Southumbrians facts for kids
The Southumbrians were an Anglo-Saxon group of people who lived in the northern part of Mercia. You might also see them called Suðanhymbre. It's possible that the people from Deira or Bernicia (who were part of the Kingdom of Northumbria) came up with this name. They might have used it to describe the land south of their own kingdom.
Historians today often use the term Southumbria in a broader way. It helps them talk about all the Anglo-Saxon lands south of the Humber River that were not part of Northumbria. This is especially useful when discussing the time before England became a single, unified country.
Contents
Who Were the Southumbrians?
The Southumbrians were a specific group of Anglo-Saxon people. They lived in the northern areas of the powerful kingdom of Mercia. The Anglo-Saxons were Germanic tribes who settled in Great Britain from the 5th century.
A Sub-Kingdom of Mercia?
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, an old historical record, mentions something interesting. It says that a person named Coenred became the King of the Southumbrians in the year 702. This was two years before he became the King of all Mercia. Coenred was also the son of Wulfhere, who was a powerful Mercian King. This suggests that Southumbria might have been a "sub-kingdom." A sub-kingdom is like a smaller kingdom that is part of a larger, more powerful one. So, Southumbria was likely under the control of the main Mercian kingdom.
Where Was Southumbria Located?
The Southumbrians lived in the northern parts of Mercia. This area was south of the Humber River. The Humber is a large estuary (where a river meets the sea) in eastern England. This location was important because it was near the border with Northumbria.
Why the Name "Southumbria"?
The name "Southumbria" literally means "south of the Humber." It makes sense that people from Northumbria, which was north of the Humber, might have used this name. It helped them define the lands that were south of their own kingdom.
Southumbria in History
The idea of Southumbria helps us understand the early history of England. Before England was one country, it was made up of many smaller kingdoms. These kingdoms often fought or formed alliances. The term "Southumbria" helps historians talk about the lands south of the Humber River that were not part of the powerful Northumbrian kingdom.
