List of monarchs of Sussex

This list of kings and ealdormen of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Sussex contains substantial gaps, and many of the dates from this time are unreliable. No authentic South Saxon king list or genealogy exists. Most kings are known only from charters, some of which are forgeries, so great care is required in assigning dates to the kings. The styles listed below are copied from the authentic charters that are available online. The traditional residence of the South Saxon kings was at Kingsham, once outside the southern walls of Chichester although within its modern boundaries.^[1]

Problems with the term "monarch"

To call these rulers "monarchs" is potentially misleading; Noðhelm reigned with two or three colleagues and Oslac with four. The locations of the lands granted in their charters indicate that they reigned jointly and that there was no division of territory. Such joint reigns can also be demonstrated for Hwicce, Essex, and Wessex. Indeed, “[t]here is nothing remarkable in the existence of two or even more contemporary kings in the same people in the seventh century. The ancient idea that royal dignity was a matter of birth rather than of territorial rule still survived at this date.”^[2]

Kings and Ealdormen of the South Saxons

Reign	Incumbent	Style	Notes
477 to 514	Ælle of Sussex	according to Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, king.	First Bretwalda
514 to 567	Cissa of Sussex	According to Roger of Wendover, king.	born in 477, co-ruler 491, king in 514.
fl. c. 660 to c.685	Æðelwealh		Killed by Caedwalla; first king of Sussex to be baptized
fl. c. 683?	Eadwulf	Ealdulfus dux Suthsax is listed as a witness to a possibly spurious charter, S.232, of Caedwalla endowing Wilfrid's monastery at Selsey c. 683. Probably represents Ealdwulf.
fl. c. 683 to c.685?	Ecgwald	sub-regulus.	Ecwald, also Ecguald, a sub-king, is named in, or witnesses, possibly spurious charters, S.230 and S.232, of Caedwalla endowing Wilfrid's monastery at Selsey c. 683 to 685.
fl.685	Berhthun	According to Bede, an alderman of the King.	Ealdorman
fl.685	Andhun	According to Bede, an alderman of the King.	Ceawlin of Wessex
Subject to Wessex (c.686 to 726)
fl.692 to 717	Noðhelm (Nunna)	Nothelmus rex Suthsax’ Nunna rex Sussax’ Nunna rex Suthsax’	jointly with Watt, Osric, and Æðelstan.
fl.692 to c.700	Watt	Wattus rex	jointly with Noðhelm
fl. c.700	Bryni	Bruny dux Suthsax'	Ealdorman under Noðhelm and Watt
fl. c.710	?Osric	Osricus	jointly with Noðhelm
fl.717	Æðelstan	Athelstan rex	jointly with Noðhelm
fl. c.740	Æðelberht	Ethelbertus rex Sussaxonum	a contemporary of Sigeferth
fl.760 to 772	Osmund	Osmundus rex Osmund dux	jointly with Oswald, Ælfwald, and Oslac
Subject to Mercia (771 to 825)
fl.772	Oswald	Osuualdus dux Suðsax'	Ealdorman under Offa jointly with Osmund, Ælfwald, and Oslac
fl. c.765 to 772	Oslac	Osiac rex Oslac dux	jointly with Ealdwulf, Ælfwald, Oswald, and Osmund.
fl. c.765 to c.791	Ealdwulf	Alduulf rex Aldwlfus dux Suthsaxonum Aldwlf dux Aldwlfus dux Suthsaxonum Ealdwlf	jointly with Ælfwald and Oslac
fl. c.765 to 772	Ælfwald	Ælhuuald rex Ælbuuald dux	jointly with Ealdwulf, Oslac, Oswald, and Osmund
Subject to Wessex (from 825)
died 982	Eadwine	Eaduuine dux	Ealdorman under Æðelræd Unræd

In 825 the South Saxons submitted to Ecgberht, King of Wessex.

See also

• List of monarchs of Wessex
• List of English monarchs

References

1. Alec Hamilton-Barr. In Saxon Sussex. The Arundel Press, Bognor Regis. p 29
2. Mawer, A.; Stenton, F. M. (1929). The place-names of Sussex.