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ANGLO SAXON CHRONICLE Years 495-606


Anglo SAxon Chronicle year 871

Years 1 - 490
Years 495 - 606
Years 607 - 656
Years 658 - 699
Years 702 - 785
Years 787 - 851
Years 852 - 878
Years 879 - 900
Years 902 - 961
Years 963 - 979
Years 980 - 1002
Years 1003 - 1015
Years 1016 - 1042
Years 1043 - 1047
Years 1049 - 1051
Years 1052 - 1052
Years 1053 - 1063
Years 1065
Years 1066
Years 1067 - 1072
Years 1073 - 1086
Years 1087 - 1088
Years 1089 - 1094
Years 1095 - 1104
Years 1105 - 1120
Years 1121 - 1127
Years 1128 - 1137
Years 1138 - 1154


Years 495 - 606
A.D. 495 . This year came two leaders into Britain, Cerdic and Cynric his son, with five ships, at a place that is called
Cerdic's-ore. And they fought with the Welsh the same day.
Then he died, and his son Cynric succeeded to the government, and held it six and twenty winters.
Then he died; and Ceawlin, his son, succeeded, who reigned seventeen years.
Then he died; and Ceol succeeded to the government, and reigned five years.
When he died, Ceolwulf, his brother, succeeded, and reigned seventeen years. Their kin goeth to Cerdic.
Then succeeded Cynebils, Ceolwulf's brother's son, to the kingdom; and reigned one and thirty winters. And he first of West-Saxon kings received baptism.
Then succeeded Cenwall, who was the son of Cynegils, and reigned one and thirty winters. Then held Sexburga, his queen, the government one year after him.
Then succeeded Escwine to the kingdom, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and held it two years.
Then succeeded Centwine, the son of Cynegils, to the kingdom of the West-Saxons, and reigned nine years.
Then succeeded Ceadwall to the government, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and held it three years.
Then succeeded Ina to the kingdom of the West-Saxons, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reigned thirty-seven winters.
Then succeeded Ethelheard, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reigned sixteen years.
Then succeeded Cuthred, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reigned sixteen winters.
Then succeeded Sigebriht, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reigned one year.
Then succeeded Cynwulf, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reigned one and thirty winters.
Then succeeded Brihtric, whose kin goeth to Cerdic, and reigned sixteen years.
Then succeeded Egbert to the kingdom, and held it seven and thirty winters, and seven months.
Then succeeded Ethelwulf, his son, and reigned eighteen years and a half. Ethelwulf was the son of Egbert, Egbert of Ealmund, Ealmund of Eafa, Eafa of Eoppa, Eoppa of Ingild, Ingild of Cenred (Ina of Cenred, Cuthburga of Cenred, and Cwenburga of Cenred), Cenred of Ceolwald, Ceolwald of Cuthwulf, Cuthwulf of Cuthwine, Cuthwine of Celm, Celm of Cynric, Cynric of Creoda, Creoda of Cerdic.
Then succeeded Ethelbald, the son of Ethelwulf, to the kingdom, and held it five years.
Then succeeded Ethelbert, his brother, and reigned five years.
Then succeeded Ethelred, his brother, to the kingdom, and held it five years.
Then succeeded Alfred, their brother, to the government. And then had elapsed of his age three and twenty winters, and three hundred and ninety-six winters from the time when his kindred first gained the land of Wessex from the Welsh. And he held the kingdom a year and a half less than thirty winters.
Then succeeded Edward, the son of Alfred, and reigned twenty-four winters.
When he died, then succeeded Athelstan, his son, and reigned fourteen years and seven weeks and three days.
Then succeeded Edmund, his brother, and reigned six years and a half, wanting two nights.
Then succeeded Edred, his brother, and reigned nine years and six weeks.
Then succeeded Edwy, the son of Edmund, and reigned three years and thirty-six weeks, wanting two days.
When he died, then succeeded Edgar, his brother, and reigned sixteen years and eight weeks and two nights.
When he died, then succeeded Edward, the son of Edgar, and reigned.

A.D. 501 . This year Porta and his two sons, Beda and Mela, came into Britain, with two ships, at a place called Portsmouth. They soon landed, and slew on the spot a young Briton of very high rank.

A.D. 508 . This year Cerdic and Cynric slew a British king, whose name was Natanleod, and five thousand men with him. After this was the land named Netley, from him, as far as Charford.

