Sichfrith Jarl facts for kids

Sichfrith or Sigfrith (Old Norse: Sigfrøðr) was a Viking leader, also known as Sichfrith Jarl. A "Jarl" was a high-ranking chief or nobleman among the Vikings. In 893, Sichfrith claimed to be the king of Dublin. However, it's not clear if he ever truly ruled there.

Some historians believe he might be the same person as two other important figures from that time. One was a Viking from Northumbria who led a fleet of ships to Wessex in 893. The other was a king of Jórvík (a Viking kingdom in England) who ruled from about 895 to 899.

Who Was Sichfrith?

Sichfrith is mentioned only once in old Irish records called the Irish Annals. These records tell us about a big disagreement among the Vikings in Áth Cliath (Dublin).

The record says:

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 the Vikings in Dublin split into two groups. One group followed Sitriuc, who was a son of Ímar (a powerful Viking leader). The other group followed Sichfrith the Jarl.

Sichfrith's Claim to Dublin

Historians like Downham suggest that Sichfrith might have claimed the throne of Dublin because he was related to the family of Ímar. Ímar's three sons had ruled Dublin one after another from 873 until at least 893.

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

Sichfrith in Britain

A Viking commander named Sichfrith led a fleet from Northumbria to attack Wessex in 893. Wessex was a powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdom in southern England. We can't be absolutely sure if this Sichfrith was the same person as the one from Dublin. However, it's very possible. Vikings in Northumbria and Dublin likely had contact with each other during this time.

There are two main ideas about where Sichfrith came from:

• Northumbrian Idea: Historian Smyth suggests Sichfrith was from Northumbria. He might have sailed to Dublin after his fleet landed troops in Wessex. According to this idea, Sichfrith failed to take Dublin, which caused the split mentioned in the Annals of Ulster.
• Dubliner Idea: Another historian, Angus, thinks Sichfrith was from Dublin. He might have left for England after he failed to become king there.

Smyth's idea is considered more likely. This is because another historian named Æthelweard, in his book Chronicon, suggests that Sichfrith was from Northumbria.

Sichfrith, King of Jórvík?

Many old coins were found in a large treasure called the Cuerdale Hoard. Some of these coins have the name Sigfrøðr on them. This suggests there was a king with that name ruling Jórvík (Viking York) until about 900. This king took over after Guthfrith.

Smyth and other historians believe that this King Sigfrøðr 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. Historian Ashley suggests that this king ruled from about 895 until 899.