Sæbbi of Essex

Sæbbi of Essex
Sebba's name listed among the early graves lost noted on the memorial in St Paul's Cathedral
King of Essex until 683 with Sighere
Reign	664-694
Predecessor	Swithelm
Successor	Sigeheard and Swæfred
Died	695
Burial	Old St Paul's Cathedral, City of London (Tomb destroyed in the Great Fire of London)
Issue	Swæfheard of Kent Sigeheard of Essex Swæfred of Essex
Religion	Christianity, prev. Anglo-Saxon paganism

Sæbbi (also known as Saint Sebbi or Sebba) was son of Sexred and was the joint King of Essex from 664 to about 683 along with his cousin, Sighere. After Sighere died, Sæbbi became sole ruler of Essex until 694.

Sighere and Sæbbi were cousins of their predecessor, Swithelm. In 665 Sighere apostatized and fell back into paganism, while Sebbi remained a faithful Christian. They soon developed a rivalry. Sighere found an ally in Wessex, and Sæbbi in Mercia. As a result of their rivalry, King Wulfhere of Mercia established himself as overlord of Essex in 665. He despatched Jaruman, the Bishop of Mercia, who was assigned to reconvert the people of Essex to Christianity.

In 686, Cædwalla, a Wessex sub-king, established himself as overlord of Essex. He and Sæbbi invaded Kent, expelling King Eadric, and Sæbbi ruled over West Kent. It was presumably at the time that Sæbbi founded the original abbey at Westminster.

Sæbbi is believed to have abdicated in 694 in order to enter a monastery, and was succeeded by his sons, Sigeheard and Swaefred, who ruled jointly over Essex. Another son, Swæfheard, would rule Kingdom of Kent. Sæbbi died in 695 and was buried in Old St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London where he was revered as a saint. Bede recounts the burial thus (4.11):