A.D. 755.  This year Cynewulf, with the consent of the West-Saxon council, deprived Sebright, his relative, for unrighteous deeds,
of his kingdom, except Hampshire; which he retained, until he slew the alderman who remained the longest with him.  Then
Cynewulf drove him to the forest of Andred, where he remained, until a swain stabbed him at Privett, and revenged the alderman,
Cumbra.  The same Cynewulf fought many hard battles with the Welsh; and, about one and thirty winters after he had the
kingdom, he was desirous of expelling a prince called Cyneard, who was the brother of Sebright.  But he having understood that
the king was gone, thinly attended, on a visit to a lady at Merton, (28) rode after him, and beset him therein; surrounding
the town without, ere the attendants of the king were aware of him.  When the king found this, he went out of doors, and
defended himself with courage; till, having looked on the etheling, he rushed out upon him, and wounded him severely.  Then
were they all fighting against the king, until they had slain him.  As soon as the king's thanes in the lady's bower heard the
tumult, they ran to the spot, whoever was then ready.  The etheling immediately offered them life and rewards; which none of
them would accept, but continued fighting together against him, till they all lay dead, except one British hostage, and he was
severely wounded.  When the king's thanes that were behind heard in the morning that the king was slain, they rode to the spot,
Osric his alderman, and Wiverth his thane, and the men that he had left behind; and they met the etheling at the town, where the
king lay slain.  The gates, however, were locked against them, which they attempted to force; but he promised them their own
choice of money and land, if they would grant him the kingdom; reminding them, that their relatives were already with him, who
would never desert him.  To which they answered, that no relative could be dearer to them than their lord, and that they would
never follow his murderer.  Then they besought their relatives to depart from him, safe and sound.  They replied, that the same
request was made to their comrades that were formerly with the king; "And we are as regardless of the result," they rejoined,
"as our comrades who with the king were slain."  Then they continued fighting at the gates, till they rushed in, and slew
the etheling and all the men that were with him; except one, who was the godson of the alderman, and whose life he spared, though
he was often wounded.  This same Cynewulf reigned one and thirty winters.  His body lies at Winchester, and that of the etheling
at Axminster.  Their paternal pedigree goeth in a direct line to Cerdic.  The same year Ethelbald, king of the Mercians, was slain
at Seckington; and his body lies at Repton.  He reigned one an forty years; and Bernred then succeeded to the kingdom, which he
held but a little while, and unprosperously; for King Offa the same year put him to flight, and assumed the government; which he
held nine and thirty winters.  His son Everth held it a hundred and forty days.  Offa was the son of Thingferth, Thingferth of
Enwulf, Enwulf of Osmod, Osmod of Eawa, Eawa of Webba, Webba of Creoda, Creoda of Cenwald, Cenwald of Cnebba, Cnebba of Icel,
Icel of Eomer, Eomer of Angelthew, Angelthew of Offa, Offa of Wermund, Wermund of Witley, Witley of Woden.

((A.D. 755.  This year Cynewulf deprived King Sigebert of his kingdom; and Sigebert's brother, Cynehard by name, slew Cynewulf
at Merton; and he reigned thirty-one years.  And in the same year Ethelbald, king of the Mercians, was slain at Repton.  And Offa
succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians, Bernred being driven out.))