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Aelfgar - earl of Mercia,Aelfgar inherited one of the post powerful earldoms of the late English period. He came from the powerful family of Leofwine, who probably came from the Gloucester - Winchcombe area. However, he married Aelfgifu, the god daughter of Wulfric Spot, thus uniting the two powerful Mercian families of Wulfrun and Leofwine. His father, Leofric, had been earl of Mercia since 1017 and as such had built up a huge power base. To give an example of this power and wealth in 1050 Aelfgar sent an ornate gospel to Rhiems in memory of his son Burchard who had died in Rome after a pilgrimage there. In 1053 Aelfgar was made earl of East Anglia however this was short lived as the real politic of mid 11th century England meant he was replaced by the Harold in 1055 and he was exiled in Ireland. He then went to Wales where Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, a Welsh prince, became a valuable ally. Gruffydd, along with the support of a Scandinavian force, helped reinstate Aelfgar. This culminated with a successful combined attack on the English forces at Herefordshire. However, this help didn't help Gruffydd in the long runs as Harold, was able to finally attack him in 1063 and he was killed in Wales. In 1057 Leofric died and Aelfgar became earl of Mercia. Whilst the family of Aelfgar was rich and powerful it was not as rich as their rival the family of Godwine, earl of Wessex, whose family wealth was approximately double that of Aelfgar. Despite this Aelfgar's sons Edwin and Morcar become earls in their own right and his daughter Ealdgyth married Harold - thus uniting the two most powerful families in the kingdom. The lands of Aelfgar were spread throughout Mercia, Lincolnshire and northern East Anglia. There was a concentration of estates around the River Trent/Mease valley area - which may have been inherited from Wufric Spot. Aelfgar died sometime in 1062 - possibly as a result of political intrigue and was succeeded by his son Edwin.
AelfgifuDaughter of Aelfhelm, concubine to Cnute. Had two sons, Harold Harefoot - king of England after Cnute and Sweyn, with whom she ruled Norway between 1030 - 1035 before being expelled. Her brothers were Wulheah and Ufgeat. Her uncle was Wulfric Spot and she was known as Aelfgifu of Northampton - which would suggest her connection with the Mercian nobility. There is a suggestion that she first meet Cnute as early as 1013 when he was trying to gain the English crown. If this is the case then it does suggest that Anglo Danish Mercians may have been in league with Cnute.
AelfgifuMarried to Aelfgar, daughter of Ealdgyth and Morcar. Mother to Edwin, Morcar, and Leofwine. May have also been the mother to Lucy and Herewood the Wake. However the last two are open to debate.
AelfhelmEarl of Northumbria murdered in 1006. Son of Wulfrun, brother of Wulfric Spot and Aelfthryth. Had two sons Wulheah and Ufgeat. His daughter Aelfgifu was the concubine of Cnute.
AelfthrythSister of Wulfric Spot.
Aethelbald - Mercian King 716 - 757Murdered at Seckington in 757. First Mercian Brethwalda was somewhat of an outsider when he succeeded to the thrown having been banished in his earlier life. He spent some of his banishment with St. Guthlac. He greatly increased the power and influence of the Mercian kingdom and is believed to have ensured the selection of Tatwine to Archbishop. He was also something of a womaniser and at one time had to compensate the nuns at Evesham after he had compromised the chastity of a number of the nuns.
Aethelflaeda - Lady of the MerciansShe was a significant figure of early 10th century Mercia. She was the daughter of Alfred the Great who was married to Aethelred - earl of Mercia. As to their actual position within Mercia is unclear i.e. were they virtual sub kings to a Wessex king of England. Certainly Alfred would not have married his daughter to an insignificant thegn for no reason. Whatever the reason by the turn of the 10th century they were starting to encircle the Anglo Danish Mercians. They built a series of burh along the line of the Danelaw boundary. Aethelred died in 911 but Aethelflaida continued the work. She gained the title Lady of the Mercians during this period. It's exact meaning is unclear but undoubtedly was meant to have some significance. Between 914 and 917 she regained the Anglo Danish towns of Derby and Leicester as well as sending an army to Wales to deal with the Welsh. Her real significance can perhaps be seen by the fact that on her death in 918 her brother, Edward the Elder, Wessex king of England felt it necessary to take control of Tamworth and to abduct Aethelflaeda's daughter Aelfwyn. Clearly, he didn't want an independent Mercia once more growing to be a power base to rival his own in Wessex. Interestingly, Aethelstan was brought up at the court of Aethelred and Aethflaeda.
