It was no doubt from this cause that we find Hengest and his son AEsc raised to the kingdom in Kent, or AElle in Sussex, or Cerdic and Cynric among the West Saxons.

The association of son with father in this new kingship marked the hereditary character which distinguished it from the temporary office of an ealdorman.

The change was undoubtedly a great one, but it was less than the modern conception of kingship would lead us to imagine.

Hereditary as the succession was within a single house, each successive king was still the free choice of his people, and for centuries to come it was held within a people's right to pass over a claimant too weak or too wicked for the throne.

In war indeed the king was supreme.