This timeline gives a chronological listing of the main events in English History for the years 990 – 999
The king of England for this period was Aethelred the Unready
990 (13th February)
Aelfgar, Archbishop of Canterbury, died.
990 (After 13th February)
Sigeric was appointed new Archbishop of Canterbury.
990 (during)
991 (10th August)
Battle of Maldon
Byrhtnoth of Essex was defeated by the Danish Vikings led by Olaf Tryggvason.
Byrhtnoth of Essex was defeated by the Danish Vikings led by Olaf Tryggvason.
991 (during)
Following the Viking victory at Maldon, Aethelred was forced to pay the Vikings £10,000 pounds (3.3 kg of silver) to make them leave Wessex alone. The payment was known as a Danegeld.
992 (around)
A daughter, Eadgyth, was born to King Aethelred and Aelfgifu.
993 (around)
A daughter, Aelfgifu, was born to King Aethelred and Aelfgifu.
994 (during)
A son, Canute was born to the Danish Viking leader Sweyn Forkbeard.
994 (during)
A party of Viking raiders sailed up the River Thames and put London under siege. Aethelred was forced to make another Danegeld payment to make the raiders leave. This time the Viking leader Olaf Trygvasson, demanded £16,000 (5.3 kg of silver)
994 (28th October)
Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, died
995 (around)
A son, Eadred, was born to Aethelred and Aelfgifu.
995 (during)
Uhtred the Bold of Northumbria established an episcopal see at Durham.
995 (21st April)
Aelfric was appointed new Archbishop of Canterbury.
996 (around)
A son, Eadwig, was born to Aethelred and Aelfgifu.
997 (during)
There were more Danish raids on Cornwall and Devon.
998 (during)
There were further Danish raids on Sussex
999 (around)
A son, Edgar, was born to Aethelred and Aelfgifu.
999 (during)
There were Viking raids on Sussex and Kent.
First published 2016; updated and republished Apr 20 2022 @ 3:57 pm – Updated – [last-modified]
Harvard Reference for this page:
Heather Y Wheeler. (2016 – 2022). English History 990 – 999.