Wessex in History

Conquers & settles in what will become the Kingdom of the West Saxons (Wessex)

Cerdic consolidates the Kingdom of the West Saxons, Wessex

Organizes a Confederation to drive Britons out of Wessex

Succeeds as Saxon King, 3rd King of Wessex. Assumes the leadership of the West Saxons in the Thames region

Succeeds as King of Wessex, nephew of Ceawlin who usurps the throne

Succeeds as King of Wessex

Succeeds as King of Wessex, brother of Ceol & son of Cutha

Succeeds as King of Wessex

Succeeds as King of Wessex

Edwin sends an army to attack Wessex after Cwichelm's failure to assassinate him

Edwin sends an army to attack Wessex after Cwichelm's failure to assassinate him

Cyneglis of Wessex is batised by Birinus

Cyneglis of Wessex is batised by Birinus

Succeeds as King of Wessex, son of Ethelwulf

Succeeds as King of Wessex

Penda invades Wessex after Cenwealh abandons his wife, Pendas sister

Penda invades Wessex after Cenwealh abandons his wife, Pendas sister

Marries Cenwealh

Penda drives Cenwalh out of Wessex

Penda drives Cenwalh out of Wessex

Succeeds as King of Wessex, a sub-king, ruling over northern Wessex

Cenwealh is restored after 3 yrs exile

Birth of Ine, son of Cenred

Appointed Bishop of Wessex

Succeeds as Queen of Wessex, succeeds her husband King Cenwealh

Succeeds as Queen of Wessex

Succeeds as King of Wessex, Wessex had been partitioned after the death of Cenwealh

Succeeds as King of Wessex, Wessex had been partitioned after the death of Cenwealh

Succeeds as King of Wessex, after Wessex had been partitioned, son of Cynegils

Succeeds as King of Wessex

Succeeds as King of Wessex

Abdicates the throne in order to make a pilgrimage to Rome

Caedwalla abidicates & is succeeded by Ine

Develops a Law Code, the 1st to codify a set of Saxon laws

Succeeds as King of Wessex

The sub-kingdoms are replaced by shires, similar to modern counties. Issues his new law code which enables Ine to rule Wessex as a single unit

Succeeds as King of Wessex, ends the fighting for the throne after Ines abdication

Captures Wessex

Succeeds as King of Wessex, ends the fighting for the throne after Ines abdication

Successfully invades Wessex

Rules a large part of Wessex after capturing Somerton from King Athelheard

Succeeds as King of Wessex

Defeats Ethelhun "the presumptuous Alderman" who bears the Golden Dragon Wessex ensign

Succeeds as King of Wessex

Nobles under Cynewulf deprive Sigeberht of his realm except for Hampshire. Cynewulf acknowledges the Mercian Overlordship

Succeeds as King of Wessex

Succeeds as King of Wessex

Marries Eadburh, daughter of King Offa

Elected King of the West Saxons, son of Ealhmund, an "under-King" of Kent

Succeeds as King of Wessex

Wiglaf of Mercia is driven into exile

England is united for the 1st time under a single King

England is united for the 1st time under a single King. Becomes Overlord, "Bretwalda"

Egbert rules Wessex & its dependent Kingdoms of Surrey, Sussex, Kent & Essex

Defeated by the Viking invasion

Succeeds as King of Wessex. Gives Kent, Essex, Surrey & Sussex to his eldest son Athelstan

Succeeds as King of Wessex

Marries Judith, daughter of Charles the Bald

Ethelwulf is forced to yield Wessex to his son Ethalbald

Ethelwulf is left with Kent, Sussex, Surrey & Essex for himself

Ethelwulf is left with Kent, Sussex, Surrey & Essex for himself

Usurps the throne in his fathers absence leaving the latter with Kent, Sussex & Essex. Succeeds as King of Wessex

Marries Judith, his fathers, i.e. Aethulwulfs, widow

Ethelberts brother, Aethulwulf, rules west of Wessex

The throne the Danes renew their attacks on England

Succeeds as King of Wessex after the death of his brother, Aehelbald,. Restores the Kingdom created by Egbert, Wessex & the south east re-unite

Death of Ethelbert, without a son

Succeeds as King of Wessex, Aethelberts brother

Succeeded by his eldest surviving brother Ethelred

Succeeds as King of Wessex, brother of Ethelbert

The Danes invade Wessex

Alfred has to balance military defence, tribute payments and royal authority during his first year as king.

Alfred begins ruling Wessex during a severe military crisis caused by renewed Viking attacks.

Alfred succeeds his brother Aethelred as King of Wessex during the Danish invasion.

After Edington Alfred uses peace to reorganise the army and strengthen the defence of Wessex.

After defeating Guthrum, Alfred rebuilds royal authority across Wessex and restores confidence in his rule.

After the Edington settlement the Danes agree to withdraw from Wessex and Alfred restores royal authority.

Alfred develops a network of fortified towns to provide refuge, administration and rapid military response against Viking attack.

Alfred reorganises local defence by linking military service, landholding and fortified burhs across Wessex.

Burhs are established across southern England as fortified assembly points for the fyrd.

Alfred reforms military service so part of the army remains active while others work their lands.

Alfred and Guthrum agree terms that recognise their territories and regulate relations between English and Danes.

The Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum defines boundaries and rules for peace, trade and compensation.

The treaty sets out rules on legal compensation, trade and dealings between Alfred's people and Guthrum's people.

Alfred develops a more organised royal administration to support defence, justice and local government.

Alfred's peace with Guthrum recognises a boundary between English and Danish-controlled territories.

Alfred begins learning Latin as part of his programme to revive learning in Wessex.

