Ælfhelm of York facts for kids

Ælfhelm (died 1006) was an important leader in England, known as an ealdorman (or earl). He governed the southern part of Northumbria, an area around the city of York, from about 994 until his death. An ealdorman was a high-ranking nobleman who managed a region, like a county or a group of counties, for the king. Ælfhelm came from a powerful and wealthy family in Mercia, a large area in central England. He became an ealdorman even though he was not originally from Northumbria.

Ælfhelm's daughter, Ælfgifu of Northampton, later married Cnut the Great, who became King of England. This made Ælfhelm the grandfather of a future English king, Harold Harefoot.

Who Was Ælfhelm?

Ælfhelm was from Mercia. His mother was Wulfrun, a rich noblewoman who founded Burton Abbey, an important religious place. Wulfrun also started the Minster of St Mary's in Wolverhampton, a town named after her. Her lands were mostly in Staffordshire.

Ælfhelm had a brother named Wulfric Spot and a sister named Ælfthryth. Wulfric Spot was also very wealthy and founded Burton Abbey.

Becoming an Ealdorman

Ælfhelm first appeared in official documents as an ealdorman (called dux in Latin) in 994. Before this, he might have been a minister or thegn, which was a lower rank of nobleman.

Historians believe Ælfhelm became an ealdorman around the time of a big Viking attack on Northumbria in 993. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says that Vikings attacked Bamburgh and the area around the Humber River. An English army was gathered, but its leaders failed. Some historians think that Ælfhelm's predecessor, Thored, was removed from his position because he failed to stop the Vikings. King Æthelred II then appointed Ælfhelm to take his place.

Wulfric Spot's Will

Much of what we know about Ælfhelm comes from the will of his brother, Wulfric Spot. This will was written in Old English between 1002 and 1004. It tells us the names of Ælfhelm's two sons: Wulfheah and Ufegeat.

In his will, Wulfric gave lands to Ælfhelm and his sons. For example, Ælfhelm received lands like Rolleston on Dove and Conisbrough. His son Wulfheah received places like Barlaston. These gifts often came with conditions, such as paying a certain amount of fish to Burton Abbey. Wulfric also asked Ælfhelm to protect Burton Abbey and the property of Wulfric's daughter.

Ælfhelm's Death

Not much else is known about Ælfhelm's life before his death in 1006. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that in that year, Ælfhelm was killed, and his two sons, Wulfheah and Ufegeat, were blinded.

Another historical record, the Worcester Chronicle, adds more details. It suggests that Eadric Streona, a powerful and cunning nobleman, was responsible for Ælfhelm's death. The chronicle states that Eadric invited Ælfhelm to a feast in Shrewsbury. During a hunting trip, Ælfhelm was attacked and killed. His sons were later blinded at King Æthelred's command.

After Ælfhelm's death, Uhtred of Bamburgh became the new ealdorman. He was the first leader in many years to govern both northern and southern Northumbria together.

Family Legacy

Besides his two sons, Ælfhelm also had a daughter named Ælfgifu of Northampton. She was born to a woman named Wulfrun. Ælfgifu became very famous because she married Cnut, the son of Sweyn Forkbeard. Cnut later became King of England. Ælfgifu and Cnut had a son named Harold Harefoot, who also became King of the English.

See Also

• Ælfhelm 17 at Prosopography of Anglo-Saxon England

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