Ecgberht of Kent

Who was Ecgberht of Kent?

Ecgberht was a King of Kent who ruled from 664 to 673, succeeding his father Eorcenberht.

He may have still been a child when he became king following his father's death on 14 July 664, because his mother Seaxburh was recorded as having been regent.

Ecgberht's court seems to have had many diplomatic and ecclesiastic contacts. He hosted Wilfrid and Benedict Biscop, and provided escorts to Archbishop Theodore and Abbot Adrian of Canterbury for their travels in Gaul.

The Mildrith legend reports that he had his cousins Aethelred and Aethelberht killed and had to pay wergild to their sister Domne Eafe; this may reflect a dynastic struggle that ended in the success of Eorcenberht's line.

A charter records his patronage of the monastery at Chertsey.

Ecgberht was succeeded by his brother Hlothhere, who was in turn succeeded by Eadric and still later by Wihtred.