AETHELWULF, king of the West Saxons, succeeded his father, Egbert, in A.D. 839. Aethelwulf's reign was chiefly occu pied with struggles against the Danes. After the king's defeat the Somerset and Dorset levies won a victory at the mouth of the Parret (c. 85o). In 851 Ceorl, with the men of Devon, defeated the Danes at Wigganburg, and Aethelstan of Kent was victorious at Sandwich ; despite this the Danes wintered in England that year for the first time. In 851 also Aethelwulf and Aethelbald won their great victory at Aclea, probably the modern Ockley. In 853 Aethelwulf subdued the North Welsh, in answer to the appeal of Burgred of Mercia, and gave him his daughter Aethelswith in marriage. The year 855 is the date of the Donation of Aethelwulf and of his journey to Rome with Alfred. On his way home he married Judith, daughter of Charles the Bold. According to Asser he was compelled to give up Wessex to his son Aethelbald on his return, and content himself with the eastern under-kingdom. He died in 858.
See Asser, Life of Alfred (W. H. Stevenson, 19°4), 1-16; Saxon Chronicle, s.a. 823, 836, 840, 851, 853,