Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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Paternal Family Tree: Wessex
King Æthelstan of Kent was born to [his father] King Æthelwulf of Wessex and [his mother] Osburgh Queen Consort Wessex. There is some confusion as to whether he was Æthelwulf's son with some versions of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle stating he was Æthelwulf's brother.
In or before 838 [his father] King Æthelwulf of Wessex and [his mother] Osburgh Queen Consort Wessex were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Wessex. He the son of [his grandfather] King Egbert of Wessex (age 64).
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 839. In this year, [his grandfather] King Ecgbryht (age 66) passed away, and previously, King Offa of Mercia and King Beorhtric of Wessex had exiled him for three years from the land of the English to the land of the Franks, before he became king. And Beorhtric supported Offa in this because he had Offa's daughter [Queen Eadburga of Wessex] as his queen. And Ecgbryht reigned for thirty-seven years and seven months, and [his father] Æthelwulf, son of Ecgbryht, succeeded to the kingdom of the West Saxons, and he gave his son Æthelstan the kingdom of the Kentish people, East Saxons, Surrey, and South Saxons.
Manuscript A. 836. Her Ecgbryht cyning forþferde, 7 hine hæfde ær Offa Miercna cyning 7 Beorhtric Wesseaxna cyning afliemed .iii. gear of Angelcynnes lande on Fronclond, ær he cyning wære, 7 þy fultomode Beorhtric Offan þy he hæfde his dohtor him to cuene; 7 se Ecgbyht ricsode .xxxvii. wintra, .vii. monaþ, 7 feng Ęþelwulf Ecgbrehting to Wesseaxna rice, 7 he salde his suna Ęþelstane Cantwara rice 7 Eastseaxna 7 Suþrigea 7 Suþseaxna.
In 839 [his grandfather] King Egbert of Wessex (age 66) died. His son [his father] Æthelwulf succeeded King Wessex.
In 839 King Æthelstan of Kent was appointed King of Kent by his father [his father] King Æthelwulf of Wessex.
Assers Life of Alfred 851. 851. 6. Defeat of the Danes at Sandwich.17 In that same year Æthelstan and Ealdorman Ealhere slew a large army of the heathen in Kent, at a place called Sandwich [Map], and took nine ships of their fleet, the others escaping by flight.
Note 17. From the Chronicle.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 851. This year Alderman Ceorl, with the men of Devonshire, fought the heathen army at Wemburg [Map], and after making great slaughter obtained the victory. The same year King Athelstan and Alderman Elchere fought in their ships, and slew a large army at Sandwich [Map] in Kent, taking nine ships and dispersing the rest. The heathens now for the first time remained over winter in the Isle of Thanet [Map]. The same year came three hundred and fifty ships into the mouth of the Thames; the crew of which went upon land, and stormed Canterbury, Kent [Map] and London; putting to flight Bertulf, king of the Mercians, with his army; and then marched southward over the Thames into Surrey. Here [his father] Ethelwulf and his son [his brother] Ethelbald, at the head of the West-Saxon army, fought with them at Ockley [Map], and made the greatest slaughter of the heathen army that we have ever heard reported to this present day. There also they obtained the victory.
In 852 King Æthelstan of Kent died. He may have been buried at Winchester Old Minster.
Kings Wessex: Son of King Æthelwulf of Wessex
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ingild Wessex
Great x 3 Grandfather: Eoppa Wessex
Great x 2 Grandfather: Eafa Wessex
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ealmund King of Kent
GrandFather: King Egbert of Wessex
Father: King Æthelwulf of Wessex
GrandFather: Oslac
Mother: Osburgh Queen Consort Wessex