This is a timeline of the more important events of the of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and the arrival of the Norse Men. These, 'Germanic' peoples help create what is now known as England. It covers the era from the first raids against the Roman province of Britian to the eventual arrival of the Normans (who were of course fellow 'Germanics' as Norman is a corruption of the term Norse Men).
98 Tacitus (the Roman scholar) mentions the Angles, describing them as worshipers of the Goddess Nerðus (Earth Mother)
Saxon raiders have been attacking the coast of Britain throughout the 3rd century, leading to the Romans building forts along the south & east coast, known as The Saxon Forts/The Saxon Shore. Ironically, Germanic auxiliary troops are are used by the Romans in the province, along with other auxilliaries from the empire, to help defend Britain against such raids, as well as incursions by the Picts in the north.
397 Saxons launch a serious raid against Roman Britain.
409 Saxons launch another major attack against the east coast, by now the Romans are starting to withdraw from Britain.
410 The Romans have withdrawn to the continent to protect Gaul from incursions. The Emperor Honorius orders the population of Britain to look to their own defence as the Goths (another ‘Germanic’ tribe) were about to take Rome itself.
411 Saxon raiders devastate the Channel coasts.
418 The Emperor Honorius recognises the Visigoths (an off-shoot of the Goths) as a separate kingdom (the Aquitaine area of France), and later the Burgundians (another ‘Germanic’ tribe, hence the area known as Burgundy in France). The Western Empire is slowly collapsing, leaving the province of Britain standing alone.
425 Vortigern becomes the major ruler in Britain and has to deal with the problem of Pictish raiders from the north and Irish raiders along the Severn Valley in western Britain.
428 The decision is made to hire mercenaries to help protect the coasts; Vortigern invites 'Germanic' warriors to aid him, they possibly settle in the Dorchester-upon-Thames area.
430 More ‘Germanic’ mercenaries arrive; they are posted at various areas within southern Britain (as the north still had much of it's Roman forts intact). Archaeological discoveries show remains being found in areas such as Norfolk, the Thames Estuary, and the Cotswold areas.
433 Vortigern orders Saxons to raid Ireland in retaliation, the Irish raids on Britain cease for the rest of the fifth century.
437 Vortigern is involved in a Civil War with Ambrosius, another major Romano-British leader, and calls for more ‘Germanic’ mercenaries. The mercenaries settle the East Kent area around modern day Canterbury.
446 The Romano-British appeal to the Aetius the Roman Commander-in-Chief but no help arrives, Vortigern invites yet more 'Germanic' mercenaries (Fœderati), possibly Frisians, to aid him against barbarian incursions, they possibly settle in the Lincolnshire area.
449 Date given for Hengest and Horsa's landing in Britain according to the Venerable Bede. Hengest and Horsa are hired and arrive at the Isle of Thanet in the Kent estuary with a couple of hundred men in three keels (ships).
452 Vortigern marries Hengest's daughter Rowenna, he offers the Jute leader the kingdom of Kent. Octa, Hengest's son, lands with sixteen longships to occupy northern lands to defend against the Picts who are never heard from again.
455 Vortimer, Vortigern's son, rebels against his father, the Romano-British under Vortimer, launch a counter-attack against Hengest. They win a battle at Aylesford (Ægelsðrop), where Horsa is said to of been slain, but lose a battle at Crayford and are driven out of Kent. Resentment against the ‘Germanic’ mercenaries grows and the Britons refuse to pay them. A revolt by the mercenaries takes place and they conquer the areas of Kent & East Anglia. They raid the west of Britain, devastating the area before withdrawing to their eastern kingdoms. Vortigern’s grip on the rest of Britain fails, and smaller Romano-British kingdoms appear.
456 Vortigern, along with around three hundred of his elders, calls for a peace conference with Hengest. They are all slain, except Vortigern, who is made to cede Sussex and Essex to the Saxons. This becomes known as 'The night of the long knives'.
457 Hengest defeats the Romano-British at Crecganford slaying around 4,000 of them, the Romano-British withdraw to London.
