Æthelwealh of Sussex
| Æthelwealh | |
|---|---|
Imaginary depiction of Æthelwealh from John Speed's 1611 "Saxon Heptarchy" | |
| King of Sussex | |
| Reign | fl. c. 660 – c. 685 |
| Predecessor | Cissa |
| Successor | ?Eadric |
| Died | 685 |
| Spouse | Eafe |
Æthelwealh (/ɑːθəlweɪl/ AH-th-ul-way-l or /ɑːðəlweɪl/ AH-dh-ul-way-l) (fl. c. 660 – c. 685) was the ruler of the ancient South Saxon kingdom from before 674 till his death between 680 and 685. According to the Venerable Bede, Æthelwealh was baptised in Mercia, becoming the first Christian king of Sussex. He was killed by a West Saxon prince, Cædwalla, who eventually became king of Wessex.