Ealdred II of Bamburgh facts for kids

Ealdred was an important leader, known as an Earl, in the north-east part of England. He became an Earl around the year 1018, after his uncle, Eadwulf Cudel, passed away. Ealdred was a powerful figure until he was killed in 1038.

Historians describe him in different ways. Some call him the Earl of Northumbria, which was a large region. Others say he was the Earl of Bernicia, which was the northern part of Northumbria. He was also known as the Earl of Bamburgh, because Bamburgh was his main base on the coast.

Ealdred was the son of Uhtred, who was also an Earl of Northumbria. Sadly, Uhtred was murdered in 1016 by a man named Thurbrand the Hold. This happened with the help of Cnut, a powerful king at the time. Ealdred's mother was Ecgfrida. Her father was Aldhun, who was a bishop in Durham.

A Long-Running Family Feud

Around the mid-1020s, Ealdred took revenge for his father's death. He killed Thurbrand, the man who had murdered his father. However, this act of revenge led to more trouble. In 1038, Ealdred himself was murdered by Thurbrand's son.

This cycle of revenge killings continued for many years between these families. A famous historian, Frank Stenton, called it "the most remarkable private feud in English history." A book by Richard Fletcher, called Bloodfeud: Murder and Revenge in Anglo-Saxon England, tells more about this long conflict.

After Ealdred's death, his half-brother, Eadwulf, became the Earl of Bernicia. But Eadwulf was also murdered in 1041 by Siward, Earl of Northumbria. Interestingly, Siward was married to one of Ealdred's daughters.

Ealdred's Family and Descendants

An old English writer named Simeon of Durham wrote about Ealdred's family. He said that Ealdred had five children, and they were all daughters. It might seem strange, but three of his daughters were named "Ælfleda" (or Ælfflaed). This was actually quite common back then. If a child died young, the next child of the same gender was often given the same name. It seems the first two daughters named Ælfflaed probably died when they were very young, as there are no other records of them.

• The third daughter named Ælfflaed grew up and became an adult. She married Siward, Earl of Northumbria, who was a very powerful Earl. One of her sons, who was Ealdred's grandson, was named Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria. Waltheof's daughter, Maud, later married David I of Scotland. This made Maud the Queen consort of Scotland.
• Ealdred's fourth daughter was named Ealdgyth (also called Algitha). She married a man named Ligulf. Sadly, Ligulf was murdered in 1080. Before he died, they had two sons together, Uhtred and Morcar.
• His fifth daughter was Etheldreda (or Etheldritha). She married Orm, who was the son of Gamel. According to the Domesday Book, which was a survey of England, Orm owned many properties in Yorkshire. Etheldreda and Orm also had children.