Wihtred of Kent
Wihtred of Kent.
Wihtred (c. 670 – 725) ruled the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Kent from about 690 or 691 until his death. A son of Ecgberht I and a brother of Eadric, he acceded to the throne after a brief conquest of Kent by Cædwalla of Wessex and subsequent dynastic conflicts in the 680s. His immediate predecessor was Oswine of Kent, who was probably descended from Eadbald of Kent, though not through the same line as Wihtred. Shortly after the start of his reign, Wihtred issued a code of laws that has been preserved in the Textus Roffensis manuscript (pictured). The laws pay a great deal of attention to the rights of the Church, including punishment for irregular marriages and for pagan worship. He may have married three times: to Cynegyth, Æthelburh and, late in life, Wærburh. Wihtred's long reign had few incidents recorded in the annals of the day. He was succeeded in 725 by his sons, Æthelberht II, Eadberht I, and Alric.
Wihtred (c. 670 – 725) ruled the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Kent from about 690 or 691 until his death. A son of Ecgberht I and a brother of Eadric, he acceded to the throne after a brief conquest of Kent by Cædwalla of Wessex and subsequent dynastic conflicts in the 680s. His immediate predecessor was Oswine of Kent, who was probably descended from Eadbald of Kent, though not through the same line as Wihtred. Shortly after the start of his reign, Wihtred issued a code of laws that has been preserved in the Textus Roffensis manuscript (pictured). The laws pay a great deal of attention to the rights of the Church, including punishment for irregular marriages and for pagan worship. He may have married three times: to Cynegyth, Æthelburh and, late in life, Wærburh. Wihtred's long reign had few incidents recorded in the annals of the day. He was succeeded in 725 by his sons, Æthelberht II, Eadberht I, and Alric.
