St Marys 1

Anglo-Saxon Timeline

The Anglo-Saxon period was one of great upheaval in Shrewsbury. Beginning life as 'Pengwern', the capital of the Kingdom of Powys, the town was seized by Mercia in 778. This was the beginning of Shrewsbury's geographical importance, and centuries of alternating between Welsh and English ownership.

778

778

The Angles, under King Offa of Mercia, take possession of Shrewsbury from the Kingdom of Powys

871-886

871-886

In response to the westward invasion of Viking raiders, King Alfred of Wessex ordered defences to be constructed around important Anglo-Saxon settlements, Shrewsbury being one of them.

881-918

881-918

Ethelred II (reign 881-911) and his consort Ethelfleda (reign 911-918), eldest daughter of King Alfred the Great, ruled West Mercia and built a fort at Shrewsbury

901

901

Shrewsbury is first mentioned in a charter: 'acta es, . . . in civitate Scrobbensi'

912

912

St Alkmund's Church was founded by Ethelfleda, eldest daughter of King Alfred the Great

960

960

King Edgar the Peaceful refounded St Mary's Church and St Alkmund's Church as a college

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