Northman, son of Leofwine facts for kids

Northman was an important leader in England around the year 1000. He was part of a powerful family from Mercia, a large kingdom in central England. Northman is mostly known for two things: receiving land from King Æthelred II in 1013, and his death in 1017. King Cnut the Great ordered his death. This was a sad end for Northman, especially compared to his brother Leofric. Leofric became a very successful leader, known as the Earl of Mercia, under King Cnut. Northman was also thought to be connected to a powerful but tricky leader named Eadric Streona, who was killed at the same time.

Northman's Family and Importance

When historians wrote about Northman's death, they often mentioned his family. One writer, John of Worcester, said Northman was the son of Leofwine, Ealdorman of the Hwicce. An "ealdorman" was a very important leader, like a governor or a powerful duke. John of Worcester also said Northman was the brother of Leofric, who later became a famous earl. However, other old records don't call Northman an ealdorman himself. So, historians are not completely sure about his exact title.

Northman was the oldest of four known sons of Ealdorman Leofwine. His brothers were Leofric, who became the Earl of Mercia, Eadwine, and Godwine. Their grandfather was a man named Ælfwine. This Ælfwine might have been a warrior who died in a famous battle called the Battle of Maldon in 991. He might also have been the son of another Mercian ealdorman named Ælfric Cild.

Official Records and Land Grants

It can be tricky to find Northman in old official documents, called charters. This is because some of these old papers might not be completely real. Also, there was another important person named Northman in a different part of England, in Northumbria.

It is very likely that Northman is the same person called "Northman the knight" in a special document from 1013. In this document, King Æthelred II gave Northman the village of Twywell in Northamptonshire. This important paper was kept safe at Thorney Abbey. In the 1050s, Northman's relative, Abbot Leofric of Peterborough, was in charge of this abbey.

Northman's last known appearance in an official record was when he signed a lease. This lease was given by Wulfstan, who was the Bishop of Worcester, to his brother Ælfwig.

Northman's Death

Most of what we know about Northman comes from stories about his death. These stories are found in old history books, called chronicles.

One important chronicle, written by John of Worcester, tells us what happened in 1017. It says that King Cnut ordered the death of a tricky ealdorman named Eadric Streona. King Cnut was afraid that Eadric would betray him, just as he had betrayed earlier kings. John of Worcester wrote that Northman was killed at the same time as Eadric. He also said that Northman was "blameless," meaning he had done nothing wrong. Northman's brother, Leofric, then became an ealdorman in Northman's place. King Cnut liked Leofric very much after this.

Another old record, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, also talks about Northman's death. It says that in 1017, King Cnut took over all of England and divided it into four parts. It then lists the important people who were killed that year, including Eadric and "Northman, son of Ealdorman Leofwine." This chronicle does not call Northman an ealdorman himself.

The Evesham Chronicle also mentioned Northman's death. It described him as a "powerful man." This chronicle also said that all of Northman's lands were later given to his brother, Leofric.

Some historians question the reliability of another chronicle, the Chronicle of Crowland Abbey. This chronicle says that Northman worked for Eadric Streona. It claims that King Cnut killed Northman for this reason. Even though Northman was killed, his father Leofwine continued to be an important leader until 1023. And Northman's brother, Leofric, eventually became the powerful Earl of Mercia.