A.D. 509 . This year St. Benedict, the abbot, father of all the monks, (16) ascended to heaven.

A.D. 514 . This year came the West-Saxons into Britain, with three ships, at the place that is called Cerdic's-ore. And Stuff
and Wihtgar fought with the Britons, and put them to flight.

A.D. 519 . This year Cerdic and Cynric undertook the government of the West-Saxons; the same year they fought with the Britons at a place now called Charford. From that day have reigned the children of the West-Saxon kings.

A.D. 527 . This year Cerdic and Cynric fought with the Britons in the place that is called Cerdic's-ley.

A.D. 530 . This year Cerdic and Cynric took the isle of Wight, and slew many men in Carisbrook.

A.D. 534 . This year died Cerdic, the first king of the West- Saxons. Cynric his son succeeded to the government, and reigned
afterwards twenty-six winters. And they gave to their two nephews, Stuff and Wihtgar, the whole of the Isle of Wight.

A.D. 538 . This year the sun was eclipsed, fourteen days before the calends of March, from before morning until nine.

A.D. 540 . This year the sun was eclipsed on the twelfth day before the calends of July; and the stars showed themselves full
nigh half an hour over nine.

A.D. 544 . This year died Wihtgar; and men buried him at Carisbrook.

A.D. 547 . This year Ida began his reign; from whom first arose the royal kindred of the Northumbrians. Ida was the son of
Eoppa, Eoppa of Esa, Esa of Ingwy, Ingwy of Angenwit, Angenwit of Alloc, Alloc of Bennoc, Bennoc of Brand, Brand of Balday, Balday of Woden. Woden of Fritholaf, Fritholaf of Frithowulf, Frithowulf of Finn, Finn of Godolph, Godolph of Geata. Ida
reigned twelve years. He built Bamburgh-Castle, which was first surrounded with a hedge, and afterwards with a wall.

A.D. 552 . This year Cynric fought with the Britons on the spot that is called Sarum, and put them to flight. Cerdic was the
father of Cynric, Cerdic was the son of Elesa, Elesa of Esla, Esla of Gewis, Gewis of Wye, Wye of Frewin, Frewin of Frithgar,
Frithgar of Brand, Brand of Balday, Balday of Woden. In this year Ethelbert, the son of Ermenric, was born, who on the two and
thirtieth year of his reign received the rite of baptism, the first of all the kings in Britain.

A.D. 556 . This year Cynric and Ceawlin fought with the Britons at Beranbury.

A.D. 560 . This year Ceawlin undertook the government of the West-Saxons; and Ella, on the death of Ida, that of the Northumbrians; each of whom reigned thirty winters. Ella was the son of Iff, Iff of Usfrey, Usfrey of Wilgis, Wilgis of
Westerfalcon, Westerfalcon of Seafowl, Seafowl of Sebbald, Sebbald of Sigeat, Sigeat of Swaddy, Swaddy of Seagirt, Seagar of
Waddy, Waddy of Woden, Woden of Frithowulf.
This year Ethelbert came to the kingdom of the Cantuarians, and held it fifty-three winters. In his days the holy Pope Gregory sent us baptism. That was in the two and thirtieth year of his reign. And Columba, the mass-priest, came to the Picts, and converted them to the belief of Christ. They are the dwellers by the northern moors. And their king gave him the island of Hii, consisting of five hides, as they say, where Columba built a monastary. There he was abbot two and thirty winters; and there he died, when he was seventy-seven years old. The place his successors yet have.
The Southern Picts were long before baptized by Bishop Ninnia, who was taught at Rome. His church or monastery is at Hwiterne, hallowed in the name of St. Martin, where he resteth with many holy men. Now, therefore, shall there be ever in Hii an abbot, and no bishop; and to him shall be subject all the bishops of the Scots; because Columba was an abbot -- no bishop.

((A.D. 565 . This year Columba the presbyter came from the Scots among the Britons, to instruct the Picts, and he built a
monastery in the island of Hii.))

A.D. 568 . This year Ceawlin, and Cutha the brother of Ceawlin, fought with Ethelbert, and pursued him into Kent. And they slew
two aldermen at Wimbledon, Oslake and Cnebba.

A.D. 571 . This year Cuthulf fought with the Britons at Bedford, and took four towns, Lenbury, Aylesbury, Benson, and Ensham. And this same year he died.

