Battle of Wippedesfleot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Wippedesfleot |
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| Part of the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Britons | Anglo-Saxons | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| unknown | Hengest Oisc |
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The Battle of Wippedesfleot was an important fight that happened in 466 CE. It was between the Anglo-Saxons (also known as Jutes), led by a famous warrior named Hengest, and the Britons, who were the native people of Britain. This battle is mentioned in an old book called the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
Contents
What Happened at Wippedesfleot?
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle tells us a little about this battle. It says that in the year 465 (though some records say 466), Hengest and his son, Æsc, fought against the Britons near a place called Wippedesfleot.
Key Events of the Battle
- The Anglo-Saxons killed 12 British leaders during the fight.
- One of the Anglo-Saxon warriors, named Wipped, was also killed. This is likely how the battle got its name, "Wippedesfleot," which means "Wipped's stream" or "Wipped's inlet."
Historians believe this battle was very bloody for both sides. After it, there was a period of peace, as both groups needed time to recover. Some historians think the Anglo-Saxons won, but the old texts don't clearly say who was the winner. It seems like a smaller battle, possibly with fewer than 200 warriors involved.
Where Was Wippedesfleot?
Historians believe Wippedesfleot was located at Ebbsfleet in Kent, which is close to the modern town of Ramsgate.
Why Was This Location Important?
- Ebbsfleet is on the Isle of Thanet, which was once an island but is now connected to the mainland.
- This area was given to the Saxons by a British leader named Vortigern.
- According to another old book called the Historia Brittonum, Ebbsfleet was the very first place where the Saxons landed in Britain.
Because of its location, the author of the Historia Brittonum thought that after this battle, all Saxons had been pushed out of Britain. However, we know now that the Anglo-Saxons eventually settled much of England.
Why Don't We Know More?
An important early historian named Gildas, who wrote about this period, does not mention the Battle of Wippedesfleot. This means that information about the battle is quite limited, and we rely mostly on the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for what we know.
