Cynegils of Wessex facts for kids

Cynegils was a powerful King who ruled Wessex from 611 to 643. Wessex was an early Anglo-Saxon kingdom in what is now southern England. Cynegils started as a pagan king, meaning he followed older, non-Christian beliefs. However, during his rule, Wessex began to change to Christianity. Cynegils himself was baptized in 635, which was a big step for his kingdom and its future.

Cynegils: King of Wessex

Cynegils was the grandson of Cutha of Wessex. He was the son of Ceol of Wessex and likely the nephew of Ceolwulf. For some time, he ruled Wessex together with his son, Cwichelm of Wessex.

Early Victories and Challenges

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a historical record, tells us that in 614, Cynegils and Cwichelm fought a big battle at a place called Beandun. They won a major victory against the Welsh, defeating over two thousand enemies. This was a very important win for the West Saxons.

However, Cynegils also faced tough times during his reign. His son Cwichelm tried to arrange the killing of King Edwin of Northumbria. In response, King Edwin attacked Wessex. During this attack, five kings of Wessex were killed, which greatly weakened the West Saxon army.

In 628, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that Cynegils and his son Cwichelm fought against Penda of Mercia, another powerful king, at Cirencester. They made an "agreement" there, which seems to have meant giving Cirencester to Penda. This was a defeat for Cynegils and Cwichelm, and Wessex permanently lost control of Cirencester.

The Arrival of Christianity

A very important event happened in 634. Pope Honorius I sent a bishop named Birinus to England. When Birinus arrived in Wessex, he found that most people were still pagan. He began the important work of converting the West Saxons to Christianity.

In 635, King Cynegils was baptized by Bishop Birinus. A very important person, King Oswald of Northumbria, stood as Cynegils's Godfather. This baptism might have been part of a deal for Oswald to marry Cynegils's daughter, Cyneburh.

Cynegils gave Bishop Birinus the city of Dorchester and several churches. This helped Birinus continue his mission to convert the pagans in Wessex. The full conversion of Wessex took time, and some kings who ruled after Cynegils were either pagan or converted later in their lives.

End of Reign and Legacy

Cynegils's son, Cwichelm, who had been ruling with him, died in 636. After this, Cynegils seems to have ruled Wessex by himself until he died in 643. His son, Cenwalh, became king after him.

Cynegils's time as king was a major turning point for Wessex. It began to change from being just groups of warriors into the beginnings of a united kingdom.

Family

Cynegils had several children:

• Cwichelm (died 636): He ruled alongside his father for some time.
• Cenwalh (died 672): He became King of Wessex after his father.
• Centwine: He also became King of Wessex later on.
• Cyneburh: In 635, she married King Oswald of Northumbria.

Images for kids

• 

  This is a mortuary chest at Winchester Cathedral. People believe it once held Cynegils's remains. It contains bones from several people because bones from this and other chests were mixed up during the English Civil War.

See also

In Spanish: Cynegils de Wessex para niños