Eadwulf IV of Bamburgh facts for kids

Eadulf IV, also known as Eadwulf IV, was an important leader in a part of England called Bernicia. He was an earl, which was a powerful noble, from 1038 until he died in 1041.

Eadwulf was the son of a famous earl named Uhtred the Bold and his second wife, Sige. He had a younger brother named Gospatric. Eadwulf became earl after his older half-brother, Ealdred, died.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a very old historical record, says that King Harthacnut "betrayed" Eadwulf in 1041. This means King Harthacnut likely turned against him. It seems that Siward, Earl of Northumbria was involved in Eadwulf's death. After Eadwulf died, Siward became the earl of all Northumbria, a large region in northern England.

Eadwulf was the last earl from his family line to rule Bernicia for a while. However, his son, Osulf II of Bamburgh, later became the earl of Northumbria in 1067.

This old writing shows Eadwulf's name as "Eadulf eorl" in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

Eadwulf's Family Life

Eadwulf married a woman named Sigrid. Her father was Kilvert of Lumley, and her mother was Ecgfrida of Durham. Interestingly, Ecgfrida had also been the first wife of Eadwulf's father, Uhtred. This means Ecgfrida was also the mother of Eadwulf's older half-brother, Ealdred. But don't worry, Eadwulf and Sigrid were not blood relatives because Sigrid was from Ecgfrida's second marriage.

Eadwulf is known to have had one son, Osulf II of Bamburgh. It is believed that Sigrid was Osulf's mother, as she was Eadwulf's only known wife. After Eadwulf died, Sigrid married a few more times.

Military Actions

In a historical book called Historia Regum Anglorum, it is written that Eadwulf led a military campaign in 1038. This campaign was against the Britons who lived in a region called Cumbria. It's possible that during this time, the Cumbrians lost some of their lands south of the Solway River.