Biography of Swæfred King of Essex -709

Swæfred King of Essex was born to Sæbbi King of Essex.

In 664 died. Sighere King of Essex succeeded King Essex. [his father] Sæbbi King of Essex (age 38) succeeded King Essex. They ruled jointly.

Bede. 695. A stone coffin having been provided for burying [his father] his body (age 69), when they came to lay it in the same, they found his body a span longer than the coffin. Hereupon they hewed away the stone, and made the coffin about two fingers longer; but neither would it then contain the body. Under this difficulty of entombing him, they had thoughts either to get another coffin, or else to shorten the body, by bending it at the knees, if they could. But a wonderful event, caused by Providence, prevented the execution of either of those designs; for on a sudden, in the presence of the bishop, and [his brother] Sighard, the son of the king who had turned monk, and who reigned after him jointly with his brother Suefred, and of a considerable number of men, that same coffin was found to answer the length of the body, insomuch that a pillow might also be put in at the head; and at the feet the coffin was four fingers longer than the body. He was buried in the church of the blessed Apostle of the Gentiles [Map], by whose instructions he had learned to hope for heavenly things.

In 695 [his father] Sæbbi King of Essex (age 69) died. His son [his brother] Sigeheard King of Essex -709 succeeded King Essex. His son Swæfred King of Essex succeeded King Essex. They ruled jointly.

In 709 Swæfred King of Essex died. His half second cousin once removed Offa King of Essex succeeded King Essex.

Family Trees of Swæfred King of Essex -709

Paternal Family Tree: Essex

Ancestors of Swæfred King of Essex -709

Great x 2 Grandfather: Sledd King of Essex -604

Great x 1 Grandfather: King Sæberht of Essex

Great x 2 Grandmother: Ricula of Kent

GrandFather: Sexred King of Essex -626

Father: Sæbbi King of Essex

Swæfred King of Essex -709