Mul of Kent facts for kids

This is a gravesite at St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury. It holds the remains of four Kentish kings. Mul's grave is the one on the far right.

Mul (whose name might mean "mule") was an early Anglo-Saxon ruler in England. He was a king of the Kingdom of Kent for a short time, around the year 686. Mul was also the brother of a powerful king named Caedwalla of Wessex.

Mul's Life and Rule

Mul's name was quite unusual for his time. Some historians think it came from the Latin word mulus, which means "mule". It was probably a nickname that stuck!

Mul was part of the House of Wessex, a very important royal family. His father was Coenberht, and his brother was Caedwalla of Wessex. In the year 686, Mul's brother Caedwalla conquered the Kingdom of Kent. After this, Mul briefly became the king of Kent.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, an old historical record, tells us about this time. It says that in 686, "Caedwalla and Mul, his brother, ravaged Kent and Wight." This means they took control of these areas. Mul's short time as king is also mentioned in an old document called a charter, which was signed by another king named Swæfheard.

The End of Mul's Reign

Mul only ruled for about a year. In 687, the local people of Kent rose up against him. They chased Mul and his followers into a building near a church. Then, they set the building on fire, and Mul and his men died in the flames.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle reports this sad event. It says, "Mul was burned in Kent, and 12 other men with him." The Chronicle also notes that after Mul's death, his brother Caedwalla again attacked Kent.

Later, in 694, the people of Kent made an agreement with Ine of Wessex. Ine was Caedwalla's successor, meaning he became king after Caedwalla. The people of Kent paid Ine a large sum of money. This payment was "because they had burned Mul earlier." It was like a fine or compensation for Mul's death.

See also

• House of Wessex family tree
• List of monarchs of Kent
• Chronology of Kentish Kings