The Rulers of Bamburgh were important leaders in what is now northern England and south-eastern Scotland during the Viking Age. This period was when Vikings often attacked and settled in Britain. These rulers were sometimes called the Earldom of Bamburgh in modern books. Their rule lasted for about 200 years. It began after Viking attacks on the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria in the late 800s. It ended after the Norman Conquest in the late 1000s.
In old Scottish and Irish writings, the Bamburgh 'earldom' was called the kingdom of the Northern English or simply the 'Saxons'. Bamburgh and the area around it, which was once part of Northumbria, was ruled by a series of 'kings', 'earls', and 'high-reeves'. Most of these leaders were from the family of Eadwulf I of Bamburgh. This family is known as the Eadwulfings or House of Bamburgh. Some of these men even controlled all of Northumbria. Their area of rule is sometimes also called the earldom of Northumbria.
Kings in English Northumbria After 867
| Early Rulers (Before the Eadwulfings) |
| Ruler |
Dates Ruled |
Notes |
| Ecgbert I |
c.867–c.872/3 |
Known from records written much later (1100s). |
| Ricsige |
872/3–876 |
Also known from records written much later. |
| Ecgbert II |
876–878 or after 883? |
Also known from records written much later. |
| Guthred |
died 895 |
He ruled part of the Danelaw (Viking-controlled areas). Some later writings say he ruled north of the River Tyne, but there's no proof from his time. |
| Osberht |
around 901 |
A person with this name was said to be removed from power in 901, according to records from the 1100s. We don't know much else about him. |
| Eardwulf |
around 899 to 924 |
He was a leader in the region during the time of King Edward the Elder, mentioned in a historical book. Not much else is known. |
The Eadwulfing Family or 'House of Bamburgh'
| Eadwulfing Rulers (Possible or Certain) |
| Ruler |
Dates Ruled |
Known Titles |
Notes |
| Eadwulf I |
died 913 |
'King of the Northern English'; 'agent' |
|
| Ealdred I |
around 927–933 |
'Ealdred son of Eadwulf of Bamburgh'; 'leader' |
|
| Ealdwulf |
around 927 |
|
A historian named William of Malmesbury wrote that he was forced out of Northumbria when King Æthelstan of England took control. |
| Adulf mcEtulfe |
died 934 |
'King of the Northern English' |
Only mentioned in an Irish record. His name might mean 'Æthelwulf son of Eadwulf', but he's not found in other records. Some think he might be Ealdred I or the rebel Ealdwulf. |
| Oswulf I |
around 934–954 |
'high reeve'; 'leader'; 'nobleman' |
Son of Eadwulf I. Later writings say he took charge of southern Northumbria after King Eadred of England took it in 954. This area became a new earldom after Oswulf died. |
| Eadwulf II Evil-Child |
around 968–70 |
'leader' |
We don't know who his parents were. |
| Ealdred |
mid-1000s |
'count' |
Son of Oswulf I. He connects Oswulf to Waltheof I in the family tree. But he's only mentioned as a ruler of Bamburgh in a later source. He might be the same person as Ealdred of Lindisfarne. |
| Waltheof |
around 994 |
'leader' |
Son of Ealdred, who was the son of Oswulf I. |
| Northman |
around 994 |
'earl' |
He was a northern earl. It's not clear if he ruled Bamburgh or was related to the Eadwulfing family. |
| Eadred |
around 1000 |
|
Another northern earl. It's not clear if he ruled Bamburgh or was related to the Eadwulfing family. |
| Uhtred |
around 1009–16 |
'leader'; 'earl'; 'prince' |
Son of Waltheof. After 1006, he was the regional governor (ealdorman) of Northumbria for the English king. This was in addition to his rule over Bamburgh. |
| Eadwulf III Cudel |
around 1020 |
'count' |
Son of Waltheof. He is only known and titled in records written after the Norman Conquest. |
| Ealdred (II) |
around 1030 |
'count' |
Son of Uhtred. Only known from records written after the Norman Conquest. |
| Eadwulf IV |
died 1041 |
'earl' |
Son of Uhtred. |
| Oswulf II |
died 1067 |
'count' |
He was the last ruler from the Eadwulfing family. |
Rulers After the Eadwulfing Family
| Rulers After the Eadwulfing Family |
| Ruler |
Dates Ruled |
Known Titles |
Notes |
| Gospatric |
1067–1070s |
|
Son of Maldred. He died in Norham sometime in the 1070s. |
| Waltheof of Northampton |
died 1076 |
|
Son of Siward. He was a regional governor in southern Northumbria. He might have ruled part of the area or had a claim to it, but his rule over Bamburgh is not certain. |
| Dolfin of Carlisle |
around 1092 |
|
Son of Gospatric. His rule over Bamburgh is not certain. He was forced out of the region when the Normans arrived in 1092. |
| Robert de Mowbray |
lost power 1095 |
|
A Norman earl in Northumbria. He controlled Bamburgh by 1093 or earlier. |
See also
