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| | KINGDOM OF ESSEX |
 | | In the year 653 we find Northumbrian influence paramount in Essex, for King Sigeberht at the instance of Oswio became a Christian and received Cedd, the brother of St Chad, in his kingdom as bishop, Tilbury and Ythanceastere (on the Blackwater) being the chief scenes of his work. |
 | | As the laws of me of Wessex speak of Erconwald as my bishop, it is possible that the influence of Wessex for a short time prevailed in Essex; but a subsequent charter of Swefred is approved by Coenred of Mercia, and Offa, the son of Sigehere, accompanied the same king to Rome in 709. |
 | | In 743 or 745 Althelbald of Mercia is found granting privileges at the port of London, and perhaps the western portiOn of the kingdom had already been annexed, for henceforward London is frequently the meeting-place of the Mercian council. |
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