Heardberht facts for kids
Heardberht of Mercia was an important leader in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. He was the brother of King Æthelbald, who ruled Mercia from 716 to 757. Heardberht's father was named Alweo.
Heardberht was known as an ealdorman. In Anglo-Saxon times, an ealdorman was a powerful noble. They were like a chief officer or governor for a specific area. They helped the king rule and often led armies.
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Heardberht's Role in Mercia
Heardberht was a very important person during King Æthelbald's reign. He was part of the king's inner circle. We know this because his name appears on many official documents called charters.
What are Charters?
Charters were written agreements or records. They were used for important things like giving land away or making official decisions. When someone "witnessed" a charter, it meant they were present and approved of the agreement. It showed they were important and trusted.
Heardberht witnessed at least seven charters between 736 and 757. In two of these, he was specifically called the king's brother. This shows how close he was to King Æthelbald.
Working with the King's Council
Heardberht was also part of the king's council, sometimes called the witan. This was a group of wise and powerful advisors who helped the king make decisions. Heardberht held titles like dux (a leader or commander) and praefectus (a governor or official). This means he had a lot of responsibility in Mercia.
Heardberht often worked alongside other important ealdormen. These included Bercol, who was perhaps the most senior ealdorman, and Offa. These leaders helped King Æthelbald manage the kingdom.
Life After King Æthelbald
It was unusual for a king's brother to remain powerful after the king died. But Heardberht seems to have done just that. King Æthelbald died in 757.
Later that same year, Heardberht witnessed another charter. This time, the charter was also witnessed by King Offa. King Offa became the new ruler of Mercia after Æthelbald. This shows that Heardberht continued to be an influential figure even after his brother's reign ended.
