King Æthelwulf of Wessex’s role in the unification of England

From 802 – 899, we saw the rise of the House of Wessex to a position of prominence in Britain. The two key components to the expansion of West Saxon power were the Kingdoms of Kent and Mercia, Æthelwulf played a role in this process.

Kent

As a Prince of Wessex, after his father, King Ecgbert’s victory at the Battle of Ellendun 825, Æthelwulf led the West Saxon invasion of the Mercian sub-Kingdoms of Kent, Sussex and Essex, which were conquered with Æthelwulf setting himself up as King of these three kingdoms with the title of King of Kent. Kent was particularly important because it was an incredible wealthy part of the control. It also gave Wessex a degree of control over the Religious Centre of Britain in Canterbury.

Kent was eventually united with Wessex by Æthelwulf’s son Æthelberht in 860.

Æthelwulf (Moe Dunford) in Vikings

Mercia

About a decade into Æthelwulf’s reign as King of Wessex, he began a monetary union with Mercia under King Berthwulf. He peacefully gained the county of Berkshire from Mercia in the late 840s/early 850s. He joined Burgred of Mercia on a military campaign in Wales, which helped Burgred bring Wales back into Mercian subjectgation. This was followed by the marriage of Burgred to Æthelwulf’s daughter Æthelswith. All of this brought the Kingdoms closer together and later would lead to the unification of both Kingdoms under one ruler, which would form the platform for his heirs to create the Kingdom of England.