Ethelred son of Penda

Also known as: Ethelred · Family: Mercians · Role: brother of Wulfhere · First appears: A.D. 656–660

In 675, after Wulfhere died, Ethelred succeeded to the government. He granted lands at Medhamsted to Saxulf’s minster, confirming its freedom from service, and overran Kent, recorded under 675 and 676. In that year he was married to Ostritha; his siblings included Wulfhere, Peada, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha, and Wilfrid was sent to Rome in his time.

In 679, Ethelred and Everth fought. In 697, the Southumbrians slew Ostritha, identified as Ethelred’s queen and Everth’s sister. In 704, after reigning twenty-nine winters, Ethelred entered monastic life; he was the son of Penda.

Relationship record

Life events

• 675 · Wulfere died, and Ethelred succeeded to the government.(A.D. 661–684)
  • With: Wulfhere
  • “The same year died Wulfere, and Ethelred succeeded to the government.”
• 675 · Ethelred granted lands to St. Peter's minster at Medhamsted, confirming its freedom from service.(A.D. 661–684 · 📍 Medhamsted)
  • With: Saxulf
  • “Now give I St. Peter to-day into his minster, Medhamsted, these lands, and all that thereto lyeth; that is, Bredon, Repings, Cadney, Swineshead, Hanbury, Lodeshall, Scuffanhall, Cosford, Stratford, Wattleburn, Lushgard, Ethelhun-island, Bardney. These lands I give St. Peter just as freely as I possessed them myself; and so, that none of my successors take anything therefrom.”
• 675 · Ethelred overran the land of Kent.(A.D. 661–684 · 📍 Kent)
  • “Ethelred, king of the Mercians, in the meantime, overran the land of Kent.”
• 697 · The Southumbrians slew Ostritha, queen of Ethelred.(A.D. 685–721)
  • With: Ostritha
  • “This year the Southumbrians slew Ostritha, the queen of Ethelred, the sister of Everth.”
• 704 · Ethelred entered monastic life after reigning twenty-nine winters.(A.D. 685–721)
  • “This year Ethelred, the son of Penda, King of Mercia, entered into a monastic life, having reigned twenty-nine winters;”

A.D. 656–660

• siblings with Wulfhere “by the counsel of his brothers, Ethelred and Merwal;”

A.D. 661–684

• with Wilfrid (interaction) “In his time sent he to Rome Bishop Wilfrid to the pope that then was, called Agatho”
• siblings with Peada “my brother Peada, and my brother Wulfere, and my sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha”
• siblings with Wulfhere “my brother Peada, and my brother Wulfere, and my sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha”
• siblings with Kyneburga “my brother Peada, and my brother Wulfere, and my sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha”
• siblings with Kyneswitha “my brother Peada, and my brother Wulfere, and my sisters, Kyneburga and Kyneswitha”
• married with Ostritha “I Ostritha, Ethelred's queen, confirm it.”
• enemies with Everth “on the spot where Everth and Ethelred fought.”

A.D. 685–721

• married with Ostritha “the Southumbrians slew Ostritha, the queen of Ethelred, the sister of Everth.”
• parent: Penda “Ethelred, the son of Penda, King of Mercia,”

A.D. 959–970

• siblings with Wulfhere “how King Wulfhere and Ethelred his brother had wrought it,”

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Extracted from the original text of The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Made with Rho MD.