Bromborough could be the location of one of the most important clashes ever fought on English soil, according to a new book from the University of Chester Press.

The much-debated question of where the the Battle of Brunanburh took place could be closer to a resolution.

In 'Finding the Battle of Brunanburh', scholars have undertaken the most comprehensive analysis of the evidence yet available.

They argue that evidence points to Bromborough, Wirral, as the location for one of the most important clashes ever fought on English soil.

Brunanburh is the principal name given to a great battle fought between the West Saxon King Athelstan and a joint force under King Anlaf of Dublin, King Constantine of Alba and King Owain of Strathclyde in the year 937.

After a bloody day-long encounter in which many were killed, the English emerged victorious. The Hiberno-Norse contingent fled back to Dublin in ships and the northern British forces returned to their lands.

For Athelstan, Brunanburh was the crowning achievement of his successful reign, justifying his claim to be 'ruler of all Britain'.

The story of the battle was told again and again, with more than 50 medieval writers recording it in various forms, and many writers during the last 100 years or so trying to answer the question of where specifically it happened.

Offering the insights of Paul Cavill, Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Nottingham, and Steve Harding, Professor Emeritus in Applied Biochemistry at the University of Nottingham, the book argues that Bromborough is the likeliest location for the battle.

"It explains why we do not accept the many alternative proposals that have been put forward, and tries to articulate clearly, rationally and forcefully why the Wirral hypothesis is not only plausible but convincing," said professor Cavill.

Professor Harding added: "One cannot doubt the interest that the battle of Brunanburh creates and retains in present-day discussion. 

"The debate about this is sometimes heated, causing a polarisation of views, but this publication adds significant new material and analysis.

"A scientific protocol has been established, based on chemical composition and chemical isotope analysis for testing, whether significant numbers of any lead or iron-based objects positively identified as coming from the Viking Age near Bromborough can be traced back to Scandinavia or Scotland."

For further information about the book and to place online orders directly via the publisher, the University of Chester Press, please visit the University of Chester Storefront.