The Kingdom of Wessex (c. 519-927 or c. 519-1066) was a political entity founded by the West Saxon Chieftain Cerdic (r. 519-540) in 519 in the Upper Thames Valley of modern-day Britain which would later evolve into the modern nation. The difference in dates concerning the end of the kingdom has to do with whether one accepts the final year as coinciding with Aethelstan of Wessex becoming King of England in 927 (and uniting all the kingdoms under his rule) or prefers the date of the Norman Invasion of England of 1066 when William the Conqueror arrived. There is no consensus on one date being more accurate than the other in scholarly circles but after Aethelstan became King of England, the Kingdom of Wessex ended as an independent polity and so 927 should be recognized as its end-date.
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Definition
Timeline
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2000 BCE - 1500 BCEWessex culture introduces bronze working to Britain.
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519 CE - 927 CEDuration of the Kingdom of Wessex in Britain.
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519 CE - 540 CEReign of Cerdic, first king of Wessex.
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540 CE - 560 CEReign of Cerdic's son (or grandson) Cynric who expands realm of Wessex.
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560 CE - 592 CEReign of King Ceawlin in Wessex.
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592 CE - 597 CEReign of the king Ceol in Wessex.
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597 CE - 611 CEReign of King Ceolwulf in Wessex.
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611 CE - 643 CEReign of Cynegils in Wessex; first West Saxon king to convert to Christianity and be baptized.
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611 CE - 643 CEWessex loses territory, power, and prestige to Mercia during the reign of Cynegils.
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628 CEWessex defeated by Mercia at the Battle of Cirenchester.
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643 CE - 645 CEReign of Cenwalh in Wessex.
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645 CE - 648 CEMercia rules Wessex after Cenwalh deposed and driven into exile.
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648 CE - 673 CECenwalh returns from exile and resumes rule in Wessex.
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674 CECeanwalh's widow Seaxburh rules Wessex; only female ruler of the region.
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674 CE - 676 CEAescwine reigns as king of Wessex; defeats Mercia at Battle of Bedwyn.
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675 CEBattle of Bedwyn; King Aescwine of Wessex defeats Mercian army, reclaims Wessex's territory.
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676 CE - 685 CEReign of King Centwine in Wessex.
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685 CE - 688 CECaedwalla reigns in Wessex; expands region through military conquest.
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688 CE - 726 CEKing Ine reigns in Wessex; issues early comprehensive law code.
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726 CE - 740 CEReign of Aethelheard in Wessex.
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740 CE - 756 CEReign of King Cuthred who reestablishes Wessex's primacy in region.
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756 CE - 757 CEReign of Sigeberht in Wessex. .
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757 CE - 786 CEReign of Cynewulf in Wessex. .
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786 CE - 802 CEReign of Beorhtric in Wessex; Mercia dominates Wessex during his reign.
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802 CE - 839 CEReign of King Egbert of Wessex, Ruler of Britain; Wessex dominates region. .
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825 CEBattle of Ellandun; Egbert of Wessex defeats Beornwulf of Mercia.
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839 CE - 858 CEReign of Aethelwulf in Wessex; Viking raids repelled.
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855 CE - 860 CEReign of Aethelbald, son of Aethelwulf;Viking raids continue.
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860 CE - 865 CEReign of Aethelberht, son of Aethelwulf, in Wessex; Viking raids continue.
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865 CE - 871 CEReign of Aethelred I, son of Aethelwulf, in Wessex; Viking raids continue.
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871 CE - 899 CEReign of Alfred the Great in Wessex; Vikings defeated at Eddington and London; Wessex becomes major power in the region.
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878 CEThe Battle of Eddington; Alfred the Great defeats Viking forces.
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886 CEAlfred the Great subdues Vikings of London.
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899 CE - 924 CEReign of Edward the Elder in Wessex; Mercia annexed.
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Aug 910 CEThe Anglo-Saxon king Edward the Elder defeats a Viking army at the Battle of Tettenhall.
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912 CE - 917 CEThe Anglo-Saxon king Edward the Elder campaigns against the Vikings in England.
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924 CE - 927 CEReign of Aethelstan as King of the Anglo-Saxons before becoming first King of England.
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937 CEThe Battle of Brunanburh; Aethelstan defeats coalition from Britain, Ireland, and Scotland; consolidates rule.
