Edric, the dispossessed prince, had recourse to Edilwach, king of Sussex, for assistance; and being supported by that prince, fought a battle with his uncle, who was defeated and slain.

Richard fled into Germany, and afterwards died in Lucca, a city of Tuscany.

William of Malmsbury ascribes Lothaire's bad fortune to two crimes--his concurrence in the murder of his cousins, and his contempt for relics.[*] Lothaire reigned eleven years; Edric, his successor, only two.

Upon the death of the latter, which happened in 686 Widred, his brother, obtained possession of the crown.

But as the succession had been of late so much disjointed by revolutions and usurpations, faction began to prevail among the nobility; which invited Cedwalla, king of Wessex, with his brother Mollo, to attack the kingdom.