Home > Aethelhere of East Anglia

Following the death of Anna at the hands of Penda of Mercia, Aethelhere became king and ruled as an ally of the Mercians. He participated in Penda's massive invasion of Northumbria in 655, and when the invaders met the Northumbrian army under Oswiu at the Battle of Winwaed on November 15, Aethelhere fought, unlike two other prominent allies of Penda, Aethelwald of Deira and Cadfael ap Cynfeddw of Gwynedd, who deserted him. Aethelhere was killed in the battle, along with Penda.