HWICCE, one of the kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon Britain, coin ciding generally with the mediaeval diocese of Worcester, the early bishops of which bore the title "Episcopus Hwicciorum." It would therefore include Worcestershire, Gloucestershire except the Forest of Dean, the southern half of Warwickshire, and the neighbourhood of Bath. The name Hwicce survives in Wychwood Forest in Oxfordshire. This district, or at all events the southern portion, was according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, s.a. 577, originally conquered by the West Saxons under Ceawlin. In later times, however, the kingdom of the Hwicce appears to have been always subject to Mercian supremacy, and possibly it was sepa rated from Wessex in the time of Edwin. The first kings of whom we read were two brothers, Eanhere and Eanfrith, probably con temporaries of Wulf here. They were followed by Osric, a con temporary of Aethelred, and by Oshere. Oshere's three sons Aethelheard, Aethelweard and Aethelric succeeded him, the two last reigning in 706. At the beginning of Offa's reign we again find the kingdom ruled by three brothers, named Eanbert, Uhtred and Aldred, the two latter of whom lived until c. 780. After them the title of king seems to have been given up. Their successor Aethelmund, who was killed in a campaign against Wessex in 802, is described only as an earl. The district remained in possession of the rulers of Mercia until the fall of that kingdom. Together with the rest of English Mercia it submitted to King Alfred c. 877-883 under Earl Aethelred, who possibly himself belonged to the Hwicce. No list of kings has been preserved, and we do not know whether the dynasty was connected with that of Wessex or Mercia.