Æthelbert of Sussex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Æthelberht |
|
|---|---|
| King of Sussex | |
| Reign | 8th century |
| Predecessor | Æthelstan of Sussex |
| Successor | Osmund of Sussex |
| House | List of monarchs of Sussex |
Æthelberht (Old English: Æðelberht) was a king of Sussex in the 8th century. We don't know much about him. Most of what we know comes from old documents called charters. These charters were like official papers or agreements from that time. His time as king overlapped with Sigeferth of Selsey, who was a bishop.
King Æthelberht of Sussex
Æthelberht's exact dates as king are not known. We only know that he ruled at the same time as Bishop Sigeferth of Selsey. Sigeferth witnessed one of Æthelberht's charters. In this charter, Æthelberht is called Ethelbertus rex Sussaxonum, which means "Æthelberht, King of the Sussex people."
Bishop Sigeferth
Sigeferth, also known as Sicgga, was the third Bishop of Selsey. He became a bishop in 733. Archbishop Tatwine officially made him a bishop. Sigeferth was still a bishop in 747. He attended an important meeting called the Synod of Clofesho that year. We do not know when Sigeferth died.
Forged Charters
Another old document mentions Æthelberht. In this document, he is called Adelbertus rex Australium Saxonum. This means "Æthelberht, King of the South Saxons." However, experts believe this particular charter is a forgery. A forgery is a fake document made to look real.
What Charters Tell Us
Historians have studied these old charters. One historian, Barker (in 1947), noticed some unusual phrases in them. For example, instead of saying "If anyone dares to...", the charters used "firmly...presume."
Some charters from this time say they were written by the king himself. This was possible because some kings in the early 8th century were very educated. Kings like Ealdfrið and Eadberht of Northumbria, and Ine of Wessex, were known for being smart. So, it's possible Æthelberht might have helped write some of his own charters.
Æthelberht is also mentioned in another old document. This document was originally from a king named Noðhelm. A note added later to Noðhelm's charter mentions "Ethilberchto rege," referring to King Æthelberht.
See also
