Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Battle of Bromborough

Thanks for the link Geekus, I now have the Stephen Matthews article. I have amassed many such articles over the past 18 months, some of which have proven very useful.

If anyone is interested, I have the audio download link for a lecture given by Michael Wood on Aethelstan. its two hours long, but an excellent listen.

Please let me know and I will post on this thread.

Good thing you're a Timelord mate. Sounds like that lot should keep you busy for the next few centuries!

If, however, you can stand any more reading material check out Tony Austin's award winning dissertation giving an alternative perspective on 'Viking-Period Chester' in Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, vol.74. It's a lot more based on trade and economic theory but an interesting overview all the same.

As a point of interest.

Bromsberrow in Gloucestershire is listed as Brunmeberge in DB and as Bromesburgh in an early 13c document.

I have been pondering over the possibility of Welsh involvement at Brunanburh for some time now.
The whole thought process was catalysed by my reading of several articles on Kevin Halloran’ Plains of Othlyn website. (no longer available).

What was the reason behind the absence of the Welsh from Athelstans court after 935?

If, as is suggested, they were allied to him in the Scottish/Strathclyde conflict in 934. then why did they not show similar allegiance at Brunanburh ?

The Armes Prydein Vawr gives us an idea of the strength of Welsh opposition and intense ill-feeling against Athelstan at that time. Just how intense this was is surely indicated by the rallying call for an allegiance with (amongst others) the Dublin Vikings and possibly the Nantes Vikings of Llydaw ( Brittany).

I am aware of the ‘cordial’ relationship between Hywel Dda and Athelstan, but can the same be said for the rulers of the petty kingdoms of South East Wales - in particular Gwent and Glywysing?

It is these petty kingdoms that bordered the Bristol Channel and River Severn - a strategically significant gateway into Welsh and Saxon territory. The Vikings had used the Severn as a campaigning route on several occasions both before and after Brunanburh.

If we peel away some of the probable ‘stock’ fabrications from Egils Saga. There are some points worthy of consideration. There is mention of the ‘defection’ of two Welsh earls and their armies over to Anlaf. Is it conceivable that perhaps the reason behind Hywel Dda not joining forces with Athelstan was because the conflict took place on Welsh soil? This would make sense, particularly as Hywel Dda was intent on unifying the whole country. If, (as we derive from the Armes Prydein Vawr) there was such a strong anti-Athelstan feeling at this time, then a Welsh army fighting alongside the Saxons on Welsh soil and possibly against their own countrymen (if we are to believe Egils account of the conflict) would not further Hywels cause at all.

If Anlaf did have strength of support in South East Wales then a landing at some strategic point along this stretch of coastline from his base in Dublin is made all the more likely. The logistics regarding the arrival of other members of his alliance is rather more difficult to ascertain, however, a combined naval landing cannot be ruled out.

A likely point of assembly for Anlaf and his alliance could have been Caerwent. This fortification remained occupied throughout the early middle ages and was strategically placed to control the crossroads West-East between Caerleon and Gloucester and North-South between Shrewsbury and the chief port of Portskewett as well as the Severn fording point at (Black Rock).

Symeon’s Wendune and Egils Vin-Heath could have possible links with Caer Went. For etymological comparison I am reminded of the battle of Winwaed (Penda) where one of the suggested sites was the River Went in Yorkshire. Similarly, the Welsh name for Winchester is Caer Wynt. Egils Vin-Wood could have connections with the present day ancient forest of Wentwood to the North of the fortification which would have been far more extensive back then. The actual battle name of Brunanburh is more of a conundrum and may have its origins in the position of Caer Went relative to the River Severn which is a dark chocolate brown in colour due to the turbidity of its waters. If Brunan- is a metathesis of OE burnan, then the meaning could be ‘fortification by the stream’ (The River Neddern that runs close by Caer Went)

With regard to the plains of Othlynn (Annals of Clonmacnois) – I am reminded of the 9th c historian Nennius and one of his ‘Miracles of Britain’ – Operlinnliuan

….Another wonder is the Oper Linn Liuan, the mouth of which river opens into the Severn, and when the tide flows into the Severn, the sea in the like manner flows into the mouth of the aforesaid river, and is received into a pool at its mouth, as into a gulf, and does not proceed higher up. And there is a beach near the river, and when the tide is in the Severn, that beach is not covered; and when the sea and the Severn recede, then the pool Liuan disgorges everything that is devoured from the sea, and that beach is covered, and it breaks and spews in one wave. And if the army of the whole country should be there, and should front the wave, the force of the wave would drag down the army, its clothing filled with water, and the horses would be dragged down. But should the army turn their backs towards the wave, it will not injure them. And when the sea has receded, then the whole beach which the wave had covered is left bare again, and the sea ebbs from it……

It has been suggested that Operlinnliuan may have been located in the present day Neddern Valley in which Caer Went stands. The phenomenon was probably the result of ‘swallow holes’ that were situated amidst the inter-tidal lakes that were created in the Gwent Levels and ranged alongside the fortification. These formed whirpools, which manifested during certain tidal conditions. The whirpools can no longer be seen as the swallow holes were filled with clay in an attempt to remedy the flooding during construction of the Severn Tunnel in the 19th C.

The low lying area is still prone to inter-tidal flooding.

There could be reason to suppose that ‘Dingesmere’ may have been a description for the ‘lake or pool of the Thing’
Although the term ‘Thing’ is attested in English from 685-686 in terms of ‘assembly’, sometime afterwards (late 9th – late 10th c) it referred to a ‘being’ or ‘entity’. The awesome spectacle of such a natural phenomenon as described by Nennius may well have prompted the formation of the name.

The battle of Brunanburh - A Casebook, is now available.
I've had a copy for my birthday