The New Student's Reference Work/Egbert

Egbert, king of Wessex, ascended the throne of that country in 802. England at that time was divided into the three kingdoms of Northumbria, Mercia and Wessex. After a struggle with the Mercians, Egbert was recognized as overlord of that kingdom, and not long after Northumbria also accepted him as its overlord. Thus he became the first real king of England, although he did not formally assume that title, and continued to govern Mercia by means of its own king. He died in 837.