Aethelwold of Wessex Timeline 869-902

Aethelwold of Wessex, was born to King Aethelred I of Wessex and his wife, Wulfthryth. He was the couple’s second son, Aethelhelm had been born around 868.

Battle of Merton
Aethelwold’s father, Aethelred was badly injured in this battle against the Vikings.

Aethelwold’s father, King Aethelred, died from injuries sustained in the Battle of Merton. Aethelwold’s brother, Aethelhelm, was thought too young to succeed his father and so Aethelred’s younger brother, Alfred, became King.

Aethelwold was mentioned as a beneficiary in a will drawn up by King Alfred.

Alfred began putting in place measures to ensure his own son, Edward, succeeded him rather than his nephews Aethelhelm and Aethelwold. Alfred claimed to have the support of the Witan for his son to succeed him.

Aethelwold’s brother, Aethelhelm, is thought to have died since he disappeared from records.

King Alfred died. He was succeeded by his son, Edward, known as Edward The Elder.

Aethelwold contested the succession and rose up against Edward the Elder, challenging him for the throne. Aethelwold took Wimborne in Dorset, the place where his father, King Aethelred, was buried, then took Christchurch in Sussex. King Edward marched to Badbury and offered Aethelwold the chance for battle but Aethelwold took the decision not to fight. Instead he rode north.

Edward was crowned King of the Angles and Saxons.

Aethelwold was made King of York and received the allegiance of the Northern Vikings.

Aethelwold and the Northern Vikings landed in Essex and allied with the East Anglian Vikings.

Aethelwold and his Viking force made raids into Mercia and Wessex.

The Battle of Holme
Aethelwold was killed in this battle which saw Edward the Elder defeated.