Aethelred - Earl of Mercia 881 ? - 911Husband of Aethelflaeda- became earl after the death of Ceolwulf II. It is unclear as to whether he was related to Ceolwulf - the name suggest that he was not. He may have come from the land of the Hwicce as there is a charter from Worcester in 886 which shows him lord there. He was given London when it was taken from the Danes in 886 by Alfred. This probably had as much to do with politics as anything else. London had been a Mercian town for at least 200 years and as such it's return would have gained considerable favour with the Mercians for the king of Wessex. By 900 Aethelred and his wife were pursuing active policies of encirclement of the Danes in Anglo Danish Mercia. They started to build a series of burhs along the border between the two areas. This work was continued after Aethelred's death in 911. Aethelstan, the future king, was brought up at Aethelred's court. Again, whether this was a political move or one which simple got rid of a rival to accession of Edward the elder is unclear. None the less it proved very useful when Aethelstan was made king in 924 as he was able to unify the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex.
Aethelrid - Mercian King 674 - 702/4Son of Penda - became king in 674 when he succeeded his brother Wulfhere. He died about 716. He abdicated in 704 when he became a monk. His wife Osthryth, the daughter of Oswiu. She was murdered in 697. Their son was Ceolrid. Aethelrid may have been related to Egwin, bishop of Worcester. In 675 he sent Wilfrid to Rome and Peterborough was given special Papal status. St. Guthlac fought in his armies before taking up a religious life.
Aethelstan - King of England 924 - 940Wessex king brought up in Mercia by Aethelflaeda. He was not born to the designated 'queen-to-be' unlike his brother Aethelweard or 'to the purple' like Edmund. . Aethelflaida was his aunt and his upbringing in Mercia is thought to have been more ecclesiastical than most Kings. He was after all not thought to have been a likely King. His brother's death soon after his father was in mysteries circumstances and Aethelstan was chosen as king - interestingly first of all by the Mercians. The upshot of this typical succession battle was that by the of 924 Aethelstan was King of the English south of the Humber. One of his first acts as king was to give his sister to the son of the king of the Old Saxons. This was followed in 926 by another political marriage of another sister to Sihtric, king of Northumbria, at Tamworth in January of that year. By the end of 927 this marriage had paid dividends as Aethlestan had been proclaimed the king of Northumbria. He also subdued the Welsh of Wales and old Welsh kingdom of Cornwall - thus effectively becoming the first real king of England. In 934 Aethelstan lead a long campaign against King Constantine and proved his command of the whole of island of Britain. His most effective victory was at Brunanburh in 937. Aethelstan was not only a fearless warrior king but he was also a cultured collect of artefacts from all over Europe - which also helped to forge contacts with other European kingdoms. He died in 940 - childless and was buried at Malmsbury rather than the traditional Wessex king mausoleum at Winchester.
Aethelwulf - King of Wessex 839 - 858Father of Alfred the Great -King of Wessex. His daughter Aethelswith was married to Burghred. He was the grandson of Offa via his mother, Redburga, who married Egbert.
Alfred the Great - Wessex King 871 - 901Father of Aethelflaeda - King of Wessex. He was the great grandson of Offa. He is seen as the king which saved the English from the Danes. He established the burh as a fortified settlement from which the Danish incursions could be defended. In 868 he and his brother Aethelred lead a Wessex army to help Burghred against the Danes at Nottingham. His most decisive battle was Edington in May 878 where he defeated the Danes and lead to the signing of the Treaty of Wedmore. This divided England into English and Danish spheres and lead to the establishment of the Danelaw. He died in 899
Beornwulf - Mercian King 823 - 825Of unknown origin - maybe part of the 'B' line of Mercians Kings - however this is speculation more than anything else. He became King in 823 after expelling Ceolwulf. He was defeated in battle by Ecgberht, King of Wessex in 825 at the battle of Ellendun and later that year was killed by the East Angles.
