Æscwine of Wessex facts for kids

Æscwine was a king who ruled over part of Wessex, an old Anglo-Saxon kingdom in England. He was king from about 674 to 676. It is thought he might not have been the only king in Wessex at that time.

Becoming King

After King Cenwalh of Wessex died in 672, the kingdom faced a period of change. The historian Bede wrote that after Cenwalh's death, his "under-rulers" took over the kingdom. They divided it among themselves and ruled for ten years.

According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, King Cenwalh's wife, Seaxburh, ruled for about one year after him. Æscwine then became king around 674. Some old records also suggest that Æscwine's father, Cenfus, ruled for two years before Æscwine.

Family Background

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle gives us a family tree for Æscwine. It says he was a descendant of Cynric, an early king of Wessex. Æscwine was the fifth generation after Cynric.

Some historians, like Bede, saw Æscwine as a "sub-king" or a less important ruler. This view might have come from the family of King Ine of Wessex. Ine's family ruled Wessex later and were also descendants of Cynric through a different line.

A Battle Against Mercia

In 675, Æscwine led his army to victory against an invasion of Wessex. The invasion was led by King Wulfhere of Mercia, a powerful neighboring kingdom. The battle happened at a place called Biedanheafde, but its exact location is not known today.

End of Reign

Æscwine's rule ended around 676. He was then succeeded by Centwine of Wessex, who became the next king of Wessex.

See also

In Spanish: Aescwine de Wessex para niños