Beorhtric of Wessex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beorhtric |
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Depiction of Beorhtric from the Genealogical Chronicle of the English Kings, a late 13th-century manuscript in the British Library
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| King of Wessex | |
| Reign | 786–802 |
| Predecessor | Cynewulf |
| Successor | Egbert |
| Died | 802 |
| Spouse | Eadburh |
| House | Wessex |
Beorhtric (also spelled Brihtric) was a king of Wessex, an old Anglo-Saxon kingdom in England. He ruled from 786 to 802. His name means "magnificent ruler." Beorhtric became king after Cynewulf. During his time as king, his wife and her father had a lot of influence.
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Who was King Beorhtric?
We don't know the names of Beorhtric's parents. However, an old book called the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says he was a descendant of Cerdic. Cerdic was a very early king of Wessex.
In 786, the king before Beorhtric, Cynewulf, was killed. He was killed by Cyneheard, who was the brother of a former king. Cyneheard died soon after this event.
Beorhtric's Time as King
How did Beorhtric become king?
Beorhtric became King of Wessex in 786. He had help from a very powerful king named Offa. Offa was the King of Mercia, another large Anglo-Saxon kingdom. Beorhtric might have been a close friend of Offa, or he quickly came under Offa's influence.
After becoming king, Beorhtric and Offa had to deal with Ecgberht. They forced Ecgberht to leave England and go into exile.
In 787, Beorhtric and Offa held an important meeting together called the Synod of Chelsea. Two years later, in 789, Beorhtric married one of Offa's daughters, named Eadburh. This marriage showed how strong the connection was between Wessex and Mercia.
First Viking Raids in England
It was during Beorhtric's rule that the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle recorded the first Viking raids in England. This happened in 789. The Vikings landed on the coast of Dorset, near the Isle of Portland.
When a royal official named Beaduheard, who was a local officer, went to meet them, he thought they were just traders. Sadly, the Vikings killed him. This was the beginning of many Viking attacks on England.
Mercian Influence and Beorhtric's Coins
For a while, Mercia had a lot of power over Wessex. Land near the borders of the two kingdoms was controlled by Mercia. People in Wessex even used money from Mercia. We know this because coins made by King Offa have been found in Wessex.
When King Offa died in 796, Mercia's power became weaker for a short time. During this period, Beorhtric might have had more independence. The only two coins that have survived from Beorhtric's reign were made around this time. This suggests that he might have opened his own place to make coins. One of these rare coins was found near Andover.
However, within a few years, Offa's successor, Coenwulf, made Mercia powerful again. After 799, Beorhtric's relationship with Mercia seemed to go back to how it was before Offa died.
How did King Beorhtric die?
Beorhtric died in 802. A scholar named Asser, who lived later, wrote a story about Beorhtric's death. Asser claimed that Beorhtric died after being accidentally poisoned by his wife, Eadburh. The story says she then ran away to a nunnery in France but was later forced to leave.
It's not certain if this story is true. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle simply records that Beorhtric was buried in Wareham in 802. He was possibly buried at the church of Lady St. Mary. After Beorhtric's death, Ecgberht returned from exile and became the new King of Wessex.
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