Burghred -Mercian King 852 - 874Last king of Mercia - went to Rome after the Danish invasion of 873. His wife was the sister of Alfred the Great. His own ancestors are unknown although he might be connected to the 'B' line of Mercian kings. This, however, is no more than speculation. His reign as King was greatly effected by the increasing threat from the Danish army. In 868 he asked Aethelred, king of Wessex and Alfred to help him fight the Danes at Nottingham. The battle was in indecisive. Burghred had started his reign with traditional Mercian concerns - the Welsh. He had lead a successful campaign in Wales in 852 with the help of Aethelwulf, king of Wessex. This was the same year that he married his wife, Aethelwulf's daughter.
CenwalhIn 641 Cenwalh is king of West Saxons - he orders the church at Winchester to be built. Cenwalh was the son of Cynegils. He married Penda's sister Sexaburga. In 645 Penda drives Cenwalh from Wessex after he deserted his wife, Penda's sister. In 646 he is baptised. In 658 Cenwalh fought the Welsh at Penselwood after he had come out of exile in East Anglia. He had been forced there by Penda. He is the father of a whole line of Wessex and eventually Mercian kings. Along with his wife Sexaburga they create one of the three main branches of Mercian dynasty. He died in 672 when his wife ruled for one year in his place.
Cenwulf - Mercian King 796 - 821Son of Cuthbert who was descendent of Sexaburga. He married Aelfthryth and their known children are Cwenthryth - abbesses of Southminster, Kentand and Cenelm. His involvement in the Kent kingdom started early. In 798 he ravaged Kent and took it's king back to Mercia where he had his eyes gouged out and his hands cut off. It is unclear how he became King of Mercia. He certainly wasn't Offa's choice but with the death of his son the third line of the Mercian royal line - that of Sexaburga seems to have taken over. This line was as much from Wessex as Mercian. This being said it seems that his main area of activity was Wales. This was continued by his brother Ceolwulf. Cenwulf used the church councils to further his policies - such as the church council meeting at Tamworth in 798. However, he had to accede to the demands of the church over the Archbishopric of Lichfield which returned to a mere Bishopric during his reign.
Ceolrid - Mercian King 709 - 716Son of King Aethelred - became King in 709 - died in 716. Daughter was Werburh who died in 782/3 - she was said to be an Abbess when she died. He was effective overlord of all the lands between the Humber and Thames - in this he consolidated the gains of his father.
Ceonrid - Mercian King 702 - 709Son of Wulfhere - became king in 702 - abdicated in 709 and went to Rome where he died the same year. His sister was St. Werburga. It is unclear why he became King as Aethelred was still alive
Ceolwulf II- earl of Mercia 873Possibly son of St. Wistin - although just as likely to have been related to . The view of the Anglo Saxon Chronicle is that Ceolwulf II was that he was "…an unwise thegn of the King…" and he is seen as some sort of collaborator with the Danish settlers. A counter view to this is that Ceolwulf was the "…legitimate ruler of the Mercian homeland as seen in his charter issues and coinage (including a joint issue with Alfred)…" - in other words Ceolwulf may have used the Danish to gain advantage against Burghred - not an unknown tactic ! It might also say a lot about the view that the Chronicle tries to portray i.e. the events are seen from a Wessex perspective. Whatever the true picture Ceolwulf became earl of Mercia after the Danes had over wintered at Repton and was earl of Mercia for a number of years. As to when he died it is unclear (perhaps around 881) - as is who his successor was. The next known earl of Mercia was Aethelred - husband of Aethflaeda. This in itself is indicative because if Aethelred was in some ways related to Ceolwulf then he was of sufficient status to be married to the daughter of Alfred the Great and sister of the future King - such a marriages are for political reasons and this just might indicate that Ceolwulf was perhaps not quite as painted by the Wessex sources.
