Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms

The Hwicce

The Hwicce emerged from obscurity, probably from within territory controlled by the West Seaxe, to form their own kingdom. The British kingdoms based on Caer Gloui (Gloucester), Caer Ceri (Cirencester) and most of Caer Baddan (Bath) were overrun in a largescale Saxon attack in 577 and their last kings killed in battle. The Hwicce took the opportunity to move into this territory and form their own kingdom, centered on Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, apparently independent from the West Seaxe.

The Anglo-Saxon name 'Gloucester' derives from the same source as British Caer Gloui, 'caer' and 'chester' both being descended from the Latin 'castrum' for fort. Details about the Hwicce are very sketchy, even down to the origins of their name.

The exact dimensions of the kingdom are unknown but they probably coincided with those of the old diocese of Worcester, the early bishops of which bore the title Episcopus Hwicciorum. It would therefore include Worcestershire, Gloucestershire except the Forest of Dean, the southern half of Warwickshire, and the neighbourhood of Bath. The name Hwicce survives in Wychwood in Oxfordshire, Whichford in Warwickshire and the Wychavon district of Worcestershire.

No genealogy or list of kings has been preserved, and it is not known whether the dynasty was connected with that of Wessex or Mercia.

577

Following the West Seaxe defeat of Caer Gloui, Caer Baddan and Caer Ceri, the Hwicce move into the territory around Gloucester and Bath.

It is possible that the Hwicce do not entirely subjugate the native Britons. Though place-names show that Anglo-Saxon settlement is widespread in the territory, the limited spread of pagan burials suggests that British Christianity survives the influx. The Britons may even have absorbed the Hwicce into their existing Church.

584

The West Seaxe forge north on a raid upon the Romano-British station at Viroconium in Pengwern, but Cutha is killed in the fighting at the battle of Fethanleag. King Ceawlin takes his spoils back to his kingdom as the West Seaxe appear to abandon any further attempts at conquering northwards, perhaps leaving the door open for the Hwicce to take full control of the region.

628

The Hwicce, by now converted to Christianity (possibly by the British Church rather then the Roman, as, unusually, Bede fails to mention their conversion), are overrun by Penda of Mercia, and become a sub-Mercian kingdom.

c.650s - c.674

Eanfrith

656 - c.660

With the fall of the British kingdom of Pengwern to the immediate north, Saxon groups move into its former western section from the territory of the Hwicce to form small kingdoms of their own in Magonset and Wrocenset.

c.674 - c.675

Eanhere

Brother. m.Osthryth, dau of Oswiu of Northumbria.

c.675 - 679

Osric

Son. Buried in Gloucester Cathedral.

c.679 - 704

Oshere

Brother.

c.685 - c.690

Oswald

Brother.

fl 700

Ethelbert / Æthelheard

Son of Oshere.

fl 710

Ethelward / Æthelweard

Brother.

fl 720

Ethelric / Æthelric

Brother.

fl 730s

Osred

fl c.759

Eanberht

fl c.759 - c.780

Uhtred

Brother.

fl c.759 - c.790

Ealdred / Aldred

Brother.

by 790

The Hwicce had been absorbed into Mercia, probably upon the death of the last king.

c.796 - 802

Earl Æthelmund

Successor. Killed fighting Wessex.

fl 804

?Æthelric

Son.

877 - 883

Earl Æthelred

Submits to Wessex along with Mercia.