Wihtlæg

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Wihtlæg, Whitlæg, Wighlek or Wiglek is a legendary king of either Denmark or Angeln in Germanic legends.

In Anglo-Saxon genealogies, Whitlæg is one of the Sons of Odin. According to the genealogies in the Anglian collection, Weothulgeot was ancestor to the royal house of Mercia and the father of Whitlæg. According to the Historia Britonum, Weothulgeot was father of Weaga who was father of Whitlæg. But the two Anglo-Saxon Chronicle versions of this genealogy include neither Weothulgeot nor Weaga but make Whitlæg himself the son of Woden. In all versions Whitlæg is father of Wermund, father of Offa of Angel. According to the Old English poem Widsith Offa ruled over the continental Angels.

The Danish Chronicon Lethrense (and the included Annales Lundenses) tell that the Danish king Rorik Slengeborre was succeeded by his son Wighlek. This Wiglek married Nanna, and he ruled in peace. He died in his bed and was succeeded by his son Wermund, the father of Offe (Offa).

The somewhat later Danish chronicle Gesta Danorum tells that when the Danish king Rorik Slyngebond had died Wiglek succeeded him. He took all the wealth from the mother of Amleth (Hamlet) and complained about Amleth's actions as the ruler of Jutland. Amleth, on the other hand offered Wiglek riches, in reconciliation. Wiglek disposed of Fiallar, the ruler of Scania who retired to Undensakre, and then he mustered the leidang of Zealand and Scania, and sent a message to Amleth challenging him to war. In the battle Amleth fell, and his wife Hermutrude gave up herself as Wiglek's spoil of war. Wiglek died of illness and was succeeded by his son Wermund, the father of Uffo (Offa).


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Preceded by
Woden		 Legendary king of the Angles Succeeded by
Wermund
Preceded by
Rorik Slyngebond		 Saxo's kings of Denmark Succeeded by
Wermund