During the 8th century and early 9th centuries, the kings of Mercia exercised a fluctuating hegemony over the kingdoms of south-eastern England, imposing their overlordship and at times exercising direct rule.
Durante o século VIII e a comezos do IX, os reis de Mercia exerceron unha flutuante hexemonía sobre os reinos do sueste de Inglaterra, impondo o seu poder e, en ocasións, gobernando directamente.