Ceolwulf I - Mercian King 821 - 823He was the son of Cuthbert who was descended from Sexaburga. He became king in 821 after the death of his brother Cenwulf and was expelled from the kingdom in 823.
Chad, St.Ist Bishop of Mercia, Lindsey at Lichfield - Brother of Cedd - Abbott of Lastingham (N. Yorks). Disciple of Aiden - educated partly in Ireland. Chosen by Oswiu to be Bishop of Northumbria. Chad was consecrated by Wine and 2 dubious British Bishops after the Synod of Whitby. In 669 was deposed of the Northumbria Bishopric and St. Wilfrid was restored in his place. He was then re consecrated by Archbishop Theodore and made bishop of the Mercians until he died on March 2 672, possibly of the plague, as Bede hints when referring to heaven sending a plague which 'bore away the living stones of the Church from their earthly stations....' before describing a divine warning given Chad that he did not have long to live. The ancient parish church of St Chad at Stowe, Lichfield, is traditionally thought to stand upon the site of a small monastic settlement established there by St Caedda, better known by its latinised rendering as Chad.
Cnute - King 1016 - 1035Came from the Danish royal family. King of England from 1016 to 1035. He also ruled a large part of the North Sea counties. His concubine was Aelfgifu He used Eadric Streonia in his battle for the throne of England. However, soon after his accession in 1017 Eadric was murdered.
Eadric Streonia, Earl of MerciaEadric STREONA became earldorman of Mercia in 1007. It is uncertain if STREONA was his name or whether it is a noun meaning to acquire. His brother was accused of treason against the commander of the fleet. Eadoric appears to have had nothing to do with the older Mercian family of which Wulfric Spot was a leading member. Indeed he was instrumental in the death of Morcar and his brother Sigferth, the most senior thegns in the Seven Boroughs, in 1015 when there was council in Oxford. After Aethelred's death he supported Edmund as king and then turned to Cnute after he had won a major battle at Ashington. The view of Eadric has to be tempered by the fact that the only record we have of him, the Abingdon Chronicles, appears to be very anti Eadoric. It has been suggested that his name is in someway connected with Stretton en le Field. However, there is no evidence to support this.
EaldgythDaughter of Aelfthryth, mother of Aelfgifu, wife of Aelfgar earl of Mercia. Mentioned in the will of Wulfric Spot . She was married to Morcar who was murdered with his brother in 1015.
Ecgfrith - Mercian King 796Became King of Mercia around July 796 and died either 14 or 17 December 796. He was the son of Offa who carried out many dynastic murders to ensure his son's succession. However this succession was short lived and by the end of the year Ecgfrith was dead and Cenwulf a distant cousin from the Sexaburga branch of the family was king.
Edith or EaldgythThe daughter of Aelfgar and sister of Edwin and Morcar. Her second husband was Harold, King of England. She is also known as Ealdgyth.
Edwin - earl of Mercia,Son of Aelfgar.- brother of Morcar. Last earl of Mercia. Sister Edith marries King Harold in 1066 . Edwin and Morcar rebel against the King after King William refused to give his Daughter to Edwin in marriage. The King reacted to the rebellion by Marching from Warwick to Nottingham then onto York where the rebellion was finally crushed. By 1071 they had both fled from the King - Edwin was killed by his own troops.
Egbert - King of Wessex 802 - 839King of Wessex - was married to Offa's daughter Redburga. In 829 he displaced Wiglaf from the thrown of Mercia. He was the grand father of Alfred the Great and died in 839.
EowaHe was the father of one of the three dynastic lines of Mercian kings. He was the brother of Penda and may have been the sub king of Mercia. He was the grandfather of Aethelbald. He died in 641 at the battle of Masterfield.
Godiva, LadyWife of Leofric - Earl of Mercia, sister of Thorold, sheriff of Lincoln. Grandmother of rebel earls Edwin and Morcar. Famous for riding nude through street. At the time of Doomsday held land at Appleby.
