Cenberht

Cenberht (also Coenbyrht, Cenbriht, Cenbryht, Coenbryht, Kenbriht; † 661 ) was since the 640er years to 661 a king or sub- king of Gewissæ, an ethnic group known as " West Saxons " the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex was formed in the late 7th century.

Life

Cenberhts father was Cadda (also Cada, Ceadda ) from the House of Wessex. His mother's name is unknown. The Celtic name of his son Caedwalla ( 685-688 ), who later became king of Wessex, indicates that he was married to a British princess. His second son, Mul ( 686-687 ) was briefly King of Kent.

In the year 645 Penda of Mercia invaded the Gewissæ. King Cenwalh, a relative Cenberhts, fled to the court of King Anna of East Anglia, who was also an enemy of Penda. Who reigned over the kingdom is unknown. Maybe Cenberht reigned during Cenwalhs exile. 648 came Cenwalh under unknown circumstances returned to power. Cuthred probably also raised claims to the throne. Cenwalh transferred Cuthred in 648 huge estates of 3,000 hidas at Ashdown in Berkshire, a disputed territory between the Gewissæ and Mercia. Cuthred and Cenberht seem subreguli ( "Among Kings" ) to have been. King Wulfhere of Mercia fell 661 in Wessex a. Cenwalh stood at Posentesbyrg ( location unknown) to battle. But Pursued by Wulfhere he had to retire to Ashdown in Berkshire. Cuthred Cenberht and died in the same year.

Swell

• Anonymous: Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Online in Project Gutenberg (English)