Æthelheard of Wessex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Æthelheard |
|
|---|---|
| King of Wessex | |
| Reign | 726–740 |
| Predecessor | Ine |
| Successor | Cuthred |
| Consort | Frithugyth |
| House | Wessex |
Æthelheard was a king of Wessex, an important Anglo-Saxon kingdom in what is now England. He ruled from 726 to 740. His name roughly means "Noble Stern." He is also known as Ethelheard, Edelard, or Æþelheard. He became king after King Ine, who decided to leave his throne and travel to Rome.
Contents
Who Was King Æthelheard?
Æthelheard became the King of Wessex in 726. Wessex was one of the most powerful kingdoms in Anglo-Saxon England. Some old records suggest Æthelheard might have been related to King Ine's wife, Queen Æthelburg of Wessex. However, we don't know for sure who his parents were. This means he might have been the first King of Wessex not to be directly related to an earlier king, Cynric.
Becoming King
When King Ine decided to step down in 726, he did not have a clear heir. He left the kingdom for "younger men" to lead. This led to a disagreement over who should be the next king.
Two main people wanted to be king: Æthelheard and a rival named Oswald. Oswald might have had a stronger claim to the throne. Old records say Oswald was related to an earlier king, Ceawlin. But in the end, Æthelheard became king.
Some historians believe Æthelheard became king with help from Æthelbald, the powerful King of Mercia. Mercia was another strong kingdom nearby.
Challenges and Changes
Even though Æthelbald might have helped Æthelheard become king, Æthelheard was not fully independent. He seemed to be under Æthelbald's influence. This might be why Æthelbald took a lot of land from Wessex in 733. One important place Æthelbald took was Somerton. This was a royal estate, meaning it belonged to the king.
Family Life
Æthelheard married a woman named Frithugyth. They were married in 729 or even earlier. The old records tell us that Queen Frithugyth went on a pilgrimage to Rome in 737. A pilgrimage is a special journey, often for religious reasons.
His Successor
After Æthelheard died in 740, his successor was Cuthred. The old records, like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, say that Cuthred was Æthelheard's "relative." He might have been his brother or another close family member.
See also
In Spanish: Aethelheard de Wessex para niños
