| Viking Facts | The Cuerdale Hoard found near Preston in 1840 is the largest Viking silver treasure trove ever found, outside Russia. Viking long-boats measured between 17 and 36 metres in length and would be manned with 25 to 60 crew. In Viking times weapons were not just for battle, but also symbols of their owners' status and wealth. |
A combined army of the Vikings from Dublin and the Scots from Strathclyde fought against the English during the Battle of Brunanburh. | "Never yet on this island has there been a greater slaughter" | | From the poem 'The Battle of Brunanburh' |
Researchers at Nottingham University have discovered that the Battle took place on our very own Mersey soil, not near the River Humber as it has been suggested. Wirral has been identified as the place of the battle by a poem called ‘The Battle of Brunanburh’, which is the only modern source of information known about the battle.
 | | Dingesmere, Heswall |
The poem mentions Brunanburh, now Bromborough, which once had a Scandinavian colony, this made it a good base for the raiders. According to the poem, the battle was one of the bloodiest in English history; it saw the death of five British kings and seven earls on the Celtic side and numerous Saxon casualties including a Saxon bishop. Another place mentioned in the poem is Dingesmere, which relates to the old Viking parliament which was held at Thingwall. Thingwall, which has a Norse translation of ‘place of assembly’, is in the centre of Wirral but the ‘Thing’ field itself is believed to be just off the A551 at Cross Hill just over two miles from the Dee at Heswall.
 | | Cross Hill at Thingwall |
‘Egils Saga’ a famous Icelandic saga also has a description of the battle; this account places the battle near a fort called Bruna’s Burh. Researchers at Nottingham University think that Poulton Hall maybe the site of Bruna’s old fortress, as the saga claims that the battle took place on healthland beside a river and woodland. Only half a mile from Poulton Hall is Bebbington Heath which is next to the River Dibbin and Storeton Woods, so this fits in with the description in the saga. The Battle of Brunanburh 937 AD has been one of the major historical debates of the 20th Century, now this is solved, and the Bromborugh area has been positively identified as the site of the battle, perhaps this explains why so many people living in Wirral have Viking blood.
 | | Poulton Hall near Bromborough |
So who won? The army of Vikings and Scots lost the battle disastrously and the English gained power of the area over the next 50 years, until the new wave of Vikings came to attack!
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