Right-Believing
Anna of East Anglia
King of East Anglia
King of East Anglia, who fell in 654 at Blythburgh in battle against King Penda.
Uncertain source. We are looking to verify this information as soon as we can.
- Reposed
- 6547th century
- Place
- Blythburgh
Life
Anna of East Anglia was king of East Anglia from the early 640s until his death, in 653 or 654. He belonged to the Wuffingas, the ruling dynasty of the East Angles, and was one of the three sons of Eni. Bede praised his devotion, and his family was renowned for holiness: his son Jurmin and his daughters Seaxburh, Æthelthryth and Æthelburh, and possibly Wihtburh, were canonized.
While Cenwalh of Wessex lived in exile at Anna's court, he was converted to Christianity through his influence. Anna richly endowed the monastery at Cnobheresburg. After an attack by Penda in 651 he fled into exile, returned about 653, and fell in battle against the Mercians, in which his son Jurmin was also killed. His brother Æthelhere succeeded him. The sources consulted do not say that he himself was canonized.