Deira facts for kids
Deira was an old kingdom in Northern England. It existed a very long time ago. The people who lived there were called the Dere. Deira was located in the area we now call the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Deira was one of two early kingdoms of the Angles in the north of England. The other kingdom was Bernicia, which was to the north of Deira. In the early 7th century, Deira and Bernicia joined together. They formed a much larger kingdom called Northumbria.
Deira's History
In the time of Roman Britain, Deira was separate from Bernicia. There was a wide area between them where no one lived. The Romans had small forts in this area. These forts helped protect the road to Hadrian's Wall. After the Angles arrived, this area became a kind of "no man's land." This means no one controlled it.
Deira first came under the control of the Angles around the year 560. Their leader was named Ella. He defeated the native Britons in Deira in 581. Deira could not expand much to the north because of Bernicia. To the west, the British kingdom of Elmet blocked them.
Uniting with Bernicia
King Athelfrith of Bernicia united Deira and Bernicia. This created the kingdom of Northumbria. In 617, Edwin of Deira defeated Elmet. He forced their king, Cerdic, to leave.
Deira and Bernicia separated again for a short time. This happened after King Oswald died. His brother Oswiu of Northumbria became king of Bernicia. But he did not control Deira until 651. From that time until 867, Deira was part of Northumbria. In 867, the Vikings took control of Deira.
Kings of Deira
Here are some of the important kings who ruled Deira:
- Aelle (around 569–599)
- Athelric (around 599–604)
- Athelfrith (604–616)
- He defeated Deira to form Northumbria.
- Edwin (616–around 633)
- Osric (around 633–around 634)
- During his rule, the kingdom split back into Deira and Bernicia.
- —no ruler— (634–635)
- Oswald (635–642)
- He reunited Northumbria.
- Oswiu of Northumbria (642–670)
- From 654, he ruled all of Northumbria. He had several sub-kings who ruled Deira for him:
- Oswine (643–651)
- Athelwald (651–655)
- Alfrith (655–around 664)
- Ecgfrith of Northumbria (664–670)
- He ruled Deira while his father Oswiu was king.
- Ecgfrith of Northumbria (670–685)
- He ruled Northumbria. He gave Deira to his brother:
- Elfwine (670–679)
- Aldfrith (685–704)
- He ruled Northumbria, which included Deira.
See also
In Spanish: Reino de Deira para niños
