Like Mercia, the kingdom of Wessex (or the West Saxons) has left a historic legacy that survives to this day – similarly preserved in some administrative areas and institutions. If Mercia is best seen as the powerhouse that ruled supreme over most of the other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms for most of its existence, then Wessex must be the plucky underdog, the slow burner that effectively stepped into the boxing ring at the right moment to deliver a crushing knockout blow.
The rise of Wessex to primacy in the early-9th century was meteoric. While the other kingdoms crumbled in the face of civil war and Scandinavian incursions, Wessex stood firm against adversity – and emerged as ‘last man standing’, having fought its superior enemy to an utter standstill. Although England’s problems with Danish incursions would last until the early-11th century, the kings of Wessex and their descendants would rule for almost two centuries. Wessex effectively foreshadows the emergence of the unified English state, acting as its nucleus. As such, it is only fair that we dedicate a little more paper to fleshing out its history within this short note.
Geographically, Wessex held a vast swathe of territory – corresponding broadly to the modern counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, parts of Somerset and Berkshire. For much of its existence (from a geopolitical view), Wessex existed in the shadow of Mercia. However, it was never formally absorbed by it and experienced less of the administrative interference so evident in Kent and East Anglia. However, there are some hints in the historical narrative that infer a relationship that perhaps bordered on vassalage.
Beorhtric’s reign
Our story in this respect (and, indeed, in matters numismatic pertaining to Wessex) begins with the reign of Beorhtric, who (despite not being from the traditional West Saxon royal lineage) was placed
