King Offa
(757–796 Ƌƍ)
During the Early Middle Ages,
England was divided into seven
kingdoms, known as the
heptarchy. They included East
Anglia, Essex, Kent, Mercia,
Northumbria, Sussex, and
Wessex. The seven were always
competing against each other,
with some kings gaining power
over other kingdoms through
conquest or alliance. In the
eighth century, the kingdom
of Mercia rose to prominence
under the rule of Offa.
After becoming king of
Mercia in 757, Offa began to
extend his rule into neighboring
kingdoms. Offa proved to be an
able general and politician.
Throughout his reign, he
exercised power over nearly
all the other Anglo-Saxon
kingdoms. Northumbria was
the only kingdom able to resist
his control. He did, however,
have influence in that region
through a marriage alliance.
The most significant piece
of Offa’s legacy is what is now
known as Offa’s Dyke (see
illustration above). It runs
generally along the border
between modern England and
Wales and served as a divider
between Mercia and the Welsh
kingdom of Powys. A ninth-
century chronicler named Asser
credits Offa as the builder, butmany details about the
structure remain unclear. The
size and scale of the dyke serve
as symbols of the power and
resources Offa had under his
command at the time.
Finding primary sources for
Offa is difficult. Unlike some
other prominent rulers at the
time, he did not have a
chronicler with him to write
his biography. Most of the
information that has survived
about this ruler comes from
coins, charters, or accounts
written by rivals. Yet, despite the
lack of evidence, it is clear that
Offa was an important figure
in the political development of
Early Medieval England.
11What do you
think, King Offa?
The dyke is really
coming along well!