Events

Battlefields Trust Online Lecture: Unholy alliance: Cadwallon and Penda vs Northumbria

Tuesday 30th April 2024

By the year 627 Edwin is the king of Northumbria and seemingly firmly in power with an unchallenged authority. But the last great British leader, Cadwallon of Gwynedd, supported by the last great pagan English king, Penda will defeat and kill him at the Battle of Hatfield Chase (632).

In a turn of events Cadwallon will be himself be killed in battle by Edwin’s successor, Oswald, at Heavenfield (634) and Oswald will mount the throne.

But Penda, the last pagan, will take Northumbria by defeating and killing Oswald at the battle of Maserfield (641) and become the pagan overlord of Britain. At the battle of Winwead (655), many years later, he too will be toppled and Oswy, possibly the most successful early English king, will rule.

In the epilogue we trace the end of Northumbrian dominance after the catastrophic battle of Nechtansmere (685).

Steve Switzer is an ex-soldier with 12 years in Royal Signals and has long interested in Military History. While on a horse holiday in Northern England he saw a strange sign by the roadside for ‘Ad Gefin’ which started his interest in the Dark Age English kings.

 He also writes poetry (One of which has been published) and is still trying to master the Blues harmonica and also wargames both online and with figurines.

For further information.

• Contact name : Battlefields Trust Online Lectures
• Contact email : info@battlefieldstrust.com