Battle of Barbury
Defeats the Britons at Barbury near Swindon
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Ceawlin Biography and Timeline
Follow Ceawlin through 50 dated historical records for England.
Ceawlin, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
50Distinct records
1 of 2Page
556–584Years on this page
556
Battle of Beranburh
Fights at the Battle of Beranburh
First Recorded Appearance
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle first records Ceawlin fighting alongside Cynric at Beranbyrig in 556.
Role range: 0560-0592
Battle of Beranbyrg
Defeats the Britons at Beranbyrg
Role range: 0560-0592
560
Alliance Ceawlin and confederate partners not stated in source
Organizes a Confederation to drive Britons out of Wessex
Role range: 0560-0592
Bretwalda Tradition
Later Chronicle tradition includes Ceawlin among the early rulers conventionally described as Bretwaldas.
Role range: 0560-0592
Descent from Cerdic
The West Saxon genealogy places Ceawlin in the royal line descending from Cerdic through Cynric.
Role range: 0560-0592
Father of Cuthwine
Cuthwine is recorded as a son of Ceawlin in the West Saxon royal tradition.
Role range: 0560-0592
Name Form Caelin
Bede records the ruler as Caelin and notes the West Saxon form corresponding to Ceawlin.
Role range: 0560-0592
Rule of England
By 600 Anglo-Saxons dominate England
Role range: 0560-0592
Rule of Wessex
Organizes a Confederation to drive Britons out of Wessex
Role range: 0560-0592
Son of Cynric
Ceawlin is recorded as a son of Cynric in the West Saxon royal tradition.
Role range: 0560-0592
Southern Overlordship
Bede names Ceawlin as an early West Saxon king who exercised wider authority over the southern English provinces.
Role range: 0560-0592
Succession
Succeeds as Saxon King, 3rd King of Wessex. Assumes the leadership of the West Saxons in the Thames region
Role range: 0560-0592
568
Brother of Cutha
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle identifies Cutha as Ceawlin's brother.
Role range: 0560-0592
Battle of Wibbandun
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle names Wibbandun as the battlefield where Ceawlin and Cutha fought Aethelbert of Kent.
Role range: 0560-0592
Capture of Kent
Defeats Ethelbert of Kent, two Princes from Kent, Oslac & Cnebba are killed in battle
Role range: 0560-0592
Death of Cnebba
Cnebba, an ealdorman fighting for Aethelbert of Kent, is killed during Ceawlin's victory at Wibbandun.
Role range: 0560-0592
Death of Oslaf
Oslaf, an ealdorman fighting for Aethelbert of Kent, is killed during Ceawlin's victory at Wibbandun.
Role range: 0560-0592
Invasion of Kent
Ceawlin forms a Saxon front with Cutha & invades Ethelberts new Kingdom of Kent
Role range: 0560-0592
Peace
Defeats Aethelbert of Kent & makes peace
Role range: 0560-0592
Wibbandun Battle Tradition
The Chronicle associates Ceawlin with a battle against Aethelberht of Kent at Wibbandun, but historians caution against treating the report as certain.
571
Battle of Bedcanford
Defeats the British Welsh & captures Lygeanburg, Aegelesburg, Baenesington & Egonesham
Role range: 0560-0592
Capture of Aegelesburg
Defeats the British Welsh & captures Lygeanburg, Aegelesburg, Baenesington & Egonesham
Role range: 0560-0592
Capture of Baenesington
Defeats the British Welsh & captures Lygeanburg, Aegelesburg, Baenesington & Egonesham
Role range: 0560-0592
Capture of Egonesham
Defeats the British Welsh & captures Lygeanburg, Aegelesburg, Baenesington & Egonesham
Role range: 0560-0592
Capture of Lygeanburg
Defeats the British Welsh & captures Lygeanburg, Aegelesburg, Baenesington & Egonesham
Role range: 0560-0592
577
Battle of Deorham
Cuthwine & Ceawlin defeat the Britons & kill 3 Kings, Conmail, Condidan & Farinmail. Ceawlin consolidates his Kingdom around Wiltshire & Somerset. Captures Gloucester, Cirencester & Bathcester after the Battle of Deorham
Role range: 0560-0592
Capture of Bath
Captures Gloucester, Cirencester & Bathcester after the Battle of Deorham
Role range: 0560-0592
Capture of Cirencester
Captures Gloucester, Cirencester & Bathcester after the Battle of Deorham
Role range: 0560-0592
Capture of Gloucester
Captures Gloucester, Cirencester & Bathcester after the Battle of Deorham
Role range: 0560-0592
Death of Comail
Comail is one of the three British kings killed by the forces of Ceawlin and Cuthwine at Deorham.
Role range: 0560-0592
Death of Condidan
Condidan is one of the three British kings killed by the forces of Ceawlin and Cuthwine at Deorham.
Role range: 0560-0592
Death of Farinmail
Farinmail is one of the three British kings killed by the forces of Ceawlin and Cuthwine at Deorham.
Role range: 0560-0592
Dyrham Victory Tradition
The Chronicle attributes a victory at Dyrham to Ceawlin's forces, connecting West Saxon expansion with the Severn region.
584
Battle of Fethanlea
Defeats the Britons in battle but his ally Cutha is slain
Role range: 0560-0592
Capture of Many Towns
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle states that Ceawlin takes many towns during the campaign associated with Fethanlea.
Role range: 0560-0592
Death of Cutha
Cutha is killed while fighting alongside Ceawlin against the Britons at Fethanlea.
Role range: 0560-0592
Return from Fethanlea
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle states that Ceawlin returns to his own territory in anger after the fighting at Fethanlea.
Role range: 0560-0592
Seizure of Spoils
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle states that Ceawlin takes abundant spoils during the campaign associated with Fethanlea.
Role range: 0560-0592
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.