Ricsige of Northumbria facts for kids

Ricsige (also known as Ricsy or Ricsig) was a king who ruled Northumbria from 873 to 876 AD. He became king after the previous ruler, Ecgberht I, was removed from power. Ecgberht I and Wulfhere, who was the Archbishop of York, had to flee to Mercia.

Ricsige's Time as King

In 872, the people of Northumbria decided to fight back. They rebelled against the Great Heathen Army, a large group of Viking warriors. They also rebelled against those who worked with the Vikings. During this time, the Northumbrians forced King Ecgberht I and Archbishop Wulfhere to leave.

After Ecgberht I died in 873, Ricsige became the new King of Northumbria. He also brought Archbishop Wulfhere back to his important role in York.

The Vikings and Northumbria

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, an old historical record, tells us more about this time. It says that the Great Heathen Army came north to Northumbria in 873.

A Viking leader named Halfdan Ragnarsson left a place called Repton in 875. He then took control of Northumbria. Halfdan and his army also destroyed many monasteries, which were important religious buildings.

The next year, in 876, Halfdan divided the land among his followers. The Flores Historiarum, another historical book, says that King Ricsige died that same year. It suggests he died from a "broken heart" because of all these events.

Ricsige in Games

In 2020, Ricsige was featured in a video game. He appeared in Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, created by Ubisoft. In the game, Halfdan Ragnarsson made Ricsige the King of Northumbria after Ecgberht was removed.