Unification
A meeting at Eamont Bridge is sealed by an agreement that Constantine, Eogan of Strathclyde, Hywel Dda, and Ealdred would "renounce all idolatry": that is, they would not ally with the Vikings
Role range: 0924-0939
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Athelstan Biography and Timeline — Page 2
Follow Athelstan through 134 dated historical records for England.
Athelstan, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
134Distinct records
2 of 4Page
927–930Years on this page
927
Exeter Law Code
Athelstan issued further legislation at Exeter after receiving reports that earlier peace measures were being ignored.
Role range: 0924-0939
Grant at Folkestone
Athelstan granted land at Folkestone to Christ Church, Canterbury, in a charter copied into a Gospel book.
Role range: 0924-0939
Penalties for Corrupt Reeves
Reeves who accepted bribes or obstructed justice faced royal fines and removal from office.
Role range: 0924-0939
Removal of Powerful Offenders
Powerful offenders who resisted justice could be expelled with their households to another part of the kingdom.
Role range: 0924-0939
Ruler of All Britain Title
Royal diplomas began describing Athelstan as ruler or king of all Britain.
Role range: 0924-0939
Surety for Dependants
Lords and reeves were required to provide surety for the conduct of men under their authority.
Role range: 0924-0939
Death of Sihtric
Sihtric died, allowing Athelstan to intervene directly in the Northumbrian succession.
Role range: 0924-0939
Dedication of Coronation Gospels
Athelstan dedicated the Gospel book known as the Coronation Gospels to Christ Church, Canterbury.
Role range: 0924-0939
King of the English
After taking York, Athelstan increasingly used titles presenting him as king of the English.
Role range: 0924-0939
Annexation of Northumbria
The seizure of York brings Northumbria under Athelstan's rule and creates the first durable kingdom encompassing all England.
Role range: 0924-0939
Capture of York
Athelstan takes control of York before Guthfrith can establish himself there.
Role range: 0924-0939
Death of Sihtric Changes Northern Balance
Sihtric's death ends the York settlement and creates an opportunity for Athelstan to move directly against the Viking kingdom.
Role range: 0924-0939
Guthfrith Claims York
Guthfrith of Dublin crosses the Irish Sea to claim York after Sihtric's death, but Athelstan moves first.
Role range: 0924-0939
Hegemony over Northern Britain
After the York conquest and Eamont settlement, Athelstan claims an unprecedented level of political supremacy across northern Britain.
Role range: 0924-0939
Pressure on Cornwall
Athelstan removes remaining Cornish opposition from Exeter and strengthens English authority along the southwestern frontier.
Role range: 0924-0939
Welsh Rulers Accept Tribute Settlement
Welsh rulers accept a settlement under which tribute is paid to Athelstan, reinforcing his wider supremacy in Britain.
Role range: 0924-0939
Campaign against Guthfrith
Athelstan moved against Guthfrith, who attempted to claim the Scandinavian kingdom of York.
Role range: 0924-0939
Capture of Northumbria
Captures Northumbria, becomes the 1st King of all of England
Role range: 0924-0939
Capture of York
Athelstan seized York and ended the independent Scandinavian kingship there.
Role range: 0924-0939
Capture of York
Recaptures York
Role range: 0924-0939
Expulsion of Guthfrith
Guthfrith was driven from Northumbria and sought support beyond Athelstan’s kingdom.
Role range: 0924-0939
Unification
In less than a decade, the Kingdom of the English had become by far the greatest power in the British Isles, perhaps stretching as far north as the Firth of Forth. Captures Northumbria, becomes the 1st King of all of England
Role range: 0924-0939
928
Grant at Odstock
At Easter, Athelstan granted twelve hides at Odstock to his minister Byrhtferth.
Role range: 0924-0939
Conditional Pardon for Offenders
A temporary pardon allowed offenders to confess, make compensation, and abandon further criminal activity.
Role range: 0924-0939
Economy of England
Mints 30 coins & decrees that there can only be 1 currency in Britain
Role range: 0924-0939
Reform of Currency
Mints 30 coins & decrees that there can only be 1 currency in Britain
Role range: 0924-0939
Cornish Boundary at Tamar
Later tradition credits Athelstan with fixing the Tamar as the boundary of English rule in Cornwall.
Role range: 0924-0939
Meeting with Welsh Kings
Athelstan summoned Welsh rulers to Hereford and asserted English supremacy over their kingdoms.
Role range: 0924-0939
Removal of Cornish from Exeter
Later sources state that Athelstan removed Cornish inhabitants from Exeter and strengthened English control.
Role range: 0924-0939
Welsh Tribute Settlement
Welsh rulers agreed to provide substantial annual tribute under Athelstan’s overlordship.
Role range: 0924-0939
Capture of York
York is razed to the ground. Guthfrith is captured & the Norse Kingdom of York collapses
Role range: 0924-0939
Siege of York
York is razed to the ground
Role range: 0924-0939
929
Marriage Alliance with Otto
Athelstan arranged the marriage of his half-sister Eadgyth to Otto, the future Holy Roman Emperor.
Role range: 0924-0939
930
Grant at Medmerry
Athelstan granted Bishop Beornheah land at Medmerry with woodland and meadow in Sussex.
Role range: 0924-0939
Grant at Sandford
Athelstan granted Bishop Eadulf and the community of Crediton three hides at Sandford.
Role range: 0924-0939
Grant at Clifton upon Teme
A charter records Athelstan granting land at Clifton upon Teme to Worcester minster.
Role range: 0924-0939
Grant at Dumbleton
A charter records Athelstan granting Abbot Cynath land at Dumbleton and neighbouring estates.
Role range: 0924-0939
London Peace Guild Ordinances
London bishops, reeves, nobles, and commoners organised collective measures for pursuing thieves and protecting property.
Role range: 0924-0939
Minimum Execution Age
Later Athelstan legislation raised the minimum age for execution after concern about killing very young offenders.
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.