Odda, Ealdorman of Devon facts for kids

Odda, also known as Oddune, was an important leader in Devon during the 800s. He is famous for winning the Battle of Cynwit in 878. In this battle, his West Saxon army defeated a Viking army led by Ubba. Ubba was the brother of famous Viking chiefs Ivar the Boneless and Halfdan Ragnarsson.

Odda's Life and the Viking Wars

We don't know much about Odda's early life. He became a leader, or ealdorman, in Devon sometime before the year 878. He took over from another leader named Karl or Ceorle.

During the 870s, Alfred the Great, the King of Wessex, was always fighting the Vikings. The Vikings had started invading England in 865 with a huge army. By 871, Alfred's kingdom of Wessex was the only English kingdom still fighting them.

By 878, things were not going well for King Alfred. In January of that year, the Vikings launched a surprise attack on Chippenham. This was a royal fort where Alfred had been staying for Christmas. The Vikings killed many people there. King Alfred escaped with a small group of followers. He hid in the swamps of Somerset at a place called Athelney. From this hidden fort, he continued to fight the Vikings.

The Viking Threat and Odda's Choice

King Alfred faced a big problem. Many of his people might stop supporting him. They might instead join Guthrum, the Viking King who had conquered much of Wessex. Odda had to decide whether to stay loyal to Alfred or join the Vikings.

In early 878, a Viking army landed on the coast of Devon or Somerset. This army was led by Ubba. He was believed to be the son of the legendary Viking warrior Ragnar Lodbrok. Odda chose not to join the invaders.

The Battle of Cynwit

Odda quickly gathered an army. Most of his soldiers were farmers and peasants, not trained fighters. He led them to a strong defensive spot overlooking the beach. This place is often thought to be Countisbury Hill. Odda's forces dug in on top of the hill.

Ubba saw that Odda's men had no fresh water on the hill. So, he decided not to attack. He planned to wait until thirst forced Odda's army to surrender. Ubba's army carried a special flag called the raven banner. This flag was a symbol of the Viking god Odin. It was said to flap strongly for victory and hang limply for defeat. On that day, it flapped strongly.

Odda knew his army could not stay on the hill forever without water. At dawn, he led his troops down the hill. They surprised the Vikings. In the fierce battle that followed, about a thousand Vikings were killed. Ubba himself was also killed, possibly by Odda. Odda's men captured the raven banner. It was a great victory for the English. This battle later became known as the Battle of Cynwit. Sometimes it was called the Battle of the Raven Banner.

After the Victory

Not long after Odda's victory, King Alfred left the Somerset marshes. In May 878, Alfred defeated Guthrum's Viking forces at the Battle of Edington. He then chased the Vikings to their fort at Chippenham. Alfred starved them until they surrendered.

One of the terms of surrender was that Guthrum had to become a Christian. Three weeks later, Guthrum and 29 of his main leaders were baptized. This happened at Alfred's court near Athelney. King Alfred even became Guthrum's spiritual father.

Odda was later replaced as the leader of Devon by a man named Edred. Edred died in the year 901.