Æscwine of Wessex

Æscwine
King of Wessex
Reign	674–676
Died	after 676
Predecessor	Cenwalh
Successor	Centwine
Father	Cenfus

Æscwine was a King of Wessex from about 674 to 676, but probably not the only king in Wessex at the time.

Bede writes that after the death of King Cenwalh: "his under-rulers took upon them the kingdom of the people, and dividing it among themselves, held it ten years".^[1] West Saxon tradition has Cenwalh succeeded as ruler for one year by his wife Seaxburh, after which Æscwine appears. Another source claims that Æscwine's father, Cenfus (Old English: Cēnfūs), ruled for two years after Seaxburh.^[2]

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle places Æscwine's reign as beginning circa 674. The entry supplies a genealogy, making him a fifth-generation descendant of Cynric. Bede's dismissal of Æscwine as a mere sub-king may represent the views of the supporters of the King Ine, whose family ruled Wessex in Bede's time,^[3] as Ine's family were bona fide descendants of Cynric through Ceawlin's son Cuthwine.

In 675, Æscwine defeated an invasion of Wessex led by the Mercian King Wulfhere at Biedanheafde, a location which has not been certainly identified.

Æscwine was succeeded by Centwine.

Notes

^ Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People, Book IV, chapter 12.
^ Kirby, D.P., The Earliest English Kings, p.52. Cenfus is not listed in modern king lists, e.g. Yorke, Barbara, Kings and Kingdoms of Early Anglo-Saxon England, pp. 133–134.
^ Kirby, pp. 52–53.

Regnal titles
Preceded by Seaxburh	King of Wessex 674–676?	Succeeded by Centwine

Monarchs of Wessex

House of Wessex Family tree

Cerdic Cynric Ceawlin Ceol Ceolwulf Cynegils Cwichelm Cenwalh Penda of Mercia Cenwalh restored Seaxburh Æscwine Centwine Cædwalla Ine Æthelheard Cuthred Sigeberht Cynewulf Beorhtric Egbert Æthelwulf Æthelbald Æthelberht Æthelred Alfred Edward Ælfweard The Kingdom of England

Persondata
Name	Aescwine Of Wessex
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death	676
Place of death