Have We Found the Lost Battlefield of Brunanburh?
The Battle of Brunanburh was one of the bloodiest and biggest battles of early medieval history. Fought 1100 years ago, Athelstan - the king of the English - opposed a coalition of Irish, Scots and Vikings led by Olaf Guthfrithson, King of Dublin, Constantine II, King of Scotland, and Owain, King of Strathclyde and attained a decisive victory. The enemy shield wall was penetrated. Their troops ran back to their ships for safety. Thousands died.
Apart from this we know little else. No physical evidence exists of where the battle was even fought. But recently, a stunning discovery has been made that might provide the answer to the key question - where was the Battle of Brunanbruh fought?
Dan Snow heads to a field in Wirral where a group of archaeologists have found a huge amount of battlefield detritus from around the 10th Century. Has the search to find the lost battlefield of Brunanburh finally ended?