During his long reign, Mercia became the dominant kingdom of the Anglo-Saxons, a domination that continued until the end of the eighth century.
Citation:
Editors. "Æthelbald succeeds to the throne of Mercia".
The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 May 2009
[http://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=6805, accessed 18 May 2013.]