Alfred gathers scholars at his court to revive learning among clergy, nobles and royal officials.

The Welsh scholar Asser joins Alfred's circle and helps record and support the king's programme of learning.

Alfred promotes learning among freeborn young men so that royal officials and clergy can read English texts.

Alfred issues a law code combining biblical principles, earlier West Saxon law and royal judgement.

Alfred sponsors an Old English version of Orosius to make world history available to English readers.

Alfred sponsors the Old English translation of Gregory's Pastoral Care for use by bishops and educated officials.

Alfred strengthens the militia, fleet and fortified burh system to defend Wessex against renewed Viking attacks.

Alfred translates or sponsors the translation of Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy into Old English.

Alfred promotes English as a written language for government, learning and religious instruction.

Alfred's coinage supports royal authority and expresses his kingship across territories under his control.

Alfred issues a law code combining Christian teaching, earlier English law and royal authority.

Alfred strengthens royal administration through written law, trained officials and closer supervision of local justice.

Alfred's law code reinforces loyalty to the king and punishes betrayal of lordship and public order.

Alfred continues his programme of English translations for clergy, officials and noble households.

Alfred encourages written historical record keeping associated with the development of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

Asser writes the Life of King Alfred, preserving a near-contemporary account of Alfred's reign.

Alfred returned Hastein’s wife and sons after they were captured at Benfleet.

Athelstan was born around 894, the eldest son of Edward the Elder and Ecgwynn.

Birth of Athelstan, son of Edward the Elder & grandson of Alfred the Great

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

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

Alfred prepares the succession that allows his son Edward the Elder to inherit the kingdom.

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

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

Succeeds as King of Wessext

West Saxon support initially favoured Aelfweard, delaying Athelstan’s acceptance across the entire kingdom.

Athelstan secured recognition in Wessex after overcoming resistance to his succession.

Athelstans eldest daughter marries Hugh the Duke of the Franks. Athelstan receives the sword of Constantine the Great

Succeeds as King of England, succeeds his half-brother Athelstan

The Earl of Orm, Overlord of the Danelaws "5 boroughs" declares for Olaf

The Earl of Orm, Overlord of the Danelaws "5 boroughs" declares for Olaf

Forced to make peace with the Danes after Olafs Capture of York. Forced to accept a humiliating peace with the Danes

King Edmund re-captures the Five Boroughs

Recaptured after the death of Olaf

Recaptured after the death of Olaf

Succeeds as King of England, succeeds his brother Edmund I

King Edmund murdered and succeeded by his brother Eadred of England

King Edmund murdered and succeeded by his brother Eadred of England. Dies rescuing an officer attacked by a felon with a dagger at a banquest

Death of Edmund I, assassinated

Expels the new Viking King Eric Bloodaxe

Eric Bloodaxe is killed, York is captured & Eadred becomes King of all England

Succeeds as King of England. Elder son of King Edmund succeeds his uncle Edred at the age of 14

Succeeds as King of England

Marries Ethelfleda daughter of Ealdorman Ordmaer

Death of Ethelfleda

Death of Ethelfleda

His wife Ethelfleda dies in childbirth leaving a single heir, Edward

Marries Elfrida widow of Ethelwold the daughter of Ordgar the Ealdorman of Devon

Succeeds as King of England. Edward's accession to the throne is contested by a party headed by his stepmother, Queen Elfrida, who wished her son, Ethelred to become King

Edwards accession to the throne is contested by a party headed by his stepmother, Queen Elfrida, who wished her son, Ethelred to become King

Succeeds as King of England, his followers murder his half-brother, Edward the martyr

Marries Elfgiva, daughter of Ealdorman Thored of Northumbria

Denmark under King Sweyn begins to invade England

Laws to protect the Christians are drafted by Archbishop Wulfstan of York

Builds a new English fleet

Pays Sweyn œ48,000 to stop Danish raids. Pays Sweyn œ48,000 to cease the Danish raids

Alphege is killed before the Danes leave England despite agreement to pay Danegeld

Returns from Normandy & restored to the throne by the Council of Witan

Canute conquers Wessex from Edmund Ironside

Marries Ealdgith, widow of Sigerferth

Agrees to divide the Kingdom of England with Canute after the Battle of Ashingdon

Edmund dies & Wessex accepts Canute as its ruler

Created Earl of Wessesx by Canute

Appointed Regent before, crowned in 1037

Appointed Regent before, crowned in 1037

Edwards brother Alfred is murdered, probably at the instructions of Earl Godwin

Edward the Atheling becomes the last in the English line of succession

Succeeds as King of England, Hardicanute is absent in Denmark fighting the Norwegians. Canute had intended Hardicanute to succeed to both of the thrones of England & Denmark

Death of Harold I, succeeded by Harthacanut, son of Canute I & Emma

Godwin is exiled because he does not approve of the King's Norman courtiers

Succeeds as King of England

Duke William of Normandy visits England

Marries Edith, daughter of Earl Godwin who becomes the power behind the throne

The son of Ethelred II is helped to the throne by Godwin, Earl of Wessex. The English Line is restored. Harthacanute dies age 23 childless leading to the restoration of the English line

Establishes the Diocese of Exeter

The Witan elects Harold & William prepares to invade. Succeeds as King of England

Harold learns that the Northumbrians have rejected his brother Tostig and chosen Morcar.

Gyrth Godwinson supports Harold II and helps maintain the Godwinson power base

Death of Edward the Confessor

Marches south as soon as he hears of Williams landing

Achieved by Henry II & the monks of Westminster Abbey, where Edward Is buried. A bull of canonization is issued by Alexander III