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| Ruled: | 786-January, 802 | |
| Predecessor: | Cynewulf | |
| Date of Birth: | unknown | |
| Place of Birth: | Wessex, England | |
| Wife: | Eadburh | |
| Buried: | Wareham | |
| Date of Death: | 802 | |
| Parents: | unknown |
Beorhtric (died 802) was a king of Wessex, ruling from 786 - 802.
In 786, Cynewulf, king of Wessex, was killed by the exiled noble Cyneheard, brother of the former King Sigeberht. The nobles of Wessex, influenced by Offa of Mercia, who had gained overlordship of the whole of England by defeating Cynewulf some years previously, executed Cyneheard and appointed Beorhtric king.
Beorhtric worked closely with Offa, calling jointly with him the Synod of Chelsea in 787 and marrying one of his daughters. He also worked with Offa to expel Egbert, a serious rival for his throne.
After Offa's death in 796, Beorhtric gained more independence for the kingdom, which was for the first time threatened by Viking raids.
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Preceded by: Cynewulf of Wessex |
List of monarchs of Wessex |
Succeeded by: Egbert of Wessex |