Title : King of Essex
Reign : 798 – 825
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Parents : Sigeric, King of Essex
The last of the Kings of Essex as his rank was reduced to duke by his Mercian overlords in 812. This then saw Essex join Hwicce and Sussex in becoming Mercian provinces.
In 825 Essex joins Kent and East Anglia in revolting against Mercia and Sigered then disappears from the records.
Title : King of Essex
Reign : 758 -798
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Parents : Saelred, King of Essex
The longest ruler of the Kingdom of Essex. He was more and likely vassal to King Offa of Mercia.
Abdicated to go on pilgrimage to Rome.
Was succeeded by his son Sigered.
Title : King of Essex
Reign : 746-758
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Parents : Sigemund
Possibly connection to either King Swithelm or Swaefred. Possibly chosen as king because Saelred’s son Sigeric was under age at the time of his fathers dead.
Title : King of Essex
Reign : 715 -738
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Title : King of Essex
Reign : c 709 – 746
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Died : 746
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Distinct relative of the previous king, Offa. Possibly at the time Essex was a vassal to Mercia as their is no mention of any conflicts between the two kingdoms.
The Anglo Saxon Chronicle mentions his death in 746.
Title : King of Essex
Reign : 707-709
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Parents : Sigehere, King of Essex and Osyth, daughter of Firthwold.
According to Bede he was apparently good-looking and extremely popular.
Abdicated within two year of the beginning of his reign and then travelled to Rome with him his cousin Ceonred of Wessex. After some time he became a monk and was succeeded by his cousin Saelred.
Swaefred of Essex
Title : King of Essex
Reign : c 694 – c 707
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Parents : Sebbi, King of Essex
Ruled jointly with his brother Sigeheard succeeding his father Sebbi.
Title : King of Essex
Reign : c 694 – c 707
Born :
Died : c 707
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Parents : Sebbi, King of Essex
Sigeheard was the joint King of Essex with his brother Swaefred. They gained the crown together when their father Sebbi abdicated and retired to a monastery.
Ruled in Middlesex before the death of his father.
Sigeheard along with Cenred of Mercia confirmed the purchase of Fulham from Tyrhtel, Bishop of Hereford by Waldhere, Bishop of London.
Title : King of Essex
Reign : 664 – c. 694
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Died : 695
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Parents : Sexred, King of Essex
Joint king with Sighere from 664 – 683.
Sighere reverted to paganism and took alliance with Wessex, while Sebbi remained a Christian with an alliance from Mercia. King Wulfhere of Mercia, gained overlordship of Essex and sent Jaruman, Bishop of Mercia to re-convert all of Essex to Christianity.
In 686 Cædwalla a Wessex sub-king, established himself as overlord in Essex. He and Sebbi invaded Kent and expelled King Eadric and Sebbi ruled over West Kent.
It is said that Sebbi abdicated in c. 694 in favour for his sons Sigeheard and Swaefred who jointly ruled in Essex. Sebbi died in 695 and was buried at the Old St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Title : King of Essex
Reign : 664 – 683
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Died :
Spouse : Osyth, daughter of Firthwood, sub-king of Mercia
Parents :
Joint king with Sebbi.
Sighere and Sebbi were cousins of the previous king Swithhelm. Sighere returned to paganism while Sebbi remained Christian. A strong rivalry soon developed between the two with Sighere finding an ally in Wessex and Sebbi with Mercia.
King Wulfhere of Mercia took advantage and established himself as overlord in Essex. As part of this Sighere married Wulfhere’s niece Osyth, daughter of Firthwood, a sub-king of Mercia in Surrey.
Kings and Queens 