# Edward the Elder succeeds Alfred (899)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/899-edward-the-elder-succeeds-alfred
Categories: ruler-change

Edward inherited the West Saxon kingdom and continued offensive campaigns against Danish territories. Within the broader Vikings & Unification period, Scandinavian invasion and settlement transformed the political map while Wessex and its allies built the institutions of a unified English kingdom. This event is placed at AD 899 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. His reign turned Alfred's survival strategy into a programme of expansion.

## Why it matters
His reign turned Alfred's survival strategy into a programme of expansion.

Ruler at the time: [Edward the Elder](https://english-history.com/rulers/edward-the-elder)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Edward the Elder succeeds Alfred](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Edward+the+Elder+succeeds+Alfred&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Edward the Elder succeeds Alfred](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Edward+the+Elder+succeeds+Alfred)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%28before_1000%29)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Viking Britain topic search](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Viking%20Britain)