Eorcenberht of Kent facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eorcenberht |
|
|---|---|
| King of Kent | |
| Reign | 20 January 640 – 14 July 664 |
| Predecessor | Eadbald |
| Successor | Ecgberht |
| Died | 14 July 664 |
| Burial | Church of St Mary, Canterbury |
| Spouse | Seaxburh of Ely |
| Issue | Ecgberht Hlothhere Eorcengota Ermenilda |
| Father | Eadbald |
| Mother | Emma |
| Religion | Chalcedonian Christianity |
Eorcenberht of Kent (also known as Ærconberht or Earconberht) was a king of Kent, an old kingdom in England. He ruled from 640 until he died on July 14, 664. He became king after his father, King Eadbald.
Contents
Eorcenberht: A King of Kent
Eorcenberht became king of Kent in 640. He was the son of King Eadbald and Queen Emma. Some old stories say he was chosen to be king even though he had an older brother, Eormenred. It's also possible that Eorcenberht and Eormenred ruled the kingdom together for a time.
Important Decisions as King
Eorcenberht was a very religious king. According to a historian named Bede, Eorcenberht was the first king in Britain to order that all pagan "idols" (old statues or images worshipped by non-Christians) be destroyed. He also commanded that people should observe Lent, a special time of fasting and prayer in Christianity. It's thought that these orders might have been written down as official laws for Kent, just like his ancestor Æthelberht had done. However, no such written laws from Eorcenberht's time have survived.
In 655, a very important religious leader, Archbishop Honorius of Canterbury, passed away. Eorcenberht then chose the first Saxon person to become Archbishop of Canterbury. This was a man named Deusdedit. This was a big step for the church in England.
Family Life
Eorcenberht married Seaxburh of Ely, who was the daughter of King Anna of East Anglia. They had four children together.
Their two sons, Ecgberht and Hlothhere, both became kings of Kent after their father.
Their two daughters were also very important and later became saints. Saint Eorcengota became a nun at a place called Faremoutiers Abbey in another country. Saint Ermenilda became the leader, or abbess, of a monastery at Ely.
Where He Was Buried
Eorcenberht was likely buried next to his parents in the Church of St Mary. This church was built by his father inside the grounds of the monastery of St Peter and St Paul in Canterbury. Later, this church became part of the larger St Augustine's Abbey. Around the year 1087, Eorcenberht's remains were moved and reburied in a different part of the church.
See also
In Spanish: Earcomberto de Kent para niños
