Cuthred of Kent facts for kids
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Cuthred (whose name in Old English was Cuþræd) was a king who ruled the kingdom of Kent from the year 798 to 807. He was not a fully independent king, but rather a "client king," meaning he ruled Kent under the control of a more powerful king.
This happened after a rebellion in Kent, led by Eadberht III Præn, was put down in 798. The powerful King Coenwulf of Mercia defeated the rebellion. After this, Coenwulf placed Cuthred on the throne of Kent.
During Cuthred's time as king, an important religious change happened. The Archbishopric of Lichfield was officially ended on October 12, 803. This meant that the Archbishopric of Canterbury got back its important position. This position had been challenged by King Offa of Mercia before.
Cuthred's rule also saw the very first attacks on Kent by the Vikings. These were fierce raiders who came from the sea. After Cuthred died in 807, King Coenwulf of Mercia seemed to take over as the direct ruler of Kent.
We know Cuthred died in 807 from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which was a collection of historical records. Cuthred also made his own coins and official documents called charters. Two of his charters still exist, both dated to 805. One of them tells us exactly when he became king, sometime between July 797 and July 798. In some documents from King Coenwulf of Mercia, Cuthred is even called Coenwulf's brother.
Who Was Cuthred's Family?
Historians believe Cuthred was one of three known sons of a man named Cuthberht of Mercia. His brothers were Coenwulf, who was King of Mercia from 796 to 821, and Ceolwulf, who ruled Mercia from 821 to 823.
It is also thought that Cuthred was the father of a person named Coenwald. He might also have been the father of someone named Cyneberht.
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