Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall

The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.

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King Aelfwine of Deira -679

Paternal Family Tree: Bernicia

655 Battle of the Winwaed

679 Battle of the Trent

King Aelfwine of Deira was born to King Oswiu of Northumbria.

King Aelfwine of Deira succeeded King Deira.

In or before 630 King Oswiu of Northumbria [aged 17] and Rhiainfellt Rheged Queen Consort Bernicia were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Æthelfrith King Northumbrians and [his grandmother] Acha Queen Consort Northumbria.

Around 645 King Oswiu of Northumbria [aged 33] and Eanflæd Queen Consort Bernicia [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Bernicia. She the daughter of King Edwin of Northumbria and Æthelburh Oiscingas Queen Consort Northumbria [aged 40]. He the son of [his grandfather] Æthelfrith King Northumbrians and [his grandmother] Acha Queen Consort Northumbria. They were half first cousins.

In 655 Ealhfrith King Deira [aged 25] succeeded King Deira.

After 655 King Ecgfrith of Northumbria [aged 10] and Æthelthryth Wuffingas Queen Consort Deira and Northumbria [aged 19] were married. She the daughter of King Anna of East Anglia. He the son of [his father] King Oswiu of Northumbria [aged 43] and Eanflæd Queen Consort Bernicia [aged 28].

Battle of the Winwaed

                    On 15th November 655 King Oswiu of Northumbria [aged 43] defeated the Mercian army (probably) at Cock Beck during the Battle of the Winwaed ending the period of Mercian dominance. The battle is believed to have ended Anglo-Saxon paganism.
                
                    On 15th November 655 Æthelwald King Deira [aged 13], an ally of King Penda of Mercia, withdrew his forces, one of many Mercian allies to do so, weakening King Penda's army.
                
                    King Penda of Mercia and King Æthelhere of East Anglia were killed. Penda's son Paeda King South Mercia succeeded King South Mercia.
                
                    King Æthelwold of East Anglia succeeded King East Anglia after the death of his father at the Battle of the Winwaed.

Around 664 Ealhfrith King Deira [aged 34] died. His half brother Ecgfrith [aged 19] succeeded King Deira. Æthelthryth Wuffingas Queen Consort Deira and Northumbria [aged 28] by marriage Queen Consort Deira.

Before 15th February 670 King Oswiu of Northumbria [aged 58] and Fín Cenél Neógain Queen Consort Bernicia were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Bernicia. He the son of [his grandfather] Æthelfrith King Northumbrians and [his grandmother] Acha Queen Consort Northumbria.

On 15th February 670 King Oswiu of Northumbria [aged 58] died. He was buried at Whitby Abbey [Map] - see Bede. In 670 His son Ecgfrith [aged 25] succeeded King Northumbria. Æthelthryth Wuffingas Queen Consort Deira and Northumbria [aged 34] by marriage Queen Consort Northumbria.

In 675 King Æthelred of Mercia succeeded King Mercia. Osthryth Bernicia Queen Consort Mercia by marriage Queen Consort Mercia.

Battle of the Trent

Around 679 King Æthelred of Mercia defeated the Northumbrian army led by King Ecgfrith of Northumbria [aged 34] at the Battle of the Trent somehere in Lindsey [Map]. King Aelfwine of Deira was killed.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 679. This year Elwin was slain, by the river Trent, on the spot where Everth [aged 34] and Ethelred fought. This year also died St. Etheldritha [aged 43]; and the monastery of Coldingiham [Map] was destroyed by fire from heaven.

Bede. BISHOP THEODORE MADE PEACE BETWEEN THE KINGS EGFRID AND ETHELRED

In the ninth year of the reign of King Egfrid, a great battle was fought between him and Ethelred, king of the Mercians, near the river Trent, and Elfwin, brother to King Egfrid, was slain, a youth about eighteen years of age, and much beloved by both provinces, for King Ethelred had married his sister Osthrid. There was now reason to expect a more bloody war, and more lasting enmity between those kings and their fierce nations; but Theodore, the bishop beloved of God, relying on the Divine assistance, by his wholesome admonitions extinguished the dangerous fire that was breaking out; so that the kings and their people on both sides being appeased, no man was put to death, but only the usual mulct paid to the king for his brother that had been killed; and this peace continued long after between those kings and their kingdoms.

Bede. 679. In the aforesaid battle, wherein Elfwin, the king's [aged 34] brother, was killed, a memorable fact is known to have happened, which I think ought not to be passed by in silence; for the relation of the same will conduce to the salvation of many. In that battle, one Imma, a youth belonging to the king, was left as dead, and having lain so all that day and the next night among the dead bodies, at length he came to himself, and sitting, bound up his wounds in the best way he could. Then having rested awhile, he stood up, and began to go off to seek some friends that might take care of him; but in so doing he was discovered and taken by some of the enemy's army, and carried before their lord, who was an earl belonging to King Ethelred. Being asked by him who he was, and fearing to own himself a soldier, he answered, "He was a peasant, poor and married, and that he came to the army with others to bring provisions to the soldiers." The earl entertained him, and ordered his wounds to be dressed; and when he began to recover, to prevent his escaping, he ordered him to be bound; but that could not he performed, for as soon as they that bound him were gone, his bonds were all loosened.

King Aelfwine of Deira -679

King Aelfwine of Deira appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Royal Ancestors of King Aelfwine of Deira -679

Ancestors of King Aelfwine of Deira -679