Æthelwold's Revolt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Æthelwold's Revolt
The British Isles in the early tenth century
Date 899–902 Location England Result Victory for Edward the Elder
Belligerents
Followers of Æthelwold ætheling Supported by: Danes of Northumbria Kingdom of East Anglia	Followers of Edward the Elder: Wessex Mercia Kent
Commanders and leaders
Æthelwold ætheling  † Eohric of East Anglia  †	Edward the Elder

Æthelwold's Revolt was an attempt by Æthelwold ætheling to become king of the Anglo-Saxons. He tried to take the throne from Edward the Elder after the death of Alfred the Great in 899. The revolt ended when Æthelwold was killed in a battle in 902. He was fighting alongside his Danish allies at the time.

Why Æthelwold Rebelled

After King Alfred the Great died on 26 October 899, his son, Edward, hoped to become the next king. However, Edward's cousin, Æthelwold, also wanted to be king. Æthelwold was the only living son of Alfred's older brother, Æthelred I, King of Wessex.

Æthelwold believed he should have been king when his father, Æthelred, died. But he was too young back then, so Alfred became king instead. This is why Æthelwold felt he had a right to the throne.

Starting the Revolt in the South

Æthelwold began his revolt by taking a small group of followers to Wimborne, in Dorset. This was an important place because it was where his father, Æthelred, was buried. He then took control of some royal lands nearby at Christchurch.

After that, he went back to Wimborne to wait for Edward's reaction. Edward gathered his army and moved to Badbury. But Æthelwold refused to fight him directly. Instead, he stayed in Wimborne, seemingly ready for a long standoff. He later rode north during the night.

Getting Help from Vikings

Soon after leaving Wimborne, Æthelwold arrived in the north of England. He asked for help from the Danish Vikings who lived in Northumbria. They agreed to support him.

Coins made during this time show that Æthelwold was declared king in Jórvík (which was Viking-controlled York). Meanwhile, Edward was crowned king at Kingston upon Thames on 8 June 900.

In the autumn of 901, Æthelwold sailed with a fleet from his new allies to Essex. By 902, he and the East Anglian Danes were attacking deep into Mercia. Mercia was an important ally of King Edward. They raided as far as Cricklade, in Wiltshire.

The Battle of the Holme

King Edward fought back by attacking East Anglia. When he decided to pull his troops back, the men from Kent did not obey his order. They stayed and fought the Danes in the East Midlands. This battle, known as the Battle of the Holme, happened on 13 December 902.

The Danes won the battle against Edward's troops. However, both Æthelwold and Eohric, the Danish king of East Anglia, were killed in the fighting. Many Anglo-Saxon soldiers also died, including two important leaders from Kent, Sigehelm and Sigewulf.

What Happened Next

Historian Cyril Hart believes that King Edward made a mistake by not fighting the Danes with his whole army. This led to problems and arguments, especially in Kent, which threatened his power. This might explain why Edward later married Eadgifu, who was the daughter of one of the Kentish leaders, Sigehelm.

See Also

• Edward the Elder
• Alfred the Great