Everything about The Battle Of Heavenfield totally explained
The
Battle of Heavenfield was fought in
633 or
634 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 the
Battle of Hatfield Chase on
October 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 in
Dál 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 of
Dere Street. Oswald, who may have been accompanied by a force of
Scots, took up a defensive position beside the
Roman Wall, about four miles north of
Hexham. It was claimed that the night before the battle, Oswald had a vision of Saint
Columba, 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 a
cross, 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 isn't 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 the
Battle of Maserfield, in Shropshire. Oswald was succeeded as king of Northumbria by his brother
Oswiu.
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.
Further Information
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