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'''Egbert''' (also '''Ecgberht''' or '''Ecgbert''') ( |
'''Egbert''' (also '''Ecgberht''' or '''Ecgbert''') (c. ] - ]) was a King of the ] (] - ]). He succeeded to the throne on the death of ]. | ||
A somewhat difficult question has arisen as to the parentage of Egbert. Under the year 825 the '']'' states that in his eastern conquests Egbert recovered what had been the rightful property of his kin. The father of Egbert was called Ealhmund, and we find an ], king in Kent, mentioned in a charter dated ], who is identified with Egbert's father in a late addition to the Chronicle under the date 784. It is possible, however, that the Chronicle in 825 refers to some claim through ] from whose brother Ingeld Egbert was descended. | A somewhat difficult question has arisen as to the parentage of Egbert. Under the year ] the '']'' states that in his eastern conquests Egbert recovered what had been the rightful property of his kin. The father of Egbert was called Ealhmund, and we find an ], king in Kent, mentioned in a charter dated ], who is identified with Egbert's father in a late addition to the Chronicle under the date 784. It is possible, however, that the Chronicle in 825 refers to some claim through ] from whose brother Ingeld Egbert was descended. | ||
It is said that at an earlier period in his life he had been driven out for three years by ] and Beorhtric. The accession of Egbert seems to have brought about an invasion by ], earl of the ], who was defeated by ], earl of ]. | It is said that at an earlier period in his life he had been driven out for three years by ] and Beorhtric. The accession of Egbert seems to have brought about an invasion by ], earl of the ], who was defeated by ], earl of ]. |
Revision as of 02:46, 4 March 2004
Rank: | 1st |
Ruled: | January, 802-July, 839 |
Predecessor: | Offa |
Date of Birth: | circa775 |
Place of Birth: | Wessex, England |
Wife: | Redburga |
Buried: | Winchester Cathedral |
Date of Death: | 839 |
Parents: | Ealhmund and his wife? |
Egbert (also Ecgberht or Ecgbert) (c. 770 - 839) was a King of the West Saxons (802 - 839). He succeeded to the throne on the death of Beorhtric.
A somewhat difficult question has arisen as to the parentage of Egbert. Under the year 825 the Chronicle states that in his eastern conquests Egbert recovered what had been the rightful property of his kin. The father of Egbert was called Ealhmund, and we find an Ealhmund, king in Kent, mentioned in a charter dated 784, who is identified with Egbert's father in a late addition to the Chronicle under the date 784. It is possible, however, that the Chronicle in 825 refers to some claim through Ine of Wessex from whose brother Ingeld Egbert was descended.
It is said that at an earlier period in his life he had been driven out for three years by Offa and Beorhtric. The accession of Egbert seems to have brought about an invasion by Ælthelmund, earl of the Hwicce, who was defeated by Weoxtan, earl of Wiltshire.
In 815 Ecgbert ravaged the whole of the territories of the West Welsh, which probably at this time did not include much more than Cornwall. The next important occurrence in the reign was the defeat of Beornwulf of Mercia at a place called Ellandun in 825. After this victory Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Essex submitted to Wessex; while the East Anglians, who slew Beornwulf shortly afterwards, acknowledged Ecgbert as overlord. In 829 the king conquered Mercia, and Northumbria accepted him as overlord after refusing to fight his forces at Dore. In 830 he led a successful expedition against the Welsh, although Mercia regained its rights. In 836 he was defeated by the Danes, but in 838 he won a battle against them and their allies the West Welsh at Hingston Down in Cornwall.
Egbert married Redburga, a Frankish princess (possibly a sister of the emperor Charlemagne), and had two sons and a daughter. Egbert died in about 839, and was buried at Winchester. He was succeeded by his son, King Ethelwulf of Wessex.
This entry was originally from the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.
Image of Egbert is an imaginary portrait drawn by an unknown artist.
Preceded by: Offa of Mercia |
List of British monarchs | Suceeded by: Ethelwulf of Wessex |
Preceded by: Beorhtric of Wessex |
List of monarchs of Wessex |