458 The Saxons raid the rest of Britain.
460 Ambrosius leads the Romano-British against the invaders. A large emigration of Romano-British from Britain to Armorica (Brittany in France) takes place.
465 Battle of Wippedesfleot (Richborough), the Romano-British, under Ambrosius Aurelianus, defeat the 'Saxons', with great slaughter on both sides, although 12 Romano-British chieftains are slain. The 'Saxons' are confined to the Isle of Thanet (off the Kent coast in the Thames estuary).
470 Artorius (the legendary Arthur) succeeds Ambrosius as leader of the Romano-British resistance. He raids along the borders of the Saxon kingdoms, between what is now known as Gloucestershire to Cambridgeshire. He has victories driving them back and re-capturing most of the land lost earlier.
473 Hengest moves westward through Kent driving the Romano-British back.
477 Ælle lands with his sons at Cymensora (Sussex), the Romano-British attack him upon landing but are defeated and driven into the Weald.
480 Saxons (possibly under Ælle) engage Artorius at the Battle of Portsmouth Harbour; it is a deadlock with neither side able to claim victory.
486 Ælle engages the Romano-British at the Battle of Mercredesburne.
490 Hengest dies, his son Æsc rules.
491 Ælle captures the Romano-British stronghold Anderida, near Pevensey, slaying all it's inhabitants. He becomes the most powerful King of the new 'Germanic' kingdoms.
495 Cerdic lands in Britain with five keels at Cerdicesora (Hampshire-Dorset border), possibly driven by the Frankish expansion into Northern Gaul.
496 Artorius defeats Esla of Bernicia (the northern kingdom established in Northumbria), and Cerdic at Mount Badon. This is the zenith of the Romano-British resistance to the Saxon invaders.
500 Artorius has to deal with Irish invaders and local uprisings by Romano-British warlords.
508 Cerdic defeats Nudd-Ludd (Natanleod) at the Battle of Netley.
514 Stuf and Wihtgar land on the south coast with three keels.
515 Ælle dies, Cissa (his son) rules.
519 Cerdic wins a battle at Cerdicsford and establishes the kingdom of the West Saxons.
525 Wehha establishes a kingdom in East Anglia from the settlers from Sweden, Denmark and Frisia (modern day Nederland).
530 Cerdic takes the Isle of Wight.
534 Death of Cerdic, Stuf and Wihtgar (his kinsmen) are given the Isle of Wight.
537 Artorius is slain at the Battle of Camlann.
547 Ida is crowned king in Northumbria. Gildas (a Romano-British monk) writes 'On the Fall of Britain' an account of the fall of the Romano-British. Procopius of Caesarea mentions Britain in his history of Justinian, stating it 'is inhabited by Angles, Frisians and Britons, each with their own king', also mentioning the Romano-British flight into present day Brittany
552 Cynric defeats the Romano-British at Old Sarum.
556 Cynric defeats the Romano-British at Barbury 'Castle' (near Swindon in Wiltshire).
560 Ceawlin crowned King of West Saxons, Ælla siezes power in Northumbria.
565 Æðelberht becomes King of Kent, the first Saxon king to become christian.
568 Ceawlin and Cuða battle with Æðelbert.
570 Alliance of Britons in the north battle Northumbrians at Gwen Ystrad and the Cells of Berwyn. By now most of what is now known as England has been conquered, the Romano-British being driven to the less fertile and more mountainous regions of Wales and Cornwall, as well as parts of Cumbria.
571 Cuðwulf of Wessex defeats Calchfynedd at the Battle of Bedford.
575 Þeodoric of Bernicia slain at the Battle of Leeming Lane against Owein of North Rheged.
577 The West Saxons under Cuðwine and Ceawlin defeat the Romano-British at Deorham (near Bath in Somerset). They seize Gloucester, Cirencester and Bath, then go on to conquer the Severn Valley area, thereby isolating the Romano-British in the south-west from the rest.
580 Adda defeats Peredyr and Gwrgi of Ebrauc at Caer Greu, Ælle takes city of Ebrauc, Peredyr's son flees.
584 Cuðwine slain at the Battle of Feðanleag (Oxfordshire), Ceawlin (his brother) ravages the surrounding countryside in revenge.
