Sigeberht of Wessex

Sigeberht
King of Wessex
Reignc. 754–756
PredecessorCuthred
SuccessorCynewulf
Diedc. 756
HouseWessex

Sigeberht (meaning roughly "Magnificent Victory") was the King of Wessex from 754 or 755, to around 756.

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 or council of nobles.[1] This council was led by Cynewulf who succeeded Sigeberht.[2] 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 the Ætheling, was also driven out but returned in 786 to kill Sigeberht's successor Cynewulf.[3]

  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. Vol. 52. London: Smith, Elder & Co.