BattlefieldsNorthumbrian Kings Killed 793 to 796
Early Medieval

Northumbrian Kings Killed 793 to 796

796
Northumberland, England
Also known as: Aethelred I of Northumbria killed 796
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Aethelred I of Northumbria
Forces
royal household
VS
Victor
Northumbrian conspirators
Forces
Northumbrian noble conspirators
Outcome
Aethelred killed; Osbald reigned 27 days then expelled; Eardwulf installed by 796
The Battle

History & Significance

Aethelred I of Northumbria was killed in April 796, the same year as Offa of Mercia and Ecgfrith of Mercia both died. In 796 alone Northumbria had three kings. Alcuin wrote from the continent in distress about the continuous violence. This chronic regicide made Northumbria the most politically unstable kingdom in England.

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