Aethelbert of East Anglia

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One of the three known coins of Aethelberht

Aethelbert (died May 20, 794 at Sutton Wells, Herefordshire) was king of East Anglia. His reign may have begun in 779 - the date provided for the beginning of his reign on the uncertain authority of a much later saint's life. He was put to death by Offa of Mercia under unclear circumstances. His death lead to a domination of East Anglia by Mercia; Mercian kings ruled over East Anglia for thirty of the thirty-two years after Aethelbert's demise. Aethelbert has also been canonized and is the subject of a series of vitae dating from the eleventh century onwards. The Church of England cathedral at Hereford is dedicated to him.