Kingdom of Lindsey - Kings of Lindsey

Kings of Lindsey

The Anglian collection of genealogies, which was created in the last years of the reign of Offa of Mercia, listed the rulers of Lindsey. The early names relate either to life in Angeln or to a boastful genealogy arising from gods such as Woden.

• Geot - Compare the Geats who are frequently mentioned in Beowulf's story.
• Godulf
• Finn
• Frioðulf
• Frealaf
• Woden - Compare Woden, the god.

From Winta onwards, the names refer to the early leaders of Lindsey.

• Winta - Compare Winteringham (the homestead of Winta's people).
• Cretta
• Cuelgils
• Caedbaed
• Bubba
• Beda
• Biscop
• Eanferð
• Eatta
• Aldfrið

None of the individuals can be securely dated. With regard to Aldfrið, Frank Stenton referred to the witness list for an Anglo-Saxon charter which includes an "Ealfrid rex", and dated its writing to some time between the years 787 and 796. Scholars now believe that the name on the witness list should read "Ecgfrið Rex", and refers to Offa's son. He was anointed King of the Mercians in 787, nine years before his succession in 796, and would have been correctly styled rex. Stenton suggested that the name 'Biscop' came from the title 'bishop' and must post-date Paulinus's mission to Lindsey of 628 CE. But, as Sarah Foot has pointed out, Biscop does not need to have been derived from an external origin. The other genealogies in the Anglian collection close with historic personages whose dates are known, such as Edwin of Deira (616-33), Ethelred of Mercia (675-704) and Ethelbert II of Kent (725-62), but this wide range offers little help in dating Aldfrið.