King Edward the Elder of England Timeline 874-924

Edward the Elder, was born to King Alfred of Wessex and his wife Ealhswith of Mercia. He was their second child, his sister Aethelflaed had been born in 870.

Edward’s sister, Aethelgifu was born to King Alfred and Ealhswith.

A Viking force attacked Wessex and took Wareham in Dorset.  King Alfred lay siege to Wareham but a new Viking force of around 120 ships was seen off the coast meaning success was unlikely.

Alfred made a deal with Guthrum, leader of the Vikings and exchanged hostages in return for peace. But Guthrum did not keep the deal, he killed his Saxon hostages and moved to Exeter, leaving the Viking ships at Wareham.

A freak storm destroyed a large number of Guthrum’s ships giving Alfred the chance to leave Wareham and march to Exeter.

The Vikings began dividing up Northumbria preparing to settle the land permanently.

The Vikings began dividing up Mercia preparing to settle the land permanently.

Edward’s sister, Aelfthryth, was born to Alfred and Ealhswith.

The Vikings made further raids on Wessex taking land in Wiltshire and Hampshire.

The Viking Guthrum left Wessex.

Guthrum returned with a large force and marched on Chippenham. The Viking killed many of the town’s inhabitants. It is likely that this was the last straw for the Witan and that Alfred lost their support due to the fact that his attempts to pay off the Vikings had not worked. Alfred was forced to leave Wessex in fear for his life. He sought refuge in the Somerset marshes at Athelney.

Alfred and the cakes legend
The legend states that Alfred was taken in and given shelter by a peasant woman who did not recognise him. She asked him to watch some cakes for her but he was so taken up with his thoughts about how to defeat the Vikings that the cakes were burnt.

A large Viking force led by Ubba approached Contisbury Hill in North Devon where Earldorman Odda and his fyrd were inside the fort. Odda and his men surprised the Vikings by breaking out of the fort and attacking. The Vikings suffered heavy losses and Ubba was killed.

Alfred adopted a tactic of using guerilla warfare to disrupt further progress by Guthrum. At the same time secret messengers were sent out to let the people know that King Alfred was alive and safe and would return. Messengers also delivered a call for men to muster at Egbert’s stone on 4th May 878.

Alfred rode to the muster point where main Wessex fyrds had mustered giving Alfred a force of around 4,000 men. Odda and the Devon fyrd were absent probably due to losses incurred by the recent battle against Ubba.

Battle of Edington
Alfred defeated the Danish army and forced the Danish leader Guthrum to accept baptism and peace terms.

Treaty of Wedmore
This was a peace treaty between Alfred and Guthrum. The Vikings agreed that they would retreat to the north where they would have their own independent kingdom. Guthrum agreed to be baptised and be King of the region which would be subject to his laws known as Danelaw.

As per the treaty agreed between Alfred and Guthrum, the Viking leader and around 30 chief Vikings were baptised.

Guthrum, who had been baptised Aethelstan, moved his people to Mercia.

Alfred began fortifying a number of prominent towns to make any future Viking attack more difficult. Wessex was covered with a network of public strongholds, several of which have a regular grid of streets that can still be seen today. Examples are Winchester, Chichester and Wareham. He also organised a local defence system. Alfred also spent time and money building ships to match those of the Vikings.

Another band of Vikings arrived in England. They sailed up the Thames and Alfred was concerned that they would join with Guthrum and mount a new attack. However, after a short while they left England and sailed to France.

Guthrum moved his people to East Anglia where he ruled as King Aethelstan

Edward’s brother, Aethelweard, was born to Alfred and Ealhswith.

Alfred’s new navy won a battle against the Vikings. Two Viking ships were destroyed and two others surrendered.

A band of Vikings arrived and attacked Rochester in Kent. The town had been fortified by Alfred in 878 and was able to hold out until Alfred arrived with the army and defeated the Viking force.

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.

Alfred captured London. However, as London was in the Kingdom of Mercia, Alfred, put the city in the control of Ealdorman Aethelred of Mercia.

Edward’s elder sister, Aethelflaed , married Aethelred, Ealdorman of Mercia. The marriage was made so that Alfred could have some control over Mercia and London.

Aethelflaed and Aethelred of Mercia fortified Worcester, the first of many fortified burhs that they would construct.

