Athelheard of Wessex facts for kids

Athelheard, also known as Æthelheard, was a powerful West Saxon nobleman. He was the King of Wessex from 726 until his death in 740. Athelheard took over a strong kingdom from King Ine. However, during his rule, Wessex lost a lot of its land to the neighboring kingdom of Mercia.

Becoming King of Wessex

When King Ine decided to step down in 726, there was a big question about who would rule next. Ine's son had died in a rebellion the year before. King Ine was in his sixties and chose to retire to Rome. He wanted "younger men" to take over his kingdom.

The choice came down to two noblemen, Oswald and Athelheard. Both were known as athelings, which meant they were princes or nobles with a claim to the throne. Oswald was related to an earlier king, Ceawlin. Athelheard was a kinsman of King Ine. After a struggle, Athelheard became the new King of Wessex.

A Challenging Reign

Athelheard's time as king was difficult. In 733, the important town of Somerton was lost to King Aethelbald of Mercia. Soon after, Mercia also took over the land beyond Selwood. King Aethelbald of Mercia became very powerful.

Athelheard's power was not as strong as it should have been. Aethelbald was even able to give away land in Wessex. For example, he gave the monastery of Cookham in Berkshire to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Aethelbald also took control of Wiltshire, Sussex, and many central parts of Wessex. Athelheard could not stop these losses.

King Athelheard also had to join King Aethelbald in wars against the Welsh. It seems Athelheard's wife, Queen Frithugyth, may have been from Mercia. In 737, she went on a special journey, called a pilgrimage, to Rome. She traveled with bishop Forthhere of Sherborne. Athelheard died in 740. His kinsman, Cuthred, became the next king.

Family Life

King Athelheard was married to Queen Frithugyth. They did not have any known children.

See also

In Spanish: Aethelheard de Wessex para niños