Battle of Marton

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Battle of Marton
Part of the Viking invasions of England
Date22 March 871
Location
"Marton" (uncertain location)
Result Viking victory
Belligerents
Wessex dragon.svg Wessex Viking-raven-banner.png Vikings
Commanders and leaders
Wessex dragon.svg Æthelred of Wessex
Wessex dragon.svg Alfred the Great
Wessex dragon.svg Heahmund
Viking-raven-banner.png Halfdan Ragnarsson

The Battle of Marton (or Meretun) between the army of Wessex and the Great Heathen Army (the Danes) took place on 22 March 871 at an unknown location in Wessex, probably in one of the modern counties of Dorset, Hampshire or Wiltshire. Various names and spellings similar to Marton or Meretun have been used for the location. It is known that the battle took place in 871 before Easter, which fell on 15 April in that year. Heahmund, Bishop of Sherborne, died in the battle and his death is listed in the English calendar of saints as 22 March. [1]

According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle , the battle took place "about two months" after a prior loss to the Danes at the Battle of Basing. King Æthelred of Wessex and Prince Alfred fought against the Danes, who were possibly under the leadership of King Halfdan Ragnarsson as he had commanded many of the earlier battles that year. The Chronicle tells us that the forces were split in two and that the Danes were initially put to flight, but at the end of the day and after "much slaughter" the Danes remained masters of the field.[ citation needed ]

The site of the battle is unknown but there are two distinct possibilities based on the names. One is in the vicinity of ancient Merdon Castle, which is in Hursley parish near Winchester, arguably the capital of Wessex at the time. [2] The second possibility is the village of Marten in Wiltshire, [3] although there is a similarly named village called Marden, also in Wiltshire. [4] Æthelred died around 23 April 871, about a week after Easter. [5] He was buried at Wimborne Minster in Dorset. [6]

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References

  1. Beaven, Murray (July 1918). "The Beginning of the Year in the Alfredian Calendar (866–887)". English Historical Review. 33 (131): 334.
  2. "Parishes: Hursley". British History Online. Victoria County History – Hampshire. University of London. 2019 [1908]. pp. 417–422. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  3. "Great Bedwyn". British History Online. Victoria County History – Wiltshire. University of London. 2019 [1999]. pp. 8–49. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  4. Aethelred I at the Encyclopædia Britannica
  5. Keynes & Lapidge, p. 80.
  6. Stephen, p. 27.

Bibliography