A.D. 577 . This year Cuthwin and Ceawlin fought with the Britons, and slew three kings, Commail, and Condida, and Farinmail, on the spot that is called Derham, and took from them three cities, Gloucester, Cirencester, and Bath.

A.D. 583 . This year Mauricius succeeded to the empire of the
Romans.

A.D. 584 . This year Ceawlin and Cutha fought with the Britons on the spot that is called Fretherne. There Cutha was slain. And
Ceawlin took many towns, as well as immense booty and wealth. He then retreated to his own people.

A.D. 588 . This year died King Ella; and Ethelric reigned after him five years.

A.D. 591 . This year there was a great slaughter of Britons at Wanborough; Ceawlin was driven from his kingdom, and Ceolric
reigned six years.

A.D. 592 . This year Gregory succeeded to the papacy at Rome.

A.D. 593 . This year died Ceawlin, and Cwichelm, and Cryda; and Ethelfrith succeeded to the kingdom of the Northumbrians. He was the son of Ethelric; Ethelric of Ida.

A.D. 596 . This year Pope Gregory sent Augustine to Britain with very many monks, to preach the word of God to the English people.

A.D. 597 . This year began Ceolwulf to reign over the West- Saxons; and he constantly fought and conquered, either with the
Angles, or the Welsh, or the Picts, or the Scots. He was the son of Cutha, Cutha of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic, Cerdic of Elesa,
Elesa of Gewis, Gewis of Wye, Wye of Frewin, Frewin of Frithgar, Frithgar of Brand, Brand of Balday, and Balday of Woden. This
year came Augustine and his companions to England. (17)

A.D. 601 . This year Pope Gregory sent the pall to Archbishop Augustine in Britain, with very many learned doctors to assist
him; and Bishop Paulinus converted Edwin, king of the Northumbrians, to baptism.

A.D. 603 . This year Aeden, king of the Scots, fought with the Dalreathians, and with Ethelfrith, king of the Northumbrians, at
Theakstone; where he lost almost all his army. Theobald also, brother of Ethelfrith, with his whole armament, was slain. None
of the Scottish kings durst afterwards bring an army against this nation. Hering, the son of Hussa, led the army thither.

((A.D. 603 . This year Aethan, King of the Scots, fought against the Dalreods and against Ethelfrith, king of the North-humbrians,
at Daegsanstane [Dawston?], and they slew almost all his army. There Theodbald, Ethelfrith's brother, was slain with all his
band. Since then no king of the Scots has dared to lead an army against this nation. Hering, the son of Hussa, led the enemy
thither.))

A.D. 604 . This year Augustine consecrated two bishops, Mellitus and Justus. Mellitus he sent to preach baptism to the East-
Saxons. Their king was called Seabert, the son of Ricola, Ethelbert's sister, whom Ethelbert placed there as king.
Ethelbert also gave Mellitus the bishopric of London; and to Justus he gave the bishopric of Rochester, which is twenty-four
miles from Canterbury.

((A.D. 604 . This year Augustine consecrated two bishops, Mellitus and Justus. He sent Mellitus to preach baptism to the
East-Saxons, whose king was called Sebert, son of Ricole, the sister of Ethelbert, and whom Ethelbert had there appointed king. And Ethelbert gave Mellitus a bishop's see in London, and to Justus he gave Rochester, which is twenty-four miles from
Canterbury.))

A.D. 606 . This year died Gregory; about ten years since he sent us baptism. His father was called Gordianus, and his mother
Silvia.

NOTATIONS

(16) Merely of those called from him "Benedictines". But the compiler of the Cotton MS., who was probably a monk of that
order, seems not to acknowledge any other. Matthew of Westminster places his death in 536.
(17) For an interesting and minute account of the arrival of Augustine and his companions in the Isle of Thanet, their
entrance into Canterbury, and their general reception in England, vid. Bede, "Hist. Eccles." i. 25, and the following
chapters, with the Saxon translation by King Alfred. The succeeding historians have in general repeated the very
words of Bede.

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References:
Anne Savage, "The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles", ISBN 1-85833-478-0, pub CLB 1997
Peter Hunter Blair, An Introduction to Anglo-Saxon England, pp. 352-355
Ekwall, E. 1947. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names, 3rd edition.
Michael Swanton, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles London, J.M. Dent 1996
Bately, J. (ed.) 1986. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: A Collaborative Edition. Vol. 3: MS. A. Cambridge. (Authoritative edition of most important manuscript.)