Pictish symbol stone depicting what was once generally accepted to be the battle
Date
20 May 685
Location
Unknown traditionally near Dunnichen, Angus; alternatively, near Dunachton, Badenoch.
Result
Pictish victory
Belligerents
Pictland
Northumbria
Commanders and leaders
Bridei III
Ecgfrith †
v
t
e
Anglo-Saxon invasions and the founding of England
Timeline
Groans of the Britons
Guoloph
Aylesford
Treason of the Long Knives
Wippedesfleot
Mercredesburne
Badon
Beranburh
Alclud Ford
Argoed Llwyfain
Deorham
1st Wodensburh
Raith
Catraeth
Degsastan
Chester
Cirencester
Cefn Digoll
Caer-Uisc
Hatfield Chase
Heavenfield
Maserfield
Winwaed
Peonnum
Two Rivers
Trent
Nechtansmere
2nd Wodensburh
Hehil
Pencon
Hereford
Otford
Bensington
Ellandun
Hingston Down
Scotland
Brunanburh
The Battle of Dun Nechtain or Battle of Nechtansmere (Old Welsh: Gueith Linn Garan) was fought between the Picts, led by King Bridei Mac Bili, and the Northumbrians, led by King Ecgfrith, on 20 May 685.
The Northumbrian hegemony over northern Britain, won by Ecgfrith's predecessors, had begun to disintegrate. Several of Northumbria's subject nations had rebelled in recent years, leading to a number of large-scale battles against the Picts, Mercians and Irish, with varied success. After sieges of neighbouring territories carried out by the Picts, Ecgfrith led his forces against them, despite advice to the contrary, in an effort to reassert his suzerainty over the Pictish nations.
A feigned retreat by the Picts drew the Northumbrians into an ambush at Dun Nechtain near the lake of Linn Garan. The battle site has long been thought to have been near the present-day village of Dunnichen in Angus. Recent research, however, has suggested a more northerly location near Dunachton, on the shores of Loch Insh in Badenoch and Strathspey.
The battle ended with a decisive Pictish victory which severely weakened Northumbria's power in northern Britain. Ecgfrith was killed in battle, along with the greater part of his army. The Pictish victory marked their independence from Northumbria, who never regained their dominance in the north.
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