Guthlac, St.Mercian saint of noble blood who gave up a life of fight and rabble rousing for the religion. He spent his early religious life at Repton before forming the abbey at Crowland.
Hardulph, St.Hermit who lived at Breedon. May have had some connection with St. Modwenna.
Harold HarefootHe was the son of Aelfgifu and Cnute. It is sometimes disputed over whether he was Cnute's bastard son. He ruled as King of England from 1035 to 1040. His brother was Sweyn.
Harold - King of England 1066,From the Wessex house of Godwinesson. Was elected King by the Witan in 1066. Married to Edith, sister of Edwin and Morcar. Killed at the battle of Hastings by King William
Henry De FerrersMajor land owner in area - given the honour of Tutbury after Hugh De Avanchies was given the earldom of Chester.
Henry De Ferrers - 4th earl of DerbyMarried to Agnes, sister of Ranulf de Blondeville. Died at Evington in 1254 after having an accident in Huntingdon involving the carriage he was travelling in.
Herewood the WakeMay have been the brother of Edwin and Morcar. What is clear is that he lead a rebellion in 1071 against King William in the marches around Ely. He was joined by Morcar who was also in revolt against William.
Hugh d' Avranches earl of ChesterHugh d' Avranches 1st Earl of Chester from 1071 onwards. Came to England in 1068 having been left in Normandy to maintain the government. Initially, was given the honour of Tutbury but then moved to the much more powerful earldom of Chester. One of the most powerful men in Norman England - richly rewarded "...meant to share the burden of government of the realm..." held land in 19 counties. Chester was a Welsh marcher Earldom - in effect a small kingdom on it's own. He had so many knights that he always moved about with an army rather than a household Towards the end of his life he became very fat and was known as Hugh the Fat. He had two sons, Richard who died at the White boat tragedy and a an illegitimate son Ottuel.
Hugh de GrandmesnilHugh de Grandmesnil after being banished from Normandy in 1058 was reinstated in 1063 at the Castle of Neufmarche en Lions in Normandy. He was at the Battle of Hastings and received a grant of 100 manors by Duke William, mostly in the county of Leicestershire where he was the chief landowner and also Sheriff. He was one of the barons invested with the government of England during the King's absences in Normandy. He married Countess Adeliza who brought him Brokesbourne in Herefordshire and another three lordships in Warwick. In 1088 he rebelled against King Ruffus and had much of his land devastated. Hugh of Grandnesnil died in 1098 and passed the honour of Leicester to his son Ivo. He committed an act of cowardice whilst on a crusade and then pledged all his lands to Robert, count of Meulan, in return for a loan to enable him to return to Jerusalem and regain his honour. He and his wife died on the pilgrimage and the inheritance passed to Robert and not Ivo's son
Leofric - earl of Mercia,Husband of Godiva. Leofric was Earl of Mercia between 1017 - 1057. Father of Aelfgar. A leading English Magnate who was said to have assented to Duke William succeeding the Crown after the death of King Edward the Confessor. His great cousin was Leofric of Peterborough. He established the Benedictine abbey at Coventry in 1043.
Leofwine, earl of Mercia 1017Father of Leofric
Leofric of PeterboroughAbbot at Burton Abbey and Peterborough. Was the cousin of earl Leofric. Died in 1075
LucyA pivotal figure in the development of late English early Norman Midlands. It is unclear as to who her parents were. One tradition is that she is the daughter of Aelfgifu and Aelfgar. However, the more modern views is that she was related to them via Thorold, sheriff of Lincoln. Either way she appears to have married into the powerful Norman earl of Chester family. However before this she had married Ivo de Taillebois. Her second husband was Roger de Romare - by whom she had William de Roumare, earl of Lincoln. After this she married Ranulf de Meschan, earl of Chester by whom she had Ranulf de Gernon. William de Roumare and Ranulf de Gernon were involved in the revolt against King Stephen. What is clear is that around the time of the marriage of Lucy to Ranulf a considerable amount of land in the Mease Valley area came under the control of the earls of Chester - including the Wapentake of Repton and Gresley. If this was connected to the marriage of Lucy it is unclear but it is interesting to note that the Wapentake came under the control of the dowager countess Maud, widow of Ranulf de Gernon in the 1150's. Whatever the true lineage of Lucy she can be seen as the link between the powerful late Mercian dynasty and the equally powerful Norman earl of Chester dynasty. However, it must also be remembered that much of her life is at best unreliable and perhaps untrue.
