thumb|250px|left|A detail from a 1780 map, showing the Isle of Wight, Selsey Bill, and the Owers shoals to the south. Pevensey is about fifty miles to the east, along the coast.The Chronicle mentions Ælle once more under the year 827, where he is listed as the first of the eight "bretwaldas", or "Britain-rulers". The list consists of Bede's original seven, plus Egbert of Wessex.Swanton, Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, pp. 60–61. There has been much scholarly debate over just what it meant to be a "bretwalda", and the extent of Ælle's actual power in southern England is an open question.Hunter Blair, An Introduction, pp. 201–202.Campbell et al., The Anglo-Saxons, pp. 53–54. It is also noteworthy that there is a long gap between Ælle and the second king on Bede's list, Ceawlin of Wessex, whose reign began in the late 6th century; this may indicate a period in which Anglo-Saxon dominance was interrupted in some way.
thumb|250px|left|a detail from a 1780 map showing the isle of wight selsey bill and the owers shoals to the south pevensey is about fifty miles to the east along the coastthe chronicle mentions ælle once more under the year 827 where he is listed as the first of the eight "bretwaldas" or "britain-rulers" the list consists of bede's original seven plus egbert of wessexswanton anglo-saxon chronicle pp 60–61 there has been much scholarly debate over just what it meant to be a "bretwalda" and the extent of ælle's actual power in southern england is an open questionhunter blair an introduction pp 201–202campbell et al the anglo-saxons pp 53–54 it is also noteworthy that there is a long gap between ælle and the second king on bede's list ceawlin of wessex whose reign began in the late 6th century; this may indicate a period in which anglo-saxon dominance was interrupted in some way