The Battle of Deorham (Dyrham) - 577
According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a battle was fought between the Saxons and the Britons at Deorham in 577. The Britons lost, leading to the fall of Bath, Gloucester and Cirencester, driving a wedge between those Britons of what is now Wales and those of the south-west peninsula, an event which might have lead to the separate development of the Welsh and Cornish languages.
The exact site is not known, but it could be around Hinton Hillfort. Then again, the original source is dated much later than the event, and there is much doubt that this battle took place at all.
The Battle of Maserfield - 642
Traditionally, the Battle of Maserfield in 642 is said to have taken place near Oswestry in Shropshire. But could it actually have happened near Marshfield in South Gloucestershire?
Records of the battle, in which King Oswald of Mercia – later St Oswald – was killed, are thin. Those who believe the site of the battle was in Shropshire say the name Oswestry comes from 'Oswald's tree'. However, the original Welsh name for the town is Croesoswald, which simply means 'wooden cross'. It only became associated with Oswald long after the battle.
Marshfield was originally called Marchfield or Marsfield. Here, there is the site of a prehistoric cemetery containing a 'St Oswald's Ring' and a 'St Oswald's Tump'. Local tradition associates these with the death of St Oswald.
Battle of Keynsham Bridge - 1685
This took place as part of the Monmouth Rebellion. The Duke of Monmouth was a son of King Charles II who claimed that he was the rightful heir to the throne and sought to overthrow King James II. The skirmish happened on 25 June 1685, north of Keynsham Bridge, between Monmouth's forces and Royalist forces. The result was indecisive but contributed to Monmouth's decision to retreat towards Taunton and his eventual defeat at the Battle of Sedgemoor.