List of monarchs of Sussex

This article is part of a series on
the kings of Anglo-Saxon England
Essex       Mercia       East Anglia       Kent       Northumbria       Sussex       Wessex

This list of kings and ealdormen of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Sussex contains substantial gaps, and many of the dates from this time are unreliable. No authentic South Saxon king list or genealogy exists. Most kings are known only from charters, some of which are forgeries, so great care is required in assigning dates to the kings. The styles listed below are copied from the authentic charters that are available online. The traditional residence of the South Saxon kings was at Kingsham, once outside the southern walls of Chichester although within its modern boundaries.^[1]

Problems with the term "monarch"

To call these rulers "monarchs" is potentially misleading; Noðhelm reigned with two or three colleagues and Oslac with four. The locations of the lands granted in their charters indicate that they reigned jointly and that there was no division of territory. Such joint reigns can also be demonstrated for Hwicce, Essex, and Wessex. Indeed, “[t]here is nothing remarkable in the existence of two or even more contemporary kings in the same people in the seventh century. The ancient idea that royal dignity was a matter of birth rather than of territorial rule still survived at this date.”^[2]

Kings and Ealdormen of the South Saxons

In 825 the South Saxons submitted to Ecgberht, King of Wessex.

See also

• List of monarchs of Wessex
• List of English monarchs

References