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| Beornwulf | |
|---|---|
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| King of Mercia | |
| Reign | 823–826 |
| Predecessor | Ceolwulf I |
| Successor | Ludeca |
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| Died | 826 |
Beornwulf; Old English for "Bear Wolf"; (died 826) was the King of Mercia, a kingdom of Anglo-Saxon England, from 823 until his death in 826. His short reign saw the collapse of Mercia's supremacy over the other kingdoms of the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy.
Beornwulf became King of Mercia in 823 following the deposition of King Ceolwulf I.[1] His family, as well as the majority of his background, are unknown.[2] However, Beornwulf may be distantly related to a prior Mercian king, Beornred, as well as two subsequent rulers, Beorhtwulf and Burgred— all members of the so-called B-dynasty or group.[3] Though this is only speculation, alliterative names were prevalent in Anglo-Saxon royal families, and the confirmed kin of these leaders also had names that began with B.[4][5]
Prior to becoming king, Beornwulf is mentioned as having witnessed a charter of King Coenwulf in 812 and another of King Ceolwulf I in 823, but his position on each of these charters suggests that he was not of an exceptionally high rank.[2]
In 825 Beornwulf marched against the West Saxons. Beornwulf's army met them at Ellandun (now Wroughton near SwindoninWiltshire). Although the details are unknown, the battle ended in a disastrous defeat for the Mercians, and is seen by historians as the end of the so-called Mercian Supremacy. That same year, Ecgberht's son Æthelwulf invaded Kent and drove out its pro-Mercian king, Baldred.
In the wake of these events, Mercia's dominance in southern England rapidly unravelled. Essex and Sussex switched their loyalty to Ecgberht; and the East Anglians asked for Ecgberht's protection against the Mercians in the same year. Beornwulf was killed by the East Anglians in battle while attempting to put down a rebellion.
Beornwulf rebuilt the Abbey of St. Peter (later Gloucester Cathedral)[6] and he presided over two synods at Clofesho (an unknown location believed to be near London with Archbishop WulfredofCanterbury, in 824 and 825.[7] A Kentish charter shows that Beornwulf still had authority in Kent on 27 March 826 – S1267[clarification needed], issued on that date, is said to be in the third year of Beornwulf's reign.[8] Coins minted during Beornwulf's reign are very rare, with only around 25 known examples.
Beornwulf of Mercia Died: 826 | ||
| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by | King of Mercia 823–826 |
Succeeded by |
| Ruler of East Anglia 823–825 |
Succeeded by as King | |
| Ruler of Kent 823–825 with Baldred (c. 823–825) |
Succeeded by | |
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| Kingdom of Mercia 527–918 |
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| Later monarchs |
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