Eadred Lulisc facts for kids

Eadred Lulisc, also known as Eadred of Carlisle, was an important religious leader called an abbot in the late 800s. He is mentioned in an old book called the Historia de Sancto Cuthberto. This book says that Eadred played a big part in choosing Guthred to be the king of Northumbria.

Northumbria was a kingdom in northern England during the time of the Vikings. After Guthred became king, Eadred bought land from him. This land was then given to the church of St Cuthbert. Eadred also helped move the body of St Cuthbert from its original home at Lindisfarne. He tried to take it to Ireland, but they couldn't cross the sea. So, they brought it back to places like Crayke and then Chester-le-Street.

Eadred and King Guthred

The Historia de Sancto Cuthberto tells a story about how Eadred helped make Guthred king. It says that St Cuthbert visited Eadred in a dream one night. After this dream, Eadred went to the Viking army, who were based in Yorkshire.

Eadred told the Vikings to make a young boy named Guthred, who was the son of Harthacnut, their new king. They did this by putting a special golden armlet on his right arm at a hill called Oswigesdune.

After Guthred became king, Abbot Eadred bought several villages from him. These villages included Monk Hesleden, Horden Hall, Yoden, Castle Eden, Hulam, Hutton Henry, and Twilingatun. Eadred then gave all these lands to the church of St Cuthbert. This helped the church have more resources and power.

Moving St Cuthbert's Body

Eadred Lulisc also played a role in a very important journey. The Historia says that Abbot Eadred and Eardwulf, who was the Bishop of Lindisfarne, moved the body of St Cuthbert. They took it away from Lindisfarne, which was a holy island.

They carried the body around for seven years. They hoped to cross to Ireland from the mouth of the River Derwent. But bad weather stopped their plans. So, they went back inland to Crayke. They stayed there for four months with another abbot named Geve.

After this, the story says that St Cuthbert's body was moved to Chester-le-Street. This happened around the time that Alfred the Great died in 899. Another old text, the Libellus de exordio, adds that Eadred only joined the group moving the body after Bishop Eardwulf asked him to. This same book also says that Eadred was not only an abbot in Carlisle but also studied there.

Historians are not completely sure about the exact dates of these events. Some old records say the journey from Lindisfarne started in 875 and ended in Chester-le-Street in 883. However, these dates might have been added much later and might not be fully accurate.