King of Wessex From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Athelbald, also spelled Æthelbald or Ethelbald (c. 834–860) was a West Saxon nobleman. In 856 he was King of Wessex while his father was in Rome. When Athelwulf returned, Athelbald refused to step down. To avoid a civil war, Athelwulf gave his son the kingdom of Wessex and became sub-king of Kent.
Athelbald was the second of the five sons of King Athelwulf of Wessex and Osburga.[2] She was the daughter of Oslac, Athelwulf's butler.[lower-alpha 1][4] He was born about 832. He is recording fighting alongside his father in 851 in the battle at Acleah.[5] There the Vikings who had just defeated Berhtwulf of Mercia near London and when they moved into Surrey they were met and defeated by the West Saxons.[5] In 855 his father Athelwulf went on a pilgrimage to Rome.[6] He left the kingdom in the care of Athelbald.[6] After spending a year in Rome and spending time at court of Charles the Bald, King of the West Franks, Athelwulf returned. But he had wed the king's young daughter, Judith.[6] She could not have been any older than thirteen at the time.[6] The Frankish king Charles had insisted that his daughter be consecrated queen.[lower-alpha 2][8] When Athelwulf returned to Wessex with his new Queen, Athelbald objected to his father remaining king. To avoid a civil war Athelwulf agreed to take the sub-kingship of Kent. He let Ethelbald retain his position as king of Wessex.[6] Athelwulf died in 858 as the King of Kent.[9] Athelbald then took his father's young wife Judith as his own wife, apparently without a major scandal.[6]
Despite his marriage to his step-mother Judith, he had no children. He was succeeded by his brother Athelbert of Wessex.[10]
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