Athelfrith of Bernicia facts for kids
Athelfrith was an important king who lived a long time ago. He became King of Bernicia in 593. Later, in 604, he took over Deira. This made him the very first King of Northumbria, a large kingdom in what is now northern England.
Athelfrith was a powerful leader among the Angles, a group of people who settled in England. A famous historian named Bede said that Athelfrith was a strong king who fought many battles against the Britons. He was eventually killed in a battle against the people of East Anglia.
Becoming King of Bernicia
Athelfrith was the son of Athelric and the grandson of Ida of Bernicia, who was also a king. Athelfrith became King of Bernicia in 593. Many historians believe that the continuous history of Northumbria, and even England, really starts with Athelfrith's rule. He was the first great leader among the northern Angles. He gained more land from the Britons than any other English leader before him.
In 595, a large army of Britons and Picts gathered near what is now Edinburgh. They attacked the Angles of Bernicia at a place called Catterick. Athelfrith's enemy, Owen of Rheged, was killed in this battle. Owen had killed Athelfrith's father. The remaining British, Gaelic, and Pictish forces were completely defeated.
In 603, Athelfrith fought another big battle at a place called Degsastan. The Dál Riatan Scots, led by their king Aedan mac Gabrain, fought against the English. Athelfrith won a complete victory. This win meant the Scots were no longer a threat to northern Britain for a long time. Bede, writing in 731, noted that no Scottish king had tried to fight the northern English again up to his time. The only remaining challenge for Athelfrith came from the Britons of Strathclyde.
Uniting Northumbria
In 604, Athelfrith attacked Deira, a kingdom to his south. The king of Deira, Athelric of Deira, was killed. Athelfrith also tried to kill Athelric's brother, Edwin of Deira, but Edwin managed to escape. Athelfrith then married Edwin's sister, Acha, as his second wife.
In 605, Athelfrith joined Bernicia and Deira together. This created a single, powerful kingdom called Northumbria. He likely spent the next few years setting up how to rule this large new territory. He probably also built new forts to protect his lands.
By 613, Athelfrith began trying to capture Edwin, who had been in exile in Gwynedd and Powys. Athelfrith moved his army across the Pennines mountains to Chester. During this time, some monks were sent by the Britons to talk with Athelfrith, but they were killed. Between 613 and 616, Athelfrith defeated the Britons in a battle at Chester.
Edwin escaped again, first to Mercia, then to East Anglia. Athelfrith wanted the king of East Anglia, Raedwald of East Anglia, to kill Edwin. However, Raedwald refused. Worried that Athelfrith might attack East Anglia, Raedwald gathered his own army and attacked Athelfrith first. The two armies met near the River Idle close to Doncaster. Athelfrith had brought a smaller army because he didn't see the East Angles as a big threat. Athelfrith was killed in the battle after he became separated from his bodyguards. After Athelfrith's death, Edwin returned to Northumbria and became king. Athelfrith's family fled north to find safety. His eldest son, Eanfrith, found safety with the Picts and married the sister of Gartnait, the Pictish King. His other sons, Oswald and Oswiu, found safety with the Scots in Argyll.
Family Life
Athelfrith had a wife named Bebbe, who was either British or Pictish. The royal city of Bamburgh in Bernicia is named after her. They had one son:
- Eanfrith of Bernicia (born around 590, died 634)
Around 603, Athelfrith married Acha. She was the sister of Edwin of Deira and the daughter of Aelle of Deira. Together, they had several children:
- Oswald of Northumbria (born around 605, died 642)
- Oswiu of Northumbria (born around 612, died February 15, 670)
- Oswudu of Northumbria
- Oslac of Northumbria
- Oslaf of Northumbria
- Offa of Northumbria
- Ebba, who became a religious leader at Coldingham
Images for kids
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Bernicia, Deira and Northumbria