588 Edwin of Deira (a Northumbrian kingdom) is ousted by Bernicians.
590 Northumbrians sieged at Lindisfarne by North British Alliance (Romano-British & Picts).
592 Ceawlin is defeated and driven from Woddesbeorg (Vale of Pewsey in Wiltshire).
593 Ceawlin dies.
595 The Bernicians defeat and drive out the Romano-British from Cumbria. Romano-British limited to what is now Wales, and Cornwall. Dunaut Bwr of the Northern Pennines slain fighting the Bernicians.
597 Æðelbert of Kent converts to Christianity, Ceol of Wessex dies, Ceolwulf (his brother) rules.
598 The Battle of Catterick takes place. Mynyddog Mwynfawr of Din-Eidyn, Cynan of Gododdin and Gerren of Dumnonia (who is slain) defeat the Bernicians.
604 Sledda of Essex dies, Sæbert (his son) rules and converts to christianity, Æðelfrith of Bernicia invades Deira and slays Æðelric, Edwin of Deira flees.
605 Oswald of Bernicia born.
606 Pybba of Mercia dies, Ceorl rules.
611 Ceolwulf of Wessex dies, Cynegils crowned King of West Saxons.
613 Battle of Chester, Æthelfrið of Bernicia slays Iago of Gwynedd and Selyf Sarffgadau of Powys, Battle of Bangor-is-Coed follows, Bledric of Dumnonia slain, the Northumbrians slay one thousand monks.
614 Cynegils & Cwiccelm (his son) of Wessex, defeat Clemen of Dumnonia at the Battle of Bindon.
616 Æðelfrið of Deira slain in battle by Rædwald of the East Angles & Edwin of Deira at the Battle of River Idle. Æðelbert of Kent & Sæbert of Essex die. Eadbald of Essex crowned but is overthrown by Sexred, Sæward & Sexbald, they throw out the christian missionaries & return Essex to paganism.
617 Edwin of Deira defeats Ceretic of Elmet who is slain. Rædwald of East Anglia dies (Sutton Hoo burial ?).
618 Eorpwald takes East Anglia from his uncle Eni.
620 Edwin of Deira defeats Llywarch Hen.
625 Eðelburga (Æðelbert of Kent's sister) marries Edwin of Deira, she takes her christian priest with her.
626 Ceorl of Mercia succeeded by Penda. Edwin of Deira defeats Cwiccelm & Cynegils of Wessex, & Penda of Mercia.
Edwin of Deira invades Isle of Mann & Anglesey & defeats Cadwallon who flees to Brittany.
627 Cynegils of Wessex starts building Wansdyke. Edwin of Deira converts to christianity.
628 Cynegils & Cwiccelm (his son) of Wessex clash with Penda of Mercia at Battle of Cirencester, they cede the lands won from the Romano-British in 577 to Penda and Mercia. Anti-Christian uprising in East Anglia, Eorpwald slain by Ricbert, Sigebert flees to France.
630 Edwin of Deira establishes his capital, Edwin's burgh (Edinburgh).
632 The West Saxons slay Idris of Meirionydd in Wales.
633 Edwin of Deira slain at the Battle of Hatfield Chase by Cadwallon of Gwynedd & Penda of Mercia.
634 Cadwallon of Gwynedd slays Eanfrið of Bernicia & Osric of Deira. Oswald becomes King of Northumbria and
defeats Cadwallon at the Battle of Heavenfield & slays him.
635 Egric & Sigebert of East Anglia are slain in battle against Penda of Mercia. Oswald of Northumbria invites the monk Aidan of Iona to found the monastery of Lindisfarne. Cynegils of Wessex converts to christianity.
638 Oswald of Northumbria conquers Edinburgh.
640 Death of Eadbald of Kent.
641 The heathen Penda of Mercia slays Oswald of Bernicia in battle at Oswestry, Oswiu of Bernicia conquers Gododdin.
643 Penda of Mercia seizes Lindsey & Elmet. Cynegils of Wessex dies.
644 Osric crowned King of Deira.
645 The heathen Penda of Mercia drives Cenwalh of Wessex from his kingdom.
648 Cenwalh retakes Wessex.
650 Penda of Mercia drives out Anna of East Anglia who flees to Magonset, London re-established as Saxon trading
community at Aldwich.
