E as in EGBERT (A-Z Challenge)

Egbert was the king of Wessex (part of what is called England). It's the part that is west of Sussex, but east of Cornwall, long the English Channel.

Egbert's story picks up in 802, after he had been banished to France. (While in France, he was at the court of Charlemagne, where he learned important principles of governing.) In that year, he returned to Wessex and claimed his throne. At the time, he may have been under some control of the ruler of Mercia, named Cenwulf. (Mercia included all of central England.) But on Egbert's accession to the throne, Wessex was attacked by men of Hwicce. (Hwicce was originally an independent kingdom to the north, but had been taken into the Mercian empire.) Egbert send this brother-in-law, AEthelmund to deal with the Hwicceian invaders, which he did, at the cost of his own life. 

Ancient picture of Egbert, from Wikipedia

For a dozen years, Wessex was quiet. That peacefulness ended in 815, when Egbert invaded Dumnonia (now Cornwall) and defeated the Celtic Britons there. 

In 825, Egbert was involved in one of the main battles of Anglo-Saxon England. He defeated Beornwulf of Mercia in a battle which ended Mercian control of South England. Through his son Aethelwulf, Egbert brought together the people of Essex, Kent, Surry, and Sussex. That gave Egbert control of all Southern England. In 829, Egbert  attacked and conquered Mercia, and the following year moved further north and gained control of Northumberland, extending his reign to all of England. He died in 839.

Egbert's son, AEthelwulf, ruled after him, and had to deal with the Danish invaders — the Northmen or Vikings. Then AEthelwulf's son, Alfred, came to the throne. Alfred introduced both military and government reform and fought off the Danes, between 871 and 899. For these things, he came to be known as Alfred "the Great" — the only English king to be given that title. He followed in his grandfather's footsteps, keeping England together. 

All in all, it seems that Egbert was a good Eg. 

(Research notes from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egbert_of_Wessex, accessed April 3, 2103)

Addendum

It started snowing early this morning, and is still snowing as we approach noon. Meaning more snirt and other detritus (see yesterday's Post). And yet another delay to spring.
I wonder how much snow Egbert had to face?

E is also for exceptional, eccentric, eclectic, eager, and empirical (all of which describe the Bear).

Blessings and Bear hugs, friends!