King Egbert was a member of the House of Wessex. He was the son of Ealmund of Kent and the first King of Wessex to be named Bretwalda (most powerful King of the seven kingdoms of England). his son, Aethelwulf succeeded him as King of Wessex.
Contents
King Egbert Family Tree Image
King Egbert Family Tree in Table Form
King Egbert Short Biography
King Egbert Family Tree Image showing:
grandparents, parents, siblings, wife, children and grandchildren
King Egbert Family Tree in Table Form showing:
grandparents, parents, siblings, wife, children and grandchildren
GRANDPARENTS
Paternal Grandfather – Eafa – (no details known)
PARENTS
Father – Ealmund of Kent – (fl 784)
Mother – Not Known
SIBLINGS
Alburga – (some sources name her as his half-sister)
MARRIED
Not Known – King Egbert did marry but the identity of his wife is not known
CHILDREN
King Aethelwulf – (795 – 858)
GRANDCHILDREN
King Aethelstan of Kent – (d. 852)
Aethelswith – (838 – 888)
King Aethelbald – (d. 860)
King Aethelberht – (836 – 865)
King Aethelred – (847 – 871)
King Alfred the Great – (849 – 899)
King Egbert Short Biography
Early Years
King Egbert was born around 770 the son of Ealmund of Kent; his mother’s identity is not known.
When he was sixteen, in 786, King Cynewulf of Wessex was murdered. Beothric was elected to be King but Egbert believed he had a legitimate claim and contested the election. Beothric was made King of Wessex and Egbert fled to Mercia where he sought the protection of King Offa. About a year later, Offa made peace with Beothric and Egbert fled to France where he is said to have lived in the court of Charlemagne.
King of Wessex
In 802 Beorhtric of Wessex died. Egbert returned to England and was elected King of Wessex.
The Battle of Ellandun, fought in September 825 between Wessex and Mercia saw Beornwulf of Mercia defeated. This made Egbert the dominant ruler in England. Four years later in 829, Egbert conquered Northumbria and became the first King to rule all kingdoms of England. His rule of England lasted just one year before Wiglaf took control of Mercia.
In 836 Vikings began raiding the south coast of England and Egbert was forced to divert his attention to stopping the attacks.
Marriage, Family and Death
Egbert married at some point, but the identity of his wife is not known.
Around 795, Edgar’s son Aethelwulf was born.
King Egbert of Wessex died in February 839 and was buried in Winchester. He was succeeded by his son, Aethelwulf.
Published May 2022 – Updated – Dec 04 2024
Harvard Reference for King Egbert Family Tree:
Heather Y Wheeler. (2022 – 2024). King Egbert Family Tree & Biography 770 – 839. Available: https://www.treesofblue.com/king-egbert-of-wessex-770-839. Last accessed December 16th, 2024