The year is 449, three ships
carrying men of the Angle tribe sail by the east coast of Romano-Briton's
shores. These ferocious warriors have travelled in search of employment and
opportunity from the region of Anglia (today covering Northern Germany and Southern
Denmark). When they arrive on land, they are welcomed with open arms by the
natives and freely pass through fortifications initially designed to keep them
out. The Britons have hired these Germanic mercenaries to protect their
Northern territories against raids from Picts and Scots. However, after
successfully fulfilling this purpose, a group of these mercenaries came across
a flat and fertile land predominately surrounded by coastline. This South
easterly region made them realise they were not that homesick after all. The
Romano-Briton presence would cease to exist, and the area in question would
later become the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia.
The terrain itself is marshy with low-lying meadows and over 90 miles of coastline covering its eastern boundaries, making it an ideal environment for providing agriculture and fishing.
The kingdom covered the now English counties of
Norfolk and Suffolk along with parts of Cambridgeshire and The Fens. Norfolk
refers to the 'North Folk' inhabitants of the realm, and Suffolk refers to the
'South Folk'. Compared to other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, East Anglia's historical
timeline is vague and mysterious. To understand the reason behind this
protohistorical occurrence, we must first jump forward in time. In 865, the now
Christian Anglo-Saxons had to withstand an invasion from a Pagan force. This
foreign menace came from Scandinavia and was named the Vikings; their army
would be referred to by contemporary Saxon scholars as the 'Great Heathen
Army'. Similar to what the Anglo-Saxon ancestors did to the Romano-Britons, the
Vikings mainly started their occupation in the East of England—Northumbria and
East Anglia to be exact. During this epoch, the ruler of the Angles was King
Edmund. He would later be known as Saint Edmund the Martyr after being executed
by Viking marauders for championing the Christian faith. At the time, it was
the duty of the clergymen to scribe and record accounts of the land and its
notable inhabitants. These documents were kept inside churches, monasteries,
and abbeys. The majority of these religious sites were burnt and destroyed
during the Viking purge of East Anglia, resulting in many historical scriptures
being lost.
We can now go back and start
in the mid-6th century to the first king of the East Angles. He was named
Wehha, although some believe his son, Wuffa, was the first true king of the
region. His identity is uncertain as there are minimal sources about him. We
can only assume he founded a nation that would act as a home for not only
Angles but additionally, some Jutes and Frisians. Both Wehha and Wuffa are
viewed as semi-historical figures, but Wuffa would sow the seeds for a
long-ruling dynasty inspired by his name, the Wuffingas. Old English
translations of the Wuffingas vary from 'the kin of the wolf' to 'descendants
of the wolf'. It is believed that his rule began in 571 when he established his
royal seat at Rendlesham (Suffolk): a base of authority and administration for
future East Anglian monarchs. Signs show that the Wuffingas had ties not only
to Germany but also Scandinavia. Compared to other English kingdoms, East
Anglia still had a close traditional affiliation with the region. It is widely
accepted that the epic poem 'Beowulf', though set in Denmark and Sweden, was
likely composed in the palace halls of Rendlesham during the 8th century. The
tale suggests an ancestral link between the Wuffingas and the 'Wulfings'
mentioned in the poem. Another reliable indication to this Viking connection is
that the East Anglians performed the rite of a ship-burial, a practice most
associated with Viking custom. The most famous burials of this kind were
discovered at Sutton Hoo (Woodbridge, Suffolk) and Snape cemetery (Aldeburgh,
Suffolk).
Wuffa's crown was then
succeeded by his son, Tytila, for reasons undetermined. Like his father,
details of Tytila and his reign are not known. He would sire two sons named
Rædwald (or Redwald) and Eni. After he died in 616, his eldest son, Rædwald,
would ascend to the throne. Rædwald's younger brother, Eni, would never become
king, but his children would later influence East Anglia's history. Rædwald is
considered to be one of the most famous historical figures of Anglo-Saxon
England. His formative years on the throne would be under the overlordship of the
King Æthelberht of Kent who held the title of Imperium (or Bretwalda) over the
southern kingdoms. Through the guidance of Æthelberht, he would be the first
East Anglian king to be baptised. It is a common conjecture that many of his
Pagan kin were unhappy with his conversion to Christianity; chiefly his wife,
whose name is not indeed known. It is a general understanding that she was a
Pagan princess from the Kingdom of Essex. She and her followers ostensibly
attempted to persuade him away from the faith. Instead of choosing
one-over-the-other, he praised and preserved both Christian and Pagan places of
worship within his kingdom. This religious sentiment would set as a precedent
for Rædwald's oscillation between the two faiths throughout his life.
