Egbert
[Ecgberht or Ecgbert]
802 – 839
House of Wessex

Offa King of Mercia and Beorhtric King of Wessex had forced Egbert into exile at the court of Charlemagne, the Frankish king. In 802 he returned to England and was recognized as king of Wessex following Beorhtric’s death.

Egbert defeated Beornwulf of Mercia at the battle of Ellendun in 825. The East Anglians rose against Beornwulf, killing him and acknowledged Egbert as their overlord. Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Essex also submitted to Wessex following egbert’s victory at Ellendun. In 829, the Northumbrians accepted him as overlord after refusing to fight his forces at Dore and was named "Bretwalda" the ruler of Britain. Egbert was defeated by the Danes in 836 but won against them in 838 at Higston Down.

Egbert had two sons by his wife Redberga and was buried at Winchester. He was succeeded by his son Ethelwulf.