Alhfrith facts for kids

Alhfrith (born around 630, died around 664) was a king in early England. He ruled a kingdom called Deira. His father, Oswiu, was the powerful King of Bernicia. Alhfrith ruled Deira from about 655 to 664. He was like a junior king under his father.

Alhfrith and his father had big disagreements. These disagreements were mostly about religious practices. Their differences became very clear at a meeting called the Synod of Whitby in 664. After this important meeting, Alhfrith's name disappears from history.

Life of Alhfrith

Alhfrith was the oldest son of Oswiu. Oswiu became the King of Bernicia in 642. Alhfrith's mother was Oswiu's first wife, Rieinmelth. She was the granddaughter of King Rhun of Rheged. Alhfrith and his sister, Alhflaed, were likely born in the 630s.

In the early 650s, Alhfrith was a young man. His father Oswiu arranged for him to marry Cyneburh. She was the daughter of Oswiu's great rival, Penda of Mercia. Soon after, Alhflaed, Alhfrith's sister, married Penda's son, Peada. Alhflaed was a strong Christian. She encouraged Peada to become Christian too.

War and Kingship

Oswiu and Penda of Mercia often fought. In 655, Penda attacked Bernicia with a huge army. One of Penda's allies was Œthelwald. He was the king of Deira and Oswiu's nephew. Oswiu saw Deira as part of his own kingdom. He thought Œthelwald was a sub-king, but people in Deira often resisted Oswiu's rule.

Alhfrith fought in his father's army. Oswiu's army was much smaller than Penda's. They chased Penda's forces. They met at the Battle of the Winwaed. During the battle, Œthelwald and others pulled their troops away. This helped Oswiu win a huge victory. Penda was killed in the battle.

This victory helped Oswiu take back control of Deira. He removed Œthelwald from power. Then, he made Alhfrith the new under-king of Deira. An under-king was mostly independent. However, they still had to show loyalty to the main king.

Religious Differences

People in Deira continued to resist Oswiu's rule. Alhfrith might have tried to use this to become fully independent. At first, Alhfrith followed his father's religious beliefs. They practiced Celtic Christianity. This type of Christianity had different customs. These customs were not the same as those supported by the Bishop of Canterbury and in Europe.

However, Alhfrith soon began to disagree with his father. He challenged Oswiu's choice to prefer Celtic practices. Around 658, Alhfrith met Wilfrid. Wilfrid was a church leader from Northumbria. He had studied in Europe. Wilfrid strongly supported the Roman Christian customs. After meeting Wilfrid, Alhfrith openly challenged the Celtic customs. He also challenged his father's religious policies.

In 664, Oswiu called a big meeting. It was called the Synod of Whitby. The goal was to decide which Christian customs Northumbria would follow. Alhfrith was a key supporter of Wilfrid. He argued for the Roman system. In the end, the Roman system won.

Disappearance from History

Alhfrith asked that Wilfrid become the bishop for Deira. He likely wanted Wilfrid to be based in York. Oswiu seemed to agree. Wilfrid traveled to Gaul (modern-day France) to be made a bishop. He believed that bishops in Great Britain and Ireland were not properly chosen. Wilfrid did not return until about 666.

In the mid-660s, Alhfrith wanted to go on a special trip. He wanted to go on a pilgrimage to Rome with Benedict Biscop. But Oswiu would not let him go. After this, Alhfrith disappears from all historical records.

A historian named Bede wrote about Alhfrith. Bede mentioned that Alhfrith "attacked" his father. Some historians think Alhfrith might have joined a rebellion against Oswiu. This rebellion could have been about their religious differences. It might also have been because Alhfrith was worried about his half-brother, Ecgfrith, becoming more powerful.

Later stories say that Oswiu replaced Alhfrith as King of Deira. He put his brother Ecgfrith in charge. Ecgfrith later became king of Bernicia. Then, he put another brother, Ælfwine, in charge of Deira. It is not clear if Alhfrith had children. Some think the later Northumbrian king Osric might have been his son. But he might also have been the son of Aldfrith.