Ceol of Wessex
Encyclopedia
Ceol was King of Wessex
from 592 to 597.
He was the son of Cutha (or Cuthwulf), the son of Cynric of Wessex
. He reigned from either 591
AD or 592
to 597
. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, he began his reign in 591, but it was only in the following year that he drove out his uncle Ceawlin in a battle at Woden's Barrow in Wiltshire
, thus denying the throne to the rightful heir, Ceawlin's son Cuthwine
. Upon his death the throne passed to his brother Ceolwulf
, because his son Cynegils was presumably too young to inherit the throne, so it was given to the brother, as was probably the custom among the Saxons. In 1967 Wright and Jackson found at Wroxeter a stone in a Sub-Roman context (dating to c. 460 - 475 AD[4]) with the inscription CUNORIX MACUS MAQVI COLINE, which translates as "Cunorix ('Hound-king' = Cynric) son of Maqui-Coline ('Son-of-Holly'), both of which are regarded as Irish personal names. It is possible that Maqui Coline is linked to Coel, suggesting a rival family to that of Ceawlin.
and Centwine. Coenwulf
and Ceolwulf I
of Mercia are also believed to be descendants of Ceol, meaning that the Ceolian line flourished for at least three centuries after its founder's death, and possibly longer. (See House of Wessex family tree
.)
Wessex
The Kingdom of Wessex or Kingdom of the West Saxons was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the West Saxons, in South West England, from the 6th century, until the emergence of a united English state in the 10th century, under the Wessex dynasty. It was to be an earldom after Canute the Great's conquest...
from 592 to 597.
He was the son of Cutha (or Cuthwulf), the son of Cynric of Wessex
Cynric of Wessex
Cynric was King of Wessex from 534 to 560. Everything known about him comes from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. There he is stated to have been the son of Cerdic, and also to have been the son of Cerdic's son, Creoda...
. He reigned from either 591
591
Year 591 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 591 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Agilulf marries Theodelinda and becomes king...
AD or 592
592
Year 592 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 592 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Byzantine Empire :* The Byzantine Empire regains...
to 597
597
Year 597 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 597 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Education :* The King's School is founded in...
. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, he began his reign in 591, but it was only in the following year that he drove out his uncle Ceawlin in a battle at Woden's Barrow in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, thus denying the throne to the rightful heir, Ceawlin's son Cuthwine
Cuthwine
Cuthwine, born c. 565, was a member of the House of Wessex, son of Ceawlin of Wessex. After the deposition of his father Ceawlin from the throne of Wessex in 592 he did not inherit the throne which passed to his cousin, Ceol...
. Upon his death the throne passed to his brother Ceolwulf
Ceolwulf of Wessex
Ceolwulf was King of Wessex from 597 to 611. He became king upon the death of his brother Ceol, because at that time Ceol's son Cynegils was too young to rule.Ceolwulf reigned for fourteen years and nothing is known of Wessex during his time as king....
, because his son Cynegils was presumably too young to inherit the throne, so it was given to the brother, as was probably the custom among the Saxons. In 1967 Wright and Jackson found at Wroxeter a stone in a Sub-Roman context (dating to c. 460 - 475 AD[4]) with the inscription CUNORIX MACUS MAQVI COLINE, which translates as "Cunorix ('Hound-king' = Cynric) son of Maqui-Coline ('Son-of-Holly'), both of which are regarded as Irish personal names. It is possible that Maqui Coline is linked to Coel, suggesting a rival family to that of Ceawlin.
The Ceolian line
Ceol was the founding member of a sub-house of the House of Wessex which would rule Wessex from 591 - 645, 648 - 674 and from 676 - 685, comprising Ceol, Ceolwulf, Cynegils, Cenwalh, SeaxburhSeaxburh
Seaxburh or Sexburga is the name of the following Anglo-Saxon women:*Saint Seaxburh of Ely*Seaxburh of Wessex...
and Centwine. Coenwulf
Coenwulf of Mercia
Coenwulf was King of Mercia from December 796 to 821. He was a descendant of a brother of King Penda, who had ruled Mercia in the middle of the 7th century. He succeeded Ecgfrith, the son of Offa; Ecgfrith only reigned for five months, with Coenwulf coming to the throne in the same year that Offa...
and Ceolwulf I
Ceolwulf I of Mercia
Ceolwulf I was King of Mercia and Kent, from 821 to 823. He was the brother of Cœnwulf, his predecessor, and was deposed by Beornwulf.-External links:* http://www.anglo-saxons.net/hwaet/?do=seek&query=S+186...
of Mercia are also believed to be descendants of Ceol, meaning that the Ceolian line flourished for at least three centuries after its founder's death, and possibly longer. (See House of Wessex family tree
House of Wessex family tree
The following chart is a family tree of the kings of the House of Wessex, a dynasty whose members were Kings of Wessex, and then, from Athelstan onwards, Kings of England....
.)