Today in Celtic History !
Today in Celtic History
Battle of Nechtansmere. Northumbrian invasion of Scotland defeated by Pictish King Bruide.
May 20, 685 The Battle of Dunnichen (Welsh Linn garan) or Battle of Nechtansmere was fought between the Picts and Northumbrians on May 20, 685, near Forfar, Angus. It ended in a decisive Pictish victory and severely weakened Northumbria's power in northern Britain.
The Northumbrians had been gradually extending their territory to the north, their constituent kingdom of Bernicia having captured Edinburgh from the Gododdin around 638. For the next thirty years they established political dominance over the Kingdoms of Strathclyde and Dál Riata, as well as Pictish Fortriu.
King Ecgfrith of Northumbria invaded lands held by the Picts in 685, apparently to stop them from raiding to the south. They met in battle on May 20 near Dunnichen; the Picts pretended to retreat, drawing the Northumbrians into the swamp of Dunnichen. The Pictish King Bridei III killed Ecgfrith and destroyed his army and enslaved many of the survivors. After the battle, Northumbria's influence never again extended past the Firth of Forth.
Little is known about the actual battle; it was briefly described by the Venerable Bede in the 8th century.
The Northumbrians had been gradually extending their territory to the north, their constituent kingdom of Bernicia having captured Edinburgh from the Gododdin around 638. For the next thirty years they established political dominance over the Kingdoms of Strathclyde and Dál Riata, as well as Pictish Fortriu.
King Ecgfrith of Northumbria invaded lands held by the Picts in 685, apparently to stop them from raiding to the south. They met in battle on May 20 near Dunnichen; the Picts pretended to retreat, drawing the Northumbrians into the swamp of Dunnichen. The Pictish King Bridei III killed Ecgfrith and destroyed his army and enslaved many of the survivors. After the battle, Northumbria's influence never again extended past the Firth of Forth.
Little is known about the actual battle; it was briefly described by the Venerable Bede in the 8th century.
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What else happened today on May 20
- May 20, 1303
France and England make peace, releasing forces to attack Scotland. - May 20, 1311
The war of the O'Briens of Thomond escalates as the Norman-Irish become involved on both sides: the de Burghs support Dermot O'Brien and Richard de Clare supports Donough O'Brien. There is a pitched battle at Bunratty on this date, with heavy losses on bo - May 20, 1648
Truce between the confederates and Inchiquin; its adherents are excommunicated by Giovanni Rinuccini, papal nuncio to the confederates - May 20, 1747
James Lind began a controlled experiment which demonstrated that citrus fruits could prevent scurvy, a disease contracted by sailors on long voyages. The lime juice which eventually became standard issue to British sailors gave rise to the term "limey" as - May 20, 1759
Birth of Sir Eyre Coote, the younger; soldier, MP, and governor of Jamaica - May 20, 1836
An Act amalgamates the county constabulary and Peace Preservation Force into a centralized police force , the Irish Constabulary , which will later become the Royal Irish Constabulary - May 20, 1922
De Valera and Collins agree to a pact whereby a national coalition panel of candidates will represent the pro and anti Treaty wings of Sinn Féin throughout Ireland in the forthcoming general election - May 20, 1927
The opening hours of Irish public houses are restricted by the Intoxicating Liquor Act - May 20, 1932
Amelia Earhart takes off from Newfoundland for Ireland on the anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's famous - May 20, 685
Battle of Dunnichen (also known as Nechtansmere), south of Forfar in Angus, as a result of which the Picts stopped the advance northwards of the Angles of Northumbria.
