High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Egbert (also spelled Ecgberht or Ecgbriht; ca. 769 or 771 – 839) was King of Wessex from 802 until his death in 839. His father was Ealhmund of Kent. In the 780s Egbert was forced into exile by Offa of Mercia and Beorhtric of Wessex, but on Beorhtric`s death in 802 Egbert returned and took the throne.