Rory Naismith: Offa King of the Mercians (796)

This week the Cambridge professor Rory Naismith takes us back to the eighth century to glimpse what we can of Offa King of the Mercians. Offa was a mighty figure in this early moment in the history of Britain and he is remembered chiefly for the extraordinary earthwork – Offa's Dyke.

But what more can be said about Offa's life? In this episode Naismith explains that he was a ruler of considerable gifts whose reputation stretched far beyond his considerable kingdom. He corresponded with Charlemagne and was connected with the Islamic World and, when he died, he left a great void behind.

The scenes, characters and storylines in this episode of Travels Through Time all feature in Rory Naismith's book, Offa: King of the Mercians.

Scene One: Offa of Mercia receives a letter from Charlemagne that is one of the first diplomatic exchanges between two Medieval monarchs.

Scene Two: 29 July. Offa’s dies.

Scene Three: December 796. Offa’s son and heir Ecgfrith dies unexpectedly.

Memento: Offa’s side of the correspondence with Charlemagne

Presenter: Peter Moore 

Guest: Rory Naismith

Producers: Maria Nolan

Theme music: Firelight by Minka