King of the Mercians from 716, became the chief king of a confederation including all the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms between the Humber River and the English Channel, and by 736 was signing himself "king of Britain".
His predominance was made possible by the death of the strong king Wihtred of Kent (725) and the abdication of Ine of Wessex (726). During Aethelbald´s reign, London passed from East Saxon to Mercian control. Although generous to the church, he was rebuked in a letter (746 or 747) from Boniface and other Anglo-Saxon missionary bishops in Germany for his loose living and his violation of ecclesiastical prerogatives. In 749 he freed churches from all public financial responsabilities except bridge repair and fortress building. He was regarded by some as a tyrant and was murdered by his retainers.
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