Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Cenwulf
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Quizzes
Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon in Coronation Robes or Napoleon I Emperor of France, 1804 by Baron Francois Gerard or Baron Francois-Pascal-Simon Gerard, from the Musee National, Chateau de Versailles.
Kings and Emperors (Part III) Quiz
Quick Facts
Also spelled:
Coenwulf
Died:
821, Basingwerk, Wales
Title / Office:
king (796-821), Mercia
See all related content
Britannica AI Icon
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites

Cenwulf

Anglo-Saxon king
Also known as: Coenwulf
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

Cenwulf (died 821, Basingwerk, Wales) was an Anglo-Saxon king of the Mercians from 796 who preserved the Mercian supremacy established by King Offa (reigned 757–796). During a Kentish rebellion against Mercian suzerainty, he tried to move the chief English see from Canterbury to London. He abandoned this plan after quelling the revolt (c. 798) and installing his brother as client king of Kent. Cenwulf fought an indecisive war with Eardwulf of Northumbria in 801–802 and died (probably of natural causes) during an invasion of Wales.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking β€œSign Up”, you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.