Guthrum, who had ruled East Anglia as King Aethelstan, died. He was succeeded by his son, Eohric who honoured the peace his father had agreed with Alfred.

Alfred established a permanent army setting up a system where only half the army was to be on service at any one time. Those not on service could be called on as reinforcements in times of need.

The Anglo Saxon Chronicle was founded.

A large Danish Viking contingent arrived in around 250 ships. They landed in Kent and a number of them took over a half completed fortified building in Appledore, southern Kent. At the same time another Viking force of 80 ships led by Haesten, landed in northern Kent and made camp at Milton (Milton Regis). Alfred stationed his army midway between the two.

Edward led a successful campaign against the Vikings at Farnham.

Alfred entered into negotiations with Haesten, leader of the Viking force at Milton. A settlement was reached whereby Alfred gave Haesten money and treasures while Haesten gave Alfred hostages and swore an oath of peace.

Shortly after swearing a peace oath, Haesten took his army and laid waste to Benfleet in Essex.

Edward married (or had a liaison with) Ecgwynn. Historians are divided on whether Edward and Ecgwynn were lawfully married.

Battle of Farnham
While Alfred had been busy trying to make peace with Haesten, the Appledore Vikings had raided towns in Hampshire and Berkshire. They were returning to Appledore with their booty but Edward, who had recovered the stolen treasure, cut them off and put them to flight. He then pursued the Vikings, caught up with them and held them under siege on an island in the River Colne.

While Edward and his father had been occupied with the Vikings in Kent, the East Anglia Vikings had sailed to Exeter and lay siege to the city. Alfred had intended to help his son defeat the Vikings on the island but had to divert and go to Exeter and lay siege to the city. A further group of Vikings marched west probably to relieve the siege of Exeter but they were met at Buttington by a large force led by the Ealdormen of Mercia, Somerset and Wiltshire who succeeded in putting them to flight and the Vikings returned to East Anglia. Soon afterwards the Vikings in Exeter withdrew and also returned to East Anglia.

The Vikings built a new fort about 20 miles north of London by the river Lea.

A son, Aethelstan, was born to Edward and Ecgwynn. Historians are divided on the subject of whether or not Aethelstan was illegitimate.

Alfred led an attack on the Viking fortress by the river Lea but was beaten back.

Alfred built two new fortresses by the river Lea which meant that the Viking force further up the river were unable to get their boats out to sea.

On learning of Alfred’s actions the Vikings abandoned their boats on the river Lea and marched overland to Bridgenorth on the river Severn where they built a new fort.

A daughter was born to Ecgwynn and Edward. She may have been named Edith.

The Vikings gave up their raids on English towns and returned to East Anglia and Northumbria.

Edward married Aelfflaed, daughter of the ealdorman of Wiltshire. It is not known whether Ecgwynn died or was set aside. Edward’s son, Aethelstan, was placed into the care of Aethelflaed and Aethelred of Mercia.

King Alfred died and Edward became King of the Angles and Saxons. He would later be known as King Edward the Elder.

Edward’s cousin, Aethelwold rose up against Edward, challenging him for the throne, and took Wimborne in Dorset, the place where is father, King Aethelred, was buried. He then took Christchurch in Sussex. Edward marched to Badbury and offered Aethelwold the chance for battle. However, Aethelwold took the decision not to fight but instead rode north.

Edward was crowned King of the Angles and Saxons at Kingston upon Thames.

A son, Edwin, was born to Edward and Aelfflaed. This date is estimated based on the fact that Edwin is named as a second charter witness after his half-brother Aethelstan.

Aethelwold secured the support of the Vikings. He 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.

A daughter, Eadgifu, was born to Edward and his wife Aelfflaed.

A group of Norsemen led by Ingimund arrived in Mercia having been expelled from Dublin. Edward’s sister, Aethelflaed, gave them permission to settle in the Wirral.

The Battle of Holme
This battle with the Vikings saw Edward’s force of Anglo-Saxons defeated. However, during the battle Aethelwold and Eohric, the Danish King of East Anglia, were killed. This secured Edward’s position as King.

A son Aelfweard, was born to Edward and his wife Aelfflaed.

A daughter Eadflaed, was born to Aelfflaed and Edward.

Edward made peace with the East Anglian and Northumbrian Danes. It is likely that Edward made some kind of payment in exchange for peace.