651 Oswiu of Bernicia & Oswine of Deira murdered at Gilling.
652 Penda of Mercia invades Bernicia besieges Oswiu at Bamburgh.
653 Penda of Mercia installs his son Peada King of Middle Anglia.
654 Penda of Mercia invades East Anglia & slays Anna.
655 Cadafael Cadomedd of Gwynedd & Penda of Mercia invade Northumbria, Cadafael withdraws before battle, Penda dies in Battle of Winwæd along with Æðelhere of East Anglia. Mercia is split in two, the north ruled by Northumbria, the south by Penda's son Peada.
656 Oswiu of Bernicia invades Pengwern & slays Cynddylan & his brother Eluan of Powys. Peada of Middle Anglia
through the treachery of his wife is slain and Mercia comes under Northumbrian rule.
658 Earldormen of Mercia rebel against Northumbria, Wulfhere (Penda's son) crowned king. Cenwalh of Wessex defeats
Culmin of Dumnonia at Battle of Penselwood.
660 Segeberht II of Essex murdered by his brothers Swiðelm & Swiðfrið.
661 Cenwalh of Wessex victorious at the Battle of Posbury. Wulfhere of Mercia sacks Berkshire, conquers Meonware & the Isle of Wight.
664 East Saxons revert back to heathenism, Earconbert of Kent dies, Æðelwold of East Anglia dies, plague sweeps through Britain.
665 Swiðelm of Essex dies, Essex comes under Mercian control.
670 Oswiu of Northumbria dies.
673 Ecgbert I of Kent dies, Venerable Bede born.
674 Queen Seaxburh of Wessex usurped by Cenfus, Ecgfrið of Northumbria defeats Wulfhere of Mercia.
675 Æscwine of Wessex defeats Wulfhere of Mercia at the Battle of Biedanheafde, Wulfhere slain.
676 Æscwine of Wessex dies, Æðelred of Mercia invades Kent.
679 Æðelred of Mercia & Ecgfirð of Northumbria clash at the Battle of Trent, Ælfwine of Deira is slain, Mercia re-take Lindsey.
682 Centwine of Wessex drives 'the British of Dumnonia as far as the sea'.
683 Sighere of Essex dies.
685 The heathen Cædwalla crowned King of West Saxons, Hloðere of Kent dies, Cædwalla of Wessex invades Sussex, Æðelwalh is slain, Berhtun & Andhun victorious, Ecgfrið of Northumbria dies.
686 Cædwalla of Wessex conquers Kent & Sussex, Berhtun slain.
688 Cædwalla of Wessex converts to christianity and dies in Rome, Ine becomes king.
693 Ine of Wessex establishes West Saxon Law Codes.
697 Queen Osðryð of Mercia murdered.
705 Osred of Northumbria defeats Eadwulf at Battle of Bamburgh.
710 Ine of Wessex & Nunna of Sussex defeat Gerren of Dumnonia.
713 Eadwulf of East Anglia dies.
715 Ine of Wessex & Coelred of Mercia clash at battle of Wodensbarrow.
725 Nunna of Sussex dies, Ine of Wessex slays Ealdberð of Sussex, Wihtred of Kent dies.
735 Venerable Bede dies.
743 Æðelbald of Mercia & Ceolred of Wessex attack Gwent & Powys in Wales.
744 Wat's Dyke completed.
752 Cuðred of Wessex defeats Æðelbald of Mercia at the Battle of Burford.
756 Cuðred of Wessex dies, Eadberht defeated at the Battle of Newburgh-on-Tyne.
770 Offa of Mercia defeats the Hæstingas & joins their region to the sub-kingdom of Sussex.
776 Ecgbert II of Kent defeats Mercians at the Battle of Otford.
779 Offa of Mercia defeats Cynewulf of Wessex at the Battle of Bensington.
784 Offa's Dyke constructed.
786 Cynewulf of Wessex is abushed at Meretun by Cyneheard & slain.
789 Vikings attack Britain for the first time with three ships, they raid Portland.
792 Offa arranges coastal defence against Viking raids.
793 Vikings sack Lindisfarne.
795 Charlemagne of the Franks sends gifts to Offa of Mercia.
796 Offa dies.
797 Cœnwulf of Mercia defeats & slays Maredydd of Dyfed at the Battle of Rhuddlan.
825 Ecgbert of Wessex defeats Mercians at Battle of Ellandon, defeats Baldred of Kent. Essex, Sussex & Surrey submit to him.
