Swithhelm

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Essex in the early Anglo-Saxon period

Swithhelm (also Suidhelmus, Suidhelm ; † around 664 ) was king of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Essex from around 660 to around 664 .

Life

From contemporary sources we only know about Swithhelm's origins that his father's name was Seaxbald. After his brother, King Sigeberht II , who was accused of being too Christian-friendly, was murdered by relatives, Swithhelm ascended the throne of Essex. His brother Swithfrith was co-regent at times.

Swithhelm, however, converted to Christianity himself on the initiative of King Æthelwald of East Anglia . Æthelwald was his godfather when he was baptized by Bishop Cedd around 661 in Rendelsham, the royal seat of East Anglia . A supremacy of East Anglia over Essex cannot be ruled out for the time of Swithhelm.

Swithhelm died around 664 when an epidemic broke out across Britain that claimed numerous victims. He was succeeded by Sighere and Sebbi as kings each over part of Essex.

swell

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Beda: HE 3.27
  2. ^ William of Malmesbury : Chronicle of the Kings of England , 12th century; Translation by Rev. John Sharpe, 1815. JA Giles (ed.). London: George Bell and Sons, 1904, Book 1, chap. 4th
  3. ↑ a b Beda: HE 3.22
  4. ^ Swithhelm in Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
  5. ^ Richard Hoggett: The Archeology of the East Anglian Conversion (Anglo-Saxon Studies), Boydell & Brewer, 2010, ISBN 978-1843835950 , p. 26.
  6. ↑ Barbara Yorke: Kings and Kingdoms of early Anglo-Saxon England , Routledge, 2002, ISBN 978-0-415-16639-3 , p. 65.
  7. ↑ Bede: HE 3.30
predecessor Office successor
Sigeberht II. King of Essex
between 653 and 664 – around 664
possibly shared with Swithfrith 		Sighere
Sebbi
personal data
SURNAME Swithhelm
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Suidhelmus; Suidhelm
BRIEF DESCRIPTION King of Essex
DATE OF BIRTH 6th century or 7th century
DATE OF DEATH at 664