Æthelwulf of Wessex
Charters have provided fundamental source material for understanding Anglo-Saxon England that complements the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" and other literary sources. They are often used by historians as sources for the history of Anglo-Saxon England. It was frequently kings who gave land in charters. By seeing what land was awarded, it is possible to see the extent of a king's control and how he exercised his power. In 846, Æthelwulf of Wessex granted land in Devon by charter, perhaps dividing the spoils from this recently conquered territory among his men.