It's so easy to miss, but this wooden cross at the side of the Chollerford road alongside the Roman Wall marks the site of a fascinating piece of Northumberland history. The cross stands on the site of the Battle of Heavenfield, fought in 633/634 between a Northumbrian army led by Oswald of Bernicia and a Welsh army, following an invasion of Northumberland by the Welsh side. Oswald took up a defensive position beside the Wall, 4 miles outside of Hexham, after the night before he had a vision which foretold that he would be victorious, and he raised a cross and prayed for victory. Despite having the smaller army, it was a decisive victory for the Northumberland army and Oswald became King of Northumberland.Today there is a church on the hill near to the cross which marks the spot where it is believed that Oswald raised his battle standard. A relatively unknown site, but a great example of how there is history all around us in Northumberland!
