Ceawlin is one of the seven kings named in Bede's "Ecclesiastical History of the English People" as holding ""imperium"" over the southern English: the "Chronicle" later repeated this claim, referring to Ceawlin as a "bretwalda", or "Britain-ruler". Ceawlin was deposed, perhaps by his nephew, Ceol, and died a year later. Six years later, in about 594, Ceol was succeeded by a brother, Ceolwulf, who was succeeded in his turn in about 617 by Cynegils. The genealogies do not agree on Cynegils' pedigree: his father is variously given as Ceola, Ceolwulf, Ceol, Cuthwine, Cutha or Cuthwulf.