Ceolwulf was the son of Cutha (probably Cuthwulf) and the grandson of
Cynric and succeeded his older brother
Ceol. According to the
Chronicle, he was a powerful ruler who "continually fought and contended either against the English, or the
Britons, or the
Picts, or the
Scots", but it is unlikely that he fought against the Picts or the Scots. His only recorded battle was against the
South Saxons in 607, perhaps for control of the
Isle of Wight and south Hampshire, but he probably laid the foundations for West Saxon expansion against the British and Saxon peoples of the south and west. He may have begun to construct a regional overlordship among the groups who comprised the West Saxons. It is not certain whether his successor,
Cynegils, was his son or the son of his older brother Ceol. == See also ==