Ceol of Wessex

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Ceol (also known as Ceola or Ceolric) was one of the West Saxon kings of Wessex.

He was the son of Cutha the son of Cynric of Wessex. He reigned from either 591 AD or 592 to 597 after deposing his uncle Ceawlin in a battle fought at a place called Woden's Barrow or Wodnesbeorg in Wiltshire, thus denying the throne to the rightful heir, Ceawlin's son Cuthwine. Upon his death the throne passed to his brother Ceolwulf, because his son Cynegils was presumably too young to inherit the throne, so it was given to the brother, as was probably the custom among the Saxons.

The Ceolian line

Ceol was the founding member of a sub-house of the House of Wessex which would rule Wessex from 591 - 645, 648 - 674 and from 676 - 685, comprising Ceol, Ceolwulf, Cynegils, Cenwalh, Seaxburh and Centwine. Coenwulf and Ceolwulf I of Mercia are also believed to be descendants of Ceol, meaning that the Ceolian line flourished for at least three centuries after its founder's death, and possibly longer. (See House of Wessex family tree.)

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