The Saxon King's

There have been 63 monarchs of England and Britain spread over a period of approximately 1200 years. In an ongoing series, we look at them in chronological order, starting with the Saxons...

The Anglo-Saxon period was one of turbulence, bloodshed and innovation. There were 13 Anglo-Saxon kings who saw the new, unified kingdom of England consolidated, fought off invasions, made (and broke) alliances and put down the basis for some of the laws, religious practices and ceremonies of kingship that we still recognise today.

Ruling from 802 - 839 Egbert (Ecgherht) was the first monarch to establish a stable and extensive rule over all of Anglo-Saxon England. After returning from exile at the court of Charlemagne in 802, he regained his kingdom of Wessex.

Following his conquest of Mercia in 827, he controlled all of England south of the Humber. After further victories in Northumberland and North Wales, he is recognised by the title Bretwalda (AngloSaxon, "Ruler of the British"). A year before he died aged almost 70, he defeated a combined force of Danes and Cornish at Hingston Down in Cornwall. He is buried at Winchester in Hampshire.

FIRST ENGLISH NAVAL BATTLE