Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms

The Lindisware (Lindsey / Lincoln)

Founded circa AD 480 by invading Angles who may have mingled with Germanic peoples who had been settled there beforehand as foederati, as well as the native British population. They called themselves the Lindisware, taking the name, as was the usual Anglo-Saxon practice, from the locality, in this instance the regional capital, Linnius (Roman Lindum, modern Lincoln).

Two Lincolnshire villages, Winteringham and Winterton, lying almost side by side on the banks of the Humber, are named after what was in all probability the first historical king, Winta, and suggest the starting point of the Humbrensian settlement of the region. Winteringham, which is likely on formal grounds to be the earlier of the two settlements, is exactly on the line of the main Roman road from the south at the point where its course must have been continued by means of a ferry in Roman times across the river from Winteringham Haven to Brough on the north bank of the Humber.

Based in Lincoln (to the north of the Wash, covering much of modern Lincolnshire), and for most of its life isolated from the other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms by the extensive marshes and wetlands to the south and thick forest to the north and west, Lindsey has almost no recorded history, even before it's conquest, but the name of its fourth king suggests strong links to the Britons living there.

Excavations in the area of the important Saxon church at Barton-on-Humber, close to the east of Winteringham, have clearly suggested that there is no reason to suggest a break of occupation between the Roman and Saxon periods. Combined with similar evidence from Winteringham itself it seems likely that the incoming Anglian authorities directly succeeded the previous Romano-British administration.

c.460

Winta

First historical figure in the royal line of Lindsey.

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

no later than 575

Caedbaed

Third in descent from Winta. A name of (partly?) British origin.

fl c.580s

Creoda

fl c.600s

Cueldgils

c.610

Beda

c.620

The Lindisware fall under Bernician dominance.

c.625

Bubba

629

St Paulinus meets a Praefectus Civitatis named Blecca in Lincoln and converts him and his household to Christianity.

The title reveals a continuation of Roman practices, or at least titles, in the Angle kingdom, further reinforcing the probability of a smooth transition of power from sub-Roman to Anglian rule. Some time in the seventh century a new church is built on the site of the old Roman Cathedral, with the body of a wealthy British chief complete with Celtic hanging-bowl being interred within.

c.640

Biscop

c.658

The Lindisware fall under Mercian dominance.

c.675

Bede

c.675

The Lindisware fall under Northumbrian dominance.

c.680

The Lindisware fall under Mercian dominance.

fl c.725

Eanfrith

fl c.750

Eatta

786 & 796

Aldfrith

Ruled at some point between these dates.

796 - 875

Aldfrith's ancestors may have ruled Lindsey but the kingdom had normally been subject to Mercia or Northumbria. From this point Lindsey is directly controlled by Mercia alone, until it is conquered by the Danes of the Scandinavian Kingdom of York.