Sledd of Essex facts for kids
Sledd, also known as Sledda, was a king of the Kingdom of Essex a long time ago, in the late 500s. He might have ruled from around 587 to 604. We don't know much about his life, but he was an important early ruler in English history.
Who Was Sledd?
Sledd was a king of the East Saxons, a group of people who lived in what is now Essex, England. He ruled during a time when England was made up of many small kingdoms. Historians don't have many records from this period, so much of Sledd's life remains a mystery.
Sledd's Family Tree
Old family records from the East Saxons suggest that Sledd was the son of King Æscwine and took over the throne after him. However, later historians, writing many centuries after Sledd lived, sometimes named Eorcenwine as his father instead. It's believed these later historians might have used different old documents to get their information.
The First King of Essex
Some historical writings suggest that Sledd might have been the very first king of Essex. While other records say his father, Æscwine or Eorcenwine, started the kingdom, some old family trees point to Sledd as the beginning of the East Saxon royal family. This means he was seen as a very important figure in the kingdom's history. Some historians also believe that Sledd became king right after his father died in 587.
Sledd's Family Life
Sledd married a woman named Ricula. She was the sister of King Æthelberht of Kent, who was a powerful ruler in a nearby kingdom.
Sledd and Ricula had at least two sons:
- Sæberht: He became king of Essex around 604, after Sledd.
- Seaxa: His descendants later became kings of Essex in the mid-700s, taking over from Sæberht's family line. Some people think Seaxa might be the same person as Seaxbald, who was the father of King Swithelm. However, this is unlikely because of the dates involved.
