The Wessex Constitutional Convention is an all party pressure group with the following stated aims:
To achieve the broadest consensus on the form of self-government appropriate for Wessex.
To campaign for the implementation of that consensus at the earliest possible opportunity.
To oppose the continuing partition of Wessex between the 'South-West' and 'South-East' government zones.
To promote as Wessex the area comprising the eight traditional counties of Berkshire, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, subject to addition or subtraction according to popular wish.
It actively participates in the continuing commission on the South, which was set up by the political think-tank "Devolve!" and is chaired by former regions minister Dr. Alan Whitehead, MP.
According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (ASC), Wessex was founded by Cerdic and Cynric, chieftains of a clan known as "Gewisse", although the specific events given by the ASC are considered to be suspect.
Wessex expanded its boundaries and clashed with its neighbours, notably Celtic Dumnonia (essentially modern day Devon and Cornwall), which it eventually came to dominate, and with Mercia.
In an unusual move, Prince Edward was made Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn in honour of his marriage to Sophie Rhys-Jones (styled as Countess of Wessex) in 1999.
Feeds |
Contact