Penda Defeats Oswald at Maserfield

The Battle of Maserfield saw King Penda of Mercia confront and decisively defeat King Oswald of Northumbria. Occurring in a location believed to be within present-day Shropshire, this battle was rooted in the ongoing power struggles between the two kingdoms. Oswald, a staunch advocate of Christianity, had been expanding Northumbrian territory and influence, sparking Penda's wrath. The battle culminated in Oswald’s death, marking a significant shift in the balance of power in the region.