The north side contains runes that are not easily decipherable, but may refer to Wulfere, among others, who was a son of Penda, and king of Mercia.
While the precise period during which the Mercian Supremacy existed remains uncertain (depending upon whether the reigns of Penda and Wulfhere are included), the end of the era is generally agreed to be around 825, following the defeat of King Beornwulf at the Battle of Ellandun, (near the present Swindon).
Werburgh, an Anglo-Saxon saint who has given her name to Warburgtune, as Warburton was called in the Domesday survey (1086), was the daughter of Wulfhere, the first Christian king of Mercia.
The monastery had initially been endowed by Peada; for the dedication of Wulfhere's gift both Archbishop Deusdedit (died 664), and Bishop Jaruman (held office from 663), were present.
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Stephen of Ripon's Life of Wilfrid describes Wulfhere as "a man of proud mind, and insatiable will".
Mercia | Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia | Offa of Mercia | Æthelbald of Mercia | Beornwulf of Mercia | Wulfhere of Mercia | Penda of Mercia | Edwin, Earl of Mercia | Ecgfrith of Mercia | Wiglaf of Mercia | Leofric, Earl of Mercia | Coenwulf of Mercia | West Mercia Police Authority | Peada of Mercia | Mercia Mudstone Group | Ludeca of Mercia | Eowa of Mercia | Earl of Mercia | Ceolwulf I of Mercia | Æthelred of Mercia | Ælfflæd of Mercia |