Cuthred inherited the kingdom while Mercia was at its peak. The two kingdoms often fought in Cuthred's first three years, but it appears that Æthelbald of Mercia was Wessex's overlord and that Æthelbald compelled Cuthred to join him in fighting the Welsh in 743.[1] This alliance would not last long.[1]
Cuthred's reign was a troubled time. In 748, the Ætheling Cynric, son of Cuthred, attempted to depose his father but he was killed.[2] According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Æthelbald may have encouraged Cynric to rebel.[3]
In 750, the ealdorman Æthelhun led an unsuccessful rebellion he was winning until he was severely injured.[4]
In 752, Cuthred, assisted by the now faithful Æthelhun, led a successful rebellion against Æthelbald at Battle EdgeinBurford and secured independence from Mercia for the rest of his reign.[1][2][5] He is also said to have fought the Cornish in 753.
Cuthred died in 756, but he left a stronger and more independent Wessex.[4][5] He was succeeded by Sigeberht who is identified as his distant relative.
^ abcSharon Turner, The history of the Anglo-Saxons from the earliest period to the Norman conquest, Volume 1 (Philadelphia: Carey & Hart, 1841), p. 267
^ abThe Chronicle of Henry of Huntingdon, ed. & trans. Thomas Forester (London: Henry G. Bohn, 1853), p. 129
^Sharon Turner, The history of the Anglo-Saxons from the earliest period to the Norman conquest, Volume 1 (Philadelphia: Carey & Hart, 1841), p. 267, note i
^ abMike Ashley, The Mammoth Book of British Kings and Queens (New York: Carroll & Graf, 1999), p. 311
^ abFrank Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford University Press, 1971), p. 204
