A battlefield lost to history, where Anglo-Saxon fighters are believed to have crushed a Viking force in one of the most decisive clashes of the era, may at last have been identified.
Researchers say Castle Hill, an old Iron Age hillfort near Beaford in North Devon, closely fits early accounts of the Battle of Cynuit, the legendary confrontation fought in 878.
The battle unfolded at a critical turning point for England, as Alfred the Great’s kingdom of Wessex faced the real prospect of being overrun by Viking invaders.
Historical sources suggest the fighting ended in a catastrophic defeat for the Viking Northmen, with more than 800 reportedly killed. Another account places the number of dead closer to 1,200.
The location, marked by a prominent mound, may also be the burial place of the ashes of the feared Viking commander Ubbe Ragnarsson.
Historian Paul Harper, whose new book sets out the evidence, said: ‘People have been searching for the battle site in Devon for centuries but Castle Hill has the most compelling claims and could finally solve this age–old mystery.
‘It is fascinating that this infamous Viking Ubbe probably met his demise in this quiet corner of Devon.
‘What is a very remote and rural part of Britain once played centre stage to a battle that had huge ramifications for the future of the island.’
A drone view of Castle Hill, which experts now believe was where Anglo–Saxon forces delivered a devastating defeat to a Viking army in 878
Castle Hill appears to fit the description remarkably closely, with ancient earth and stone ramparts and no obvious water source within the fort itself
Mr Harper’s book showcases research by Nick Arnold, who identified Castle Hill as the most likely location after examining historic records, maps and ancient forts across Devon and Dartmoor.
The site appears to fit descriptions written by Alfred’s biographer Asser, who said the battlefield was in Devon, had no nearby water supply and was particularly vulnerable from the east.
A later chronicler, Geoffrey Gaimar, described the location as ‘Penwood’ – a name meaning a headland next to woods.
Castle Hill fits the description remarkably closely, with ancient earth and stone ramparts and no obvious water source within the fort itself.
Crucially, an ancient trackway is also believed to have passed directly beside the hillfort, linking Bideford and Exeter along a route now largely followed by the A3124.
Such roads would have been vital for medieval armies moving through the region.
‘This study demonstrated that Castle Hill is the only location in Devon that fits the description of a headland fort with comparatively weak defences, secure from all directions except the east,’ Mr Arnold said.
But perhaps the most tantalising clue lies just a short distance from the fort – a huge mound measuring around 39ft (12m) across and more than 8ft (2.5m) high.
The site – which features a large mound (pictured) – could also be where the ashes of notorious Viking leader Ubbe Ragnarsson were buried
Ubbe was one of the sons of the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok, whose supposed death in a snake pit inspired the TV series Vikings. Pictured: Jordan Patrick Smith playing Ubbe in the hit series
Nineteenth-century maps describe the mound as a ‘tumulus’, while geophysical surveys suggest it contains a pile of stones sitting on top of a rocky outcrop.
The experts believe this could be the final resting place of Ubbe Ragnarsson, the feared Viking commander who is said to have been killed at Cynuit.
According to later medieval accounts, Ubbe’s surviving followers placed him beneath a huge burial mound after his death, naming it ‘Ubbelawe’ – meaning Ubba’s mound.
Ubbe was one of the sons of the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok, whose supposed death in a snake pit inspired the popular TV series Vikings.
While Ragnar himself is generally regarded as a legendary figure, Ubbe and his brothers, including Ivar the Boneless and Halfdan, are recorded as leaders of the Great Heathen Army which invaded England in 865.
The Vikings had already seized much of the country when they were confronted by forces loyal to Wessex at Cynuit.
According to the research, the Northmen may have sailed up the River Taw before targeting royal estates near Bishops Tawton, only to encounter Devon troops led by Odda, the region’s chief officer.
The Anglo-Saxon forces are thought to have launched a dawn attack on the Viking camp, killing hundreds and capturing their famous raven war banner.
The discovery has been published in Mr Harper’s book, Sons of Ragnar, which showcases research by historian Nick Arnold
Weeks later, Alfred emerged from hiding in the Somerset marshes and went on to defeat the Vikings at the Battle of Edington – a victory that helped shape the England we know today.
The discovery has been published in Mr Harper’s book, Sons of Ragnar.
‘If the Vikings had won at the Battle of Cynuit, King Alfred would have been dead in weeks,’ he said.
‘There would have been no fight–back and England would have become a patchwork of Danish states. Our language, culture and history would be drastically different.’
