Monument record 582 - Battle of Maserfelth

<1> Baines, Edward, 1868-91, The History of The County Palatine and Duchy of Lancaster, Vol.II p.204-205 (Book). SCH1442.

The supposed site of Battle of Maserfield in AD 642. Allegedly Winwick parish was the favourite residence of Oswald, king of Northumbria, who in the thirty-eighth year of his reign was slain in battle on the 5th August 642, at a place which Bede calls 'Maserfelth'. Evidence suggests that the place is associated with Makerfield in the parish of Winwick.

<2> Stenton F M, 1947, Anglo-Saxon England, p.82 (Book). SCH262.

On 5th August 641, Oswald was defeated and killed by Penda at a place which Bede calls Maserfelth. Probably to be identified with Oswestry in Shropshire.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ69 SW 19 (Index). SCH2487.

<4> Gelling M, 1990, The Place-Names of Shropshire, p.229-31 (Book). SCH3861.

Oswestry location challenged.

<5> Kenyon D, 1991, The Origins of Lancashire, p.77 (Book). SCH3862.

Suggests Maserfelth may have been located at Wigan.

<6> Higham N J, 1993, The Origins of Cheshire, p.88 (Book). SCH3768.

Suggests Maserfelth may have been located at Wigan, as the Roman name for Wigan may have been Coccium and the location of the battle was known as Cocboy and Meas Cogwy in Welsh sources.

<7> Stancliffe C, 1995, Where was Oswald Killed?, p.84-96 (Article in Monograph). SCH3863.

Stancliffe supports Oswestry as the location of the battle and notes the continuous descent of the name of 'Maserfelth' from Bede (c.730) through the OE translation (Maserfeld) and the biographies of Oswald compiled by Aelfric (c.1000) and Reginald of Durham (c.1165). Reginald of Durham associates Oswestry with Oswald's martyrdom and explains the derivation of Oswestry from 'Oswald's tree', as does Gerald of Wales (1188-91)

<8> Sargeant P W, 2001, Where did St Oswald of Bernicia die? (Unpublished Document). SCH3864.

Other suggestions for the battle site include the area of Bardney in Lincolnshire. This the most recent re-assessment and a re-consideration of the Winwick location.

<9> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Grid reference given is to the centre of the parish. Also see CHER 591.