Wiglaf of Mercia

Wiglaf (died 839/840) was the King of Mercia from 827 to 829 and again from 830 until his death. His rule coincided with the rise of the rival Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex under Egbert.

Wiglaf does not seem to have been a member of the traditional Mercian royal line, but he legitimized his position for his marriage to Cynefrith, the sister of Coenwulf and Ceolwulf I. He became king after his predecessor, Ludeca, was killed in a failed attempt to subjugate the rebellious East Anglians. At this time, Mercia was engaged in a conflict with the rising power of Wessex, which had begun during the reign of Beornwulf in 825, and in 829, Egbert of Wessex successfully invaded Mercia and drove Wiglaf from his throne.

Historically speaking, this event marked the beginning of the domination of England by Wessex, but the Mercians regained their independence and brought Wiglaf back to power in the following year. It is unclear whether this was the result of a Mercian rebellion against West Saxon rule or a grant made by Egbert to a submissive Wiglaf; the 20th century historian Frank Stenton argued in his Anglo-Saxon History that the former is more likely, and cited a charter of 836 as evidence that Wiglaf was acting as an independent ruler at that time.

Preceded by: Ludeca	King of Mercia 827–829	Succeeded by: Egbert
Preceded by: Egbert	King of Mercia 830–840	Succeeded by: Wigstan