Gospatric, Earl of Northumbria facts for kids

Gospatric (also spelled Cospatric) was an important figure in early England and Scotland. His name comes from the Cumbrian language and means "Servant of Saint Patrick". He lived in the 11th century and was an Earl of Northumbria. Later, he became a powerful lord in the area around Dunbar.

Gospatric's family was very influential. His male descendants continued to hold the Earldom of Dunbar (later called the Earldom of March) in south-east Scotland until 1435. His family also held the Lordship and Earldom of Home from 1473 until today.

Who Was Gospatric?

Gospatric was the grandson of a powerful Northumbrian leader named Uchtred the Bold. His mother was Ealdgyth. His father was Maldred, who might have been the son of Crínán, a powerful Scottish noble. Crínán was also the father of Duncan I, a king of Scotland. This means Gospatric had connections to both English and Scottish royal families.

There's a story about a man named Gospatric who went on a trip to Rome with Tostig Godwinson. Tostig was the Earl of Northumbria at the time. Robbers attacked their group in Italy. This Gospatric was mistaken for Earl Tostig because he wore fancy clothes and looked important. He tricked the robbers, allowing the real Earl Tostig to escape safely. It's not clear if this was the same Gospatric, but it shows he might have been a notable person even then.

Becoming Earl of Northumbria

After William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings in 1066, he became King of England. William appointed a man named Copsi as Earl of Bernicia (part of Northumbria) in 1067. But Copsi was killed within five weeks by Oswulf, a relative of Gospatric. Oswulf then became Earl himself.

Oswulf was also killed shortly after. At this point, Gospatric saw an opportunity. He had a strong claim to the Earldom because of his family connections. He offered King William a large sum of money to be made Earl of Bernicia. King William, who needed money for his kingdom, agreed.

Challenges and Exile

In 1068, there were many uprisings against King William across England. Gospatric joined other leaders like Edgar Ætheling in one of these rebellions. However, this uprising failed. As a result, King William took away lands from many northern landowners. Gospatric lost his earldom to Robert Comine and had to leave England. He went to Scotland for safety.

The next year, Gospatric joined an army of Danes, Scots, and English people who invaded England. Even though this army was defeated, Gospatric managed to hold onto Bamburgh Castle. He made an agreement with King William, who allowed him to stay in power for a while. During this time, King William carried out a terrible campaign called the Harrying of the North. This involved widespread destruction and famine in Northumbria to crush any further rebellions.

In 1072, King William took away Gospatric's Earldom of Northumbria again. He replaced him with Waltheof, 1st Earl of Northampton. Gospatric fled to Scotland once more. He then traveled to Flanders (modern-day Belgium).

When Gospatric returned to Scotland, King Malcolm III (who was his cousin) gave him the castle at Dunbar and the lands around it. This area in the northern part of Bernicia, controlled by the Scots, later became known as the Earldom of Dunbar.

Gospatric died not long after this, around 1073. He passed away at a place called Ubbanford (also known as Norham). He was buried in the church porch there. Some historians believe that Gospatric might have continued to rule the northern part of Northumbria from Bamburgh until the late 1070s, even after Waltheof was made Earl.

Gospatric's Children

Gospatric had three sons and several daughters. His sons were:

• Dolfin: The oldest son, who was given control of Carlisle by King Malcolm.
• Gospatric: He was killed in a famous battle called the Battle of the Standard in 1138.
• Waltheof: He became a lord in Allerdale and later an abbot (head of a monastery).

His daughters included:

• Ethelreda (also called Ethreda): She married Duncan II of Scotland, who was the son of King Malcolm III of Scotland. She was the mother of William fitz Duncan.
• Matilda (also called Matilla): She married Dolfin, son of Aylward.
• Gunhilda (also called Gunnild): She married Orm of Workington.