Beorhtwulf of Mercia (820-852) was King of Mercia from 840 to 852, succeeding Wigstan and preceding Burgred of Mercia.
Biography[]
Beorhtwulf was born in 820, the grandson of King Beornwulf of Mercia. His son Beorhtfrith murdered King Wigstan of Mercia in 840 after Wigstan refused to let Beorhtfrith marry his (Wigstan's) mother, causing Beorhtwulf to rise to the throne. In 841, Vikings raided Lindsey, followed by London in 842 and 851. This second assault put Beorhtwulf to flight, and Mercia soon fell into poverty. Wessex capitalized on Mercia's weakness by annexing Berkshire, and Beorhtwulf also lost the loyalty of his Welsh vassals. He died in 852.