he fourth (or third) son of Aethelwulf King of Wessex 839-858. Aethelred became king of Wessex in 865/866 when his elder brother Aethelbert died. Aethelred had to contend with the largest invasion of Danes so far. In 865 Danes landed in East Anglia with a huge force of men. This army of Danes is known as the 'Great Army' and was under the command of King Ivar the 'Boneless' and King Halfdan. East Anglia was under the control of Mercia and no moves were made to force the army out. With his younger brother, Alfred (the Great), Aethelred had to contend with the Danes throughout his reign. In 871 Aethelred died. He left a son, Athelwold, but he was too young to rule. The Saxons chose Alfred as the new King of England. Biography
Biography
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Aethelred (King of Wessex 866-871)
| Born | circa 840 | Born At | |
| Died | 871 | Buried At | |
| Father | Aethelwulf (King of Wessex 839-858) | Mother | Osburga |
| Titles include | King of Wessex from 866 to 871 |
| Born | circa 840 / |
| Died | 871 / |
he fourth (or third) son of Aethelwulf King of Wessex 839-858. Aethelred became king of Wessex in 865/866 when his elder brother Aethelbert died. Aethelred had to contend with the largest invasion of Danes so far. In 865 Danes landed in East Anglia with a huge force of men. This army of Danes is known as the 'Great Army' and was under the command of King Ivar the 'Boneless' and King Halfdan. East Anglia was under the control of Mercia and no moves were made to force the army out. With his younger brother, Alfred (the Great), Aethelred had to contend with the Danes throughout his reign. In 871 Aethelred died. He left a son, Athelwold, but he was too young to rule. The Saxons chose Alfred as the new King of England. Related Episodes
Viking Invasions (click here)
Viking Invasions (click here)
Family Tree Details
Aethelred (King of Wessex 866-871) (b.840? - d.871)
+Wulfthryth
= Aethelwold (b.868? - d.902)
See Also
People
Other
Timeline
865(Age: 25yrs)
866(Age: 26yrs)
Ethelread held a Witenagemot (Witan) at the palace of Woodstock. [2]
The 'Great Army' moved north from their original landing site in East Anglia and into Northumbria where it split into two. One section took boats up the coast and sailed into the Humber while the other section went overland. York was captured and renamed Jorvik. [1]
867(Age: 27yrs)
Mar 21
Armies from Northumbria led by the two kings Aella and Osberht attacked the Danes at York but were defeated. The two kings were killed after gaining access to the city. After the battle the Danes moved south attacking Nottingham and taking control of it. The king of Mercia asked Ethelred and Alfred for assistance and an army from Wessex was sent to help. [1]
868(Age: 28yrs)
Ethelred and Alfred married Mercian noble women whilst assisting the King of Mercia with the Danes on his land. A peaceful settlement was reached with the Danes and a Danegeld was paid for them to leave. [1]
871(Age: 31yrs)
Qtr 1
Aethelred and Alfred defeated the Danes at Ashdown.
After fighting the Danes all winter Aethelred died. He was only in his late twenties or early thirties. He was buried at Wimborne and was succeeded by his younger brother Alfred 'the Great'. Aethelred had two sons but they were too young to rule. The younger son Aethelwold would later rebel against Alfred's son Edward the Elder for the English throne. [1]
On this day in history:
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Selection of references used:
- 1: Ronald McNair Scott, Alfred the Great, ISBN:0-86332-832-6
- 2: Timbs & Gunn, Abbeys, Castles & Ancient Halls of England & Wales, Warne, Own Copy
