Sichfrith Jarl facts for kids

Sichfrith or Sigfrith (Old Norse: Sigfrøðr) was a Viking leader in the 800s. He was also known as Sichfrith Jarl, which means Sichfrith the Chief. In 893, he tried to become the king of Dublin. However, it's not clear if he ever actually ruled there.

Historians think Sichfrith might have been two different people with the same name. One was a Viking from Northumbria (an old kingdom in northern England). This Viking led a fleet of ships and landed troops in Wessex (a kingdom in southern England) in 893. The other was a king of Jórvík (Viking York) who ruled from about 895 to 899.

Sichfrith's Story

Sichfrith is mentioned only once in old Irish records called the Irish Annals. These records tell us about important events in Ireland long ago.

A Big Disagreement in Dublin

The Irish Annals say:

A great dissension among the foreigners of Áth Cliath, and they became dispersed, one section of them following Ímar's son, and the other Sigfrith the jarl.

This means there was a big fight among the Vikings in Dublin (called Áth Cliath back then). They split into two groups. One group followed Sitriuc, who was the son of a powerful Viking leader named Ímar. The other group followed Sichfrith the Jarl.

Historians believe Sichfrith might have tried to become king of Dublin because he was related to Ímar's family. Ímar's three sons had ruled Dublin one after another from 873 to at least 893.

Leaving Ireland for Britain

In 893, both Sichfrith and his rival, Sitriuc mac Ímair, left Ireland. They went to Britain to fight in wars there. Sitriuc came back to Ireland the next year. But it's not clear if he or Sichfrith was still king of Dublin after that.

Sichfrith in England

There was a Viking commander named Sichfrith who led a fleet from Northumbria. This fleet attacked Wessex in 893. We can't be absolutely sure if this Sichfrith is the same person mentioned in the Irish Annals. However, it's very possible. Vikings in Northumbria and Dublin likely knew each other and had contact.

Historians have two main ideas about where Sichfrith came from:

• Idea 1: Some historians think Sichfrith was from Northumbria. They believe he sailed to Dublin after his fleet landed troops in Wessex. According to this idea, he failed to take Dublin, which caused the split mentioned in the Irish Annals.
• Idea 2: Other historians suggest Sichfrith was from Dublin. They think he left for England after he couldn't become king there.

The first idea, that he was a Northumbrian, seems more likely. An old English historian named Æthelweard wrote a book called Chronicon. In it, he suggests that Sichfrith was indeed from Northumbria.

Sichfrith, King of Jórvík?

Many old coins were found in a large collection called the Cuerdale Hoard. These coins have the name "Sigfrøðr" on them. This suggests there was a king with that name who ruled Jórvík (Viking York) until about the year 900. This King Sigfrøðr took over after a king named Guthfrith.

Some historians believe that this King Sigfrøðr from Jórvík is the same person as the Sichfrith mentioned in the Irish Annals and by Æthelweard. These coins are the only proof we have of a king named Sigfrøðr ruling Jórvík. Historians believe he ruled from about 895 to 899.