English - English
Definition of bretwalda in English English dictionary
- The official title applied to that one of the Anglo-Saxon chieftains who was chosen by the other chiefs to lead them in their warfare against the British tribes
- or brytenwalda Any of several Anglo-Saxon kings with lordship over kingdoms beyond their own. Used in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the title probably means "ruler of the Britons." It was given to Egbert died 839 of Wessex and to seven earlier kings: Aelle of Sussex (fl. late 5th century), Ceawlin of Wessex died 593 , Aethelberht of Kent died 616 , Raedwald of East Anglia died 616/27 , Edwin of Northumbria died 632 , Oswald of Northumbria died 641 , and Oswiu of Northumbria died 670