| Conflict: | Battle of Woden's Barrow (592) |
| Partof: | the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain |
| Date: | 592 |
| Place: | Adam's Grave, Wiltshire |
| Result: | West Saxon defeat |
| Combatant1: | West Saxons |
| Combatant2: | Britons |
| Commander1: | Ceawlin |
| Commander2: | Unknown |
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records a battle fought in the year 592 at Woden's Barrow (Old English "Wōdnesbeorġ"), the neolithic long barrow now known as Adam's Grave, near Marlborough, Wiltshire. The year entry states: "Her micel wælfill wæs æt Woddes beorge, 7 Ceawlin wæs ut adrifen." (There was great slaughter at Woden's hill, and Ceawlin was driven out.)
Ceawlin was king of Anglo-Saxon Wessex. In most versions of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle the entry does not record the identity of the force opposing Ceawlin but one version, Manuscript E, says they were Britons.[1] Yorke, however, says the opponent was Ceol, Ceawlin's nephew.[2] Ceawlin is recorded as dying the following year and was succeeded by Ceol; his son Cuthwine went into exile.
The Chronicle records a second battle on the same site in the year 715. The area was of strategic importance since it lay near the intersection of the ancient Ridgeway with Wansdyke.