This region, probably connected to the early tribal grouping known as the Gewisse, a term used by Bede for the West Saxons, lay on the frontier between the later kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia.

[2] As for several other members of the ruling house of Wessex (including Cerdic, Ceawlin and Caedwalla) a Celtic, rather than Germanic, etymology for Cynegils's name has been suggested, with the literal meaning of 'grey dog'.

"[6] Contradicting this simple account, the entry under 614 states that "This year Cynegils and Cwichelm fought at Beandun,[7] and slew two thousand and forty-six of the Welsh."

[10] Cynegils and Cwichelm appear to have been subject to Edwin of Northumbria by this time, paying an enormous tribute of a hundred thousand hides if Nick Higham's conception of the Tribal Hidage's origins is correct.

[12] This mission appears to have made a little long-term impact as Cynegils's son Cenwalh was not baptised until 646, according to The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, after having been driven from his kingdom by Penda.

Many texts follow Dumville (1985), assuming that these variations both represent scribal deviations from 642, which would conform with the stated reign length of 31 years.