Egbert of Wessex (769-839) was the king of Wessex from 802 to 839, succeeding Beorhtric of Wessex and preceding Aethelwulf of Wessex.
Biography[]
Egbert was born in 769 to Ealhmund Eafasson. Egbert was forced into exile by Offa of Mercia and Beorhtric of Wessex in order to maintain Mercian succession to the throne of Wessex. However, in 802 he returned home to take the crown after Beorhtric was accidentally poisoned by his wife, and Egbert became the new king of Wessex. He maintained Wessex's independence from Mercia, and at the 825 Battle of Ellandun, he defeated Beornwulf of Mercia and took control of the Mercian dependencies in southeastern England. After subduing Northumbria, Egbert came to rule all of Britain, but within a year Wiglaf of Mercia regained his throne. He died in 839, and was succeeded by Aethelwulf of Wessex.