THE HE-PTARCH Y.

death of the former in 793 , made way for Cealric, c h a ito whom succeeded Ceobald in 593, by whose i Tdeath, which happened in 611, JCynegils inheritedthe crown. This prince embraced Christianity ,10 ,through the persuasion of Oswald , king of North-umberland, who had married his daughter, andwho had attained a great ascendant in the hept-archy. Kenwalch next succeeded to the monarchy,and dying in 672, left the succession so muchdisputed, that Sexburga, his widow, a womanof spirit ,,x , kept possession of the government tillher death , which happened two years after.

Escwin then peaceably acquired the crown; and ,after a short reign of two years, made way forKentwin; who governed nine years. Ceodwalla,his successor, mounted not the throne withoutopposition; but proved a great prince, accordingto the ideas of those times; that is , he was enter-prising , warlike , and successful. He entirelysubdued the kingdom of Sussex, and annexed itto his own dominions. He made inroads intoKent; but met with resistance from Widred , theking, who proved successful against Mollo,brother to Ceodwalla , and stew him in a skirmish.Ceodwalla at last, tired with wars and bloodshed,was seized with a'fit of devotion ; bestowed severalendowments on the church; and made a pilgrim-age to Rome , where he received baptism, and

”* Ihgden, lib, 5. Chron. Sax. p. I§. Ann, Beverl.p. 94.

1-1 Bede, lib. 4. cap. 12. Chron. Sax. p. 4 k-

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