in Kent. Kent was a kingdom that Mercia wanted to control. Because of this, Ecgberht's family had problems with Offa, a strong Mercian king.

Offa, with help from Beorhtric of Wessex, forced Ecgberht out of England. Ecgberht lived in exile for many years. When Beorhtric died in 802, Ecgberht finally became King of Wessex. Right away, there was a fight between Wessex and Mercia. But after that, things were peaceful between them until 825.

Beornwulf's Reasons for Attack

Beornwulf became King of Mercia in 823. He took the throne from Ceolwulf I. This change in leadership might have made Mercia seem less stable. Beornwulf probably attacked Wessex to show his strength. He wanted to make Mercia powerful again.

Also, Ecgberht was busy fighting the Britons in Cornwall. He had attacked Cornwall in 815 and was fighting there again in 825. Beornwulf might have seen this as a good chance to attack Wessex while Ecgberht was distracted.

Where the Battle Took Place

The Battle of Ellendun is believed to have happened near Swindon in Wiltshire. However, the exact spot is still a mystery.

Some historians have suggested different places:

• William Camden, a writer from the 1600s, thought it was near Wilton. This is west of Salisbury.
• Charles Oman, another historian, used old maps to suggest the battle was at Wroughton. This town is about 4 miles (6 km) south of Swindon.
• More recently, T. Spicer suggested the battle might have been on the land where Lydiard Park is now, in Swindon.

What Happened After the Battle

Wessex Becomes Stronger

Ecgberht's victory at Ellendun completely changed the power balance in southern England. Right after the battle, Ecgberht sent his son, Æthelwulf, with an army. They marched into the south-east.

The West Saxons successfully took over Sussex, Kent, and Essex. These kingdoms had been under Mercian control. Wessex then added all these lands to its own kingdom. This nearly doubled the size of Wessex.

East Anglia's Independence

Beornwulf's defeat also encouraged the East Angles. They decided to rebel against Mercian rule. They wanted to be independent again. East Anglia even formed an alliance with Wessex.

Beornwulf fought against the East Angles, but he lost and was killed. His successor, Ludeca, also died fighting the East Angles the next year. East Anglia successfully became independent.

Ecgberht's Peak Power

Ecgberht's power reached its highest point in 829. He took control of Mercia itself. He also made the Northumbrians recognize his power. For a short time, Ecgberht was the overlord of all England.

However, Mercian independence was restored the next year by King Wiglaf. Mercia regained some of its pride and even extended its power. But the changes made by the Battle of Ellendun were permanent. East Anglia remained independent, and Wessex kept its new lands in the south-east. Mercia never got back the strong position it had before Ellendun.