835 Vikings attack Isle of Sheppey (off Kent coast in the Thames estuary).
836 Ecgbert of Wessex defeated by Vikings at Battle of Carhampton.
838 Ecgbert of Wessex defeats Welsh & Vikings at Battle of Hingston Down.
839 Ecgbert of Wessex dies.
844 Rædwulf of Northumbria slain in battle against Vikings.
845 Ragnar Loðbrok of Sjælland & Uppsala, shipwrecked in East Anglia, kidnapped and executed in pit of
vipers.
849 Ælfred the Great born at Wantage.
850 Saxons defeat Vikings at naval battle off the Sandwich Coast.
851 Vikings raid Canterbury in Kent and remain over winter.
858 Æðelwulf of Wessex dies.
860 Æðelbald of Wessex dies, Æðelbert succeeds him uniting Wessex, Kent, Essex, Surrey & Sussex. Viking Chief Weland attacks Winchester & is defeated.
865 Æðelbert of Wessex dies, Æðelred I succeeds him. A 'Great Heathen Army' of Vikings led by Ivar the Boneless & Halfdan Wide-Embrace of Sjælland & Uppsala invade East Anglia
866 The 'Great Heathen Army' capture York.
867 The 'Great Heathen Army' defeat Ælle II & Osbeorht (who is slain) of Northumbria, Deira passes into Viking hands, Vikings beseiged in Nottingham by Æðelred I of Wessex & Burghred of Mercia, Vikings withdraw to York.
870 Danes capture East Anglia, defeated by Æðelred & Ælfred (his brother) of Wessex at Battle of Ashdown. Æðelred of Wessex wounded at Battle of Martin & dies, Ælfred succeeds him & is defeated at Battle of Wilton.
872 Ælfred of Wessex buys peace with the Danes, they retreat from Reading to London. Ecgberht I of Northumbria dies, Vikings install Ricsige in his place.
873 Vikings capture Repton in Mercia.
874 Vikings capture Mercia.
875 The 'Great Heathen Army' divides, Halfdan Wide-Embrace of Sjælland & Uppsala returns to York, Guðrum, Oscetel & Anund return to Wessex, Ælfred fights them in a naval battle.
876 Guðrum takes Wareham, Ælfred of Wessex forced to buy peace, Halfdan establishes Viking kingdom in York.
877 Ælfred's fleet destroyed by storm at Swanage, his army defeats Guðrum at Exeter.
878 Ælfred attacked at Chippenham by Vikings & flees into the Somerset Levels, from where he conducts a 'guerrilla war' from his base at Athelney. Ælfred is victorious at the Battles of Countisbury Hill & Edington, Guðrum is beseiged at Chippenham. The Peace of Wedmore is signed, England is divided between Wessex & the Danelaw. Ceolwulf II of Mercia defeats & slays Rhodri Mawr of Gwynedd, Powys & Seisyllwg.
879 Guðrum crowned King of East Anglia.
885 Ælfred defeats Danes at Rochester.
886 Ælfred captures London from the Danes, 'all the Englisc' submit to Ælfred.
894 Asser writes his 'Life of King Ælfred'.
899 Ælfred the Great dies, Edward the Elder of Wessex succeeds his father.
901 Edward the Elder of Wessex takes title 'King of the Angles & Saxons'.
905 Vikings attack Chester.
910 Edward the Elder defeats the Vikings, Halfdan & Eowils Ragnarson of York (who are both slain) at the Battle of
Tettenhall.
