King Aethelbert was the third son of King Aethelwulf and the grandson of King Egbert.
His name first appeared in history in 855 when his father traveled to Rome on a pilgrimage and put two of his sons in charge of his kingdom. Aethelbald reigned over Wessex, and Aethelbert reigned over Kent.
He would ascend to the throne after his father's death.
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King Aethelbert Facts: Early Life
- Aethelbert was the third son of King Aethelwulf and his first wife, Osburh.
- Not much is known about his early years until he was placed in power by his father when Aethelwulf went on his pilgrimage to Rome.
- When his father returned from Rome, Aethelbert stepped down from the throne in Kent and returned it back to his father. His brother Aethelbald did not, and to avoid a civil war, King Aethelwulf allowed him to continue to reign.
- After his father's death, Aethelbert ascended to the throne in Kent. His brother Aethelbald maintained control over Wessex.
- After his brother's death two years later, Aethelbert united the kingdom once again.
King Aethelbert Facts: Vikings
- King Aethelbert's reign was interrupted by Viking attacks.
- Viking raiders under the command of Ragnar Lodbrok and his son Ivar continuously raided the southern kingdoms.
- In 864, Ragnar Lodbrok's forces settled on the Isle of Thanet. Unable to drive the Vikings out of their land, the Wessex authorities reluctantly allowed the Vikings to winter there.
- After winter ended in 865, Ivar invaded the southern kingdom. They reached Winchester and burned the city.
- King Aethelbert rallied his troops and managed to drive the Vikings back.
King Aethelbert Facts: Later Years
- King Aethelbert managed to unite all Saxon territory and merge it into the kingdom of Wessex.
- Choosing a different path from his father and grandfather, Aethelbert did not put a family member on the throne of Kent. He rules the entire territory of Wessex himself with his advisors.
- This unified the southern kingdom and helped set the stage for his brother Alfred.
- Despite all of his unification efforts, England was unable to stop the Viking threat during his reign.
- King Aethelbert died in 865, and the throne passed to his younger brother Aethelred and not his children.
- In 865, after his death, the Vikings conquered York and began to settle it. This would begin the spread of Viking law.
Conclusion
King Aethelbert was given a tough task throughout his life.
He was placed on the throne of Kent, and when his father returned from Rome, he returned it. Once his father died, he took the throne again and seemed to have a positive relationship with his brother, Aethelbald.
After Aethelbald's death, he united the southern kingdom but dealt with Viking attacks throughout his reign.
Regardless, his unification set the stage for Alfred when he would get his turn on the throne.