Uhtred (Derbyshire ealdorman) facts for kids

Uhtred was an important leader, called an ealdorman, in the 10th century. He was active between the years 911 and 958. His main base was in Derbyshire, a region in England. We don't know exactly when he was born or where he came from. However, some historians think he might have been from Northumbria, a kingdom in northern England.

Uhtred is believed to be a thegn (a type of noble or warrior) who bought land from the Vikings. This land was in Hope and Ashford in Derbyshire. He bought it before the year 911. Later, in 926, King Æthelstan officially confirmed that Uhtred owned this land. By 930, Uhtred had become an ealdorman. He continued to witness important documents, called charters, for several kings. These kings included Æthelstan, Edmund I, and Eadred. King Eadred even gave Uhtred land in Bakewell in 949. Uhtred might have used this land to start a minster, which was a type of church.

Uhtred the Thegn

A thegn was a person who held land from the king or a lord. They often served in the military. In 926, King Æthelstan confirmed that Uhtred owned a large amount of land. This land was 60 hides (an old way to measure land, enough to support one family) in Hope and Ashford, Derbyshire. This confirmation is recorded in a document kept at Burton Abbey.

Uhtred had bought this land from the Scandinavians (Vikings) for twenty pounds of silver and gold. He was told to buy it by King Æthelstan's father, Edward the Elder, and by Æthelred, Lord of the Mercians. Since Æthelred became ill before he died in 911, Uhtred likely bought the land in the early 900s.

Some historians believe Uhtred was part of a powerful family from Bamburgh in Northumbria. This idea is supported by old records like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. It mentions that the "sons of Eadwulf" (a Northumbrian ruler) met King Edward the Elder in Bakewell in 920. This suggests a connection between Uhtred's family and the area.

Historians think that Uhtred's family might have agreed to be loyal to the West Saxon kings around 900. The king then asked them to buy land in the Peak District. This area was not fully controlled by the West Saxons until 917. In 920, King Edward became ruler of Mercia and built a burh (a fortified town) at Bakewell. This was on land that Uhtred owned. When Æthelstan became king in 924, he confirmed Uhtred's land ownership in 926.

Uhtred the Ealdorman (930–940)

From 930 onwards, a person named Uhtred started signing royal documents as an ealdorman. An ealdorman was a very important official, like a powerful governor, who ruled a large area for the king. Many historians believe this was the same Uhtred who owned the land in Hope and Ashford.

This Uhtred often appeared high up on the lists of witnesses for royal charters. For example, in 930, he was the fourth ealdorman to sign a charter for King Æthelstan. He continued to sign many charters throughout the 930s. He was usually listed as the fourth, fifth, or seventh ealdorman. This shows he was a trusted and important figure in the king's court.

It's interesting that between 931 and 935, sometimes two ealdormen named Uhtred signed royal charters. Historians have debated who this second Uhtred might have been. Some think he was an ealdorman in Essex, while others believe he ruled parts of North-Western Mercia.

Uhtred the Ealdorman (940–950)

After King Edmund I took the throne, Uhtred continued to witness royal charters. His name still appeared among the top ealdormen, usually ranking between fourth and eighth on the lists. He signed several charters in 940, 941, 942, 943, 944, and 946.

In 946, King Eadred became king, and Uhtred continued to witness documents for him. After a short break, Uhtred appeared again in 949. In that same year, King Eadred gave Uhtred land in Bakewell. Uhtred might have received this land to build or restart a religious building there. Evidence suggests that Bakewell became an important center for stone carving during this time. Uhtred also witnessed another charter in 950.

Uhtred the Ealdorman (955–959)?

Uhtred stops appearing on witness lists around 950. It's not clear if the Uhtred who appears again from 955 onwards is the same person. In 955, King Eadred gave land in Chesterfield to someone called "Uhtred the Child" (Uhtred Cild).

Historians disagree if "Uhtred the Child" was the same Uhtred we've been discussing. The original Uhtred would have been quite old by 955, possibly over 60. He had also never been called "the Child" before. It's more likely that "Uhtred the Child" was the son of the older Uhtred. The charter that gave Uhtred the land in Hope and Ashford in 926 also said the land would pass to his heirs. This suggests his son might have taken over his position. "Uhtred the Child" was probably named this way to tell him apart from his father.

During the reign of King Eadwig (955–959), an "Ealdorman Uhtred" witnessed a grant of land to Oscytel, who was a bishop and later an archbishop. This happened around 956. An Uhtred also signed three charters in 958 for King Edgar the Peaceable.

Uhtred's Area of Influence

Whether there was one Uhtred or several, this person (or people) is strongly connected to Derbyshire. This connection is key to identifying him in historical records. Some historians believe Uhtred was the ealdorman of the Five Boroughs. These were five important Viking towns: Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, and Stamford. Ealdormen in this period often ruled more than one shire (county). Since Derby was one of the Five Boroughs, it makes sense that Uhtred, based in Derbyshire, might have had influence over this wider area.