913 Edward the Elder captures Essex from the Danes.
917 Edward the Elder captures Towcester.
918 East Anglia brought under Wessex rule, Edward captures Stamford, the Welsh kings submit to him.
919 Edward annexes Mercia.
924 Edward the Elder dies, Æðelstan (his son) crowned King of Wessex & effective ruler of England, he captures the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall, the last 'Celtic kingdoms' within what is modern day England.
926 Æðelstan annexes Northumbria, the kings of Wales, Strathclyde, the Picts & the Scots submit to him.
927 Sigtrygg Cæch of Norse York dies, Æthelstan claims the kingdom.
937 Æðelstan defeats combined army under Olaf of Dublin, Constantine of the Scots & Owain of Strathclyde at the Battle of Brunanbury, he takes title 'King of All Britain'.
939 Æðelstan dies, Edmund the Magnificent (his half-brother) succeeds him.
946 Eadred (brother of Edmund) King of England.
954 Eadred of Wessex defeats Eric Bloodaxe of York ending the Viking Kingdom of York. The Danelaw is finally conquered.
978 Edward the Martyr murdered at Corfe Castle, Æðelred (the Unræd) succeeds him.
980 Danes raid England.
991 Byrhtnoð of Essex defeated at Battle of Maldon by the Danes, Æðelred buys them off with 10,000 pounds of Silver (Danegeld).
992 Æðelred signs truce with Duke Richard of Normandy.
994 Svein & Olaf Trygvesson of Norway beseige London & are paid off by Æðelred with more Danegeld.
1002 Æðelred orders the massacre of Danes in England.
1003 Svein Forkbeard of the Danes invades England.
1007 Æðelred buys off Svein & the Danes with 36,000 pounds of silver.
1011 Þorkell the Tall & Hemming (his brother) plunder Canterbury.
1012 Danes sack Canterbury, paid off with 48,000 pounds of silver.
1013 Svein Forkbeard invades England, Æðelred flees to Normandy, Svein proclaimed King of England by the Wittan.
1014 Svein dies, Æðelred recalled as King by the Wittan.
1015 Cnute, Svein's son, invades England.
1016 Æðelred dies, his son Edmund Ironside continues the war against Cnut. Edmund proclaimed King by Londoners, Cnute is proclaimed King by the Wittan. They meet on Ilse of Alney near Deerhurst after a series of battles cannot outst one or the other. They agree to divide England, but shortly afterwards Edmund is assassinated & Cnute becomes sole ruler of England.
1017 Godwin made Earldorman of Wessex.
1018 Cnut recognized as King of Denmark and Overlord of Norway.
1035 Cnute dies, Harold Harefoot (his son) succeeds him.
1040 Harold dies, Hardicnute (his half-brother) succeeds him.
1042 Hardicnute dies (the last Danish King of England), Edward the Confessor (Æðelred's son) succeeds him.
1051 Earl Godwin of Wessex is exiled.
1052 Earl Godwin returns with fleet & wins back power, Edward founds Westminster Abbey.
1053 Earl Godwin dies, Harold (his son) succeeds him as Earl of Wessex.
1055 Tostig (Harold's brother) made Earl of Northumbria, which he rules ruthlessly.
1063 Harold & Tostig subdue Wales.
1064 Harold shipwrecked in Normandy, supposedly swears oath of fealty to Duke William (Edward's cousin) & support his claim to the throne of England.
1065 Northumbria rebels against Tostig who is exiled.
1066 Edward dies, the Wittan proclaim Harold Godwinsson King of England, Tostig & Harald Hardrada of Norway invade Northern England; Harold marches north and defeats them at the Battle of Stamford Bridge slaying both. Harold then dispands some of his army as it is harvest time. William of Normandy lands at Pevensey in southern England & Harold marches the rest of his army south quickly. Battle of Hastings takes place at which Harold is slain. William crowned King of England.
1067 Tower of London began
1069 Danes raid England & are driven off by William.
1070 William subdues the Midlands and the North, he is particularly ruthless in Northumbria after a serious revolt, making the land desolate.
1071 Hereward the Wake leads a rebelion in Fens of eastern England
1072 William receives submission of Hereward the Wake & invades Scotland to deter raids made by the Scots.
1086 Domesday Book completed
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