Beonna

Beonna (also spelled Beorna) was a King of East Anglia who reigned in the late 8th century, possibly jointly with other rulers. Historical sources for East Anglia during this period are sparse and often unreliable, making it difficult to establish a definitive chronology or the extent of Beonna's power.

The primary evidence for Beonna's existence comes from coinage. A number of pennies bearing his name and the title "Rex" (King) have been discovered. These coins date from around the late 8th century. The presence of coinage suggests that Beonna held a position of some authority and controlled a mint. However, the relative scarcity of his coins compared to those of other East Anglian rulers, such as Æthelred I, suggests his reign may have been relatively short or his territory limited.

Scholarly debates surround the exact nature of Beonna's rule. Some historians believe he ruled alongside other kings of East Anglia, potentially in a sub-kingdom or a divided territory. Other possibilities include a period of instability and multiple claimants to the throne. It is also debated whether he was a puppet ruler under Mercian overlordship, a common situation for East Anglia during this period.

Further complicating matters, some numismatists have suggested that "Beonna" might not be a personal name at all, but rather a shortened form of another, longer name. This theory remains speculative due to the lack of supporting evidence.

Regardless of the precise details, Beonna represents a figure in the shadowy history of East Anglia during the late 8th century, a period marked by political fragmentation and Mercian dominance. While the surviving evidence is limited, the existence of his coinage provides tangible proof of a king, albeit one whose reign and influence remain largely obscure.