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| Highlighted map of East Anglia. Source: istock |
Rædwald took part in the defeat of King Æthelfrith of Northumbria at the Battle of River Idle. During the battle, Æthelberht of Kent was slain—thus—Rædwald was made Imperium overlord in his sted. He subsequently installed a puppet king named Edwin to sit on the Northumbrian throne. The aftermath of the campaign in Northumbria resulted in a power shift that would earn him the honorary title of Bretwalda meaning 'Britain-ruler' or 'wide-ruler'. He would be the first and only East Anglian king to receive this title. Most of the large settlements in East Anglia were all originally Roman foundations and structures. Rædwald would build the first major Anglo-Saxon settlement in the region by funding the development of the trading port of Gipeswic (now modern-day Ipswich, Suffolk). The construction of Gipeswic would put East Anglia on the map while setting in motion the region's trade with the rest of Britain, going as far as Northern Europe and even the Byzantine Empire! Rædwald's remarkable reign would come to an end after his death in 624. Rædwald is renowned for being the most plausible candidate to be buried in the Sutton Hoo ship barrow. Only someone of Rædwald's high-standing could have received such a lavish contemporary funeral.
Rædwald had sired two sons in
his lifetime; they were named Rægenhere and Eorpwald (or Earpwald). His eldest
son, Rægenhere, perished against the Northumbrians during the Battle of River
Idle. Eorpwald the younger would be crowned that year in 624. Eorpwald's reign
was not as long and illustrious as his fathers. Initially, he would be
influenced to convert to Christianity by the same man who his father had put on
the throne of Northumbria—King Edwin. Christianity was still a relatively new
religion to the East Anglians with concepts that significantly differed from
the old Pagan beliefs. Some saw this new faith as an opportunity to progress
the realm both culturally and politically; others saw it as an insult to the
ancient Gods who their forefathers had served to build the Angle nation. Such a
sentiment towards these religious reforms became evident when a Pagan nobleman
named Ricberht assassinated Eorpwald in 628. Eorpwald's legacy did not end
there. He would be the first English king to be murdered for his Christian beliefs
and would later be revered as a martyr and saint by the Church. In a coup that
year, Ricberht would take the crown and plunge the kingdom into a time of
turmoil and instability. Thankfully, it would not last, and he would be
replaced by East Anglia's first joint ruling monarchs.
The first of these two kings
was named Sigeberht. Sigeberht's background is a complex one. His step-father
was Rædwald, and his mother was the same assumed Pagan princess who tried to
sway the East Anglian court away from the allure of Rome. Rædwald exiled
Sigeberht to Gaul: we can only presume that Rædwald saw him as an illegitimate
threat to Eorpwald's claim to the throne. During Sigeberht's time in Gaul, he
educated himself with the teachings of Christ and other academic subjects.
After Eorpwald's assassination, Sigeberht returned from Gaul to replace
Ricberht as ruler of the Angles. Sigeberht was famed for being a competent
political leader and military commander. His innate qualities were obviously
conducive to his swift accession and popularity within the kingdom.
The second king was named
Ecgric. It is disputable whether Ecgric was the youngest son of Rædwald or the
eldest son of Rædwald's brother, Eni. It was typical for some Anglo-Saxon
realms to have two ruling kings. In the case of East Anglia during this period,
it was a political masterstroke. Sigeberht was an astute Christian who had
expelled a toxic and despised sovereign. Ecgric was a Pagan who was a
legitimate member of the Wuffingas bloodline. This solution would have undoubtedly
calmed tensions between specific social and religious demographics at that
time. We can surmise that the realm would have been crudely divided into North
Folk and South Folk, with each monarch given regional autonomy. Their joint
coronations occurred during the year 630. Undoubtedly, Ricberht's ending was
not a happy one. If he were lucky, he would have merely endured exile, but it
is likely that he either suffered death through execution or on the
battlefield.
Sigeberht's initial royal
proclamation was to replicate what he had seen in Gual by further establishing
Christianity within his kingdom. He requested Felix of Burgundy (Saint Felix)
to assist him in spreading the word of God to the Angles. Sigeberht granted
Felix ecclesiastical authority in Dunwich (Suffolk), making Felix East Anglia's
first Bishop. Sigeberht also welcomed into his domain the arrival of the Irish
monk, Saint Fursey. Fursey would be allowed to build the Abbey of Cnobheresburg
amidst the ruin of an old Roman fort (possibly Burgh Castle, Norfolk).
Sigerberht would construct his first monastery at Beodricesworth (Bury St
Edmunds, Suffolk). He would encourage these new-found religious institutes to
teach reading and writing to local children.
Sigeberht would later
abdicate his throne in 634 to pursue the monastic life at Beodricesworth, with
Ecgric taking full control of the realm that same year. Then in 636, the East
Anglians would find their borders under threat from a hostile Mercian army led
by its ferocious leader, King Penda. Ecgric and the his subjects urgently
requested Sigeberht to help them as he once did against Ricberht. Sigeberht
refused, for his piety would not allow him to lead an army into battle.
