Succession
Succeeds as King of the South Saxons, a client King of Ine of Wessex. Rules in East Sussex
Role range: 0714-0725
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Athelstan Biography and Timeline
Follow Athelstan through 134 dated historical records for England.
Athelstan, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
134Distinct records
1 of 4Page
714–927Years on this page
714
722
Invasion of Sussex
Ine invades East Sussex to capture Ealdbert. Athelstan refuses to co-operate with Ine & a 3 yr war ensues
Role range: 0714-0725
825
Succession
Succeeds as King of East Anglia
Role range: 0825-0837
829
Rule of East Anglia
East Anglia comes under the influence of Wessex
Role range: 0825-0837
839
Succession
Succeeds as King of Kent
Role range: 0839-0852
851
Battle of Sandwich
Defeats the Danish fleet off Sandwich
Role range: 0839-0852
894
Birth of King Athelstan
Athelstan was born around 894, the eldest son of Edward the Elder and Ecgwynn.
Role range: 0924-0939
895
Birth of Athelstan
Birth of Athelstan, son of Edward the Elder & grandson of Alfred the Great
Role range: 0924-0939
899
Fosterage in Mercia
Later tradition places the young Athelstan at the Mercian court of Aethelflaed and Aethelred.
Role range: 0924-0939
910
Mercian Court Education
Athelstan developed close connections with Mercian nobles and churchmen before becoming king.
Role range: 0924-0939
924
Death of Edward the Elder
Edward the Elder died, opening a disputed succession between Athelstan and his half-brother Aelfweard.
Role range: 0924-0939
Mercian Recognition
Mercian leaders recognised Athelstan as king soon after Edward the Elder died.
Role range: 0924-0939
West Saxon Succession Dispute
West Saxon support initially favoured Aelfweard, delaying Athelstan’s acceptance across the entire kingdom.
Role range: 0924-0939
Death of Aelfweard
Aelfweard died shortly after Edward, removing Athelstan’s principal rival for the West Saxon throne.
Role range: 0924-0939
Coronation
Crowned at Kingston-on-Thames by Archbishop Wulfstan
Role range: 0924-0939
Succession
Succeeds as King of Wessext
Role range: 0924-0939
925
Coronation at Kingston
Athelstan was crowned at Kingston upon Thames in a ceremony led by Archbishop Athelm.
Role range: 0924-0939
Grant at Whittington
A charter records Athelstan granting seven hides at Whittington to his minister Eadric.
Role range: 0924-0939
King of the Anglo-Saxons
Early diplomas styled Athelstan king of the Anglo-Saxons before his conquest of Northumbria.
Role range: 0924-0939
Over King
Athalstan marries one of his sisters to Sihtric C ech, the Viking King of Northumbria at Tamworth, who acknowledges Athelstan as over-king, adopting Christianity
Role range: 0924-0939
Recognition in Wessex
Athelstan secured recognition in Wessex after overcoming resistance to his succession.
Role range: 0924-0939
926
Tamworth Marriage Alliance
Athelstan arranged the marriage of a sister to Sihtric, the Scandinavian ruler of York.
Role range: 0924-0939
Borough Repair Order
Athelstan ordered borough defences to be repaired shortly after Rogationtide.
Role range: 0924-0939
Confirmation of Hope and Ashford
Athelstan confirmed Uhtred’s possession of estates at Hope and Ashford previously purchased from the Danes.
Role range: 0924-0939
Grately Law Code
Athelstan and his councillors issued a major law code concerned with theft, trade, public order, and royal administration.
Role range: 0924-0939
Markets Restricted to Towns
The law required formal buying and selling to take place inside recognised towns before trustworthy witnesses.
Role range: 0924-0939
Payment of Tithes
The Grately legislation ordered royal officials to ensure proper payment of ecclesiastical tithes.
Role range: 0924-0939
Punishment of Dishonest Moneyers
The Grately code imposed severe penalties on moneyers convicted of producing fraudulent coin.
Role range: 0924-0939
Single Royal Coinage
Athelstan ordered one coinage throughout his realm and restricted minting to authorised towns.
Role range: 0924-0939
Marriage Alliance with Hugh the Great
Athelstan arranged the marriage of his half-sister Eadhild to Hugh the Great of the Franks.
Role range: 0924-0939
Dynastic Settlement with York
The peace with Sihtric is reinforced when the York ruler marries one of Athelstan's half-sisters.
Role range: 0924-0939
Peace with Sihtric of York
Athelstan makes peace with Sihtric, the Viking ruler of York, temporarily stabilizing the northern frontier.
Role range: 0924-0939
927
Conference of Eamont
Constantine of Scotland, Owain of Gwent & Hywell of Strathclyde pay homage
Role range: 0924-0939
Eamont Agreement with Bamburgh
Ealdred of Bamburgh joins the northern rulers reaching an agreement with Athelstan at Eamont Bridge.
Role range: 0924-0939
Eamont Agreement with Strathclyde
Athelstan secures an agreement at Eamont Bridge with the ruler of Strathclyde as part of the northern political settlement.
Role range: 0924-0939
Meeting at Eamont
Athelstan met northern and western rulers at Eamont after taking control of York.
Role range: 0924-0939
Submission of Constantine II
At Eamont Bridge, Athelstan secures an agreement with Constantine II of Scotland and other northern rulers; English sources portray the settlement as submission to his supremacy.
Role range: 0924-0939
Submission of Ealdred of Bamburgh
Ealdred of Bamburgh accepted Athelstan’s authority after the collapse of Scandinavian York.
Role range: 0924-0939
Submission of Hywel Dda
Hywel Dda of Deheubarth attended the Eamont settlement and acknowledged Athelstan’s overlordship.
Role range: 0924-0939
Submission of Owain of Strathclyde
Owain of Strathclyde joined the rulers who accepted Athelstan’s authority at Eamont.
Role range: 0924-0939
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.