Cenwalh of Wessex facts for kids

Cenwalh, also known as Coenwalh, was a powerful King of Wessex. He ruled from 643 until 645. During this time, King Penda of Mercia forced him to leave his kingdom. Cenwalh returned in 648 and ruled until he died in 672. He was not a Christian at first. But during his exile in East Anglia, he became a Christian, just like his father.

Becoming King of Wessex

Cenwalh was the son of King Cynegils. When his father died in 643, Cenwalh became the new king of Wessex. He married a sister of King Penda of Mercia. Penda was a very strong ruler in the area at that time.

Cenwalh later decided to end his marriage to Penda's sister. He chose to marry another woman instead. This made King Penda very angry. Penda then attacked Wessex. He forced Cenwalh to leave his kingdom.

Cenwalh lived in exile in East Anglia for three years. He stayed with King Anna of East Anglia. While there, Cenwalh learned about Christianity. He decided to become a Christian and was baptised. During Cenwalh's exile, Penda's son, Wulfhere, took a lot of land from Wessex. Wulfhere even gave the Isle of Wight to Aethelwalh, the King of Sussex.

Cenwalh Returns to Power

Cenwalh got his kingdom back around the year 648. The old records do not say exactly how he was able to return. It is also not clear who ruled Wessex while he was away.

However, an old record from 648 suggests it might have been Cuthred. Cuthred was the son of Cwichelm. Cenwalh gave Cuthred a large amount of land. This land was about 300 to 450 square miles in Berkshire. This was a very big gift, much larger than usual.

Cenwalh seemed to move his focus away from the Thames river area. This was likely due to pressure from Mercia. Berkshire then became the northern border of Wessex with Mercia.

Changes in the Church

When Bishop Birinus died in 650, Cenwalh invited Agilbert to Wessex. Agilbert was a Frankish monk. He became the new bishop of Dorchester.

After some time, Cenwalh found it hard to understand Agilbert. Agilbert did not speak the local language well. So, in 660, Cenwalh created a new church area called a diocese in Winchester. He made Wine the first bishop there.

Agilbert was upset because Cenwalh did not ask him about this change. So, Agilbert went back to his home in Gaul. Later, Cenwalh sent Wine away from Wessex. Wine then went to King Wulfhere of Mercia. This left Wessex without a bishop.

Cenwalh asked Agilbert to come back to Wessex. Agilbert said he could not return because he was busy as the bishop of Paris. But he sent his nephew, Leutherius, instead. Cenwalh sent Leutherius to Theodore, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury. Leutherius was then made the new bishop of Winchester. Everyone in Wessex welcomed him.

Wars and Territory Changes

In 652, Cenwalh fought a battle at Bradford on Avon. It is not fully clear who he was fighting. But the Welsh were there. Some records say it was a civil war. This means he might have been fighting other people from Wessex too.

In 658, Cenwalh defeated the British at Penselwood. He won against them again at Postbury. By 661, he had taken back control of Somerset. But Mercia kept trying to take his land.

Also in 661, Wulfhere of Mercia controlled all the lands north of the Thames. This included the abbey at Dorchester. This was one reason why Cenwalh created the new diocese in Winchester. Winchester was further away from Mercian control. By the mid-660s, Mercia had taken a lot of Cenwalh's territory.

Cenwalh died in 672. After he passed away, his wife, Queen Seaxburh, tried her best to keep Wessex strong.

Cenwalh's Family

• Cenwalh first married a sister of Penda of Mercia. Her name is not known. He ended this marriage around 645.
• Cenwalh then married Seaxburh. She became Queen of Wessex after he died.

No children are recorded from either marriage.

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