However, he had no choice in the matter as Ecgric hauled him from his monastery
to fight the Mercians. Sigeberht would have provided moral support to Ecgric's
warriors, although, Sigeberht declined the option of arming himself during the
battle. King Penda, a fervent Pagan, would take full advantage of any Christian
benevolence. In the end, the East Anglian army was destroyed with Sigeberht and
Ecgric both being slain.
In the aftermath of a Mercian
victory, the Angles would live to fight another day and would still see a
member of the Wuffingas family wear their nation's crown. The kingdom's
successor would be Anna (or Onna) who came into power somewhere between
636-640. He was the brother (or cousin) of Ecgric, and like Sigeberht he was
devoutly Christian. His royal seat was based at Exning (Suffolk), rooted near
the border fortifications of Devils Dyke. These fortifications would have
initially been Roman earthworks that spread across modern-day Cambridgeshire
and Suffolk. At the time of Anna's reign, the Devil's Dyke was likely
militarised in preparation for another Mercian invasion. Anna had five children
who would all eventually be beatified by the Church. Anna even helped to spread
and promote the Christian faith to other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. He converted the
soon-to-be king Cenwalh of Wessex during his forced exile at the hands of King
Penda of Mercia. Upon Cnewalh's return, he would establish Christianity in his
home kingdom of Wessex. Anna's daughter, Æthelthryth, married Prince (or Chief)
Tondberct who hailed from the Fenland Kingdom of South Gyrwe. Through this
partnership, Anna was able to further expand his nation's borders into the
Fenlands by incorporating the settlement of Ely (Cambridgeshire). The marriage
of his other daughter, Seaxburh, to King Eorcenberht of Kent secured Anna a
powerful ally against the threat of Mercian aggression.
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| Replica Sutton Hoo Helmet. Source: istock |
Unfortunately,
such precautionary measures would not be enough as the troublesome King Penda
would again attack East Anglia. In 651, the Mercians launched an assault on the
Abbey of Cnobheresburg which was home to many riches and relics. Anna arrived
with his forces to aid the monks in evacuating any objects of worth. The monks
of Cnobheresburg escaped but at a high cost. Penda defeated Anna and drove him
into exile. Paradoxically, Anna spent his time exiled in Mercia; it was
probably the last place his enemies expected him to be! Anna would return to
East Anglia in 653. Not long after his return, he would have a final showdown
with Penda at the Battle of Bulcamp (on the outskirts of Blythburgh, Suffolk).
Alas, the East Angles inevitably lost to the Mericans, with Anna and his son,
Jumin, being slaughtered on the battlefield.
In 654, another of Eni's sons
would inherit the crown of this war-weary nation. His name was Æthelhere, and
he would have the shortest reign in East Anglian history. The circumstances to
which Æthelhere was granted power were bleak. It is likely that Mercia gave the
new king a join or die ultimatum. Æthelhere certainly appeased Penda by
recognising him as overlord, for in 654, Æthelhere would take up arms with
Penda and other sub-Mercian nobles against the Kingdom of Northumbria. This
coalition would meet to fight the smaller army of King Oswiu at the Battle of
Winwaed (near Cock Beck, Yorkshire). Between the two opposing armies was a
river which banks had burst due to torrential rainfall. Though Oswiu was vastly
outnumbered, he made sure that the invading forces would have to cross the deep
overflowing river before they could attack his ranks. It was a tactical success
with many Mercian and East Anglian warriors falling victim to the strong river
currents. Æthelhere and Penda would also become casualties of this catastrophic
defeat.
Not long after the battle,
Æthelhere's brother, Æthelwold (or Æthelwald), would take
his place as sovereign. If Æthelwold were to look at his family's track record,
he would not have had much hope for the future. Since the death of Rædwald, the
Christian monarchs of this newly converted kingdom had all failed miserably by
dying in unfavourable conditions. It is easy to suggest that Æthelwold would
have refrained East Anglia from any military campaigns, especially with their
arch-rival Mercia. Like the majority of his predecessors, he was a good
Christian. Like his brother, Anna, he would promote the faith by sponsoring the
baptism of an Anglo-Saxon noble in Rendlesham—this time being King Swithhelm of
Essex. Sadly, an unseen terror far worse than an invading army would strike at
the heart of Æthelwold's lands. It would come in the form of a plague that
spread across Europe and claimed countless lives. East Anglian peasants,
clergymen and noblemen all fell victim to the disease. A crown can grant power
and riches, but it cannot make the wearer immune to deadly illnesses. As a result
of the outbreak, Æthelwold would die in 664.
Source references:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_East_Anglia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monarchs_of_East_Anglia
The Origins of Beowulf and the Pre-Viking Kingdom of East
Anglia, Sam Newton
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, Michael Swanton
Ecclesiastical History of the English People, Venerable
Bede
History of the Britons, Nennius
On the Ruin of Britain, Gildas
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