The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle entry for the year 577 states:
Her Cuþwine 7 Ceawlin fuhton wiþ Brettas, 7 hie .iii. kyningas ofslogon, Coinmail, 7 Condidan, 7 Farinmail, in þære stowe þe is gecueden Deorham, 7 genamon .iii. ceastro Gleawanceaster, 7 Cirenceaster, 7 Baþanceaster.
This year Cuthwin and Ceawlin fought with the Britons, and they slew three kings, Commail, and Condidan, and Farinmail, in the place that is called Deorham, and took three cities, Gloucester, Cirencester, and Bath.
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'Deorham' is generally accepted to be Dyrham, near Chippenham in Wiltshire. The village sits between the three cities listed, 7 miles from Bath, 24 miles from Cirencester and 29 miles from Gloucester. The village is now contained within the National Trust estate of Dyrham Park. The battle must have been a significant point in the expansion of West Saxon influence since it effectively divided the British tribes north and south of the Bristol Channel. |
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The battle probably took place in the vicinity of the iron age Hinton hillfort which lies just outside the Dyrham Park estate. |
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Hinton hillfort from Deorham Park estate |
Directions to the Battlefield |
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From the M4 Jn 18 take the A46 south towards Bath. The entrance to Dyrham Park is 2 miles on the left. |
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