Battle of Maserfield

Battle of Maserfield
A twelfth-century painting of St Oswald, killed at Maserfield, in Durham Cathedral.
Date 5 August 641 or 642 Location Believed to be Oswestry in Shropshire Result Mercian-Welsh victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Bernicia	Mercia, Powys
Commanders and leaders
Oswald of Bernicia †	Penda of Mercia Eowa † Cynddylan ap Cyndrwyn of Powys
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

Coordinates: 52°51′36″N 3°03′14″W / 52.860°N 3.054°W / 52.860; -3.054

The Battle of Maserfield (or Maserfeld, "marsh (border) field"; Welsh: Maes Cogwy), was fought on 5 August 641 or 642, between the Anglo-Saxon kings Oswald of Northumbria and Penda of Mercia, ending in Oswald's defeat, death, and dismemberment. The battle was also known as Cogwy to the Welsh, with their countrymen from Pengwern participating in the battle (according to the probably ninth-century Canu Heledd), probably as allies of the Mercians. Bede reports the commonly accepted date given above; the Welsh Annales Cambriae is generally considered incorrect in giving the year of the battle as 644. The site of the battle is traditionally identified with Oswestry; arguments have been made for and against the accuracy of this identification.

"Since the death of Oswald's uncle Edwin of Northumbria at Hatfield Chase in 633, the Mercians under Penda had presented an obstacle to the power of Northumbria over the lands of Britain south of the Humber. Oswald had defeated Cadwallon ap Cadfan of Gwynedd, King of the Britons (Penda's ally at Hatfield) at Heavenfield in 634, and subsequently re-established Northumbrian hegemony across much of Britain; although it is thought that Penda recognized Oswald's authority in some form after Hatfield, he may nevertheless have been hostile to Northumbrian power or at least perceived by Oswald as a threat."

...
Wikipedia