Beorhtwulf of Mercia facts for kids

Beorhtwulf (meaning "bright wolf") was a king of Mercia, an important kingdom in Anglo-Saxon England. He ruled from about 840 to 852 AD. We don't know much about his family before he became king. Some historians think he might have been related to Beornwulf, another Mercian king from the 820s.

When Beorhtwulf became king, he started making Mercian coins again. His predecessor, King Wiglaf, had made very few. At first, Beorhtwulf's coins looked a lot like those from King Æthelwulf of Wessex. Later, Mercia started making its own unique coin designs.

During Beorhtwulf's reign, the Vikings attacked England. They raided Lindsey in 841. The next year, they attacked London, which was a very important trading city for Mercia. In 851, the Vikings attacked London again. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says this attack made King Beorhtwulf and his army run away. However, King Æthelwulf of Wessex later defeated the Vikings. These raids likely caused big economic problems for Mercia. For example, fewer coins were made in London after 851.

The region of Berkshire seems to have become part of Wessex during Beorhtwulf's time. After Beorhtwulf died, the Welsh people rebelled against his successor, Burgred. This suggests that Beorhtwulf had been their ruler. Records from Beorhtwulf's reign also show he had some disagreements with the church. He took land from them but later gave it back.

Beorhtwulf and his wife, Sæthryth, might have had two sons, Beorhtfrith and Beorhtric. Beorhtric is mentioned in official documents signed by his father. Beorhtfrith is known from later stories. These stories say he was involved in a conflict that led to the death of Wigstan, who was Wiglaf's grandson. Beorhtwulf's death isn't recorded, but historians believe he died in 852.

What Was Happening in Mercia?

The kingdoms of Britain in the early 9th century

For most of the 700s, Mercia was the strongest Anglo-Saxon kingdom. Its power reached into southeastern kingdoms like Kent and East Anglia. This continued until the early 820s under King Coenwulf of Mercia.

However, after Coenwulf died in 821, Mercia faced many problems. There were fights over who should be king. Also, Mercia lost some important battles. This changed the map of England. Over the next six years, four (or maybe five) kings ruled Mercia. They seemed to come from different family groups.

Historians often look at the first part of Anglo-Saxon names to guess family connections. In this period, three main family groups seemed to be competing for power. These are called the 'C', 'Wig', and 'B' groups.

• The 'C' group included kings like Coenwulf and Ceolwulf I of Mercia. They were powerful after King Offa of Mercia died in 796.
• Ceolwulf was removed from power in 823 by Beornwulf, who might have been the first of the 'B' group. Beornwulf died fighting the East Anglians in 826.
• Then came Ludeca, who doesn't seem to be linked to any of these groups. He also died in battle the next year.
• After Ludeca, the 'Wig' family took over with King Wiglaf. He ruled until 839 or 840.

Beorhtwulf, who became king after Wiglaf, probably belonged to the 'B' group. This group might also have included Beornred, who ruled for a short time after King Æthelbald died in 757.

Some historians think that different powerful families, called "dux" or "princeps," helped kings come to power. In this view, Mercian kings were like leading noblemen.

How Do We Know About Beorhtwulf?

One important source is the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. This is a collection of old English stories about Anglo-Saxon history. However, it was written in Wessex, so it might favor Wessex's side of events.

We also learn about Beorhtwulf from charters. These were official documents that gave land to followers or church leaders. Kings had the power to grant land. Charters often listed the names of the king and other important people who witnessed the grant. For example, the Ismere Diploma shows Æthelric, a sub-king, witnessing a grant by King Æthelbald of Mercia.

Becoming King and Making Coins

Beorhtwulf might be the same person who witnessed a charter for King Wiglaf in 836. If so, that's the first time he appears in history. Most historians believe he became King of Mercia around 840. We don't have an exact date, but we know he followed Wiglaf as king. Historian D. P. Kirby suggests Wiglaf died in 839.

It's possible that Wiglaf's son, Wigmund, was king for a very short time between Wiglaf and Beorhtwulf. But this idea comes from later stories about Wigmund's son, Wigstan, so it's not certain.

Mercia's New Coins

A charter from Beorhtwulf around 845, giving land to Forthred, his noble follower

Mercia made almost no coins in the 830s, after Wiglaf took Mercia back from Egbert of Wessex. Beorhtwulf started making Mercian coins again early in his reign. The long break in coin production might suggest that Wiglaf was a "client king" under Egbert. This would mean he couldn't mint his own coins without Egbert's permission. If so, Beorhtwulf's new coins would show Mercia's independence.

However, it's more commonly thought that Wiglaf took Mercia back by force. Another reason for Beorhtwulf restarting coinage could be to help the economy. This was important because of the Viking attacks. The Viking threat might also explain why Mercia and Wessex started working together on currency. This cooperation lasted until Mercia lost its independence around 880.

Beorhtwulf's first coins were made in 841–842. They were made by a skilled worker from Rochester. This same person also made coins for King Æthelwulf of Wessex. After ten years without making coins, Beorhtwulf likely had to find skilled coin makers outside Mercia. Rochester was the closest place. So, the coins were probably made in London, which Mercia controlled.

