Edward the Elder Biography

Danish forces are driven from Wessex and retreat across the Thames.

During the campaign of 892-896 drives the Danes back across the Thames

Unites Wessex & Mercia

Unites Wessex & Mercia

Succeeds his father, Alfred the Great, after being elected King. Succeeds as King of Wessex

Edward succeeded Alfred and continued the campaign to absorb the southern Danelaw.

England is divided into shires, with county courts to safeguard civil rights

England is divided into shires, with county courts to safeguard civil rights

England is divided into shires, with county courts to safeguard civil rights

England is divided into shires, with county courts to safeguard civil rights

Crowned at Kingston-on-Thames, Kingston is named after the ancient coronation stone

Succeeds as King of Wessex. Proclaims himself "King of the Anglo Saxons"

Edwards Kentish Allies kill King Aetholwold, King Eohric & most Danish war leaders

Edward forms an alliance with Aethelred of Mercia, and their combined forces are formidable

The allies launched a five-week campaign against Lindsey iand successfully capture the relics of Saint Oswald of Northumbria

The allies launched a five-week campaign against Lindsey iand successfully capture the relics of Saint Oswald of Northumbria

The Vikings quickly sought retaliation for the Northern excursion, the Danelaw King's assembled a fleet and transported a Danish army, via the River Severn, directly into the heart of Mercia

The Vikings quickly sought retaliation for the Northern excursion, the Danelaw King's assembled a fleet and transported a Danish army, via the River Severn, directly into the heart of Mercia

Launches a siege to recapture York

Edward’s allies destroyed a major Northumbrian Danish army returning from raids in Mercia.

The allied army scores a great victory over the Viking force, the last major army sent by the Danes to ravage England. Northumbrians attack Mercia. Met by the combined Mercian and West Saxon army at the Battle of Tettenhall

The allied army scores a great victory over the Viking force, the last major army sent by the Danes to ravage England

Northumbrians attack Mercia

Edward transfers London and Oxford from Mercia to Wessex

Edward transfers London and Oxford from Mercia to Wessex

Edward strengthened Hertford as part of a fortified network pressing against the southern Danelaw.

Edward built a burh at Witham and extended West Saxon control into Essex.

First Battle of Corbridge Viking victory over the Anglo-Saxons

First Battle of Corbridge Viking victory over the Anglo-Saxons

King Edward occupies Bedford

King Edward occupies Bedford

Leads a joint force from Kent, Surrey, Essex to capture Colchester from the Danes

King Edward captures Derby and seizes control of East Anglia

King Edward captures Derby and seizes control of East Anglia

Edward the Elder & his sister Athelflaed recapture Mercia from the Danes

Edward stormed the Danish stronghold at Tempsford and killed its king and leading commanders.

Raises forces at Passenham on Watling Street to declare war on the Danes

Edward reinforced Towcester and defeated Danish attacks from Northampton and Leicester.

King Edward captures Derby and seizes control of East Anglia

East Anglian Danes submitted to Edward after the fall of their fortified centres.

Edward assumed direct control of Mercia after Aethelflaed’s death.

Second Battle of Corbridge

Aethelflaed of Mercia dies; Edward the Elder takes control of her kingdom

Unites Mercia & Wessex & creates an England with English & Danes as joint subjects

After taking direct control of Mercia soon after Ethelfledas death, Edward the Elder forces Ragnall to acknowledge his rule

Unites Mercia & Wessex & creates an England with English & Danes as joint subjects

Unites Mercia & Wessex & creates an England with English & Danes as joint subjects

Constantine II of Scotland, and the King's of Strathclyde, York, and Northumbria acknowledge Edward the Elder as their overlord

Norse Vikings under Sihtric attack Cheshire

Edward received the submission of northern rulers and strengthened English authority around the Danelaw.

The chroniclers record that all England "accepted Edward as Lord"

The chroniclers record that all England "accepted Edward as Lord". Constantine II of Scotland, and the King's of Strathclyde, York, and Northumbria acknowledge Edward the Elder as their overlord

Buried in Winchester

Edward the Elder dies and is succeeded by Athelstan as King of Wessex