Ælla of Deira facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ælla |
|
|---|---|
| King of Deira | |
| Reign | c. 560–588 |
| Successor | Æthelric |
| Died | 588 |
| Issue | Edwin Acha |
| Father | Yffe |
Ælla or Ælle was an early king of the Anglian kingdom called Deira. He ruled from about 560 AD until he passed away in 588 AD. He was the first known king of Deira.
Who Was King Ælla?
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, an old historical record, states that Ælla became king in 560 AD. His kingdom was Deira, which was a part of what later became Northumbria. At that time, the region was divided into two main kingdoms: Deira and Bernicia.
Historians believe Ælla was likely a pagan, meaning he did not follow Christianity. There's a famous story about Pope Gregory the Great. He saw some pale-skinned English boys from Deira at a slave market in Rome. He supposedly said they were "not Angles, but angels, if they were Christian." When he learned their king was Ælla, he said, "Alleluia should be sung in that land." This story shows how important it was to spread Christianity during that time.
How Did Ælla's Reign End?
There is some debate about how and when Ælla died. The Chronicle says he "passed away" in 588 AD. Some later stories suggest he was killed by Æthelfrith, who was the son of Æthelric, a former king of Bernicia.
However, another important historian, Bede, wrote that Ælla was still king in 597 AD. This was when Augustine of Canterbury arrived in Britain to spread Christianity. Regardless of the exact date or cause of his death, after Ælla passed away, his family had to leave Deira. The rulers of Bernicia then took control of the kingdom.
Ælla's Family and Legacy
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle names Ælla's father as Yffe. It also traces his family line back to a figure named Woden, who was a god in Norse mythology.
Ælla had at least two children who are known from historical records:
- Edwin: After his father's death, Edwin went into exile, meaning he had to leave his home. He later returned and became a very powerful king, ruling both Deira and Bernicia.
- Acha: She also went into exile. Acha later married Æthelfrith of Bernicia, the same person who some sources say killed her father.
Ælla also had a brother named Ælfric. His successor as king, Æthelric, is sometimes thought to be another brother or even a son of Ælla.
