History
The Kingdom of Sussex (i.e., Sūþ Seaxna Rīce) was also known as the Kingdom of the South Saxons. According to the 9th century Anglo-Saxon Chronicle retelling, Ælle arrived with three ships at Cymenshore in 477. He and his three sons (e.g., Cymen, Wlencing, Cissa) killed or drove the Welsh inhabitants from their homes. Experts doubt this happened as written, but very little is known about the region before the arrival of Wilfrith in 691.
When the Saxons arrived in Sussex during the 5th century, they reintroduced pagan practices to the post-Roman region. It was not until Saint Wilfrith / Wilfrid founded the Selsey Abbey (a gift from King Æþelwealh) that the people of Sussex were swayed back toward Christianity, the last of the Anglo-Saxons to do so.
Cyningas
- Ælle of Sussex (477-514); First Bretwalda
- Cissa of Sussex (514-567)
- Æþelwealh (fl. ca. 660-ca. 685)
- Eadwulf (fl. ca. 683?)
- Ecgwald (fl. ca. 683-ca. 685?)
- Berhthun (fl. 685); Ealdorman of the King
- Andhun (fl. 685); Ealdorman of the King
- Noðhelm / Nunna (fl. 692-717); joint with Watt, Osric, and Æþelstan
- Watt (fl. ca. 692-ca. 700); joint with Noðhelm
- Bryni (fl. ca. 700); Ealdorman under Noðhelm and Watt
- Osric? (fl. ca. 710); joint with Noðhelm
- Æþelstan (fl. 717); joint with Noðhelm
- Æþelberht (fl. ca. 740); contemporary of Sigeferth
- Osmund (fl. 760-772); joint with Ælfwald, Osiac, and Oswald
- Oswald (fl. 772); Ealdorman under Offa, joint with Ælfwald, Osiac, and Osmund
- Oslac (fl. ca. 765-772); joint with Ælfwald, Ealdwulf, Osmund, and Oswald
- Ealdwulf (fl. ca. 765-ca. 791); joint with Ælfwald and Osiac
- Ælfwald (fl. ca. 765-772); joint with Ealdwulf, Osiac, Osmund, and Oswald
- Eadwine ( -982); Ealdorman under Æþelred Unræd