The House of Wessex

There is little mystery about the name "Wessex" - it designated the western area on the British mainland where the saxons settled. (Essex - East Saxons; Sussex - South Saxons - and guess where the Middle Saxons were to be found?).

The Saxons began to arrive in the fourth century AD. After Roman government had broken down in Britannia, the country split into tribal area, each with their own chief, or King.


As the other kingdoms of England fell into decline, the Kings of Wessex became recognised as the Kings of England. One of the most well known is Alfred the Great - of whom I intend to post further. Also, towards the end of the line - is Edward the Confessor (English King from 1042 to 1066). His mother, Emma of Normandy, is a fascinating character in her own right. Edgar the Atheling was chosen by the Witenagemot as the successor to Harold, killed at Hastings. He never gained control of the kingdom - and is reputed to have been one of the people who met William at Berkhamsted, to make the final surrender.

Winchester was the capital of the kingdom of Wessex - and a palace existed there. Many of these kings and their Queens (Emma of Normandy included - and her other husband, King Canute) were buried in the Old Minister. Their bones were reinterred in the current cathedral.