THE HEPTARCHY.

73

arms against Adelard; but he being suppressed, chap.and dying soon after, the title of Adelard was j.not any farther disputed; and in the year 741, hewas succeeded by his cousin, Cudred. The reignof this prince was distinguished by a great vic-tory, which he obtained, by means of Edelhun,his general, over Ethelbald , Icing of Meraa. Hisdeath made way for Sigebert, his kinsman, whogoverned so ill, that his people rose in an insur-rection, and dethroned him, crowning Cenulphin his stead. The exiled prince found a refuge•with duke Cumbran , governor of Hampshire;who, that he might add new obligations to Sige-bert , gave him many salutary counsels for hisfuture conduct, accompanied with some reprehen-sions for the past. But these were so much resentedby the ungrateful prince, that he conspired againstthe hfe of his protector, and treacherously mur-dered him. After this infamous action , he wasforsaken by all the world; and skulking about inthe wilds and forests, was at last discovered bya servant of Cumbran’s, who instantly took revengeupon him for the murder of his master ll \

Ccnulph, who had obtained the crown onthe expulsion of Sigebert, was fortunate in manyexpeditions against the Britons of Cornwal; butafterwards lost some reputation by his ill successagainst Offa, king of Mercia ! ' J . Kynehard also,brother to the deposed Sigebert, gave him

Higden, lib. 5. W. Malmes. lib. I. cap. 3.

,,S V. Malmes. lib. 1: cap. 3.