Battle of Beran Byrig

At the Battle of Beran Byrig or Beranburh the West Saxons are said to have defeated the Britons at Barbury Castle Hill Fort near Swindon in the year 556.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle entry for the year states: Her Cynric 7 Ceawlin fuhton wiþ Brettas æt Beranbyrg (This year Cuthwin and Ceawlin fought with the Britons at Barbury Castle).

Control of Barbury Castle is likely to have been important as it lies on The Ridgeway, a strategic communication route.