Timeline: 975..999

Years in this period

975 976 977 978 979 
980 981 982 983 984 
985 986 987 988 989 
990 991 992 993 994 
995 996 997 998 999 
English Rulers
Edgar I (959 - 975)
Edward the Martyr (975 - 978)
Aethelred the Unready (978 - 1016)
Scottish Rulers (not all)

French Rulers (not all)
Hugh Capet (987 - 996)
Robert II (996 - 1031)
975

 A-S C

Jul - Edward becomes king 
Edward, the eldest son of Edgar, became the king of the English at the age of fourteen when his father died. Dunstan became his guardian.

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979

 A-S C

Mar - Athelred becomes king 
Athelred became king after the assassination of Edward the Martyr.

See AlsoMar 18 - Murder of Edward the Martyr 
Edward, the King of the English was assassinated under orders from his step-mother, who wanted her son Athelred to become king.

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980

 A-S C

First Viking attacks Episode: Viking Invasions, click to view
With Athelred on the throne for a short time and possibly showing some weakness in his ability to rule the Vikings started their attacks. Concentrating on the south coast the raids were limited and the affect to the country as a whole was small.

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983

 A-S C

Monastery at Worcester 
Oswald founded a Benedictine monastery at Worcester dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin. Oswald became bishop of Worcester upon the recommendation of Dunstan.

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987

 A-S C

Jul 3 - Hugh Capet becomes King of France 
Hugh Capet, elected by his peers became King of France, and was crowned at Noyon.

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988

 A-S C

Battle at Wachet Episode: Viking Invasions, click to view
In Somerset Viking raiders attacked and burnt the village at Wachet. Streonwold, the local English leader, called for help from the surrounding population and a battle was fought. The Vikings won the battle and Streonwold was killed.

See AlsoAthelgar becomes Archbishop of Canterbury 
Athelgar became the Archbishop of Canterbury after the death of Dunstan.

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990

 A-S C

Sigeric Serio becomes Archbishop of Canterbury 
Sigeric Serio becomes Archbishop of Canterbury.

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991

 A-S C

Vikings paid to leave Episode: Viking Invasions, click to view
Athelred was advised by Archbishop Sigeric to talk to Olaf and arrange a truce rather than trying to defeat the Vikings in battle. The Vikings accepted a large payoff (Danegeld) and left.

See AlsoBattle of Malden Episode: Viking Invasions, click to view
The raiding Vikings attacked the Ipswich area of England before sailing into the Blackwater river estuary near Malden. The English were waiting for them and trapped the Vikings in rising tidal waters. The English fought bravely and a poem was written about their exploits but in the end the Vikings were victorious and the English were defeated.

See AlsoVikings attack the wealthy south-east Episode: Viking Invasions, click to view
Under the leadership of Olaf Trygvasson the Vikings attacked the wealthy south-east coast of England and took as much riches as they could carry.

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994

 A-S C

Swein Fork-Beard becomes King of Denmark Episode: Viking Invasions, click to view
Swein Fork-Beard had overthrone this father King Harold Blue-Tooth Gormsson, King of Denmark in 988. With a huge fleet of 94 ships he arrived in the Thames estutary with Olaf Trygvasson by his side. London put up a good defence and drove the Vikings back so Fork-Beard moved his forces again to attack the south-east coast to plunder what he could find.

See AlsoWinter - Trygvasson converted to Christianity Episode: Viking Invasions, click to view
Through the Winter months Athelred provided the Vikings with lodgings and £16,000 in cash to stop the raids on his land. Athelred was also the sponsor at the baptism of Olaf Trygvasson. Olaf was given instruction from the Bishop of Winchester.

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995

 A-S C

Aelfric becomes Archbishop of Canterbury 
Aelfric becomes Archbishop of Canterbury.

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996

 A-S C

Aug - Capet Dies and Robert II becomes King of France 
Hugh Capet, King of France died of smallpox.

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997

 A-S C

Peasant's Revolt in Normandy 
The peasants in Normandy rose up against their masters including the Count of Evreux, the uncle of Richard II, the Duke of Normandy. The revolt failed when the leaders were captured and executed.

See Also

Selection of references used:
  • Magnus Magnusson,Vikings!,
  • Duc de Castries,The lives of the Kings and Queens of France,
  • Jasper Ridley,The History of England,1981
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