- Battle of Heavenfield
Infobox Military Conflict
caption=
conflict=Battle of Heavenfield
partof=
date=634
place=nearHexham
result=Northumbrian victory
combatant1=Bernician Northumbria
combatant2=Wales
commander1=Oswald of Bernicia
commander2=Cadwallon ap Cadfan †
strength1=
strength2=
casualties1=
casualties2=The Battle of Heavenfield was fought in
633 or634 between a Northumbrian army under Oswald of Bernicia and a Welsh army under Cadwallon ap Cadfan of Gwynedd. The battle resulted in a decisive Northumbrian victory. The "Annales Cambriae" (Annals of Wales) record the battle as "Bellum Cantscaul" in 631. Bede referred to it as the Battle of "Deniseburna" near "Hefenfelth".Background
An alliance between Cadwallon of Gwynedd and King
Penda of Mercia had led to an invasion of Northumbria. This was a strange alliance between a Christian king of British descent and a heathen king of Saxon descent. At theBattle of Hatfield Chase onOctober 12 ,633 , the invading Welsh and Mercians had killed Northumbrian king Edwin and Northumbria was split between its two sub-kingdoms,Bernicia and Deira. The kingdom was exposed to the devastation of Cadwallon's invading army.Eanfrith who had been exiled under Edwin, became king of Bernicia, whilst Deira was ruled by Osric a cousin of Edwin. Eanfrith’s reign was short, as he was killed by Cadwallon whilst trying to negotiate peace. According to
Bede , Osric was killed by Cadwallon whilst trying to besiege him. Eanfrith's brother, Oswald, then returned from seventeen years exile inDál Riata to claim the crown of Northumbria. However the threat of Cadwallon remained and Oswald had to raise an army as soon as possible in order to deal with his invading force.The battle
It appears that the Welsh army advanced northward from
York along the line ofDere Street . Oswald, who may have been accompanied by a force of Scots, took up a defensive position beside theRoman Wall , about four miles north ofHexham . It was claimed that the night before the battle, Oswald had a vision of SaintColumba , in which the saint predicted that Oswald would be victorious. Oswald placed his army so that it was facing east, with its flanks protected by Brady’s Crag to the north and the Wall to the south. According to Bede, Oswald raised across , and prayed for victory alongside his troops.It is believed that the Welsh had superior numbers, but they were forced to attack from the east along a narrow front, where they were hemmed in and unable to outflank the Northumbrian forces. It is not known how long the battle lasted or what the losses were, but the Welsh line finally broke. This began a headlong flight southwards by the Welsh, pursued by the vengeful Northumbrians. Many Welsh soldiers were cut down as they ran, and according to Bede, Cadwallon was caught and killed at a place called the ‘Brook of Denis’, now identified as the Rowley Burn. The battle was a decisive victory for Oswald, and it was likely that the Welsh losses must have been substantial. Afterwards, the site was known as Heavenfield (Hefenfelth).
Aftermath
After the battle, Oswald reunited Deira with Bernicia and became king of all Northumbria. Bede believed that the importance of the battle was that it restored Christianity to Northumbria. Oswald was only to spend eight years upon the Northumbrian throne before he was defeated and killed by King
Penda of Mercia at theBattle of Maserfield , in Shropshire. Oswald was succeeded as king of Northumbria by his brotherOswiu .The site now
The road east of
Chollerford that runs alongside the Roman Wall (B6318) has a stone cross standing alongside it to mark site of the Battle of Heavenfield. On the hill to the north of the cross, stands a church marking the spot where Oswald was believed to have raised his battle standard.References
Sadler, John. "Battle for Northumbria", 1988, Bridge Studios, (pages 25-29) ISBN 095126303X
Marsden, John. "Northanhymbre Saga", 1992, Kyle Cathie Limited, (pages 113-117) ISBN 1856260550
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