According to the manuscript C of the
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: :King Æthelred and his brother Alfred fought against the army at Basing, and there the Vikings had the victory. And two months later, King Æthelred and his brother Alfred fought against the army at
Meretun, and they were in two divisions; and they put both to flight and were victorious far on into the day; and there was a great slaughter on both sides; and the Danes had possession of the battlefield. And Bishop
Heahmund was killed there and many important men. And after this battle a great summer army came to Reading. And afterwards, at Easter, King Æthelred died. The battle is dated by the death of Heahmund,
Bishop of Sherborne. His feast day is listed in the English calendar of saints as 22 March, indicating that he died on that date. ==Location==