Capture of Northumbria
Athelstans empire, seemingly made safe by the victory of Brunanburh, collapsed in little more than a year from his death when Amlaib returned from Ireland and seized Northumbria and the Mercian Danelaw
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
939 in England
Explore 16 historical events and records for England in 939.
Historical records for England in 939
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 16 of 16 unique records.
16Unique records
1 of 1Page
12Named events on this page
2Named people on this page
9Places on this page
October
Danelaw
Athelstans empire, seemingly made safe by the victory of Brunanburh, collapsed in little more than a year from his death when Amlaib returned from Ireland and seized Northumbria and the Mercian Danelaw
Danelaw
Athelstans empire, seemingly made safe by the victory of Brunanburh, collapsed in little more than a year from his death when Amlaib returned from Ireland and seized Northumbria and the Mercian Danelaw
Danelaw
Athelstans empire, seemingly made safe by the victory of Brunanburh, collapsed in little more than a year from his death when Amlaib returned from Ireland and seized Northumbria and the Mercian Danelaw
Death of Athelstan
Death of Athelstan, "pillar of the dignity of the western world". Athelstans empire, seemingly made safe by the victory of Brunanburh, collapsed in little more than a year from his death when Amlaib returned from Ireland and seized Northumbria and the Mercian Danelaw
Death of Athelstan
Athelstans empire, seemingly made safe by the victory of Brunanburh, collapsed in little more than a year from his death when Amlaib returned from Ireland and seized Northumbria and the Mercian Danelaw
Death of King Athelstan
Athelstan died at Gloucester after a reign that had united England and extended royal supremacy across Britain.
Invasion of England
Athelstans empire, seemingly made safe by the victory of Brunanburh, collapsed in little more than a year from his death when Amlaib returned from Ireland and seized Northumbria and the Mercian Danelaw
Invasion of England
Athelstans empire, seemingly made safe by the victory of Brunanburh, collapsed in little more than a year from his death when Amlaib returned from Ireland and seized Northumbria and the Mercian Danelaw
November
Coronation
Crowned at Kingston-on-Thames
Other events (month unknown)
Battle of York
Re-captures York from the Danes
Burial at Malmesbury
Athelstan was buried at Malmesbury rather than in the traditional West Saxon royal burial places.
Grant at East Overton
Athelstan granted fifteen hides at East Overton to Wulfswith, a woman dedicated to religious life.
Grant at Meopham
Athelstan granted twelve hides at Meopham to his minister Eadwulf.
Succession
Succeeds as King of England, succeeds his half-brother Athelstan
Succession by Edmund I
Athelstan died unmarried and childless, and his half-brother Edmund succeeded to the English throne.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.