Gewisse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gewisse
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| 5th century–7th century | |||||||||
| Capital | Searobyrig | ||||||||
| Common languages | Brittonic Old English (Englisc) |
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| Religion | Brittonic paganism Anglo-Saxon paganism |
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| Government | Folkland | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
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• Established
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5th century | ||||||||
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• Disestablished
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7th century | ||||||||
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The Gewisse were an important group of people, like a tribe or clan, in early Anglo-Saxon England. They lived a long time ago, around the 5th to 7th centuries. Historians think they were based near the River Thames in a place called Dorchester on Thames. However, some believe they might have started near Old Sarum in Wiltshire.
The Gewisse were very important because they were the early ancestors of what became the Kingdom of Wessex. This kingdom later grew into the Kingdom of England, long before the Norman Conquest. So, in a way, the Gewisse helped create modern-day England!
Contents
What Does "Gewisse" Mean?
The name Gewisse was first written down in the 700s. It was used to describe the West Saxons. No one is completely sure where the name came from.
Possible Meanings of the Name
One idea is that the name comes from an Old English word, ġewisse. This word means "reliable" or "sure." But it's not clear how this relates to the tribe.
Another idea is that the name comes from a Brittonic word, gweiθ. This word means "fortification" or "fort." This makes sense because the Gewisse lived in an area with old forts.
Some experts also think the name Gewisse might be similar to the name of another kingdom, the Hwicce. This suggests they might have had a similar origin.
How the Name Changed
Over time, the name Gewisse slowly changed. By the early 700s, scholars started using the name "West Saxons" instead. This change happened as the Gewisse kingdom grew bigger. It needed a new name to include all the different groups of people it ruled.
History of the Gewisse
The Gewisse played a big part in shaping early England. They were a strong group that expanded their power through battles and settlements.
Early Settlements and Origins
Evidence shows that Germanic people settled around Abingdon and Dorchester on Thames in the 500s and 600s. Some historians thought the Gewisse were Germanic fighters. These fighters might have been hired to protect the border after the Romans left Britain.
However, some experts now believe the Gewisse might have started near Old Sarum. This is because the name of the tribe and its royal family seem to have Brittonic (old British) roots.
Important Battles and Events
The early Saxon stories tell us about some key moments for the Gewisse:
- In AD 552, the Gewisse captured Searobyrig (Old Sarum).
- In AD 556, they took Beranbyrig (Barbury Castle) from the Britons.
- In AD 636, a missionary named Birinus helped convert the Gewisse to Christianity. He baptized their king, Cynegils. This led to the creation of the Diocese of Dorchester. A diocese is an area managed by a bishop.
- Around AD 620, the Gewisse fought and killed the three sons of Sæbert of Essex.
- In AD 660, they won a big battle against the Britons at the Battle of Peonnum.
- By AD 676, the Gewisse controlled enough land in what is now Hampshire. They set up a new church center, called a "see," in Winchester.
From Gewisse to West Saxons
The Gewisse royal family kept conquering more lands in the 600s and 700s. This led to the creation of the powerful Kingdom of Wessex. The historian Bede even used the names "Gewisse" and "Wessex" almost interchangeably.
The title "king of the Saxons" started to replace "king of the Gewisse" during the rule of Cædwalla (685–688 AD). This change likely happened because Cædwalla conquered new areas, like the lands of the Jutish people and the South Saxons. A new name was needed to describe this larger kingdom. By the time Bede was writing in the early 700s, the term "West Saxons" was commonly used by scholars.
