Wessex
Kingdom of the West Saxons Westseaxna rīce(Old English) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 519–927 | |||||||||
 Flag of Wessex | |||||||||
 The Kingdom of Wessex in 900 AD | |||||||||
| Capital and largest city | Winchester | ||||||||
| Official languages | Old English | ||||||||
| Common languages | Old English (official),Latin | ||||||||
| Religion |
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| Government | Absolute Monarchy | ||||||||
| King | |||||||||
• 519–534 (first) | Cerdic | ||||||||
• 924–927 (last) | Athelstan | ||||||||
| Legislature | Witenagemot | ||||||||
| Historical era | Heptarchy | ||||||||
• Established | 519 | ||||||||
• Disestablished | 927 | ||||||||
| Currency | Penny | ||||||||
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Wessexwas an oldAnglo-Saxonkingdom beforeEnglandbecame one country. It was one of seven kingdoms in England. It was named after the West Saxons. It was in the south and southwest of England. Wessex was a kingdom from the 6th century until the English state was made in the 9th century. It was anearldombetween 1016 and 1066. Then "Wessex" was not an official place name. The 19th centurynovelistThomas Hardywrote about Wessex in his books which tell stories set in that area.
His Royal HighnessThe Prince Edwardwas given the title "Earl of Wessex" when he married Sophie who became the Countess of Wessex. The title Earl of Wessex had not been used since the last earl, KingHarold Godwinson,was killed at theBattle of Hastingsin 1066.
