title: Sæward of Essex
text: # Sæward of Essex
  
  According to Bede, Sæward was the joint king of the Kingdom of Essex from 616? to 623? along with his brothers (named as Sexred and possibly Saexbald) after the death of their father Sæbert. Their father converted to Christianity in 604. After his death they repressed the Christian religion in favour of the indigenous English religion, allowing the worship of their people's native gods. They banished Mellitus, Bishop of London, from the kingdom after he refused them the sacramental bread. In 623(?) Sexred, Sæward and their brother were killed in a battle against the forces of Wessex. It is uncertain whether Sigeberht, son of Sæward, was their successor Sigeberht the Little or the latter's successor Sigeberht the Good.
  
  