8th century in England facts for kids

8th century in England

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The 8th century was a time of big changes in England! During these 100 years, powerful kingdoms like Mercia and Northumbria grew stronger. Important books were written, new leaders took charge, and the first Viking raids began. Let's explore the key events that shaped England in the 700s.

What Happened in the 8th Century in England?

Early 700s: New Leaders and Important Books

The century kicked off with some big changes in leadership and learning.

• 700
  • Osgyth, a religious leader called an Abbess, was killed in Essex.
  • Around this time, Beverley Minster, a large church, was started by John of Beverley.

• 704
  • Æthelred of Mercia, the King of Mercia, decided to stop being king. He became a monk at Bardney. His nephew, Coenred, became the new king.

• 705
  • Wilfrid was given back his important job as the Bishop of Ripon. A bishop is a high-ranking church leader.
  • The famous scholar Bede finished his first book about history.
  • Around this time, a new church area called the Diocese of Sherborne was created. Aldhelm became its first bishop.
  • John of Beverley became the Bishop of York, which was a very important church position.

• 709
  • King Coenred of Mercia also decided to become a monk. He went to Rome to do so. His cousin, Ceolred, then became the King of Mercia.

• 710
  • The Picts, a group of people from what is now Scotland, tried to invade Northumbria. But they were not successful.
  • Around this year, Bishop Wilfrid passed away in Oundle.

• 715
  • Around this time, the beautiful Lindisfarne Gospels were finished. These are famous illustrated religious books.

• 716
  • Æthelbald became the King of Mercia after King Ceolred died. This was the start of Mercia becoming the most powerful kingdom in England.
  • The 'Codex Amiatinus', a very old and complete copy of the Bible (called the Vulgate), was made. It was sent to Italy as a gift for the Pope.

• 722
  • King Ine of Wessex tried to conquer Cornwall. But he was defeated in three battles.

• 725
  • On April 23, King Wihtred of Kent died. He left his kingdom, Kent, to his three sons.

• 726
  • King Ine of Wessex gave up his throne to travel to Rome. Æthelheard became the new king.

• Before 730
  • Northumbria took over Rheged, another kingdom.

Mid-700s: Bede's History and Mercia's Power

The middle part of the century saw the completion of a very important historical book and Mercia's growing strength.

• 731
  • Bede finished his famous book, Ecclesiastical History of the English People. This book tells the story of the English church and people.
  • On January 13, Berhtwald, the Archbishop of Canterbury, died. He was the most important church leader in England. Tatwine took his place.

• 732
  • Wilfrid II stepped down as Bishop of York. Ecgbert became the new bishop. He started a library and a school in York.

• 735
  • The Bishopric of York became an Archbishopric. This meant it was even more important. Ecgbert became the first Archbishop of York.

• 736
  • King Æthelbald of Mercia started calling himself "King of Britain." This showed how powerful Mercia had become.

• 747
  • The first Council of Clofeshoh took place. This meeting made changes to the Church.

• 749
  • The Edict of Gumley was issued. This rule freed the Church from having to pay money to the King of Mercia.

• 752
  • In the Battle of Beorhford, Cuthred of Wessex defeated Æthelbald of Mercia. This was a big win for Wessex.

• 756
  • King Eadberht of Northumbria captured Dumbarton, the main city of Strathclyde.

• 757
  • King Æthelbald of Mercia was murdered. Offa became the new king.
  • King Sigeberht of Wessex was removed from power and murdered. Cynewulf became the new king.
  • The construction of Wat's Dyke began. This was a large earth wall, similar to Offa's Dyke.

• 758
  • King Eadberht of Northumbria gave up his throne to become a monk. His son, Oswulf, became king.

• 759
  • On July 24, King Oswulf of Northumbria was murdered. Æthelwald Moll became the new king.

• 760
  • The Battle of Hereford took place between Mercia and the Welsh.
  • On October 26, Cuthbert, the Archbishop of Canterbury, died. Bregowine took his place.

• 764
  • Offa, the King of Mercia, conquered Kent.
  • In August, Bregowine, the Archbishop of Canterbury, died. Jænberht became the new Archbishop.

• 765
  • On October 30, King Æthelwald Moll of Northumbria was removed from power. Alhred became the new king.

Late 700s: Offa's Power and Viking Raids

The end of the 8th century saw King Offa become very powerful, and the first scary visits from the Vikings.

• 771
  • Offa conquered Sussex.

• 774
  • Offa started using the title "King of the English." This showed his great power over different kingdoms.
  • King Alhred of Northumbria was removed from power. Æthelred became the new king.

• 776
  • In the Battle of Otford, Kent fought back and pushed the Mercians out.

• 778
  • Offa led raids into Dyfed in Wales.

• 779
  • Æthelred I of Northumbria was removed from power for the first time. Ælfwald I of Northumbria became king.
  • Hygeberht became the Bishop of Lichfield.

• 784
  • Offa raided Wales again.
  • The building of Offa's Dyke began. This was a huge earth wall built to mark the border between England and Wales.

• 786
  • Important church leaders from the Pope (called Papal legates) held meetings in Mercia and Northumbria.
  • Mercia took control of Kent again.
  • King Cynewulf of Wessex was killed in a surprise attack. Beorhtric became the new king with Offa's help.

• 787
  • Offa started making the first silver coins called pennies.
  • At a big church meeting, Offa had his son officially made king. This was the first time this kind of ceremony happened in England.

• 788
  • On September 23, Ælfwald I of Northumbria was murdered. His cousin, Osred II, became the new king of Northumbria.
  • Because Offa wanted it, the Pope made the Bishopric of Lichfield into an Archbishopric. This made Hygeberht an Archbishop.

• 789
  • Charlemagne, a powerful ruler in Europe, stopped trading with the English. This happened after talks about his daughter marrying Offa's son failed.
  • This year saw the first recorded raid by Vikings on England. They attacked Portland.

• 790
  • Æthelred became king of Northumbria again. He started making new coins called stycas.

• 792
  • On August 12, Jænberht, the Archbishop of Canterbury, died. Æthelhard took his place.
  • In October, Osred, the king who had been removed, returned from exile and was murdered.

• 793
  • On June 8, the Vikings raided Lindisfarne. This was a famous monastery and a very shocking event.

• 794
  • Around January 6, the Vikings raided Jarrow, another important monastery.
  • On May 20, King Æthelberht II of East Anglia was killed on the orders of King Offa of Mercia.

• 796
  • On April 18, Æthelred I of Northumbria was murdered. Osbald became king for a short time before going into exile.
  • On May 14, Eardwulf became the new king of Northumbria.
  • On July 29, Offa of Mercia died. He was a very powerful king. His son, Ecgfrith, became king but only ruled for a few months. Wessex became independent again.
  • In December, Ecgfrith was replaced by Coenwulf of Mercia.
  • Kent rebelled against Mercia again.

• 798
  • The rebellion in Kent was stopped.
  • The Saxons killed Caradog ap Meirion, the King of Gwynedd in Wales.

Important People Born in the 8th Century

• c. 700 – Lullus, who later became the Archbishop of Mainz, was born around this time.