Watt of Sussex

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Watt was a King of Sussex, reigning jointly with Noðhelm at least between 692 and 705. He is known only from charters.

[edit] Charter evidence

He witnessed a charter from Noðhelm in 692^[1] as Wattus rex, without any indication of his territory, but it is probable that he reigned in Sussex, because he also witnessed (again as Wattus rex) an undated charter (but before about 705) by "Bruny dux Suthsax"^[2] together with Nunna rex (Nunna being the short form of Noðhelm).

He is also listed as a witness (as Uuattus rex) of another charter, erroneously dated 775, which is believed to be a forgery.^[3]

[edit] King of the Hæstingas

According to Susan Kelly, "[t]he suggestion that Watt was king of the Hæstingas should be discounted; it is based solely on a misinterpretation of the place-name evidence."^[4]

[edit] References

1. ^ Miller, Sean. S 45. Retrieved on 2008-01-08. “A.D. 692. Nothhelm (Nunna), king of Sussex, to Nothgyth, his sister; grant, in order to found a minster, of 33 hides (cassati) at Lidsey, Aldingbourne, Lenstedegate (? Westergate in Aldington) and (North) Mundham, Sussex. Latin.”
2. ^ Miller, Sean. S 1173. Retrieved on 2008-01-08. “c. A.D. 700. Bruny (Bryni), dux of Sussex, to Eadberht, abbot; grant of 4 hides (manentes) Hileigh, Sussex. Latin.”
3. ^ Miller, Sean. S 43. Retrieved on 2008-01-08. “A.D. 775 for c. 705 x c. 717. Nunna, king of Sussex, to Eadberht, bishop; grant of 20 hides (tributarii) at Hugabeorgum and Dene (probably East and West Dean near Chichester). Latin with English bounds.”
4. ^ (1998) in Kelly, Susan E.: Charters of Selsey, Anglo-Saxon Charters 6. 

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