Æthelbert II of Kent
Encyclopedia
Æthelbert II (725–762) was king of Kent
. Upon the death of his father Wihtred
s:Ecclesiastical History of the English People/Book 5#23, the kingdom was ruled by his three sons, Æthelbert II, Eadberht I
and Ælfric. Æthelbert seems to have outlived both of his brothers and later reigned jointly with his nephew Eardwulf
. He died in 762, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (recorded under 760 due to chronological dislocation). He seems to have left a son, Eadberht II
.
It is also said that an unnamed daughter married Ealhmund
, King of Kent.
He issued a charter before his accession, dated 11 July 724, that was witnessed by his father. As king he issued further charters, confirmed a charter of his brother Eadberht I, and witnessed a charter of his nephew Eardwulf.
During the latter half of Æðelberht II's rule, Kent was under the overlordship of Mercia
, but Æðelberht II maintained his position as king.
Kingdom of Kent
The Kingdom of Kent was a Jutish colony and later independent kingdom in what is now south east England. It was founded at an unknown date in the 5th century by Jutes, members of a Germanic people from continental Europe, some of whom settled in Britain after the withdrawal of the Romans...
. Upon the death of his father Wihtred
Wihtred of Kent
Wihtred was king of Kent from about 690 or 691 until his death. He was a son of Ecgberht I and a brother of Eadric. Wihtred acceded to the throne after a confused period in the 680s, which included a brief conquest of Kent by Cædwalla of Wessex and subsequent dynastic conflicts...
s:Ecclesiastical History of the English People/Book 5#23, the kingdom was ruled by his three sons, Æthelbert II, Eadberht I
Eadbert I of Kent
Eadberht I was king of Kent from 725 to 748. After his father, Wihtred of Kent died, he inherited the kingdom of Kent along with his two brothers Æðelberht II and Ælfric. Æðelberht II seems to have been the eldest and more dominant brother. Eadberht I died in 748, according to the Anglo-Saxon...
and Ælfric. Æthelbert seems to have outlived both of his brothers and later reigned jointly with his nephew Eardwulf
Eardwulf of Kent
Eardwulf was King of Kent, jointly with Æðelberht II.Eardwulf is known from two charters, one is undated , but identifies Eardwulf’s father as Eadberht I ; the other has a date that that is incompatible with its witness list ), as it is dated 762, but witnessed by Archbishop Cuðbert, who died in...
. He died in 762, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (recorded under 760 due to chronological dislocation). He seems to have left a son, Eadberht II
Eadberht II
Eadberht II, King of Kent, jointly with Sigered. He was apparently the son of Æðelberht II.Eadberht II is known from three charters. As a result of confusion with Eadberht I, these charters have been subjected to tampering...
.
It is also said that an unnamed daughter married Ealhmund
Ealhmund of Kent
Ealhmund was King of Kent in 784.The only contemporary evidence of him is an abstract of a charter dated in that year, in which Ealhmund granted land to the Abbot of Reculver...
, King of Kent.
He issued a charter before his accession, dated 11 July 724, that was witnessed by his father. As king he issued further charters, confirmed a charter of his brother Eadberht I, and witnessed a charter of his nephew Eardwulf.
During the latter half of Æðelberht II's rule, Kent was under the overlordship of Mercia
Mercia
Mercia was one of the kingdoms of the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy. It was centred on the valley of the River Trent and its tributaries in the region now known as the English Midlands...
, but Æðelberht II maintained his position as king.