Kingdom of Mercia

State · 534–925 CE · at its largest around 800 CE

An Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the English Midlands that dominated southern England under kings such as Penda and Offa, before being absorbed by Wessex.

On its lands while it lasted

Winchester (c. 534 CE): Capital of Kingdom of Wessex (534–927), Kingdom of England (936–1100).
Lincoln (c. 534 CE): Capital of Kingdom of Lindsey (534–625).
Tamworth (c. 534 CE): Capital of Kingdom of Mercia (534–918).
Wroxeter (c. 540 CE): Capital of Kingdom of Powys (540–1160).
Talgarth (c. 540 CE): Capital of Kingdom of Brycheiniog (540–1045).
Worcester (c. 577 CE): Capital of Hwicce (577–627).
Criccieth (c. 592 CE): Capital of Kingdom of Dunoting (592–625).
Isca Dumnoniorum (c. 602 CE): Capital of Dumnonia (602–709).
Sutton Hoo ship burial (c. 625 CE): Anglo-Saxon ship burial in Suffolk, probably of King Rædwald of East Anglia, containing the famous Sutton Hoo helmet.
Staffordshire Hoard (c. 650 CE): The largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever found, with more than 3,500 pieces, mostly fittings from weapons. Buried in the 7th century in Mercia, it was found near Hammerwich in 2009.
Alfred the Great (849 CE – 899 CE): King of Wessex who defended his kingdom against the Vikings, reorganised its defences and promoted learning in English.
Great Heathen Army (865–878 CE): A large coalition of Scandinavian warriors landed in East Anglia in 865, took York, and conquered Northumbria, East Anglia and much of Mercia before Alfred the Great defeated Guthrum at Edington in 878.