527 – 919
The Mercia (Mercia in English) is an Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the High Middle Ages. It occupies mainly the region of the Midlands, in the heart of England, but extended beyond during its periods of expansion.
Etymology
In Old English, Mierce calls the "people of the margin", that is to say the warriors living on military marches called marka (or mierka).
History
The founding of the kingdom is traditionally dated to 527 and attributed to a certain Icel, but for lack of sources it is difficult to say anything certain about Mercia until the reign of Penda, in the second quarter of the 7th century. . This powerful pagan king defeats several kings of Northumbria and lays the foundations of Mercian hegemony over the rest of England. Nicene Christianity becomes the religion of the kingdom during the reign of his son Wulfhere (658-675).
Mercian power reached its peak in the 8th century, under the reigns of Æthelbald (716-757) and Offa (757-796). It declined in favor of Wessex from the 9th century. The Danish invasions hit the kingdom hard, which lost its eastern half to the Vikings in 877. After the reign of Æthelred II and his wife Æthelflæd, Mercia was attached to Wessex in 919. It nevertheless retained its own identity, and Earls of Mercia existed until the Norman conquest of England a century and a half later.
Capital Tamworth
Language Mercian dialect of Old English
History and events
527 Legendary foundation by Icel
716-796 Supremacy under Æthelbald and Offa
825 Battle of Ellendune, end of Mercian supremacy
877 Loss of Eastern Mercia
919 Annexation by Wessex
Following entities :
Wessex