Modweena St.She was a nun who was buried at Andressey near to Burton. She may have had some connection to St. Hardulph , the hermit of Breedon. She may have had land granted to her by an early Mercian king - although this is unclear.
Morcar - earl of Northumbria,Son of Aelfgar brother of Edwin. Sister Edith marries King Harold in 1066 . Edwin and Morcar rebel against the King after King William refused to give his daughter to Edwin in marriage. The King reacted to the rebellion by marching from Warwick to Nottingham then onto York where the rebellion was finally crushed. By 1071 Morcar went onto join Herewood the Wake in the Marshes of Ely. He was later captured and spent the rest of his life in prison.
Offa - Mercian King 757 - 796Possibly the most famous Mercian king was a product of the Eowa branch of the ruling Mercian family. It is unclear how he became the king of the Mercians after Aethelbald's assassination in 757. Undoubtedly some form of civil war followed until the Kingship was settled by the end of the year. His first few years appear to be that of consolidation rather than expansion of power. However, as the years progressed it would appear that his power grew. Two examples of this power would be the creation of the Archbishopric at Lichfield and the letters he received from king Charliemagne which refer to him as 'brother'. His most famous monument is series of defences that were constructed on the Mercian/Welsh border known as Offa's dyke. As with all kings of this period he spent the majority of his time on the move from one royal vill to the next. He seems to have been very interested in the affairs of the church and presided over many church councils. Clearly he saw the church as an extension of his own power. He also seems to have been obsessed by his own accession and is believed to have systematically killed any other claimants to the Mercian thrown other than his son Ecgfrith. However, this policy may have lead to the long term decline of Mercia as Ecgfrith only survived Offa by one year and the dynastic fighting which followed may have allowed the rising kingdom of Wessex to usurp Mercia's prominence. Offa died in 796 at Bedford leaving a kingdom which was at the peak of it's powers. It controlled the whole of central England and influenced the kingdoms far beyond it's borders. Nonetheless after Offa the Mercian kingdom went into slow decline to be replaced by the kingdom of Wessex.
Olaf Guthfrithson - Norse King of Northern EnglandInvaded Tamworth in 940. He later signed a treaty with king Edward at Leicester to prevent full blown war between the two.
PeadaPeada was the son of Penda. He received the Mercian kingdom on Peada's death and worked with King Oswiu of Northumbria, in the establishment of the Mercian monastery at Peterborough. Oswiu earlier that year had killed Penda in battle and appears to have overall control of the Mercian kingdom. Peada appears to have been the sub king of the Middle Angles or Outer Mercia. However, his reign as king was short lived as in Easter 656 he was betrayed by his wife and murdered. His brother Wulfhere became king and completed the consecration of monastery at Peterborough..
PendaThe earliest King of Mercia was Cearl, Penda is not known to have been related to Cearl. He was the son of Pybba and grandson of Creoda whose ancestry is traced through Offa and Waermund to Woden. It is not known if Pybba or Creoda were Kings of Mercia. Beyond this genealogy it is clear that Penda was the first powerful king of Mercia. Through his almost continual warfare he established the Mercian kingdom as one of the dominant kingdoms of England. His home land was probably the tribal lands of the Tomasetians and may have also controlled the area of outer Mercia or Middle Anglia where his son is believed to have been king. Penda was born around 575 - however this is not certain as it is calculated from when he became King of Mercians either 626 or 632 as he was supposed to be 50 years of age.. His brother Eowa, who was killed in 642, may have been a sub King of Mercia. He died on 15th November 655. He was the last pagan king of Mercia but by 653 he had converted to Christianity as well. As befitting a man who forged his power in warfare he died in battle by the king of Northumbria. To show his power 30 other of his royal kin were also killed in battle a number kings in their own right. Clearly, Penda's call to arms was heard through out the kingdom and answered by Kings.
