Kingdom of Essex

The Kingdom of the East Saxons (), was also called the Kingdom of Essex. It was one of the seven kingdoms of the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy. Essex was founded in the 6th century. The kingdom of Essex covered the area of the modern English counties of Essex, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and (for a short while) Kent. Kings of Essex frequently found themselves under the control of other Anglo-Saxon overlords. The territory of the East Saxons included the two Roman provincial capitals of Colchester and, for a time, London. In the Tribal Hidage the East Saxons were listed at 7,000 hides. 

 History 

When they arrived in England the Saxons, like the Angles, Jutes and Frisians, were Pagans. After the Saxons gained control of Kent they set themselves up in the territory of Essex.Elizabeth Ogborne, The History of Essex: From the Earliest Period to the Present Time (London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Browne, 1817), p. 5 The first attempts to convert the East Saxons to Christianity came in 604 with the arrival of Bishop (later Saint) Mellitus in London.Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, trans. Leo Sherley Price, revsd. R. E. Latham (London; New York: Penguin, 1990), p. 90 Athelberht (King of Kent was the overlord of southern England and helped in the conversion of King Saebert of Essex.Frank Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1971), p. 109  Athelberht built and endowed St. Pauls in London, where St. Paul’s Cathedral now stands. After the death of Saebert in 616, Mellitus was driven out and the kingdom reverted to paganism.Frank Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1971), p. 112 King Oswi of Northumbria convinced King Sigebert of Essex to become Christian.Elizabeth Ogborne, The History of Essex: From the Earliest Period to the Present Time (London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Browne, 1817), p. 6 Sigebert then invited Chad to become Bishop of London. By 874 the Great Heathen Army held much of Essex. They established bases from which they attacked other parts of England. In 825 the kingdom of the East Saxons became part of Wessex.D. P. Kirby, The Earliest English Kings, Revised Edition (London; New York: Routledge, 2000), p. 155 

Kings of Essex 

 Aescwine (legendary king)
 Sledda (legendary king)
 Saebert (–) - Son of Sledda, nephew of Athelbert of KentMike Ashley, The Mammoth Book of British Kings and Queens (New york: Carroll & Graf, 1999), pp. 233–237
 Sexred (–623) - Son of Saebert, ruled jointly with his two brothers Saeward and Sexbald.
 Saeward (–623)
 Sexbald (–623)
 Sigebert I (623–) - Probable son of Saeward
 Sigebert II (–) - Possible cousin of Sigebert I
 Swithelm (–663)
 Sigehere (ruled Essex 663–688; Kent 687–688)
 Sebbi (663–693)
 Sigeheard (693–) - Son of Sebbi
 Swaefred (689–) - Son of Sebbi
 Offa (707–709) - Son of Sigehere
 Saelred (–746) Co-king
 Swebert (709–738) Co-king
 Swithred (746–759)
 Sigeric (759–798)
 Sigered (798–825) last king of Essex; reduced in rank after 811 to an ealdorman.

 Notes 

 References 

 Other websites 

 Kingdom of Essex 
Category:6th-century establishments in England
Category:9th-century disestablishments in Europe
Category:820s disestablishments
Category:Anglo-Saxons
Category:Disestablishments in England
Category:Former monarchies of Europe
Category:History of England