Wihtred of Kent

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Wihtred (died April 23, 725) was a King of Kent (690 - 725). He was a son of Ecgberht I and a brother of Eadric.

He became king during the period of disorder in Kent that followed the invasion of Caedwalla of Wessex. Oswine, a king who had been supported by Mercia, lost power in 690, but Swæfheard (son of Sebbi, the king of Essex), who had been a king in Kent for a year or two, remained. Wihtred emerged and became king late in 690, apparently ruling alongside Swæfheard. Swæfheard maintained his position until at least 692, but by 694 Wihtred was the sole ruler of Kent.

It was also in 694 that Wihtred made peace with the West Saxon king Ine, which he achieved by paying compensation for the killing of Caedwalla's brother, Mul, in 687. Wihtred produced a law code for Kent, which was notable for its generosity toward the Church, which was granted freedom from taxation.

On his death, he left Kent to his three sons: Æðelberht II, Eadberht I, and Ælfric.

One of Wihtred’s charters [1] is dated 17 July 694 in his third year, another [2] is dated 8 April 699 in Wihtred’s eighth year, and a charter of his son, later Æðelberht II [3], is dated 11 July 724 in Wihtred’s thirty third year, so Wihtred’s accession fell between 18 July 691 and 8 April 692.