'Cenred' (or 'Coenred', 'Coinred', 'Kenred') ruled the
Anglo-Saxon kingdom of
Mercia.
The son of
Wulfhere, he was probably too young to succeed to the throne when Wulfhere died in
675, and so his uncle
Æthelred ruled until 704, when he abdicated. The ''
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'' mentions Cenred becoming "King of the Southumbrians" (a title of unclear meaning) in
702.
According to
Bede, Cenred abdicated in favor of Æthelred's son
Ceolred after four years, went with
Offa (an
East Saxon ruler) to
Rome and was made a
monk by
Pope Constantine. He died at an unknown date.
Cenred's name appears on several charters granting land, including ones to
Waldshere the
Bishop of London,
Cuthswith the Abbess of
Worcester, and to the
Abbey of Evesham.