Cenwalh (Wessex) of Wessex (abt. 617 - abt. 672)

Born about 0617 in Wessex, England

Ancestors

Husband of Seaxburh (Wessex) of Wessex — married 0645 in Wessex, England

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Cenwalh (Wessex) of Wessex is a member of the House of Wessex.

Cenwalh (Wessex) of Wessex was a member of aristocracy in ancient Europe. Join: Medieval Project Discuss: medieval

EuroAristo Project Note

Roger is currently (2013-07-26) identifying Cenwalh's ancestor (or perhaps not) Cerdic as the upper limit of Wessex management. Filiations which are probably legendary will be treated as real, with notes to that effect in the biographies of Cerdic's "descendants."

No mother is reliably attested for Cenwalh. Any linking of a mother without the express agreement of the EuroAristo project in the G2G forum will be disconnected.

Biography

"Cenwalh was Cynegils' offspring". ^[1]

In The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles we read - ^[2]

643 : from the Winchester manuscript - Here Cenwalh succeeded to the kingdom of the West Saxons; and held it for 31 years (The Peterborough manuscript says "Cenwalh succeeded to the kingdom of the West Saxons and held it 21 years")

and that Cenwalh ordered the church at Winchester to be built; The Canterbury manuscript adds that Cenwalh built the minster in Winchester in St. Peter's name, and that it was consecrated in 648. ^[3]

645 : "Here Cenwalh was driven out by King Penda"; Cenwalh had married King Penda's sister, then deserted her; Bede commented that Cenwalh had refused to be baptised. ^[4]

646 : Here Cenwalh was baptised

648 : Here Cenwalh gave his relative Cuthred "3 thousands" of land by Ashdown

652 : Here Cenwalh fought at Bradford on Avon

658 : Here Cenwalh fought at Penselwood against the Welsh and drove them in flight as far as the Parret. This (battle) was fought after he came from East Anglia where he was for 3 years on a journey of exile. Penda had driven him out, and deprived him of his kingdom because he abandoned his sister.

660 : Here Bishop Agilbert left Cenwalh, and Wine held the Bishopric for 3 years. (Agilbert became Bishop of "Paris on the Seine in Gaul")

661 - Here at easter Cenwalh fought at Posent's stronghold and Wulfhere, Penda's offspring, raided from Ashdown. And Cuthred, Cwichelm's offspring, and Coenberht passed away in the one year.

672 - Here Cenwalh passed away, and Seaxburh, his queen ruled one year after him.

Sources

1. ↑ The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle p: 27 annotated by Michael Swanton pub: Psychology Press 1998
2. ↑ The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle pp 26-28, 33, annotated by Michael Swanton pub: Psychology Press 1998
3. ↑ Wikipedia : Old Minster, Winchester
4. ↑ The Historian's Hut : The dangerous Divorce of King Cenwalh of Wessex

• from the Winchester & Peterborough manuscripts in The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle pp 26-28, 33, annotated by Michael Swanton pub: Psychology Press 1998

• Wikipedia : Cenwalh of Wessex

• FMG's Medieval Lands entry on Cynegils