Edward’s sister Aethelflaed and her husband Aethelred of Mercia fortified the town of Chester. This gave them control of the lower Dee and also a fortified, protected Burh to use as base from which to harry the Northumbrian Danes.

King Edward’s forces made a number of successful raids into Northumbria.

A daughter Eadgyth was born to Edward and Aelfflaed.

Battle of Tettenhall (Wednesfield)
The combined forces of Mercia and Wessex defeated the Northumbrian Vikings.

A daughter Eadhild was born to Edward and Aelfflaed.

Aethelred of Mercia died and King Edward took the cities of London and Oxford. Edward’s sister, Aethelflaed, retained control of the rest of Mercia and was known as the Lady of the Mercians.

Edward constructed a burh (fort) at Hertford. The idea was to prevent the Danes moving south from Bedford and Cambridge.

Edward stationed his army at Maldon and constructed a new burh at Witham to prevent the Danes moving west from Colchester. A second stronghold was constructed at Hertford making London relatively secure from attack.

Edward’s sister Aethelflaed constructed a burh at Bridgforth to prevent the Danes crossing the River Severn.

Edward succeeded in re-taking East Anglia from the Danes.

Eadulf of Bamburgh died. He was succeeded by his son Ealdred who was on good terms with Edward. Bamburgh was an Anglo-Saxon stronghold in Northumbria and therefore strategically important.

A Viking force from Brittany that tried to advance up the River Severn was defeated. Edward stationed a force south of the River Severn to deal with any further attempted attacks. In the Autumn the Vikings left for Ireland.

Ealdred of Bamburgh was driven out of his lands by the Viking Ragnall. This date is disputed and may have occurred as late as 918. Ealdred sought refuge with the Scottish King Constantine II.

Edward the Elder built two burhs (forts) at Buckingham. He received the submission of many of the Danes of Bedford, Buckingham and Northampton.

King Edward built a new burh at Bedford.

First battle of Corbridge
The Anglo Saxons were defeated by the Vikings.

The body of St Edmund of East Anglia was re-interred at the place that became known as Bury St Edmunds.

Edward the Elder built a fort at Maldon as a further check against advance by the Colchester Danes.

The Danish Earl Thurcetel and his men left England and went to France.

Edward’s daughter, Eadgifu, married Charles the Simple, King of the Franks. This date is disputed and may have been 919.

Edward the Elder built a burh (fort) at Towcester to block any Southern advance by the Northampton Danes.

A force of Vikings from Northampton and Leicester attempted to take the fort at Towcester but were successfully repelled.

A force of East Anglian Danes constructed a fort at Tempsford and used it as a base from which to attack Bedford. They were unsuccessful and forced to retreat.

Battle of Tempsford
The Anglo-Saxons defeated the Danes at Tempsford. The sole surviving Danish King of East Anglia was killed in the Battle.

Edward the Elder defeated the Danes and took Colchester. The Danes retaliated by besieging the fort at Maldon but they were unsuccessful and many died.

Edward received the submission of all the Danes south of the River Humber.

Battle of Corbridge
This was a battle between Viking forces led by Ragnall and the forces of Constantine II of Scotland supported by Ealdred of Bamburgh. Although the battle was indecisive the Vikings suffered huge losses and only a quarter of their force survived.

Edward’s sister Aethelflaed died at Tamworth in Staffordshire

Aethelflaed’s daughter Aelfwynn was recognised as Lady of the Mercians.

Edward the Elder was concerned that Mercia would seek independence and so removed Aelfwynn and took control of Mercia himself.

Edward constructed a burh (fort) at Nottingham

King Edward the Elder constructed a burh at Thelwell.

The Viking, Ragnall, took York and proclaimed himself King of York.

Edward married Eadgifu daughter of the ealdorman of Kent. It is likely that Edward’s wife Aelflaed had died.

A daughter Eadburh was born to Edward and Eadgifu. The date of her birth is unknown.

A daughter Eadgifu was born to Edward and Eadgifu. The date of her birth is unknown.

Edward took Manchester.

The Norse Vikings attacked Cheshire

A son Edmund was born to Edward and Eadgifu.

A son Eadred was born to Edward and Eadgifu.

The Scottish King Constantine II submitted to Edward.

King Edward the Elder died leading the army against a Welsh-Mercian rebellion.

Edward’s eldest son, Aethelstan, became King either immediately or after the death of his half-brother Aelfweard who died on 2nd August 924