 The surviving regnal lists show only one king reigning at a time in Kent , but subkingdoms were common among the Anglo @-@ Saxons and from the reign of Hlothhere , in the late seventh century , there is evidence that Kent was usually ruled by two kings , though often one is clearly dominant . It is less clear that this is the case before Hlothhere . Forged charters preserve a tradition of Eadbald ruling during his father 's reign , presumably as a subking over west Kent . The papal letter that has been interpreted as indicating the existence of Æthelwald , a brother of Eadbald 's , refers to Æthelwald as a king ; if he existed , he would presumably have been a junior king to Eadbald . 
