Bretwalda

noun

Bret·​wal·​da

ˈbretˌwȯldə

plural -s

: the chief king in Anglo-Saxon England

—used as a title in the Old English Chronicle for several kings said to have held supremacy over kingdoms beyond their own

Word History

Etymology

Old English bretwalda, brytenwealda, probably from Bryten Britain + -walda, -wealda (from wealdan to rule)

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