What does the name Mercia mean in ancient Angles language?
The name Mercia means boundary folk in the ancient tongue of the Angles. This description points to a kingdom born on the frontier between native Welsh people and invading Germanic tribes.
Questions about Mercia
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who was the earliest recorded king of Mercia and when did he rule?
Creoda became the earliest recorded king around 584. He built a fortress at Tamworth which became the seat of future rulers before his son Pybba succeeded him in 593.
When did King Penda die during the Battle of Winwaed?
King Penda died in 655 after losing both the battle and his life at the Battle of Winwaed against Oswiu. His death marked the end of his rule from about 626 or 633 until that year.
How long did Offa reign as the greatest king of Mercia?
Offa reigned from 757 to 796 and became the greatest king Mercia had ever known. After his death in July 796, his son Ecgfrith survived for only five months before Coenwulf took power in December 796.
What happened to Aethelred and who ruled Mercia after his death in 911?
Aethelred died in 911 after ruling under overlordship of Wessex from about 883 until that date. Aethelflaed assumed power when her husband became ill and ruled as Lady of Mercians until Edward the Elder took control within six months of her death.
Where was the Staffordshire Hoard discovered and what is its estimated age?
The Staffordshire Hoard was discovered by Terry Herbert in a field at Hammerwich near Brownhills close to Lichfield in July 2009. Artefacts were tentatively dated by Svante Fischer and Jean Soulat to the 7th or 8th centuries.