Alhred of Northumbria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alhred |
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Sceat of Alhred of Northumbria
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| King of Northumbria | |
| Reign | 765–774 |
| Predecessor | Æthelwald Moll |
| Successor | Æthelred |
| Spouse | Osgifu |
| Father | Eadric |
Alhred (also spelled Alchred) was a king of Northumbria, an important Anglo-Saxon kingdom in what is now northern England. He ruled for about nine years, from 765 to 774 AD. Alhred was married to a woman named Osgifu. She was likely related to earlier kings of Northumbria, which helped connect him to the royal family. Some old family trees suggest Alhred was a descendant of Ida of Bernicia, an early ruler of the region.
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Alhred's Time as King
How Alhred Became King
Alhred became the king of Northumbria in the year 765. He took over after the previous king, Æthelwald Moll, was removed from power. The exact reasons for this change are not fully known.
What We Know About His Reign
Records from that time, like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, don't say much about Alhred's rule. They mainly state that he became king and then, in 774, he was removed from power and sent away from the kingdom. This act of being removed and sent away is called being "deposed and exiled."
Another historical book, Historia Regum Anglorum by Symeon of Durham, tells us more. It says that after being exiled, Alhred fled to the land of the Picts. The Picts were an ancient people who lived in what is now Scotland. There, he was welcomed by their king, King Ciniod.
Alhred's Connections to the Church
Alhred was also involved with important religious activities. He supported Christian missions, which were efforts to spread Christianity to new areas. For example, he approved the mission of Saint Willehad. This mission later led to the creation of the Archbishopric of Bremen, an important church area in Germany.
We also know that Alhred wrote a letter to Saint Lull, who was the Archbishop of Mainz. Mainz was another important church center, also in modern-day Germany. This shows Alhred's connections with religious leaders across Europe.
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What Happened After Alhred
After Alhred was removed from power, Æthelred, the son of the former king Æthelwald Moll, became the new king.
Alhred had two sons who later became important figures:
- His son, Osred, would also become a king of Northumbria later on.
- Another son, Alhmund, was killed during the reign of a later king, Eardwulf. Alhmund became a respected figure, and people honored him as Saint Alcmund of Derby.
See also
