Cwichelm of Wessex

Cwichelm (died circa 636) was the King of the Gewisse, although more commonly called the King of Wessex.  He reigned from 626 until his death. He was a pagan king who became a Christian shortly before his death.

 King in Wessex 

Cwichelm was the son of Cynegils, King of Wessex.Detlev Schwennicke, Europäische Stammtafeln: Stammtafeln zur Geschichte der Europäischen Staaten, Neue Folge, Band II (Marburg, Germany: J. A. Stargardt, 1984), Tafel 77; Frank Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford University Press, 1971), p. 45 He ruled jointly with his father.Barbara Yorke. Kings and Kingdoms of Early Anglo-Saxon England (London: Routledge, 1997), p. 143 The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for 614 says Cynegils and Cwichelm fought at a place named Beandun, which cannot be identified.Frank Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford University Press, 1971), p. 63 & note 2 The account went on to say they slew two thousand sixty-five Welsh.Benjamin Thorpe, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle according to the Several Original Authorities: Translation (London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1861), p. 19 Another chronicle entry for 627 (corrected to 626) states an Eomer was sent by "Cwichelm, king of the West Saxons, thinking to stab king Eadwine". It goes on to say Eomer stabbed his thane, Lilla, and a Forthere but only wounding the king.Benjamin Thorpe, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle according to the Several Original Authorities: Translation (London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1861), p. 20 The plot to kill the Northumbrian king failed and the following year Eadwine (Edwin) sent an army to punish Wessex.Mike Ashley, The Mammoth Book of British Kings and Queens (New york: Carroll & Graf, 1999), p. 303  The next mention of Cwichelm in the chronicle is for the year 628.Frank Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England (Oxford University Press, 1971), p. 45 It states that Cyngils, king of Wessex, and Cwichelm his son 'fought with Penda at Cirencester and came to an agreement with him there'. The agreement seems to have been to give Cirencester to Penda. In 634 Pope Honorius I sent Bishop Birinus to England. When he reached the territory of the Gewisse (Wessex) he found them almost completely pagan. He began to convert the West Saxons to Christianity. In 635 Cynegils was baptized and King Oswald of Northumbria stood as his Godfather.Benjamin Thorpe, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle according to the Several Original Authorities: Translation (London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1861), p. 22 In 636 Cwichelm was baptised at Dorchester. He died later in the same year (636). Although he died before his father, both were succeeded by his brother Cenwalh in 643.Mike Ashley, The Mammoth Book of British Kings and Queens (New york: Carroll & Graf, 1999), p. 304

 Family 

Cwichelm had a son:

 Cuthred (died 685), king in Wessex

 Notes 

 References 

Category:Year of birth unknown
Category:630s deaths
Category:Kings of Wessex