Osric of Northumbria facts for kids

Osric was a king of Northumbria, an important kingdom in what is now northern England. He ruled for about 11 years, from 718 until his death on May 9, 729.

Who Was Osric?

Historians are not completely sure who Osric's father was. One writer, Symeon of Durham, thought Osric was the son of King Aldfrith of Northumbria. If this is true, it would mean Osric was a brother or half-brother to another king named Osred.

However, another idea is that Osric was the son of King Eahlfrith of Deira. If this were the case, he would have been a first cousin to King Osred. Either way, Osric came from a royal family.

Osric's Time as King

We do not know many details about what happened during Osric's reign. A famous monk and historian named Bede wrote very little about this period.

Bede did mention one interesting event: comets were seen in the sky when Osric died. In those ancient times, people often believed that comets were signs of important events or even bad luck.

Choosing the Next King

Another historian, William of Malmesbury, praised Osric for a very smart decision. Osric chose Ceolwulf to be the next king after him. Ceolwulf was the brother of the previous king, Coenred.

This decision was important because it helped make sure there was a smooth change in leadership. Choosing an heir carefully could prevent fights and instability in the kingdom.