Explore the period of political uncertainty in East Anglia after the fall of the Wuffingas Dynasty, with a focus on Offa of Mercia's ambitions to establish a Mercian Empire and control his subject kingdoms. Discover the relationships and identities of historical figures in Anglo-Saxon England, including Albert, Athelbert, Beona, and Hunna. Unravel the dark period in East Anglia with discussions on succession, legends, and coins, exploring the puzzling gaps in records and the potential connections between Athelbert and Athelbert.

The podcast discusses the end of the Wuffingas dynasty in East Anglia, marked by stability and prosperity. It explores the reigns of the final kings, Aildwolf and Elfwald, highlighting economic growth and the thriving commercial center of Yippeswitch. The planned expansion of Ipswich, introduction of coinage, and division of East Anglia and Bishopric of Domark are also discussed. King Aildwolf's reign and succession, along with the peaceful and prosperous reign of Alfworld, are explored. The lack of an heir for Elfwald and the division of the kingdom after his death are examined, reflecting on the stability and lasting legacy of the Wuffingas dynasty.

Following Anna’s death at the hands of Mercian invaders in 653, East Anglia was left entirely at the mercy of King Penda and his forces. Having been put on the back foot by the dramatic events of the Mercian invasion, the East Anglians scrambled for any stability in the storm. They turned, hopeful for respite, to Æthelhere, brother of the slain king.Credits – Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdeninghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW%C5%8DdeningSocial Media - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/anglosaxonenglandFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Anglo-Saxon-England-Podcast-110529958048053Twitter: https://twitter.com/EnglandAngloInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/anglosaxonenglandpodcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzyGUvYZCstptNQeWTwfQuA  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast discusses the political situation in East Anglia after Penda's attack, focusing on the rise of a new ruler named Anna. It explores Anna's experiences, religious commitments, and failed attempts at forming alliances through his daughters' marriages. The podcast also covers the discovery of a whale bone diptych and venerated remains, as well as the lives of Anna's children and his wife's miraculous encounter with doves.

Explore the concept of Pagan Reaction in early Anglo-Saxon history, including kings reversing Christian policies and supporting pagan practices. Learn about the conversion of Aopwald, the first recorded killing for Christianity in England, and the myth-making around him as a martyr. Delve into the contradicting evidence surrounding the burial of Rick Bett in the sudden-hoo ship burial and the hybrid pagan Christian materials found. Discover the efforts of new kings to convert East Anglia to Christianity, the establishment of Christian infrastructure, and the downfall of East Anglia due to religious conflicts.

Explore the life of King Raedwald and the famous burial at Sutton Hoo. Discover King Raedwald's syncretism and his relationship with Edwin. Learn about the reign of King Raedwald and the subsequent events, including the influence of Edwin on Aorpwald's conversion. Delve into the significance of the Sutton Hoo cemetery and the objects of wealth and prestige found in Radwald's reign.

Explore the rich legendary history of the East Anglian kingdom and its connection to the wider North Sea cultural zone. Delve into the mythical figures and exiles in Anglo-Saxon England. Discover the connections between East Anglia and Sweden through the Sutton Hoo burial. Explore the origins of Waelstan and Wufa in the East Anglian dynasty. Uncover the legendary kings of East Anglia and their close ties to Sweden.

Exploring the challenges of studying East Anglian history, the importance of archaeology in uncovering its secrets, the archaeological evidence of Rendlesham as a royal center, the migration and settlement of Germanic Anglians, and the practice of cremation in pagan societies.

With Kent wrapped up, and while I’m working on the next part of the podcast, I wanted to do another patron request episode. I have been asked to talk a bit about good books and resources for studying Anglo-Saxon history. This episode will be more free form than others, I just going to go through what for me are some of my go to resources. Some of these are academic books, so when they are likely to be expensive I will say so and I will try to suggest good alternatives where possible. Resources recommended in this episode:-       A Guide to Old English by B. Mitchell and F. C. Robinson-       http://www.oldenglishaerobics.net/-       https://www.memrise.com/-       English Historical Documents: Volume 1: c.500–1042, edited by D. Whitelock-       Councils and Synods: with other documents relating to the English Church, vol. I, part I: A.D. 871–1066, edited by D. Whitelock, M. Brett and C. N. L. Brooke.-       The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles by M. Swanton-       Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People (Oxford Medieval Texts), transl. and ed. B. Colgrave and R. A. B. Mynors-       The Complete Old English Poems (The Middle Ages Series), transl. C. Williamson-       https://oldenglishpoetry.camden.rutgers.edu/-       The Anglo Saxon Literature Handbook by M. C Amodio-       Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary by J. R. R. Tolkien-       https://esawyer.lib.cam.ac.uk/about/index.html-       The Anglo-Saxons, ed. J. Campbell-       The Anglo-Saxon World by N. J. Higham and M. Ryan-       The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England by M. Morris-       The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Anglo-Saxon England, ed. M. Lapidge, J. Blair, S. Keynes, and D. Scragg-       The Church in Anglo-Saxon Society by J. Blair-       The Coming of Christianity to Anglo-Saxon England by H. Mayr-Harting-       Signals of Belief in Early England: Anglo-Saxon Paganism Revisited, ed. M. Carver, A. Sanmark, and S. Semple-       Alfred the Great: War, Kingship and Culture in Anglo-Saxon England by R. Ables-       Alfred the Great: Asser's Life of King Alfred and Other Contemporary Sources, transl. S. Keynes and M. Lapidge-       Aethelstan: The First King of England by S. Foot-       Aethelred the Unready by L. Roach-       Edward the Confessor: Last of the Royal Blood by T. LicenceCredits -Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdeninghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW%C5%8DdeningSocial Media - Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/anglosaxonenglandFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Anglo-Saxon-England-Podcast-110529958048053Twitter: https://twitter.com/EnglandAngloInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/anglosaxonenglandpodcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzyGUvYZCstptNQeWTwfQuA  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast discusses the end of Kent as a kingdom, including the rebellion against Mercian rule, the reconquest with papal approval, and the post-fall period that led to the end of Kent's independence.