Ealhswith of Wessex Timeline 852-902

Ealhswith of Wessex was born to Aethelred Mucel Ealdorman of the Gaini in Mercia and his wife Eadburh.

Ealhswith married Alfred, younger brother of King Aethelred I of Wessex at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.

A daughter, Aethelflaed, was born to Ealhswith and Alfred.

Battle of Merton
Alfred and King Aethelred, fought the Vikings. The battle was inconclusive and both sides withdrew. Aethelred had been badly injured in the battle.

Aethelred died from the injuries sustained at the Battle of Merton. Aethelred’s two young sons, Aethelwold and Aethelhelm, were considered too young to take the throne so Ealhswith’s husband, Alfred, brother of Aethelred, became King.

Alfred’s brother, King Aethelred was buried at Wimborne

After suffering a year of minor defeats by the Danes, Alfred was forced to buy them off. They promised to leave Wessex alone for five years.

A son, Edward, was born to Ealhswith and Alfred.

A daughter, Aethelgifu, was born to Ealhswith and Alfred.

Alfred made a deal with Guthrum, leader of the Vikings for peace and exchanged hostages. But Guthrum did not keep the deal. He killed his Saxon hostages and moved to Exeter, leaving the Viking ships at Wareham.

A daughter, Aelfthryth, was born to Ealhswith and Alfred.

Guthrum returned to Wessex with a large force and marched on Chippenham. Guthrum killed many of the town’s inhabitants. It is likely that this was the last straw for the Witan and that Alfred lost their support due to the fact that his attempts to pay off the Vikings had not worked. Ealhswith and Alfred were forced to leave Wessex. They sought refuge in the Somerset marshes at Athelney.

Battle of Edington
Alfred defeated the Danish army and forced the Danish leader Guthrum to accept baptism and peace terms. The Treaty of Wedmore recognised Danish occupation of England north of the line from London to Chester. Guthrum was to withdraw to behind this line and be recognised as King of his own independent kingdom. Guthrum’s new Danish Kingdom in England was subject to new laws called Danelaw.

Guthrum, who had been baptised Aethelstan, moved his people to Mercia.

A son, Aethelweard was born to Ealhswith and Alfred.

Alfred began putting in place measures to ensure his own son, Edward, succeeded him rather than his nephews Aethelhelm and Aethelwold. Alfred claimed to have the support of the Witan for his son to succeed him. Ealhswith would have supported this as she is known to have favoured Edward.

Alfred the Great captured London. However, as London was in the Kingdom of Mercia, Alfred, put the city in the control of Ealdorman Aethelred of Mercia.

Ealhswith’s daughter, Aethelflaed , married Aethelred, Ealdorman of Mercia. A move that Alfred hoped would give him some control over Mercia and London.

Alfred entered into negotiations with Haesten, leader of a Viking force at Milton. A settlement was reached whereby Alfred gave Haesten money and treasures while Haesten gave Alfred hostages and swore an oath of peace.

Soon after swearing a peace oath Haesten took his army and laid waste to Benfleet in Essex.

Both Alfred and Edward were occupied with dealing with successive Viking raids and attacks.

King Alfred died. He was succeeded by his son, Edward, known as Edward The Elder.

Ealhswith founded the convent of St Mary’s Abbey, Winchester.

King Edward’s cousin, Aethelwold, rose up and challenged his appointment as King.

Ealhswith died. She was buried in New Minster, Winchester.