History holds many mysteries. Empires took shape, alliances collapsed, and power was sometimes transferred several times over a short period of time. And each country sooner or later had its first ruler.
Great Britain, or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (eng. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) is an island state in northwestern Europe. It consists of four so-called. historical provinces: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each of them has its own story. And when it comes to the first English king, it is the king of England that is meant.
The Kingdom of England existed from 927 to 1707. When there was a union with the Kingdom of Scotland, England was transformed into the Kingdom of Great Britain. Formally, the title of King (Queen) of England lost its meaning in 1707. However, it is still used today. Today the monarch of the United Kingdom is Elizabeth II.
Beginning of England
The history of England is inextricably linked with invasions. The first tribes that invaded its territory were the Germanic tribes of the Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Frisians. These tribes created several states in Britain. However, earlier hominids appeared on the island. During two centuries BC (IX-VIII) the Celts migrated to Britain. In the 1st century A. D. they came under the rule of the Romans.
The end of Roman rule came in 410 AD. The Anlo-Saxons were sharply invaded, who formed 7 of their kingdoms and became the main rulers in this land, except for the territory of Wales and Scotland.
In the 9th century, periodic Viking raids began on the land of England. At the beginning of the XI century. England was ruled by Danish kings. In 1066, Norman troops invaded the lands of England and conquered the country. During the Middle Ages, England went through many civil wars and battles with other European nations (including the Hundred Years War).
First king of England
The first king of England is considered to be Egbert, who ruled in 802-839. Historians attribute Egbert to the first king of England, tk. he united most of the lands of England under the rule of one ruler. Egbert himself did not use the title of king officially; it was used in his title by Alfred the Great.
Egbert belongs to a side branch of the Wessex dynasty. This dynasty did not occupy the throne of Wessex for several generations. King Cinewulf of Wessex was assassinated in 786 and the throne was found to be empty. Egbert did not receive the throne immediately. At first he fought for him, but lost and found refuge at the court of Charlemagne, where he spent three (III) years. According to other sources, the period of his stay under Charlemagne was 13 (XIII) years. Perhaps there was a scribal error. One way or another, Egbert left his country in 789.
Egbert benefited from his stay at the court of Charlemagne. He studied the art of war and mastered the science of government. In 802, Egbert becomes King of Wessex with the support of Charlemagne and the Pope.
After 23 years of reign in 825, Egbert defeated Bernwulf, king of Mercia at the Battle of Ellendun. The consequence of this battle was the recognition of the dominance of Wessex throughout England. In 829, Egbert moved his army north to subdue the Messiah. She could not resist and recognized the authority of Wessex. Egbert gained control of the London Mint, which began issuing Egbert coins bearing his title as King of Mercia.
Egbert, throughout his reign, fought constant wars with Wales, wanting to subdue the lands of the Welsh. In 830 he devastated Wales and even burned down the episcopal residence. Shortly before his death, he was able to defeat the capital of the Welsh principality and ordered all residents to leave the state. Egbert submitted to the island of Mona, the center of the Celtic religion. Thus Egbert became the supreme sovereign of all England.
But despite all his achievements, Egbert was unable to maintain his position. At the end of his reign, he faced attacks from the Vikings. A year before Egbert's death (838), the Britons of Cornwall rebelled.
King Egbert died on 4 February 839. He was buried in Winchester Cathedral, and his descendants began to call him the eighth bretwald. Egbert's term in office was 37 years and 7 months.
