King of Wessex. Generally accepted to have been the son of Ceol of Wessex. He inherited the throne from his uncle, Ceolwulf, in about 611. Early in his reign he defeated the Dumnonian armies of the West at the Battle of Bindon in 614. Under threat from the rise of Northumbrian power he apparently formed a mutual defense pact with King Penda of Mercia which was finalized by the marriage of Cynegils' son to either Penda's sister or daughter. AD 626, however, the armies of Wessex and Northumbria met at Derbyshire where Wessex was defeated. In 628 the Mercians turned on Wessex invading their territories of Gloucester, Cirencester, and Bath. At the Battle of Cirencester, Wessex was again defeated. In 634 the king received a Christian missionary who preached at his court, having all ready made a convert of the new Northumbrian King, Oswald. Eventually Cynegils accepted Christianity and gave the missionary the town of Dorchester-on-Thames in which to build a cathedral. Cynegils' daughter was apparently given in marriage to Oswald to cement relations between the newly Christianized kings. The king died after a substantial reign of more than thirty years, and was succeeded by his son, Cenwalh.
King of Wessex. Generally accepted to have been the son of Ceol of Wessex. He inherited the throne from his uncle, Ceolwulf, in about 611. Early in his reign he defeated the Dumnonian armies of the West at the Battle of Bindon in 614. Under threat from the rise of Northumbrian power he apparently formed a mutual defense pact with King Penda of Mercia which was finalized by the marriage of Cynegils' son to either Penda's sister or daughter. AD 626, however, the armies of Wessex and Northumbria met at Derbyshire where Wessex was defeated. In 628 the Mercians turned on Wessex invading their territories of Gloucester, Cirencester, and Bath. At the Battle of Cirencester, Wessex was again defeated. In 634 the king received a Christian missionary who preached at his court, having all ready made a convert of the new Northumbrian King, Oswald. Eventually Cynegils accepted Christianity and gave the missionary the town of Dorchester-on-Thames in which to build a cathedral. Cynegils' daughter was apparently given in marriage to Oswald to cement relations between the newly Christianized kings. The king died after a substantial reign of more than thirty years, and was succeeded by his son, Cenwalh.
Bio by: Iola
Gravesite Details
Originally buried in Old Minster which was immediately north of and partially beneath its successor, Winchester Cathedral. Bones later transferred to Winchester Cathedral, Winchester.
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