Born – c. 836
Died – Autumn 865
Father – King Aethelwulf (795 – 858)
Mother – Osburgh (810 – 855)
Spouse – Unmarried
Children – No children
King of Wessex – 860 – 865
Predecessor – Aethelbald – 858 – 860
Successor – Aethelred I – 865 – 871
836 (around)
Aethelbert of Wessex, sometimes written Aethelberht, was born to Aethelwulf and Osburgh. He was the couple’s third son, his elder brothers Aethelstan and Aethelbald had been born earlier.
836 (during)
The Vikings attacked North Devon and Somerset. Aethelbert’s grandfather, Egbert tried to defeat them at the Battle of Carhampton but he was forced to retreat.
838 (around)
Aethelbert’s sister, Aethelswitha, was born to Aethelwulf and Osburgh.
838 (during)
Battle of Hingston Down
King Egbert, Aethelbert’s grandfather, fought a combined force of Vikings and Cornishmen and was victorious.
King Egbert, Aethelbert’s grandfather, fought a combined force of Vikings and Cornishmen and was victorious.
839 (February)
King Egbert died and Aethelbert’s father, Aethelwulf, became King of Wessex.
839 (June)
Aethelbert’s father, Aethelwulf was crowned at Kingston-upon-Thames.
839 (Summer)
Aethelbert’s eldest brother, Aethelstan, was created Subregulus of Kent, Essex and Sussex.
840 (around)
Aethelbert’s brother, Aethelred, was born to Aethelwulf and Osburgh.
840 (around)
The Vikings began making raids along the south coast of England.
843 (Easter)
Battle of Carhampton
King Aethelwulf was defeated by a Viking force.
King Aethelwulf was defeated by a Viking force.
849 (around)
Aethelbert’s brother, Alfred, was born to Aethelwulf and Osburgh at Wantage, Berkshire.
850 (during)
A Viking raiding force was defeated by Aethelbert’s brother Aethelstan in a naval battle off Sandwich, Kent.
851 (during)
Aethelbert’s father, Aethelwulf, fought a Danish force at Acleah in Surrey and was victorious.
852 (during)
Aethelstan, Aethelbert’s eldest brother, died.
853 (during)
Aethelbert’s brother, Alfred, was sent to Rome to be confirmed by the Pope. He may have been accompanied by his brother Aethelred. As a younger son, Alfred was possibly being prepared for a life in the Church.
853 (Easter)
Aethelbert’s sister, Aethelswith, married King Burgred of Mercia, sealing an alliance between Wessex and Mercia.
853 (Autumn)
King Aethelwulf and Burgred of Mercia joined forces to defeat the Welsh led by Cyngen ap Cadell.
854 (around)
Osburgh, Aethelbert’s mother, died.
855 (during)
Aethelbert’s father and his youngest brother, Alfred, went on a pilgrimage to Rome. Aethelbert’s brother Aethelbald became regent of Wessex and Aethelbert became Subregulus of Kent.
856 (July)
Aethelwulf King of Wessex was betrothed to Judith, daughter of Charles, King of the Franks.
856 (1st October)
Aethelbert’s father married Judith, daughter of Charles II, King of the Franks.
856 (October)
Aethelwulf, his new wife, Judith and his youngest son, Alfred returned to Wessex. Aethelwulf may have shared rule with Aethelbald or taken back full control.
858 (13th January)
King Aethelwulf died and Aethelbert’s brother, Aethelbald, became King of Wessex.
860 (during)
Aethelbert’s brother, King Aethelbald, shocked church elders and the ealdormen by marrying his stepmother Judith of France.
860 (20th December)
Aethelbert became King of Wessex when his brother, Aethelbald, died in Sherbourne.
861 (during)
Aethelbert was crowned King of Wessex at Kingston-upon-Thames.
865 (around)
The legendary Viking, Ragnar Lothbrok was shipwrecked off the Northumbrian coast. King Aelle immediately marched to the coast, defeated the Viking army and took Ragnar prisoner.
865 (during)
Aelle killed Ragnar Lothbrok by throwing him into a pit of snakes. This act led to the formation of the Great Heathen army by the sons of Ragnar who vowed to avenge the death of their father.
865 (during)
The Great Heathen Army led by the sons of the legendary Ragnar Lothbrok, Halfdan, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, Ubba and Ivar the Boneless, landed in East Anglia. They accepted a payment of horses from King Edmund of East Anglia to go away.
865 (Autumn)
King Aethelbert died. He had not married and had no children so he was succeeded by his brother Aethelred who became King Aethelred I.
Published Jan 29, 2018 @ 1:04 pm – Updated – [last-modified]
Harvard Reference for this page:
Heather Y Wheeler. (2018 – 2020). King Aethelbert of Wessex 836 – 866. https://www.thetimelinegeek.com/king-aethelbert-of-wessex-836-866. Last accessed [date]