Out of the North: The Impact of the Vikings

In the first half of the ninth century, a balance of power was struck in Southumbrian England.2 Mercian dominance came to an end with the battle of Ellendun (825), when Ecgberht of Wessex (802–39) defeated King Beornwulf (823–6). As a result the East Angles threw off Mercian control and retained their independence until they were conquered by the Danes in 880.3 The south-east passed into the control of the West Saxons; Baldred, the Mercian sub-king of Kent, was driven out by Ecgberht’s son, Æthelwulf, probably in 826 or 827.4 Sigered of Essex was probably expelled from his kingdom at about the same time.5 The West Saxon conquest of Kent brought with it control of the commercial centres of the south-east, and especially of the minting-centres at Canterbury and Rochester.6 After the expulsion of Baldred, the moneyers in both towns struck coins in the names of Ecgberht and his son Æthelwulf (839–58); even the London moneyers struck for Ecgberht in the years around 829–30, though they then seem to have ceased operation until c. 843, after which their issues carry the name of Beorhtwulf of Mercia (840–52).7