Battle of Holbury

The Battle of Holbury was fought in the autumn of 761, outside the town of Holbury between the three kingdoms of Angsly, Merrik and Perrin. The battle ended many years of strife, and led to a golden age for the three nations.

The events leading to the battle go back almost forty years.

The Rape of Seaxburh

At this time, the king of Angsly was Osric the Plentiful who was renowned for his generous gifts and grand hospitality. His son, Cadwallen, was less looked up to. He was a follower of Bis, in particular one of the Flaming Fist.

The king of Merrik was Cenwalh the Weak, a name given to him by his wife after his death. Little is recorded about him during his life, though it is believed that his reign was generally peaceful and prosperous.

Cenwalh, and his queen Ercongota, had a daughter who was Seaxburh (undoubtably, they had other sons and daughters though their names are forgotton).

In 726, at a celebration of Cadwallen's coming of age, he rapes Seaxburh while she is enjoying the hospitality of King Osric. There is an immediate threat of retribution from King Cenwalh, but ultimately the two kings settle on a large weregeld, and marriage between Seaxburh and Cadwallen - a move which would unite the two Kingdoms with Cadwallen as King.

The reaction of Seaxburh to this news was not one of joy, and that of Ercongota was fury. There was also little support within Merrik was also less than enthusiastic, the feeling being that in return for being dishonoured, they would lose their independence. When the first payment was delivered to the royal household, Ercongota had considerable support when she offered the head of her husband in return, together with the declaration of a blood feud.

It is said that Ercongota also joined the Cult of Asabeth at this time, together with her daughter. Ercongota declared herself Queen, and the kingdom stood behind her.

The Blood Feud

Seaxburh gives birth to a son, Cerdic in early 727. Cadwallen demands claims Cerdic for his own, and demands that he is given over to him. This only inflames passions further. Cadwallen leads a raid to try and kidnap Cerdic in 729, but his band is driven off, and he himself is captured by Seaxburh.

A ransom is demanded by King Osric, but instead Cadwallen is sacrificed to Asabeth.

Five years of bloody fighting sees the death of many on both sides. In 731, Queen Ercongota is slain, together with her sons. This leaves Seaxburh to take up the crown.

In 749, Queen Seaxburh herself dies, of an infection caused by an old wound. Her son, Cerdic, takes up the crown as King, and receives the full support of the Kingdom, who see him as the son of his mother, rather than the son of his father.

By 752, King Osric is aging, and growing tired of the war which has seen the loss of all but one of his children by this point. There is talk of a peace negotiation, though he dies in his sleep before anything can come of this. His remaining son, Halfric, takes up his crown, and vows to seek vengeance at any cost. It is rumoured that Halfric, fearing a peace settlement, poisoned his father, though nothing is said openly, nor proven.

King Halfric is rash and overconfident, a trait which leads him into conflict with the Kingdom of Perrin. He seeks to make raids against Merrik via Perrin, a tactic King Wihtgar of Perrin objects to. Things could have ended there, with Perrin coming in on the side of Merrik and helping to finish the war. However, a counter strike against Halfric mistakes a Wihtgar's personal war band for Halfric, and Perrin is drawn into a battle against both sides. By the end of 753, the feud is three way, though somewhat more sporadic that it has been.

The Battle of Holbury

Everything comes to a head in 761, when a great battle is fought between the three Kingdoms, all seeking control of the river Langly. King Halfric is slain by King Cerdic, though the latter is wounded badly, and dies later.

With so many dead, and two of the Kings also slain, King Whitgar is able to call for a parly, and a stop to the fighting.

The following day, King Whitgar, together with Erwin son of Cerdic and Oswald son of Halfric, meet to discuss peace. They agree to settle their differences and form an alliance. The Council of Holbury is formed.