Ęthelwulf was the son of Egbert and a sub-king of Kent. He assumed the throne of Wessex upon his father's death in 839. His reign is characterized by the usual Viking invasions and repulsions common to all English rulers of the time, but the making of war was not his chief claim to fame. Ęthelwulf is remembered, however dimly, as a highly religious man who cared about the establishment and preservation of the church. He was also a wealthy man and controlled vast resources. Out of these resources, he gave generously, to Rome and to religious houses that were in need.
He was an only child, but had fathered five sons, by his first wife, Osburga. He recognized that there could be difficulties with contention over the succession. He devised a scheme which would guarantee (insofar as it was possible to do so) that each child would have his turn on the throne without having to worry about rival claims from his siblings. Ęthelwulf provided that the oldest living child would succeed to the throne and would control all the resources of the crown, without having them divided among the others, so that he would have adequate resources to rule. That he was able to provide for the continuation of his dynasty is a matter of record, but he was not able to guarantee familial harmony with his plan. This is proved by what we know of the foul plottings of his son, Ęthelbald, while Ęthelwulf was on pilgrimage to Rome in 855.
Ęthelwulf was a wise and capable ruler, whose vision made possible the beneficial reign of his youngest son, Alfred the Great.
Succeeded his brother Aethelbert, in 866. The Danes became so formidable in his reign as to threaten the conquest of the whole kingdom. Assisted by his brother Alfred, Aethelred drove them from the centre of Mercia, whither they had penetrated; but the Mercians refusing to act with him, he was obliged to trust to the West Saxons alone, his hereditary subjects. After various successes, the invaders continually increasing in numbers, Aethelred died, in consequence of a wound received in an action with them, in 871.
Reigned 802-839 (Weis says his reign was until 827). Known as the first King of All England (827-836, according to Weis), he was forced into exile at the court of Charlemagne, by the powerful Offa, King of Mercia. Egbert returned to England in 802 and was recognized as king of Wessex. He defeated the rival Mercians at the battle of Ellendun in 825. In 829, the Northumbrians accepted his overlordship and he was proclaimed "Bretwalda" or sole ruler of Britain.
Ruled from 784.
married a Kentish princess. Did not rule, according to Weis.
Did not rule, according to Weis.
Did not rule, according to Weis.
Did not rule, according to Weiss, however, Ashley says he held territory in or around Dorset.
Did not rule, acoording to Weis. Visited Rome in 688.
Did not rule, according to Weis.
With Ceawlin, captured the town of Bath from the Britons in 577. Did not rule, according to Weis in Ancestral Roots. In 577, he and his father, Ceawlin fought at Gloucester, Cirencester, and Bath, defeating the Britons.