Wessex was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the West Saxons in southern England. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says it was founded by Cerdic, but historians doubt the early chronology. It became dominant after King Egbert defeated Mercia in the 820s, and under Alfred the Great it survived the Danish Great Heathen Army, winning the Battle of Edington in 878, and Alfred reformed its defenses with fortified towns called burhs and promoted learning. His successors, Edward the Elder and Æthelstan, conquered the territory held by the Danes and united England. Wessex ceased to exist as a separate kingdom when it merged into the Kingdom of England under Æthelstan.
Before and after
- from 5th century to 7th centuryJahiliyyah
- from 502 CE to 506 CEAnastasian War
- from 511 CE to 977 CENeustria
- from 27 November 511 CE to 1 November 751 CEAustrasia
- from 519 CE to 927 CEKingdom of Wessex
- from 526 CE to 532 CEIberian War
- from 527 CE to 918 CEKingdom of Mercia
- 528 CECorpus Juris Civilis
- January 532 CENika Riots
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- from 29 July 1299 to 17 November 1922Ottoman Empire
- 1460Construction of Topkapı Palace
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 6th century.