Cædwalla of Wessex emerged from exile to power, transforming southern England through relentless warfare. His campaigns from Sussex to Kent and the Isle of Wight reshaped Anglo-Saxon politics and religion.

Despite Christianity's spread, Cædwalla's conquests accelerated the transformation, notably with his invasion of the Isle of Wight, ending the pagan rule of Arwald.

Interestingly, Cædwalla remained unbaptized during his reign, only accepting baptism from Pope Sergius I in Rome at his life's end, dying far from his conquered lands.

This episode explores his life as a ruthless warlord caught between pagan past and Christian future.

00:00 Introduction
01:41 Ancestry & Early Life
02:37 The state of England at the time
05:33 Early Wars
08:06 Accession and reign
10:14 The Destruction of the Last Pagans
13:50 Abdication, baptism and death

Music by: Noel Malekar
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00:00: Introduction
01:41: Ancestry & Early Life
02:37: The state of England at the time
05:33: Early Wars
08:06: Accession and reign
10:14: The Destruction of the Last Pagans
13:50: Abdication, baptism and death

#Cædwalla #Wessex #Anglo-Saxon #Christianity #pagan #Englishhistory #conquest #medievalhistory #warriorking #Rome #PopeSergiusI

See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/69e2f452e9a4f1fbd1fa4cf7

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