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Revision as of 22:21, 5 April 2002 by Koyaanis Qatsi (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Offa became King of Mercia in 757AD, and, as a result of subsequent military successes, effectively ruled the whole of England south of the Humber over a period. His date of birth is unknown.
He was a devout Christian, a contemporary of Charlemagne, and founded the diocese of Lichfield. His power spread over such a large part of England, that he prided himself to be the king of England; he was the only king of Western Europe to be regarded as an equal by Charlemagne. He also introduced silver coinage in England.
In 757, following the murder of his cousin, King Aethelbald by Beornrad, Offa seized the throne of Mercia. A series of campaigns against the Kentish Saxons led eventually to the decisive Battle of Otford in 775. The Battle of Bensington in Oxfordshire ended the power of the West Saxons.
He is perhaps best known for Offa's Dyke, a great earth wall between England and Wales. However, although this landmark is named after Offa, it is not known with certainty to what extent he was responsible for its construction. Some attribute the building of all or parts of the dyke to earlier periods.
He died in 796. After his death, the kingdom soon fell into decline. Only a quarter of a century after his death (825), the role of leading English power had been taken over by Wessex.