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Following the conquest of Kent by Offa of Mercia in 785, it was ruled directly by Offa, but in 796 he died and Eadbert took the opportunity to seize power in Kent. He antagonized the church by deposing the pro-Mercian Archbishop of Canterbury, Athelheard, and Offa's eventual successor, Cenwulf, exploited that by obtaining Pope Leo III's approval for the reconquest of Kent. In 798, Cenwulf defeated Eadbert and captured him; Eadbert was blinded and mutiliated, but was eventually freed from captivity around 805.