Saxon Era
Dorset fell to the Saxons late in the Saxon invasion of England, being held up by Bokerley Dyke on the Roman Road from Old Sarum. Local historian Roy Carr (2001) has suggested that the Saxons were held off by the threat of an army in the west, perhaps stationed at Badbury Rings. Carr has suggested that such a force could be one of the sources of the legends of King Arthur, and that Badbury could be the "Badon" of the legend of the Battle of Mons Badonicus.
The identification of Badbury Rings with the Arthurian Mount Badon (c.AD516) was reported by John Hutchins as originating with a supposition by the 'eminent Dr Edwin Guest' in the Salisbury Volume of the Archaeological Institute. It is one of three sites regularly advanced as the location of this quasi-mythical battle, with the city of Bath also recognised as a contender.
Nearly 400 years later another Saxon use of Badbury is less contentiously recorded. Edward the Elder stationed troops at Badbury on his succession to the throne in AD899, to face down a challenge to his claim for the crown by his cousin Æthelwold, based at Wimborne Minster.
Read more about this topic: Badbury Rings
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