9th century in England facts for kids

9th century in England

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The 9th century in England was a time of big changes. It saw powerful kingdoms rise and fall, especially the Mercian kingdom. This century also brought the start of the Viking Age, with fierce warriors from Scandinavia raiding and settling in England. By the end of the 800s, Alfred the Great of Wessex became a famous king who fought against the Vikings and helped shape England's future.

Key Events of the 800s

This section explores the most important happenings in England during the 9th century.

Early Years: Kings and Power Shifts

The century began with different kingdoms fighting for control.

Mercia's Influence

• 801: The Northumbrian army tried to invade Mercia but failed. Mercia was very strong at this time.
• 802: Ecgberht became the new King of Wessex. He would become a very important ruler.
• 815: King Ecgberht of Wessex attacked Cornwall.
• 816: Saxon groups invaded the mountains of Eryri and the kingdom of Rhufoniog in Wales.
• 818: King Coenwulf of Mercia attacked Dyfed, a kingdom in Wales.
• 821: King Coenwulf of Mercia died. His death led to arguments over who would be the next king.
• 822: A Mercian army destroyed the fortress of Deganwy and took control of Powys in Wales.

The Rise of Wessex

• 825: A huge battle happened at Ellendun. King Ecgberht of Wessex defeated the Mercians. This battle was a turning point. It ended Mercia's power over other kingdoms. Wessex then took control of Essex, Sussex, and Kent.
• 825-827: Æthelwulf, Ecgberht's son, drove the ruler Baldred out of Kent. Æthelwulf then ruled Kent for his father.
• 826: The Mercian king, Beornwulf, was killed while fighting a rebellion. Ludeca became the new king.
• 827: Ludeca was also killed in battle. Wiglaf became King of Mercia.
• 829: Ecgberht of Wessex conquered Mercia for a short time. He made Wiglaf leave his throne. The Northumbrian king also agreed to follow Ecgberht.
• 830: Wiglaf got his throne back in Mercia.

The Arrival of the Vikings

The middle of the 9th century saw the start of serious Viking raids.

Early Viking Attacks

• 835: Vikings raided the island of Sheppey. This was one of their first recorded attacks.
• 838: The Battle of Hingston Down took place. King Ecgberht of Wessex defeated a combined army of Danish Vikings and people from Cornwall.
• 839: King Wiglaf of Mercia died. Beorhtwulf likely became the next king.
• 839: King Ecgberht of Wessex died. His son, Æthelwulf, became the new king.
• 841: Vikings raided the southern and eastern coasts of England.
• 842: Vikings attacked important towns like London, Rochester, and Southampton.
• 849: Alfred, who would become a very famous king, was born in Wantage. He was the son of King Æthelwulf.

Growing Viking Presence

• 851: Ships from Kent fought and defeated Vikings near Sandwich. This was the first recorded naval battle in English history.
• 851: Vikings stayed in England for the first time over winter. They camped on the Isle of Thanet. This showed they planned to stay longer.
• 853: King Æthelwulf sent his young son, Alfred, to Rome.
• 855: King Æthelwulf went on a pilgrimage to Rome. He left his sons in charge of different parts of his kingdom.
• 858: Æthelbald became King of Wessex after his father, Æthelwulf, died.
• 860: Æthelbald died. His brother, Æthelberht, became the sole ruler of Wessex and Kent.

The Great Heathen Army

A huge Viking army arrived, changing England forever.

The Viking Invasion

• 865: The Great Heathen Army, a very large group of Viking invaders, landed in East Anglia.
• 866: Vikings, led by Ivar the Boneless, captured the city of York.
• 867: Vikings defeated the Northumbrians in battle at York. They killed the Northumbrian kings and put their own ruler in charge.
• 869: Vikings conquered East Anglia. They killed King Edmund the Martyr, who became a saint.
• 870: Vikings captured Reading.

