|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
Wessex
Wessex , one of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in England. It may have been settled as early as 495 by Saxons under Cerdic , who is reputed to have landed in Hampshire. Cerdic's grandson, Ceawlin (560–93), annexed scattered Saxon settlements in the Chiltern Hills and drove the Celts from the region between the upper Thames valley and the lower Severn. But Ceawlin himself was finally expelled from Wessex, and until the end of the 8th cent. the country was overshadowed successively by Kent, Northumbria, and Mercia. King Cædwalla (reigned 685–88) conducted several successful campaigns; and his successor Ine consolidated the western expansion through Somerset and exacted tribute from Kent. After Ine's death, however, the kingdom relapsed into anarchy. Egbert (802–39) became overlord of all England, but his successors were forced to relinquish many of his gains and to concentrate on defending their lands against the invading Danes. With the reign of Alfred (871–99) and the halting of the Danes, the history of Wessex becomes that of England. In the 10th cent., Edward the Elder, Athelstan, Edmund, and Edred gradually acquired firm control over all England, including the Danelaw. This unity ended, however, after the quiet reign of Edgar (959–75), for Æthelred (978–1016) could offer no effective resistance to the invading Vikings. Canute established Danish rule in 1016. The end of his line caused the recall of Edward the Confessor (1042–66), last of the Wessex line of Alfred. In the novels of Thomas Hardy, Wessex is used to mean the SW counties of England, mainly Dorsetshire. |
|
|
Cite this article
"Wessex." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Wessex." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Wessex.html "Wessex." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Wessex.html |
|
Wessex
Wessex, England/UK West Seaxe One of the seven Anglo‐Saxon kingdoms, centred on Winchester, founded in the 6th century and named after the West Saxons. By conquest it expanded to cover much of southern England. In the 10th century the kings of Wessex became the kings of England. The name fell into disuse after the Norman conquest in the 11th century, but has been revived for some administrative purposes; and Queen Elizabeth II's youngest son has the title Earl of Wessex.
|
|
|
Cite this article
JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Wessex." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Wessex." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Wessex.html JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Wessex." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Wessex.html |
|
Wessex
Wessex Anglo-Saxon kingdom established in Hampshire, sw England. Traditionally founded by Cerdic (r.519–534), by the beginning of the 9th century it had extended its territory to include much of s England. Egbert (r.802–39) became overlord of all England, but his successors relinquished much of their kingdom to the invading Danes. Alfred the Great managed to resist further Danish encroachment, and Wessex was the only English kingdom to escape Danish conquest.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"Wessex." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Wessex." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Wessex.html "Wessex." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Wessex.html |
|
Wessex
Wessex the kingdom of the West Saxons, established in Hampshire in the early 6th century and gradually extended by conquest to include much of southern England. Under Alfred the Great and his successors it formed the nucleus of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of England. Athelstan, Alfred's grandson, became king of England. The name was revived in the 19th century by Thomas Hardy to designate the south-western counties of England (especially Dorset) in which his novels are set.
|
|
|
Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Wessex." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Wessex." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Wessex.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Wessex." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Wessex.html |
|
Wessex
Wessex The kingdom of the West Saxons, established in Hampshire in the early 6th century and gradually extended by conquest to include much of southern England. Under Alfred the Great and his successors it formed the nucleus for the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of England. The name was revived by Thomas Hardy to designate the southwestern counties of England (especially Dorset) in which his novels are set, and is used in the titles of certain present-day regional authorities.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"Wessex." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Wessex." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-Wessex.html "Wessex." A Dictionary of World History. 2000. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O48-Wessex.html |
|
Wessex
Wessex (ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom centred on Winchester). West Seaxe late 9th cent. ‘(Territory of) the West Saxons’. OE west + Seaxe.
|
|
|
Cite this article
A. D. MILLS. "Wessex." A Dictionary of British Place-Names. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. A. D. MILLS. "Wessex." A Dictionary of British Place-Names. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O40-Wessex.html A. D. MILLS. "Wessex." A Dictionary of British Place-Names. 2003. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O40-Wessex.html |
|
Wessex
Wessex, the name used by Hardy to designate the south-west counties, principally Dorset, which form the setting of many of his works.
|
|
|
Cite this article
MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Wessex." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Wessex." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-Wessex.html MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "Wessex." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-Wessex.html |
|
Wessex
Wessex
•admix, affix, commix, fix, Hicks, intermix, MI6, mix, nix, Nyx, pix, Pnyx, prix fixe, pyx, Ricks, six, Styx, transfix, Wicks
•Aquarobics • radix • appendix
•crucifix • suffix • Alex • calyx
•Felix, helix
•kylix • Horlicks • prolix • spondulicks
•hydromechanics • phoenix
•Ebonics, onyx
•mechatronics • sardonyx
•Paralympics • semi-tropics
•subtropics • Hendrix
•dominatrix, matrix
•administratrix • oryx • tortrix
•executrix • Beatrix • cicatrix
•Essex, Wessex
•kinesics • coccyx • Sussex
•informatics, mathematics
•Dianetics • geopolitics • bioethics
•cervix • astrophysics • yikes
|
|
|
Cite this article
"Wessex." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Wessex." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Wessex.html "Wessex." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Wessex.html |
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
