Beornred of Mercia facts for kids

Beornred (also spelled Beornræd in Old English) was a ruler of the ancient kingdom of Mercia in England. He was king for only a short time in the year 757.

Beornred became king after King Æthelbald died. However, his rule did not last long. He was soon defeated by Offa, who then became the new king. Beornred was forced to leave the country and died in the same year he became king. There is not much information known about Beornred, and he is usually only mentioned briefly in old records.

Who Was Beornred?

Beornred was an important noble, known as a thane, in the kingdom of Mercia. Thanes were like important lords or warriors who served the king.

In 757, King Æthelbald of Mercia was killed. After this event, Beornred quickly took over the throne. However, his time as king was very short and difficult.

How Did Beornred Lose His Throne?

Later in the same year, another powerful figure named Offa challenged Beornred. Offa defeated Beornred and forced him to flee Mercia. Offa then became the new King of Mercia and ruled for many years.

Old historical writings describe Beornred as a harsh ruler. For example, a writer from the 11th century named Ingulf said Beornred was a "tyrant." Another writer from the 13th century, Roger of Wendover, wrote that Beornred was an unfair king. He also said that the people of Mercia were unhappy with Beornred and rose up against him.

Some historians believe that Beornred might have been part of a powerful family group, or dynasty, that included other important Anglo-Saxon nobles.

See also

• Kings of Mercia family tree