Essex (kingdom) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kingdom of the East Saxons
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| 527–825 | |||||||||
The Kingdom of Essex.
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| Capital | London | ||||||||
| Common languages | Old English, Latin | ||||||||
| Religion | Anglo-Saxon paganism, Christianity | ||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| King | |||||||||
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• 527–587
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Æscwine (first) | ||||||||
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• 798–825
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Sigered (last) | ||||||||
| Legislature | Witenagemot | ||||||||
| Historical era | Heptarchy | ||||||||
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• Established
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527 | ||||||||
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• Disestablished
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825 | ||||||||
| Currency | Sceat | ||||||||
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The Kingdom of the East Saxons, also known as the Kingdom of Essex, was one of the seven main kingdoms in early England. This period was called the Heptarchy. Essex was started in the 6th century. It covered areas that are now the English counties of Essex, Hertfordshire, and Middlesex. For a short time, it even included parts of Kent.
Kings of Essex often had to follow the rules of other powerful Anglo-Saxon rulers. The kingdom also included important Roman cities like Colchester and, for a time, London.
Contents
History of Essex
When the Saxons came to England, they were Pagan. This means they believed in many gods, not just one. Other groups like the Angles and Jutes were also Pagan. After they gained control of Kent, the Saxons moved into the Essex area.
Christianity Arrives
The first time people tried to bring Christianity to the East Saxons was in 604. Bishop Mellitus arrived in London. Athelberht of Kent, a powerful king, helped convert King Saebert of Essex to Christianity. King Athelberht even built a church in London. Today, St Paul's Cathedral stands there.
But after King Saebert died in 616, things changed. Bishop Mellitus was forced to leave. The kingdom went back to being Pagan.
Return to Christianity
Later, King Oswi of Northumbria convinced King Sigebert of Essex to become Christian. Sigebert then invited Chad to become the Bishop of London. This helped Christianity become stronger in Essex again.
End of the Kingdom
By 874, a large Viking army called the Great Heathen Army controlled much of Essex. They used it as a base to attack other parts of England. In 825, the Kingdom of the East Saxons became part of Wessex. This meant it was no longer an independent kingdom.
Kings of Essex
- Aescwine (first king)
- Sledda (a legendary king)
- Saebert (around 600–around 616) - Son of Sledda.
- Sexred (around 616–623) - Son of Saebert, ruled with his two brothers.
- Saeward (around 616–623)
- Sexbald (around 616–623)
- Sigebert I (623–around 650) - Likely Saeward's son.
- Sigebert II (around 650–around 653) - Possibly Sigebert I's cousin.
- Swithelm (around 653–663)
- Sigehere (ruled Essex 663–688; Kent 687–688)
- Sebbi (663–693)
- Sigeheard (693–around 707) - Son of Sebbi.
- Swaefred (689–around 707) - Son of Sebbi.
- Offa (707–709) - Son of Sigehere.
- Saelred (around 709–746) - A co-king.
- Swebert (709–738) - Another co-king.
- Swithred (746–759)
- Sigeric (759–798)
- Sigered (798–825) - The last king of Essex. After 811, his rank was lowered to an ealdorman.
Images for kids
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A map showing the outline of those parts now adjacent to the traditional county of Essex (in grey), but which historians postulate were part of the ancient Kingdom of Essex before becoming detached during the middle of the 8th century.
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The Diocese of London in 1714. The diocese had its roots in the East Saxon kingdom, and was probably originally larger than shown here.
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St Peters Chapel, Bradwell. Established by St Cedd, the patron saint of Essex around 662, built on the site of the abandonded Roman fort of Othona.
See also
In Spanish: Reino de Essex para niños