Later coins made by Beorhtwulf were very similar to Æthelwulf's. One coin even had Beorhtwulf's image on one side and Æthelwulf's design on the other. This might suggest an alliance, but it was probably a mistake by a coin maker. A different type of coin appeared later in the 840s. These coins likely stopped being made because of the Viking attacks in 850–851. Some coins without portraits were probably made at the very end of Beorhtwulf's reign.

Beorhtwulf's Time as King

Coin of Beorhtwulf

Beorhtwulf's reign started well. In a battle called Catill or Cyfeiliog, he defeated Merfyn Frych, the King of Gwynedd (in Wales). Later records suggest he then took control of northern Wales.

However, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle tells us about Viking raids in 841. These attacks hit the southern and eastern coasts of Britain. This included Mercia's area of Lindsey, near modern Lincoln. The next year, London, Mercia's main trading city, was attacked. The Chronicle says there was "great slaughter" in London. Many coin hoards were buried in the city at this time, probably to hide them from the Vikings.

Changes in Land Control

The area of Berkshire seems to have moved from Mercian control to Wessex control in the late 840s. In 844, a bishop granted Beorhtwulf land in Pangbourne, Berkshire. This shows Mercia still controlled the area then. Asser, a writer from around 893, believed that King Alfred the Great was born in Wantage, Berkshire, between 847 and 849. This suggests Berkshire was under Wessex control by then. We don't know how this change happened. It seems to have been peaceful, as a Mercian leader stayed in charge afterward.

In 853, shortly after Beorhtwulf died, the Welsh rebelled against his successor, Burgred. Burgred and King Æthelwulf of Wessex worked together to defeat them.

Beorhtwulf and the Church

A meeting of church leaders in 836, which Beorhtwulf might have attended, was the last one called by a Mercian king. During Beorhtwulf's reign, Wessex started to have more influence with the Archbishop of Canterbury than Mercia did.

A charter from 840 shows Beorhtwulf's relationship with the church. It talks about land that King Offa had given to a monastery. This land later came under the control of the church in Worcester. But Beorhtwulf took the land back. In the charter, Beorhtwulf admits the church has a right to the land. But he makes the bishop give him a large gift in return. This included "four very choice horses and a ring of 30 mancuses" (a type of money) and other valuable items.

This wasn't the only time Mercian kings argued with the church over property. In 849, Beorhtwulf got a lease on land from the bishop of Worcester. In return, he promised to be "more firmly the friend of the bishop and his community." He also promised "not to rob them in future." Historians think this tough behavior might be because good land was becoming harder to find. Many lands had been given to monasteries. Beorhtwulf admitting he was wrong suggests he couldn't always rely on his nobles for support. This might mean his position as king wasn't completely secure.

Landowners had to support the king's household. But they could sometimes get special permission to be excused. A charter from the late 840s freed a monastery from having to provide food and lodging for Beorhtwulf's servants and messengers. This included "the royal hawks, huntsmen, horses, and their attendants." This exemption cost a lot of money. But the monastery still had to feed messengers from other kingdoms.

The End of Beorhtwulf's Reign

In 851, a Viking army landed on Thanet, which was an island then. They stayed there for the winter. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle reports that another Viking force of 350 ships attacked Canterbury and London. They "put to flight Beorhtwulf, king of Mercia, with his army." However, King Æthelwulf of Wessex and his sons defeated the Vikings. The economic impact was still big. Mercian coin production in London was very low after 851.

No records from that time tell us exactly how Beorhtwulf died. But the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says his successor, Burgred, ruled for 22 years. Burgred was driven from his throne by the Vikings in 874. This means Beorhtwulf likely died in 852. We know from Burgred's charters that his reign began before July 25, 852.

Some historians have wondered if an unknown king named Eanred ruled briefly between Beorhtwulf and Burgred. This idea comes from a single silver coin marked "EANRED REX." This coin looks similar to some of Beorhtwulf's and Æthelwulf's coins. However, the only known King Eanred ruled in Northumbria and died around 840. So, it's generally thought that this coin belongs to "an unknown ruler of a southern kingdom." We can't assume an Eanred followed Beorhtwulf.

Beorhtwulf's Family

Beorhtwulf was married to Sæthryth. She seemed to be an important person. She witnessed all of his official documents between 840 and 849. After that, she is no longer mentioned. Beorhtwulf is said to have had two sons, Beorhtfrith and Beorhtric. Beorhtric is known from witnessing his father's charters. But he stopped doing so before Beorhtwulf's reign ended.

The story of Beorhtwulf's other son, Beorhtfrith, is told in a later religious text. This text might include information from the late 800s. The story is also partly supported by the chronicle of John of Worcester. Beorhtfrith wanted to marry Ælfflæd, who was King Ceolwulf's daughter. She was also the widow of Wiglaf's son, Wigmund, and the mother of Wigstan. Wigstan refused to allow the marriage. This was because Beorhtfrith was related to Wigmund and was also Wigstan's godfather. In revenge, Beorhtfrith was involved in a conflict that led to Wigstan's death. Wigstan was later honored as a saint. Even though this story is from a later time, modern historians think it's likely true.

Images for kids

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  The kingdoms of Britain in the early 9th century

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  A charter from Beorhtwulf around 845, giving land to Forthred, his noble follower

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  Coin of Beorhtwulf