Frithuwold of Chertsey facts for kids

Frithuwald was an Anglo-Saxon ruler in the 600s. He ruled parts of what are now Surrey, and possibly also Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. We know about him from two old official documents called charters. Frithuwald was a sub-king, meaning he ruled under a more powerful king, Wulfhere of Mercia. Some old stories say he was King Wulfhere's brother-in-law. The monks of Saint Peter's Minster in Chertsey respected Frithuwald. They believed he founded their monastery and considered him a saint.

Who Was Frithuwald?

Some people have thought that Frithuwald was a local ruler from Surrey. However, most historians believe that King Wulfhere of Mercia appointed him. This means Wulfhere chose Frithuwald to rule over Surrey for him.

Frithuwald's charters mention that he had one son. But the documents do not say his name. A person named Frithuric was active in Mercia later on. He might have been Frithuwald's son or another relative.

An old story from the 1100s talks about Saint Osgyth of Aylesbury. It says Osgyth was the daughter of Wilburh, who was King Wulfhere's sister, and a king named Fredeswald. Fredeswald and Frithuwald are just different ways to say the same name. So, this story likely refers to the same Frithuwald. Other people from the 700s, like Saint Frithuswith and Frithugyth (who was married to King Æthelheard of Wessex), might also have been part of this family.

Frithuwald's Important Documents

Two important documents, called charters, from Frithuwald still exist today. He gave these charters to Eorcenwald, who was the head monk (Abbot) of Saint Peter's Minster in Chertsey. Eorcenwald later became a Bishop of London.

The first charter was written between 672 and 674. It gave 200 "hides" of land at Chertsey and 5 hides at Thorpe to the monastery. A "hide" was an old way to measure land, usually enough to support one family. This charter also gave 10 hides of land in London.

The second charter was written after 675 and before 693. It gave many more estates in what are now Surrey, Hampshire, and Berkshire to Chertsey Minster. Later, some other charters were created that claimed to confirm Frithuwald's gifts. These included a charter supposedly from King Wulfhere, and others from kings Offa and Edgar.

Some other sub-kings witnessed Frithuwald's charters. These kings might have ruled other small kingdoms near Surrey that were also under Mercian control. Their names were Osric, Wigheard, and Æthelwald.

The Lands Frithuwald Ruled

The lands Frithuwald ruled probably did not include all of what is now Surrey. His charters describe the lands given to Chertsey Minster in great detail. However, they do not clearly define the exact borders of his own kingdom.

The main part of these lands was in the area of the Woccingas, which is around modern Woking. This area was likely bordered by the Fullingadic to the east. The Fullingadic might have been an earthwork or even an old Roman road. Lands beyond this border might have been part of the Kingdom of Kent.

Frithuwald's lands were centered around "royal vills." These were important estate centers. Woking was one of them. Godalming, which was the center for the Godhelmingas people, was to the south. Frithuwald's charters were made at Thame, which is north of the River Thames. Thame is on the border between Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The old story of Saint Osgyth might connect Frithuwald to Quarrendon. If Thame and Quarrendon were part of Frithuwald's lands, then his kingdom would have stretched over a large part of modern Berkshire.

Some people have suggested that Frithuwald's Surrey might have inspired the "Little Kingdom" in J. R. R. Tolkien's famous story, Farmer Giles of Ham.