Ceawlin DE WESSEX King of Wessex (560-591) ¹

   Research Notes:

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that "Cynric and Ceawlin" fought the Britons in 552 at "Beranburh" [Barbury castle]. In a much later section, the Chronicle names Ceawlin as son of Cynric, in its recitation of the ancestry of Æthelwulf King of Wessex....

He succeeded in 560 as CEAWLIN King of Wessex. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that "Ceawlin" succeeded to the kingdom of Wessex in 560. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that "Ceawlin and Cutha" fought against "Æthelberht" [King of Kent] in 568 and "drove him into Kent", and "slew two princes Oslaf and Cnebba at Wibbandun". The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that "Cuthwine and Ceawlin" fought against "the Britons" in 577 and "slew three kings, Coinmail, Condidan and Farinmail" at "Dyrham", and captured "three cities Gloucester, Cirencester and Bath". The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that "Ceawlin and Cutha" fought against "the Britons" in 584 at "Fethanleag", where Cutha was killed, and captured "many villages and countless booty"....

Roger of Wendover records the death of "Cissa rege australium Saxonum" in 590, adding that "regem occidentalium Saxonum Ceaulinum" acquired his kingdom. Bede names "Caelin rex Occidentalium Saxonum" as second of the kings who had authority over the southern provinces, south of the river Humber. Presumably this is based on his victories as reported in the Chronicle, although the reports do not suggest that his authority extended so far north in England. Whatever the truth of the matter, King Ceawlin suffered reverses towards the end of his life as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records in 592 that "there was great slaughter at Adam’s Grave" [in Alton Priors] and "Ceawlin was expelled", although it is unclear from the text whether the two events were linked. William of Malmesbury records that he was banished from the kingdom after being defeated at Wodnesbeorh, presumably by Ceol who is recorded in 591 as King of Wessex. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records the death in 593 of "Ceawlin and Cwichelm and Crida". ²

   Marriage Information:

in Wessex, England.