Early Anglo-Saxon Kings
Before the powerful and well known monarchs of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries, what is now known as England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland were ruled by a paganistic and heathenistic group of people called the Anglo-Saxons (Anglo-Saxon England and Wales" pg.2). These rulers were mostly ruthless, illiterate barbarians but in the later years of the Anglo-Saxon era they started to convert to Christianity and become educated and more intelligent people. The Anglo-Saxon monarchs and the monarchs of the Elizabethan age shared many common characteristics, but their differences numbered much more. The Elizabethan monarchs were products of a more cultured, civilized society, and their manner of rule reflected the socially acceptable customs and beliefs of the time. The Anglo-Saxons, on the other hand, ruled as individuals in an almost primitive society, without culture or refinements ("Anglo-Saxon England- culture and society" pg.1). Their rule was dictatorial, brutal and ruthless. Anglo-Saxon kings were known for their acts of bravery, loyalty and kinship, and they were honored for these traits. The throne rested in the hands of the bravest, most tested Anglo-Saxon who showed the most leadership. The Elizabeth
Aella's fame comes from his participation in many battles in the second half of the fifth century, and as king, he united all of the other Anglo-Saxon kings south of the Humber River under one rule, a powerful feat for one man in such uncivilized times. The tremendous sense of honor, bravery, even brutality of the Anglo-Saxon kings began to be replaced by lineage monarchy, where one's blood line became more important than personal character or ability. Ethelbert, therefore, was the first Anglo-Saxon king to convert to Christianity, and he actively recruited other converts from his Anglo-Saxon subjects ("Brttonic and Saxon Bath"pg. an monarchs, however, assumed rule by descent, and because the monarchs were only allowed to wed other royalty, many fell to the harsh results of inbreeding. It is evident from this that Redwald was still a strong heathen right up into his death to have been buried in such a pagan fashion. His campaigns were mounted in the areas known today as Hampshire and South Wiltshire and northward into Southampton. Still, there were those who were reluctant to part with their heathen traditions. Late in the 5th century, around 490 A. While Ethelfrith reigned as king of Deira, another Anglo-Saxon king, Ethelbert, ruled over all the Anglo-Saxon people south of the Humber River (pg. As he became more and more powerful, Ethelfrith exiled most of the Deiran royals, including King Edwin. The lands occupied by the Anglo-Saxon people were widespread, and though the people shared common ancestors, beliefs and rituals, they lacked unity. Although thought to be Germanic, this reader finds it interesting to note that the name Cerdic is a Celtic name, reflecting the influence of a growing Celtic culture coexisting at the time Cerdic ruled.
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Acceptance Essays
