THE KINGS OF NORTHUMBRIA

Aldfrith (685–705) – Aldfrith was the first king of Northumbria to issue coins and also one of the earliest English rulers known to display his name on a coin itself (Figure 1). A well-educated churchman who became king on the death of his older brother Ecgfrith, under his rule Northumbria entered its so-called ‘golden age’. He was a direct contemporary of both Bede and Alcuin, both of whom write favourably about him.

Eadberht (737–58) – another individual ruling during Northumbria’s ‘golden age’, Eadberht is notable for his reforms to the kingdom’s coinage – instituting a high-quality sceatta issue depicting the so-called ‘fantastic beast’ on its reverse (Figure 2). His coins are relatively common, this reflecting the high output during his reign that reflects a burgeoning economy. Energetically ruling for over two decades, he voluntarily abdicated in 758 and became a monk, dying peacefully in 768.

AEthelwald ‘Moll’ (c.759–65) – AEthelwald came to power in 759 after the brutal coup in which Eadberht’s son, Oswulf (of whom no coins are known) was murdered. Evidence suggests that his rise to power was not a smooth one, apparently facing several rebellions after his accession to the throne (Figure 3). Following a fairly brief reign, he was deposed by a council of the Northumbrian nobility and possibly was forced to enter monastic life. His son, AEthelred, would become King in 774.

Alchred (765–74) – a relation of Archbishop Ecberht of York by marriage, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle comments very little on Alchred’s reign, except to state that his reign ended in deposition and exile – after which he allegedly fled to Scotland (Figure 4). However, some surviving documentary evidence suggests that he was involved in the endorsing of several religious missions to mainland Europe.

AElfwald (c.779–88) – one of King Eadberht’s grandsons by descent, little is known of AElfwald’s reign except how it ended – with the murder of both him and his two sons. Buried at Hexham Abbey, he was the subject of a local saint-cult. His coins are some of the last to depict the Northumbrian ‘fantastic beast’ before it disappeared from the numismatic record as a motif (Figure 5).

AEthelred I (774–79, 790–96) – a king with two reigns, AEthelred was deposed in 779 but returned to rule in 790 (Figure 6). In 792, he achieved a substantial act of diplomacy by allying with Mercia through marriage to King Offa’s daughter AElfflaed. However, the next year Lindisfarne was raided for the first time by marauding Vikings – AEthelred’s popularity subsequently tumbled, as many saw this event as God punishing his brutal habits of murdering potential rivals. Chroniclers record that he was killed by a group of his own nobles at Corbridge in 796.

Eardwulf (796–808, 808–811/830?) – another king with two reigns, Eardwulf was a somewhat shadowy figure sometimes conflated with St Hardulph. Fewer than 20 of his coins are known to exist (Figure 7). Previously an ealdorman (high ranking official), he ruled in an era where Northumbrian dynastic conflict was at its height, as is evident by his deposition and subsequent re-taking of power. In 801, he led an army against Coenwulf of Mercia due to the latter’s harbouring of his enemies – but was reconciled before any actual fighting took place.

Eanred (c. 810–40?) – little is known about Eanred, his dates of reign largely originating from a 13th-century source. However, it is possible that during his reign Northumbria became a vassal state of Wessex – the entry in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for 829 states that Egbert of Wessex marched north and obtained their submission. Under his reign, the silver/base silver sceatta had all its precious metal content removed, becoming the copper-alloy or brass styca (Figure 8).

AEthelred II (c. 840–48 or 854–62) – one of the most commonly encountered issuers of stycas, AEthelred was briefly deposed halfway through his reign by Redwulf, but quickly regained power (Figure 9). His dates of reign are hotly debated, though historians largely agree that he was assassinated rather than abdicating or dying peacefully.

Redwulf (c.844 or c.858) – a usurper king whose coins are infrequently encountered (Figure 10); little is known of Redwulf (sometimes known as Raedwulf). Roger of Wendover’s 13th-century history states that he was killed fighting ‘pagans’ shortly after taking power, although this is not certain.

Osberht (c. 849–62/867) – the last ruler of Northumbria as an independent kingdom, Osberht reigned during a period where Northumbrian history is extremely poorly known (Figure 11). Chroniclers state that Osberht was deposed by his brother AElla, who was engaged in fighting a civil war against him when the Great Heathen Army arrived in Northumbria. Although they appear to have reconciled and joined forces, both were killed when the Vikings attacked York – an event that appears to have ended Northumbrian independence for good.