More information : One of several proposed sites for the battle of Maserfield 641/2 AD.
It appears that Winwick parish was the
favourite residence of Oswald, king of Northumbria, who in the
thirty-eighth year of his age was slain in battle, on the
5th. August, A.D.642, at a place which Bede(a) calls "Maserfelth".
Though the site is in doubt the preponderance of evidence supports the supposition that the place is to be associated with Makerfield in the parish of Winwick. (1)
The district around Winwick is known as ‘Makerfield’ and it is thought that Oswald died near the site of the church. It is significant that there is a well, known as “St. Oswald’s well†a mile away from the church.
The site has traditionally been held to be Oswestry - "On 5th. August 641 Oswald was defeated and killed by Penda at a placewhich Bede calls Maserfelth, probably, though not certainly, to be identified with Oswestry in Shropshire." (2)
There are now several other contenders for the location of the battle.
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