Athelbald of Wessex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Athelbald |
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|---|---|
| King of Wessex | |
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| Reign | (856-860) |
| Born | 832 |
| Died | December 20, 860 Wessex |
| Burial | Sherborne Abbey |
| Father | Athelwulf |
| Mother | Osburga |
Athelbald (born around 832, died 860) was a powerful nobleman from Wessex, an important kingdom in early England. In 856, he became the King of Wessex. This happened while his father, King Athelwulf of Wessex, was away on a trip to Rome. When his father returned, Athelbald did not want to give up his power. To stop a big fight or even a civil war, King Athelwulf decided to let Athelbald keep the kingdom of Wessex. Athelwulf then became a sub-king, ruling only the smaller area of Kent.
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Athelbald's Early Life and Rise to Power
Athelbald was the second of five sons born to King Athelwulf and his wife, Osburga. His mother was the daughter of Oslac, who was an important official in the royal household. Athelbald was born around the year 832.
Fighting Vikings
In 851, Athelbald fought alongside his father in a major battle at a place called Acleah. They faced the Vikings, who were fierce warriors from the north. The Vikings had just defeated another king, Berhtwulf of Mercia, near London. When the Vikings moved into Surrey, Athelbald and his father's West Saxon army met them. The West Saxons won a great victory against the Vikings that day.
Becoming King of Wessex
In 855, Athelbald's father, King Athelwulf, went on a long journey to Rome. This kind of trip was called a pilgrimage, a religious journey to a holy place. King Athelwulf left Athelbald in charge of the kingdom while he was away.
After spending a year in Rome, King Athelwulf visited the court of Charles the Bald, who was the King of the West Franks (part of modern-day France). While there, Athelwulf married Charles's young daughter, Judith. She was quite young at the time. King Charles wanted his daughter to be officially recognized as a queen, which was unusual in Wessex at that time.
When King Athelwulf returned to Wessex with his new queen, Athelbald did not want his father to be the main king again. To avoid a civil war, which would have been a terrible fight between people of the same country, they made a deal. King Athelwulf agreed to become the sub-king of Kent. This meant Athelbald could stay as the King of Wessex.
King Athelwulf died in 858 while he was still the King of Kent. After his father's death, Athelbald married his father's young wife, Judith. This marriage happened without causing a major scandal at the time.
Athelbald's Reign and Successor
Athelbald ruled Wessex until his death in 860. Even though he married Judith, they did not have any children together. After Athelbald died, his brother, Athelbert of Wessex, became the next King of Wessex.
