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.
References
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A Brief History of Merton by John Precedo: Part 1 - Romans to the Norman Conquest
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Why was Alfred called Great by his contemporaries (and us)?
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Untitled Normal Page
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Ethelred - 866-871