Battle of Marton

Part of the Viking invasions of England

Date	22 March 871
Location	"Marton" (uncertain location)
Result	Viking victory

Belligerents

West Saxons

Danelaw Vikings

Commanders and leaders

Æthelred of Wessex
Alfred the Great
Heahmund †

Halfdan Ragnarsson

The Battle of Marton or Meretum took place on approximately 22 March 871 at a place recorded as Marton, perhaps in Wiltshire or Dorset. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the battle took place "about two months" after a prior loss to the Danes at the Battle of Basing, in which both sides suffered heavy losses. King Æthelred of Wessex and Prince Alfred fought against the Danes, who were possibly under the leadership of King Halfdan Ragnarsson, who had commanded many of the earlier battles that year. The Chronicle tells us that the forces were split in two and that the Danes were initially put to flight, but at the end of the day and after "much slaughter" the Danes remained masters of the field. Among the fallen was Bishop Heahmund.

It was the last of the battles known to be fought by Æthelred against the Danes that year, and the defeated King is reported to have died on 15 April 871. Whether he died in battle, or as a result of wounds suffered in battle is unclear. The site of the battle is unknown. Suggestions include the borders of the London Borough of Merton,Merton in Oxfordshire, Merdon Castle (Hursley parish near Winchester) in Hampshire,Marden in Wiltshire, Marten in Wiltshire or Martin in Dorset. The more westerly locations tend to be favoured because King Æthelred was buried in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, shortly afterwards.

Another possible location for the battle is at Merriton, on the banks of the River Stour, a few miles downstream of Wimborne, thus providing a simple journey by barge with the body of King Æthelred. The medieval manor of Merriton was situated on what is now the southern perimeter of Bournemouth (Hurn) Airport.

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