ELLANDUN – A HISTORICAL FANTASY SET AROUND THE BATTLE OF ELLANDUN

Ellandun was an important battle fought between the Saxon Kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex in the year 825, just outside Swindon, in what is now Lydiard Park.

At the beginning of the year 825, Mercia was the Key Saxon Kingdom in England. King Offa had cemented his place in History as High King to all the Saxon Kingdoms.

His successor though had been assassinated and now King Beornwulf reigned.

The other Saxon Kingdoms in the Heptarchy, Northumberland, Wessex, Essex, Kent, Sussex and Anglia were all agitating for freedom from Mercia.

In 825 King Ecgberht of Wessex found himself in a similar position to King Beornwulf. The men of Devon and Cornwall had been defeated during a campaign ten years earlier in the year 815. Now they were rising up again.

Calling up his, Ealdormen, Thegns and levies, King Ecgberht rode west, with his army, even knowing that this left his northern and eastern borders vulnerable.

On hearing the news, King Beornwulf of Mercia realised he would never have a better opportunity. Raising his own army, he marched south into Wessex, capturing Chippenham. In so doing he set the scene for the battle of Ellandun, fought later in the year, in what is now Lydiad Park, Swindon.

Ellandun is a Historical Fantasy for children, set against the backdrop of these events, that took place in 825.

Join Aedric amd Aelfwyn as they set off on an adventure of a lifetime.

rkitchen_author@realkingdoms.co.uk