Before a unified England existed, fierce warlords ruled the lands. Following the Roman departure, Britain entered a tumultuous era of fire, migration, and conquest. Roman towns decayed, while new kingdoms emerged. Anglo-Saxon kings battled for power and prestige across the island. Among these rulers, a select few were revered as Bretwaldas, or 'wide-rulers', whose influence extended beyond their own realms. Though not kings of England, they nearly governed the land destined to become it. This narrative features influential figures such as Ælle of Sussex, Ceawlin of Wessex, Æthelberht of Kent, Rædwald of East Anglia, Edwin of Northumbria, Oswald, and Oswiu. These leaders wielded their power through conquest, Christianity, terror, diplomacy, marriage, and warfare. In a world filled with shield walls, blood-feuds, pagan gods, Roman remnants, and the advent of Christianity, their kingdoms rose and fell. This is the saga of England's early history, before the era of Alfred the Great, highlighting warrior kings, sacred relics, and ambitious dark-age rulers. Experience the tale of the Bretwaldas, Britain's initial overlords. 00:00:00: Ælle of Sussex00:09:00: Ceawlin of Wessex00:23:37: Æthelberht of Kent00:39:59: Rædwald of East Anglia00:58:04: Edwin of Northumbria01:19:25: Oswald of Northumbria01:36:45: Oswiu of Northumbria #Bretwaldas #Anglo-Saxon #DarkAges #RomanBritain #Ælle #Ceawlin #Æthelberht #Rædwald #Edwin #Oswald #Oswiu #Christianity #BritishHistory #Pre-England See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/6a567a3db64ae72344b066ff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
