Ceolwulf of Wessex

Ceolwulf (also Ceolulf, Ceolf; † about 611 ) was from 594/597 to around 611 King of Gewissæ, an ethnic group as the " West Saxons " the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex was formed in the 7th century.

Life

Family

It comes from the House of Wessex, and is the son of Cutha and grandson of Cynric. Cuthgils was a son Ceolwulfs. That Ceolwulf also had a son named Cynegils is with his brother Ceol held for confusion Ceolwulfs, whose " Call Name " also " Ceol / Ceola " may have envisaged that the by medieval writers.

Rule

To 594/597 Ceolwulf appeared as King succeeded his brother probably died Ceol. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle writes him a reign of 14 years, whereas he had ruled after the West Saxon king lists 17 years old.

Ceolwulf is presented as a successful and warlike ruler who was involved in constant battles against the Anglo-Saxons, Britons, Picts and Scots. The battles against the Picts and Scots living far north appear to be due to the confusion with a Northumbrian king. The expansion of the Gewissæ south and west during his rule applies, however, to be probable. The traditional for the year 607 campaign against the Kingdom of Sussex was probably related with the objective of both kingdoms dominance over the colonized by Jutes Isle of Wight and the south of present-day Hampshire. Ceolwulfs successor was his nephew, son Céols Cynegils which involved his son Cwichelm to the rule in the year 611.

Swell

• Anonymous: Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, online at Project Gutenberg (English)
• Æthelweard: Chronica