Ceolwulf I of Mercia

Ceolwulf I was the King of Mercia, East Anglia and Kent from 821 to 823. He succeeded his brother Coenwulf of Mercia. There was a great deal of disagreement among his noblemen during his short reign. He was deposed and exiled from Mercia by Beornwulf of Mercia who claimed the throne himself.

Ceolwulf I
King of Mercia
Reign	821-823
Died	c. 823

King of Mercia

He was the son Cuthbert, a Mercian nobleman. His brother Coenwulf ruled Mercia before him.^[1] At his brother's death the Mercians were attacking Wales. Ceolwulf continued where Coenwulf left off. The Annales Cambriae for the year 822 said the 'Saxons' attacked and destroyed the fortress at Deganwy and then controlled Powys.^[2] Welsh poems of the time confirm Mercia was attacking Powys.^[2] On 17 September 822 he was consecrated king by Archbishop Wulfred.^[a][3] In charters issued by Ceolwulf he styled himself Latin: rex Merciorum vel etiam Contwariorum.^[b][4] This shows he had authority in Kent.^[4] But his rule in Mercia was marked by discord among his noblemen.^[5] He was removed from the throne in 823.^[5] After being deposed Ceolwulf left Mercia for Rome.^[2] By this time he was older, probably in his fifties.^[1] He was the last of the Iclingas dynasty who had ruled Mercia for over three centuries. Beornwulf who replaced him was from a family little is known about.^[6]

Notes

1. This is one of the earliest examples of an English king being consecrated.^[3]
2. meaning King of Mercia and Kent.