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Æthelbald

Type Figure Region England Time c. 704–757 Also known as Æthelbald of Mercia

8th-century king of Mercia (r. 716–757) and Bretwalda over much of England; his murder in 757 led to the rise of Offa.

Timeline

  1. 716–730Mercia · MerciaHe inherited the throne at about the age of twelve; nobles initially acted as regents, and he gradually consolidated his rule over Mercia itself.
  2. 730–757Mercia · MerciaOnce ruling in his own right he expanded Mercian overlordship, controlling Wessex, Kent, East Anglia, and other kingdoms; the pope addressed him as chief of the kings, and he patronized the church and monasteries.

Sources