Catterick, battle of

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Catterick, battle of, 6th cent. Aneurin's poem Gododdin relates how the North Britons from Edinburgh were defeated at Catterick by the men of Bernicia and Deira. He attributed their downfall to an immoderate consumption of mead. The battle was probably in the late 6th cent. It has been suggested that there may be confusion with Æthelfryth of Bernicia's great victory at Degsastan in 603. The battle was an important step in the development of Northumbria as a strong Saxon power.

J. A. Cannon

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