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Alasdair MacIlleathain

Writer, Historian, Speaker


historical-fiction

  • 3rd Aug 2025

    The Raven and The Dragon: A New Perspective on the Battle of Cynwit

    The Raven and The Dragon: A New Perspective on the Battle of Cynwit

    In 878 AD, a desperate band of West Saxons stood atop the walls of a hillfort, watching as a Viking force landed on the Somerset coast. What happened next was one of the most decisive and overlooked battles in England’s long fight for survival. Who were these men, where was Cynwit, and why did this… Continue reading

    Local History, Somerset History, Viking History
    9th Century, Alfred the Great, Anglo-Saxon History, anglo-saxons, Battle, Battle of Cynwit, British Hillforts, Combwich, Cynwit, Dark Age Warfare, Dark Ages, Devon, Devon History, english, Forgotten Battles, Great Heathen Army, Great Viking Army, Historic Battles, Historical Warfare, historical-fiction, history, King Alfred, Last Kingdom, Local History, Medieval, Medieval Warfare, Military History, Quantocks, Ragnar, Ragnar Lodbrok, Ragnar Lothbrok, Raven Banner, River Parrett, Saxon, Somerset, Somerset History, Ubba Ragnarson, Viking, Viking Age, Viking Invasions, Vikings, Warfare, Wessex, West Saxons

About Me

Alasdair MacIlleathain is a historian, writer, and speaker who brings the forgotten past of places back to life. With a focus on local and small-scale histories, he explores everything from Roman roads to village myths — often on foot. He’s currently a PhD researcher in Classics and Ancient History, and is available for public talks, articles, and storytelling of all kinds.

Recent Posts

  • North Petherton in the Domesday Book: What It Tells Us About the Settlement in 1086
  • Heads Under the Water: Snizort Cathedral, St Columba’s Isle and The Cauldron of Skulls
  • The Raven and The Dragon: A New Perspective on the Battle of Cynwit
  • The Minotaur’s Labyrinth: Could the Papoura Hill Circular structure be the lair of the Mythical Beast?
  • An Eye for an Eye: The War of the One-Eyed Woman, Skye’s Final and Bloodiest Conflict

Categories

  • Ancient History
    • Greek History
  • Local History
    • Domesday Book
    • Somerset History
  • Medieval History
  • Scottish History
    • Skye History
  • Viking History
  • About
  • Blog
  • Public Talks
  • Contact

Alasdair MacIlleathain

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