Sigeberht of Wessex

Sigeberht (Sigeberht means roughly 'Magnificent Victory') was the King of Wessex from 756 to 757.

Sigeberht
King of Wessex
Reign756–757
PredecessorCuthred
SuccessorCynewulf
HouseWessex

Sigeberht succeeded his distant relative Cuthred, but was then accused of acting unjustly. After ruling a year he was accused of unlawful acts and removed from power by the witan, a council of nobles.[1] This council was led by Cynewulf who succeeded Sigeberht.[2] The former Sigeberht was given control of Hampshire. There, he was accused of murder, driven out and ultimately killed. It is possible that this happened under the influence of Æthelbald of Mercia. His brother Cyneheard was also driven out, but returned in 786 to kill Sigeberht's successor Cynewulf.[3]

See also
  • House of Wessex family tree

References
  1. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, trans. & ed. Michael James Swanton (New York: Routledge, 1998), p. 46
  2. Mike Ashley, The Mammoth Book of British Kings and Queens (New York: Carroll & Graf, 1999), p. 311
  3. Lee, Sidney, ed. (1897). "Sigebert (d.756?)" . Dictionary of National Biography. 52. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Cuthred		 King of Wessex
756–757		 Succeeded by
Cynewulf



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