Wiglaf of Mercia

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Wiglaf was King of Mercia from 827 to 829 and again from 830 until his death in 840. His rule coincided with the continued rise of the rival Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex under Egbert.

Wiglaf does not seem to have been a member of the traditional Mercian royal line, but he legitimized his position with his marriage to Cynethryth, the sister of Coenwulf and Ceolwulf I. He became king after his predecessor, Ludeca, was killed in a failed attempt to subjugate the rebellious East Anglians. At this time, Mercia was engaged in a conflict with Wessex, which had begun during the reign of Beornwulf in 825, and in 829, Ecgbert of Wessex successfully invaded Mercia and drove Wiglaf from his throne.

Historically speaking, this event marked the beginning of the domination of England by Wessex, but the Mercians possibly regained their independence and brought Wiglaf back to power in the following year. It is unclear whether this was the result of a Mercian rebellion against West Saxon rule or a grant made by Ecgbert to a submissive Wiglaf; the 20th century historian Frank Stenton argued that the former is more likely, and cited a charter of 836 as evidence that Wiglaf was acting as an independent ruler at that time.^[1]