Hrethel

Hrethel was a king of the Northumbrians in the 7th century. According to the Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum, a historical work written by the Venerable Bede, Hrethel ruled Northumbria from 591 to 602. During his reign, Hrethel is said to have faced several challenges, including a succession crisis following the death of King Æthelberht of Kent.

Hrethel is often mentioned in connection with the reign of Æthelberht, who had converted to Christianity and was influential in introducing the faith to the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Hrethel's relationship with Æthelberht is not extensively documented, but it is speculated that Hrethel may have been related to him or formed an alliance with the Kentish kingdom.

Hrethel's reign was marked by a series of power struggles and a shift in the balance of power between the various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. According to Bede, Hrethel had a son named Æthelric, who succeeded him as king after a brief period of disputed succession.

Some scholars argue that Hrethel may be a mythical figure or a misunderstanding of a historical personage. However, most historians accept his existence and his role as a king of the Northumbrians during the 7th century.

Due to the scarcity of reliable sources and the lack of surviving documents from Hrethel's time, much of our knowledge about his reign is derived from the Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum, which was written by Bede in the late 8th century. As a result, interpretations and understanding of Hrethel's life and reign may vary among historians and scholars.