Cenwulf
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 757β796). 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 801β802 and died (probably of natural causes) during an invasion of Wales.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Cenwulf
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
01 January 2026
Access Date:
November 14, 2026