seaxe left Anglo Saxon History

seaxe right


Anglo Saxon Chronicles - 530AD - Wihtgarabyrg (Cerdic and Cynric)
 
The entry from the Chronicles

Original text
Her Cerdic ⁊ Cynric genamon Wihte ealond ⁊ ofslogon feala men on Wihtgarabyrg.

Translation
530AD. This year Cerdic and Cynric took the isle of Wight, and slew many men in Wihtgarabyrg.

Where might it be

Wihtgarabyrg is made up of three Saxon snippets 'Wiht' presumably named after Wihtgar or the Island, 'gara' which can means 'a sharp point of land' and 'byrg' a burh a fortress. Hence translating to 'the fort on a sharp point of land on the island of Wight'.

The current mainstream thought of the location of Wihtgarabyrg is Carisbrook, which does match up with the description, but there are other possibilities such as the area on Brading Down whose names implies an old hillfort. This would make sense if Stuff and Whitgar landed at Bembridge and Cerdic & Cynric landed there before heading into the island.

Possible interpretation of the Chronicles

Cerdic & Cynric invaded the Isle of Wight after gaining control of Wessex, probably after taking Winchester. It would seem likely that Wessex was originally made up from the combined Saxon forces who landed nearby, so this would include Cerdic & Cynric, Port, Beda and Mela and of course Stuff and Whtigar all of whom seem to be related, even if Stuff & Whitgar are Jutes according to the ASC.


Map showing the Battles of Cerdic, Cynric and the West Saxons
 
Map showing the Battles of Cerdic, Cynric and the West Saxons
Map generated using Google My Maps 2024 - showing the Landscape, modern Counties and sea in 477AD


Please Note: this map is my interpretation of the Anglo Saxon Chronicles entries relating to Cerdic, Cynric and the West Saxons and their take over of Hampshire, the thin purple line shows the modern Hampshire boundary.

The logic for the coastal changes and the Forest of Andredsweald can be viewed on the following pages:

Roman Roads in Britain

The Great Forest of Andredsweald - Anglo Saxon Chronicles

Landscape - Was the sea level in Saxon times at Pevensey 4 to 5 metres higher ?

Was the high tide in Saxon times 5 metres higher ? - the Wash

Landscape - The History of the Romney Marsh in maps(Pre-Roman to Modern times)

Roman Locations that have not been identified and roads that just terminate



Copyright saxonhistory.co.uk 2013 - 2024
Contact Simon
Author Simon M - Last updated - 2024-10-19 14:43:04
All pages on our site (Sitemap)
 
Local Interest
Just click an image
Sigi
Ninfield History Group
The Rudes as lots of people call us, are an outdoor touring theatre company specialising in taking new & original theatre to mainly small rural communities and a few towns across the South of England. We were founded in 1998 & first toured in the Summer of 1999. Currently we tour only in the summer performing 50+ times nightly during June, July & August. https://therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk
World War 2 Vehicle database
Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group
Rye Museum
Wealden Iron Research Group
Battle Museum of Local History
(Hard to find but worth the Visit)
For all things mosaic, commissions workshops etc please contact Hannah
Bexhill Museum
The Bald Explorer for local documentaries
Winchelsea Museum