Database: Ceolwulf II

Ceolwulf II was a king's thegn, or noble, who is believed to have belonged to the C dynasty of Mercian kings. He served in King Burgred's court during the Danish invasion of Mercia, but like many nobles during this time, defected from the king's side when the going got tough, i.e. when the Danes started winning.

Ceolwulf was looking to make the best out of a bad situation, and most likely had the support of nobles who didn't want to die. So, he made a pact with the Danes to make him king, a move he hoped would spare his kingdom of their wrath. Talk about a back-alley rise to the top.