Æscwine was a King of Wessex from about 674 to 676, but was probably not the only king in Wessex at the time.
| Æscwine | |
|---|---|
| King of Wessex | |
| Reign | 674–676 |
| Predecessor | Seaxburh |
| Successor | Centwine |
| Died | After 676 |
| House | Wessex |
| Father | Cenfus |
Bede writes that after the death of King Cenwalh in 672: "his under-rulers took upon them the kingdom of the people, and dividing it among themselves, held it ten years".[1] According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Cenwalh was succeeded as ruler for about one year by his wife Seaxburh.[2] Æscwine reigned from about 674 to 676.[3] Another source claims that Æscwine's father, Cenfus (Old English: Cēnfūs), ruled for two years after Seaxburh.[4][5]
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle supplies a genealogy, making him a fifth-generation descendant of Cynric. Bede's dismissal of Æscwine as a mere sub-king may represent the views of the supporters of the King Ine of Wessex, whose family ruled Wessex in Bede's time,[6] as Ine's family were bona fide descendants of Cynric through Ceawlin's son Cuthwine.
In 675, Æscwine defeated an invasion of Wessex led by the Mercian King Wulfhere at Biedanheafde,[4] a location which has not been certainly identified.
Æscwine was succeeded by Centwine of Wessex.
References
edit- ^ Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, Book IV, chapter 12.
- ^ Yorke, Barbara (23 September 2004). "Cenwalh (d. 672), king of the Gewisse". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/4996. Retrieved 13 May 2023. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.) (Subscription or UK public library membership required)
- ^ "Rulers of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms (5th cent.–924)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. 26 May 2005. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/93213. ISBN 978-0-19-861412-8. Retrieved 13 May 2023. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ a b Kirby 1992, p. 52.
- ^ Cenfus is not listed in modern king lists, e.g. Yorke, Barbara, Kings and Kingdoms of Early Anglo-Saxon England, pp. 133–134.
- ^ Kirby 1992, pp. 52–53.
External links & Bibliography
edit- Kirby, D. P (1992). The Earliest English Kings (Reprint ed.). London: Routledge. ISBN 9780415090865.
- Æscwine 2 at Prosopography of Anglo-Saxon England