Genealogy of
Aethelberht of Kent
Overview
The genealogy of Aethelberht of Kent illustrates the influence of Kentish kings on early Anglo-Saxon England’s political landscape. His reign marked Kent’s rise as a dominant force in southeastern England and the introduction of Christianity to the region. Aethelberht’s marriage to Bertha, a Frankish princess, solidified European political alliances and facilitated Christianity’s introduction to his court. Their daughter, Aethelburh, further strengthened Anglo-Saxon ties by marrying Edwin of Northumbria, aiding in Christianity’s spread across England.
This genealogy highlights the interconnected nature of Anglo-Saxon politics and the role of strategic marriages in the early medieval period. Aethelberht’s descendants continued this legacy, playing pivotal roles in spreading Christianity and establishing Kent as a dominant force in early medieval England.
Related Topics
Further Research & Sources
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Translated and edited by Michael Swanton. New York, NY. Routledge. 1996.
Bede. The Ecclesiastical History of the English People. Trans and edited by Judith McClure and Roger Collins. Oxford. Oxford University Press. 2008.
Malmesbury, William of. Chronicles of the Kings of England. Trans. by J.A. Giles. London. Bohn’s Antiquarian Library. 1847.
Morris, Marc. The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England, 400-1066. New York, NY. Pegasus Books, Ltd. 2021.
Whitelock, Dorothy, ed. English Historical Documents. Volume 1: c.500-1042. Routledge, 1996.
Photos:
Statue of St. Bertha:
Dennis3333, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. [cropped].
Line Engraving of Augustine:
Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images images@wellcome.ac.uk http://wellcomeimages.org Saint Augustine of Canterbury. Line engraving by A. Lommelin. Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons Attribution only licence CC BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/