The Battle of Merton was fought in April 871. It was one of eight known to be fought that year by King Ethelred of Wessex in England, who was defending his kingdom against an army of Danish invaders.
The Danish invaders defeated King Ethelred's forces, with the King himself amongst the dead. Whether he died in battle, or as a result of wounds suffered in battle is unclear. The site of the battle is unknown. Suggestions include the borders of the London Borough of Merton, Merton in Oxfordshire, Marden in Wiltshire or Martin in Dorset. The more westerly locations tend to be favoured because King Ethelred was buried in Wimborne Minster in Dorset shortly afterwards.
A further and more likely location for the battle is Merriton, on the banks of the River Stour, a few miles downstream of Wimborne, thus providing a simple journey by barge with the body of King Ethelred. The medieval manor of Merriton was situated on what is now the southern perimeter of Bournemouth (Hurn) Airport.
References
- "A Brief History of Merton by John Precedo: Part 1 - Romans to the Norman Conquest". Tooting Website - History. http://pages.britishlibrary.net/rhavy/heugont.html. Retrieved May 17 2005.
- "Why was Alfred called Great by his contemporaries (and us)?". Message to Classics-L mailing list, 6 May 2000 from Christopher Robbins. http://omega.cohums.ohio-state.edu/mailing_lists/CLA-L/2000/06/0136.php. Retrieved May 17 2005.
- "Untitled Normal Page". Parker and Related Families Section Four. http://kykinfolks.tripod.com/parker/four.htm. Retrieved May 17 2005.
- "Ethelred - 866-871". Royalty.Info Website - History. http://www.royalty.info/british/Ethelred/. Retrieved May 17 2005.
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