Beornrad was briefly King of Mercia in 757, following the murder of Æthelbald. However, he was defeated by Offa and fled.

According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, in 757: "...Aethelbald, king of Mercia, was killed at Seckington, and his body rests at Repton; and he ruled 41 years. And then Beornred succeeded to the kingdom, and held it a little while and unhappily; and that same year Offa put Beornred to flight and succeeded to the kingdom, and held it 39 years..."