Caedwalla of Wessex

Saint Caedwalla of Wessex (Cædwalla), born around 659 and reposed on 20 April 689, was king of Wessex in England from 685 or 686 until 688. His name derives from the Welsh Cadwallon. Exiled from Wessex in his youth, he gathered forces and attacked the South Saxons, killing their king, Æthelwealh. Having become king of Wessex, he won Sussex again, conquered the Isle of Wight, gained control of Surrey and the kingdom of Kent, where in 686 he installed his brother Mul as king. In his time the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight, who had until then been heathen, were brought to Christianity.

Wounded in the conquest of the Isle of Wight, and perhaps for this reason, he abdicated in 688 to travel to Rome for baptism. He reached Rome in April 689 and was baptised by Pope Sergius I on the Saturday before Easter. He died soon after, on 20 April, still in the white robes of baptism. He is a royal saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 20 April (new style; 3 May in the old style).