Aethelbald of Wessex (1 January 834-20 December 860) was the King of Wessex from 858 to 860, succeeding Aethelwulf of Wessex and preceding Aethelbert of Wessex.
Biography[]
Aethelbald was the son of Aethelwulf of Wessex and Osburga. In 856, when his father was returning from a pilgrimage to Rome, Aethelbald plotted with the Bishop of Sherborne and Eanwulf of Somerset to prevent him from resuming his kingship; his father's marriage to the 12-year-old Frankish princess Judith of Flanders could produce a more-valuable heir than him. Aethelwulf allowed Aethelbard to rule western Wessex while he ruled eastern Wessex, and Aethelbald took over all of Wessex on Aethelwulf's death in 858. Aethelbald married his mother-in-law, who was still 9 years younger than him, although it was considered by the clergy to be incestuous. He died in 860, and Aethelbert of Wessex succeeded him as king.
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