Abundant Opportunity Or Ine of Wessex
Ine was King of Wessex from 688 to 726. He was unable to retain the territorial gains of his predecessor, Caedwalla, who had brought much of southern England under his control and expanded West Saxon territory substantially. By the end of Ine's reign, the kingdoms of Kent, Sussex, and Essex were no longer under West Saxon domination; however, Ine maintained control of what is now Hampshire and consolidated and extended Wessex's territory in the western peninsula.
Ine is noted for his code of laws, which he issued in about 694. These laws were the first issued by an Anglo-Saxon king outside Kent. They shed much light on the history of Anglo-Saxon society and reveal Ine's Christian convictions. Trade increased significantly during Ine's reign, with the town of Hamwic becoming prominent. It was probably during Ine's reign that the West Saxon's began to mint coins, though none have been found that bear his name.
Ine abdicated in 726 to go to Rome, leaving, in the words of the contemporary chronicler Bede, the kingdom to "younger men". He was succeeded by Aethelheard.
Early sources agree that Ine was the son of Cenred, and that Cenred was the son of Ceolwald; further back there is less agreement. Ine's siblings included a brother, Ingild, and two sisters, Cuthburh and Cwenburg. Cuthburh was married to King Aldfrith of Northumbria, and Ine himself was married to Aethelburg. Bede tells he was of the royal blood of the Gewisse, the early West Saxon tribal name.
Ine's predecessor on the throne of Wessex was Caedwalla, but there is some uncertainty about the transition from Caedwalla to Ine. Caedwalla abdicated in 688 and departed for Rome to be baptized. Ine reigned for 37 years, abdicating in 726.
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