Alfred the Great's Battles

• 871: This year was full of battles between the Vikings and the people of Wessex.
  • January 4: At the Battle of Reading, King Æthelred I and his brother Alfred were defeated by the Vikings.
  • January 8: The Battle of Ashdown was a big victory for Wessex. Alfred's men bravely attacked the Vikings and broke their strong shield wall formation.
  • January 22: At the Battle of Basing, the West Saxon army was defeated again.
  • March 22: The West Saxons were defeated at the Battle of Meretum.
  • April 23: King Æthelred of Wessex died. His brother, Alfred, became the new King of Wessex.
  • May: At the Battle of Wilton, Alfred was defeated. He had to make peace with the Vikings, likely by paying them money.
• 871: The Vikings moved to London and stayed there for the winter. They began to settle in parts of northern, central, and eastern England. This area later became known as the Danelaw.

Viking Settlements and Alfred's Resistance

• 872: The Great Heathen Army returned to Northumbria to stop a rebellion.
• 872: Vikings settled for the winter at Torksey. The Mercian king, Burgred, paid them tribute.
• 873: Vikings returned to Mercia and stayed for the winter at Repton.
• 874: Ceolwulf II became ruler of Mercia after Vikings drove the previous king away.
• 875: Monks left Lindisfarne because of Viking invasions. They took the body of Saint Cuthbert with them.
• 875: Vikings, led by Guthrum, attacked Alfred's land. They took Wareham but Alfred forced them out.
• 876: Vikings captured southern Northumbria and created the Kingdom of York.
• 876: Vikings captured Exeter. Alfred drove them out after their supply ships were destroyed in a storm. They then settled in the Five Boroughs.

Alfred's Victories and the Danelaw

Alfred the Great's leadership led to key victories and a new agreement with the Vikings.

Alfred's Great Victory

• 878:
  • January: Vikings captured Chippenham and took control of much of Wessex. Alfred had to hide in the Somerset Levels.
  • Early: At the Battle of Cynwit, men of Wessex stopped a Viking attack and captured their special raven banner.
  • Easter: Alfred built a fort at Athelney and continued to fight the Vikings.
  • May: The Battle of Edington was a decisive victory for Alfred. He defeated the Vikings and made them agree to a peace treaty.
  • May: The Treaty of Wedmore was signed. The Viking leader Guthrum was baptised as a Christian and agreed to leave Wessex.
• 879: Guthrum moved to East Anglia and ruled there under his new Christian name, Æthelstan.

Shaping England's Future

• 886: Alfred took back control of London and gave it to Mercia.
• 886: Alfred signed another treaty with Guthrum. This treaty set the border between English land and Viking land. The Viking area became known as the Danelaw.
• 888: Plegmund became the new Archbishop of Canterbury.
• 888: Shaftesbury Abbey was likely founded by Alfred. His daughter, Æthelgifu, became its first abbess.
• 890: The Welsh ruler Anarawd ap Rhodri visited Alfred's court. This was the first time a Welsh ruler made such a visit to an English king.
• 890: Alfred began to translate important books into Old English. One of the first was Pastoral Care.

End of the Century: More Challenges

The 9th century ended with more Viking invasions, but Alfred's kingdom was stronger.

New Viking Attacks

• 892: More Danish Vikings invaded England, led by Hastein.
• 892: The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a very important historical record, was first put together around this time.
• 893:
  • Spring: Edward, Alfred's son, defeated invading Vikings at Farnham.
  • Summer: At the Battle of Buttington, a combined Welsh and Mercian army fought a Viking camp. The Vikings escaped but lost many men.
  • Autumn: Danish Vikings took the city of Chester. Alfred destroyed their food supplies, forcing them to move into Wales.
• 894: Viking forces reached the Thames river.
• 895: Alfred blocked the Viking fleet at the River Lea. The Vikings had to retreat.
• 896: The Viking army finally left Wessex.

The End of an Era

• 899: King Alfred of Wessex died. His son, Edward the Elder, became the new king. Alfred is remembered as "Alfred the Great" for his efforts against the Vikings and his work to improve education and law.