General Notes

Egbert, king of Wessex, was a descendant of Cerdic, the founder of thatkin
gdom. While young he was banished by Brihtric, and after a short stay at t
he court of Offa, fled to France, and lived at the court of Charlemagn
e. He succeeded Brihtric in 800, and appears to have reigned in peace ti
ll 809, when he began to make war on the tribes occupying the south-west q
uarter of England. Ten years later he began the course of conquest which e
nded in making him, in 827, king of all England. He then received the anci
ent honourable title of Bretwalda, which had long been disused. The sovere
igns of Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumbria were, however, not dispossess
ed, but became tributary to Egbert. In the latter years of his reign the N
orthmen made several descents upon England, and were defeated by him in Co
rnwall in 835. Egbert died in 837, and was succeeded by his son Ethelwolf.
Egbert, king of Wessex, was a descendant of Cerdic, the founder of that ki
ngdom. While young he was banished by Brihtric, and after a short st
ay at the court of Offa, fled to France, and lived at the court of Charlem
agne. He succeeded Brihtric in 800, and appears to have reigned in peace t
ill 809, when he began to make war on the tribes occupying the south-we
st quarter of England. Ten years later he began the course of conquest whi
ch ended in making him, in 827, king of all England. He then received t
he ancient honourable title of Bretwalda, which had long been disused. T
he sovereigns of Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumbria were, however, not d
ispossessed, but became tributary to Egbert. In the latter years of his re
ign the Northmen made several descents upon England, and were defeat
ed by him in Cornwall in 835. Egbert died in 837, and was succeeded by h
is son Ethelwolf.