BEORHTRIC

died 802 king of the West Saxons, or Wessex (from 786), succeeding Cynewulf. Beorhtric was a descendant of Cerdic, founder of Wessex, but his parentage is unknown. In his time the Danes first began invading England, landing in Dorset. Beorhtric was troubled by a rival to his crown, Egbert (his eventual successor) and, failing to have him killed, succeeded in driving him into exile on the Continent, with the aid of his father-in-law Offa, king of Mercia. According to legend, Beorhtric died by poison, accidentally tasting a preparation made by his wife Eadburg, an ambitious woman who was wont to destroy her enemies by stratagem, or failing that, by poison.