Ranulf de Blondeville - 6th earl of ChesterEarl between 1181 - 1232. Sister Agnes married Henry de Ferrers. He was one of the greatest Anglo Norman magnates after King John - being one of the few earls who could field an army of his own. In 1210 was the Chief Justiciar. He appears to have been very influential in the way that the young King Henry was brought up. No decision appears to have been made about the young King without consultation with Rannulf. During his time as earl of Chester the priory at Repton was developed and he was involved in the development of Coventry - being a patron of a Grey friars church. IN 1217 he was held under siege at a castle at Mountsorrel along with the earl Ferrers by the French. Around about this time he also drew up the CART COMMUNIS CESTRIENSIS which is seen as the Cheshire Magna Carta. In this document certain privileges were granted to the to lower order people. He died in 1232.
Ranulf de Meschin - 3rd earl of ChesterHusband of Lucy, father of Ranulf de Gernon, 4th earl of Chester and Hugh, 5th earl of Chester. He inherited the title of earl of Chester through his father's marriage to Maude, the sister of the second earl, Hugh. During his time as earl acquired land at Appleby which had been Godiva's at the time of the Doomsday. Ranulf also gained land in Lincolnshire through his marriage to Lucy. His step son was William de Roumare, earl of Lincoln. Ranulf was given lordship of Carlisle in 1092, however this was later taken from him by Henry II to try and undermine his powerful position in the North of England.. He died in 1129.
Ranulf de Gernon - 4th earl of ChesterSon of Lucy and Ranulf, 3rd earl of Chester, half brother of William de Roumare, earl of Lincoln. He was involved in the revolt against King Stephen - whom he imprisoned at Lincoln.
SexaburgaAs with many people of the mid 7th century much about Sexaburga is a mystery. One school of thought is that she the sister of Peada and Eowa. There is a counter argument that she might be in some way related to King Anna of East Anglia. For the purposes of this history it is assumed that she was the sister of Peada. She was married to Cenwalh and lived in the court of Wessex kings. Her is the third major blood line of the Mercian royal family which controlled Mercia up to the Danish settlement of 873.
Stephen, King of England 1135 - 1154A weak King whose rule is known as the Anarchy. He was captured by the earls of Chester and Lincoln in 1140. The unrest continued through out his reign until he died in 1154. He created Robert de Ferrers the first earl of Derby after the battle of the Standard in 1138.
SweynBrother of Harold Harefoot and son of Aelfgifu and Cnute. In the 1030's he ruled Norway with his mother. However he was expelled and lived the rest of his life at Bruges.
TatwineArchbishop of Canterbury between 731 to 734. Priest of Breedon to whose King, the powerful Aethelbald, he probably owed his promotion to. As Archbishop he consecrated the bishop for Lindsey. He died 30th July 734 and is buried at Canterbury. Forty of Tatwine's riddles have survived which covered mainly agrarian themes. Tatwine, the monk, would appear to have come from a culture steeped in agrarian imagery
Thorold, sheriff of LincolnPossible father of Lucy.
UfgeatBrother of Wulfheah and Aelfgifu. He was the son of Aelfhelm and along with his brother was blinded in 1006.
Werburga, St.Traditionally the daughter of Wulfhere. After her father's death became a Nun at Ely under Etheldreda and possibly succeeded her mother. Aethelrid, her uncle, recalled her to Mercia and gave her charge of a number of nunneries which were either formed or founded by her. They included Weedon (Northants), Hanbury (Staffs) and Threckingham (Lincs.) where she died in C700. Her relics were taken to Chester in late 9th Century or early 10th Century.
