Kingdoms within the UK 600-900

A rough idea of the kingdoms what is now the United Kingdom 600-900 AD.  Based on a chart drawn by
Brian Inness in Mike Ashley’s The Mammoth Book of British Kings & Queens,
Carroll & Graf Publishers, Inc., New York, 1998

Northumbria and Mercia emerged as among the most powerful kingdoms of the era.  Not until the late 600s did Wessex begin to unify.  Under Egbert, the West Saxons dominated and became the rulers of England.  It’s unclear when he was born, though it could have been as early 770 or 771.  He is believed to have been the son of Eahlmund, who was briefly king of Kent.  After the murder of Cynewulf, King Offa of Mercia gave the kingship of Wessex to Beorhtric, who viewed Egbert as a threat.

It’s believed that Egbert, with connections to Kent and it’s strong ties to the Frankish kingdoms, avoided potential murder by Beorhtric by removing himself to Charlemagne’s court.  While there he was married to a close relative of Charlemagne’s.  After the death of Beorhtric, the witan (council) recalled him from exile in 802 to succeed as king of Wessex.  By 815, he had succeeded in bringing Kernow (Cornwall) under the near total influence of Wessex.

In 825, Mercia invaded, but its new king, Beornwulf, was defeated.  Almost immediately afterward, Egberte sent his son, two earls, and the Bishop of Sherborne with an army into Kent, driving out King Baldred. Egbert's forces continued on into East Anglia, where it appears they may have been welcomed, as the East Anglian king wanted Egbert’s support against Mercia.  Egbert invaded Mercia itself in 829 and moved on into Northumbria.  King Eanred met him there and agreed to Egbert’s overlordship.

Egbert’s success was soon tempered by raids by Danish Vikings.  In 835 they landed in Kent and the following year in Devon.  Egbert failed to drive them out, by 838, the Vikings had combined forces with the Cornish in a war against the Saxons.  The Saxons defeated them, however, in a battle near the Devon-Cornwall border.  Egbert died about 839 and was succeeded by his son, Athelwolf, who was the father of Alexander the Great.