Editing Surrey (section)

=== Formation of Surrey ===
During the 5th and 6th centuries Surrey was conquered and settled by [[Saxons]]. The names of possible tribes inhabiting the area have been conjectured on the basis of place names. These include the {{lang|ang|Godhelmingas}} (around [[Godalming (hundred)|Godalming]]) and {{lang|ang|Woccingas}} (between [[Woking]] and [[Wokingham]] in Berkshire). It has also been speculated that the entries for the {{lang|ang|Nox gaga}} and {{lang|ang|Oht gaga}} peoples in the [[Tribal Hidage]] may refer to two groups living in the vicinity of Surrey. Together their lands were assessed at a total of 7,000 [[hide (unit)|hides]], equal to the assessment for [[Kingdom of Sussex|Sussex]] or [[Kingdom of Essex|Essex]].

Surrey may have formed part of a larger [[Middlesex|Middle Saxon]] kingdom or confederacy, also including areas north of the Thames. The name Surrey is derived from {{lang|ang|Sūþrīge}} (or {{lang|ang|Suthrige}}), meaning "southern region" (while [[Bede]] refers to it as {{lang|ang|Sudergeona}}){{sfn|Yorke|1990|p=47}} and this may originate in its status as the southern portion of the Middle Saxon territory.
{{sfn|Cannon|2009|p=618}}{{sfn|Drewett|Rudling|Gardiner|1988|p=275}}

If it ever existed, the Middle Saxon kingdom had disappeared by the 7th century, and Surrey became a frontier area disputed between the kingdoms of [[Kingdom of Kent|Kent]], Essex, Sussex, [[Wessex]] and [[Mercia]], until its permanent absorption by Wessex in 825. Despite this fluctuating situation it retained its identity as an enduring territorial unit. During the 7th century Surrey became Christian and initially formed part of the East Saxon [[diocese of London]], indicating that it was under East Saxon rule at that time, but was later transferred to the West Saxon [[diocese of Winchester]]. Its most important religious institution throughout the [[Anglo-Saxon]] period and beyond was [[Chertsey Abbey]], founded in 666. At this point Surrey was evidently under Kentish domination, as the abbey was founded under the patronage of [[Ecgberht of Kent|King Ecgberht]] of Kent.{{sfn|Kirby|2000|p=36}}{{sfn|Kirby|2000|p=83}} However, a few years later at least part of it was subject to Mercia, since in 673–675 further lands were given to Chertsey Abbey by [[Frithuwald of Surrey|Frithuwald]], a local sub-king ({{lang|la|subregulus}}) ruling under the sovereignty of [[Wulfhere of Mercia]].{{sfn|Kirby|2000|pp=96-97}} A decade later Surrey passed into the hands of [[Caedwalla|King Caedwalla]] of Wessex, who also conquered Kent and Sussex, and founded a monastery at [[Farnham]] in 686.{{sfn|Kirby|2000|pp=102-103}}

The region remained under the control of Caedwalla's successor [[Ine of Wessex|Ine]] in the early 8th century.{{sfn|Kirby|2000|p=105}} Its political history for most of the 8th century is unclear, although West Saxon control may have broken down around 722, but by 784–785 it had passed into the hands of [[King Offa]] of Mercia.{{sfn|Kirby|2000|pp=111-112}}{{sfn|Kirby|2000|p=139}} Mercian rule continued until 825, when following his victory over the Mercians at the [[Battle of Ellandun]], [[King Egbert]] of Wessex seized control of Surrey, along with Sussex, Kent and Essex.{{sfn|Kirby|2000|p=152}}{{sfn|Kirby|2000|pp=155-156}}{{sfn|Swanton|2000|pp=60-61}} It was incorporated into Wessex as a [[shire]] and continued thereafter under the rule of the West Saxon kings, who eventually became kings of all of England.

==== Identified sub-kings of Surrey ====
*[[Frithuwold of Surrey|Frithuwald]] ({{circa|673–675}})
*Frithuric? ({{circa|675|686|lk=no}})