Wilfrid, St.The first Anglo-Saxon to appeal to Rome, St. Wilfrid was born in 634 and was the son of a thegn of Northumbria. Educated at Lindisfarne, Wilfrid hated Celtic ritual and travelled to Canterbury to learn Roman usage. He undertook, with St. Benedict Biscop, a pilgrimage to Rome in 653. During this trip, Wilfrid was tonsured at Lyons and spent three years preaching among the Gauls. After his return to England, he became the abbot of Ripon and may have introduced Benedictine rule there. Wilfrid argued the case for Roman rites at the Synod of Whitby in 664. So great was his dislike of the Celtic church that he was consecrated bishop of York by the Franks to avoid having any bishop who followed the Celtic rite consecrate him. In 666, Wilfrid came back to England to claim the see of York and discovered that St. Chad was serving as the bishop of York. Wilfrid returned to Ripon for three years, and in 669, St. Theodore of Canterbury put him in charge of York. Theodore later divided York into three sees, and Wilfrid went to Rome to protest the action and be confirmed as bishop as the rightful bishop of all of York. He spent a year preaching in Frisia, before he went back to England to announce that he had won his appeal. Wilfrid was imprisoned on his return and exiled to Suffolk, where he preached among the pagans. Reconciled with Theodore in 686, Wilfrid returned to York but left five years later after a dispute with King Aldfrith. In 691 he was banished to Mercia and administered the Diocese of Leicester. In 702 he returned as Bishop of Hexham. In 709 he died at Oundle
William de Roumare, earl of LincolnSon of Lucy and Roger de Romara. He was the half brother of Ranulf de Gernon, earl of Chester. He was involved in the revolt against King Stephen - whom he imprisoned at Lincoln.
William, Duke of Normandy, King of England 1066 - 1087Was promised the throne of England after Edward the Confessors death. Defeated Harold at the battle of Hastings. During his reign faced a number of rebellions. In 1068 he crushed the Mercian revolt. Caused the Doomsday Book to be written.
WulfheahBrother of Ufgeat and Aelfgifu. He was the son of Aelfhelm and along with his brother was blinded in 1006.
Wulfhere, King of Mercia 658 - 675Was the son of Penda -became King of Mercians in 658 died in 675 - son was Ceonrid. His daughter was St. Werburga. He continued the development of the religious centre at Peterborough. He probably brought London into the Mercian sphere in 660's after conquering the Essex kingdom. By the time of his death he appears to have been effective overlord of the lands south of the river Humber as he lead a coalition into battle against Egfrith of Northumbria - however he was defeated in this battle . He was succeeded by his brother Aethelrid.
Wulfric SpotWulfric was a high placed thegn who died in the early part of the 11th century. His will is one of the best documentary evidence for the size and scope of late Anglo Danish Mercian life. It is unclear as to his exact position within Mercia but it is thought that he came from the branch of the Mercian nobility which included Wulfrun. Much of the land described in his will is contained within the study area.
WulfrunShe was the mother of Wulfric Spot - it is unclear who her husband was - however it is suspected that it was Wulfsige the Black - this is due to the land ownership patterns mentioned in charters. She was certainly married to a large land owning Mercian - such as Black. She was captured at Tamworth in 940 by Olaf Guthrithson. She founded the religious centre at Wolverhampton - whose name is derived from her.
Wulfsige the BlackIn 942 king Edmund granted 40 hides of land to Wulfsige Maur (Black) at Alrewas, Abbots Bromley, Kings Bromley, Barton under Needwood, Tattenhill, Branstone, Stretton, Rolleston, Clifton Campville, Haunton. Two other charters granted land at Walton On Trent, southern part of Coton, Cauldwell, Drakelow, Linton, Croxall, Stapenhill and Rosliston. The three charters were drawn up at a time when King had just gained control of the five boroughs and are a considerable strategic position in that they control the whole of the Upper Trent Valley. They were issued at Winchcombe. It is thought that he might have been the husband of Wulfrun and thus Wulfric Spot's father.
Wystan St.Buried at Repton after being murder - probably at Wistow in Leicestershire. Grandson of King Wiglaf was murdered after a feud over the marriage of his mother and succession to the Mercian thrown. His burial became a place of pilgrimage and continued to be so when his body was removed from Repton to Evesham by Cnute.
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