Magonsæte facts for kids
The Magonsæte was a small kingdom in Anglo-Saxon England. It was part of the larger and more powerful kingdom of Mercia. This area is thought to be the same as the modern-day Diocese of Hereford.
Contents
How the Magonsæte Kingdom Began
The story of Magonsæte starts around the year 656. At this time, a British land called Pengwern was taken over. This happened when Oswiu of Northumbria, a powerful king, was in charge of the Mercians.
After Pengwern was conquered, groups of people called Angles moved into the western part of the land. One of these groups settled near an old Roman town. This town was known as Magnae, or Cair Magon in Old Welsh. Today, this place is called Kenchester, close to Hereford.
Early Rulers of the Western Hecani
In the late 600s and early 700s, a small kingdom called the Western Hecani existed in this area. We know of three rulers from this time: Merewalh, Mildfrith, and Merchelm. These leaders helped shape the region before it became known as Magonsæte.
Becoming Part of Mercia
By the late 700s, the land of the Western Hecani was brought back into the main kingdom of Mercia. It might have been known as Westerna for a while. Later, by the 800s, this region became known as the Magonsæte. This means it was fully part of Mercia, but still had its own local identity.
Smaller Local Groups
Within the Magonsæte area, there were even smaller groups of people. These included the Temersæte, who lived near Hereford. Another group was the Hahlsæte, who lived closer to Ludlow. These smaller groups were part of the larger Magonsæte community.
See also
- Westerne
- Archenfield
