THE HEPTARCHY. 63

a violent death **. His son, Wolfhere, succeeded chap.to the government; and after having reduced to I.dependence the kingdoms of Essex and East-Anglia, he left the crown to his brother, Ethel-red, who, though a lover of peace , showedhimself not unfit for military enterprises. Besidesmaking a successful expedition into Kent, herepulsed Egfrid, king of Northumberland, whohad invaded his dominions ; and he flew in battleElfwin, the brother of that prince. Desirous,however , of composing all animosities withEgfrid , he payed him a sum of money, as acompensation for the loss of his brother. After aprosperous reign of thirty years, he resigned thecrown to Kendred , son of Wolfhere and retiredinto the monastery of Bardney ". Kendredreturned the present of the crown to Ceolred,the son of Ethelred; and making a pilgrimage toRome , passed his life there in penance anddevotion. The place of Ceolred was supplied byEthelbald , great - grand - nephew to Penda byAlwy, his brother; and this prince, being stainin a mutiny, was succeeded by Ossa, who wasa degree more remote from Penda, by Eawa ,another brother.

This prince, who mounted the throne in755 had some great qualities, and was sue-

" Hugo Candidus . pag. 4. fays that he was treacherouslymurdered by his queen, from whose persuasion he hadembraced Christianity; but this account of the matter isfound in that historian alone.

Bede , lib. 5.

Chron. Sax. p. 59.

,