BattlefieldsKilling of Ælfwald I of Northumbria 788
Early Medieval

Killing of Ælfwald I of Northumbria 788

788
Northumberland, England
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Ælfwald I of Northumbria
Forces
King Ælfwald
VS
Victor
Sicga and Northumbrian conspirators
Forces
Northumbrian conspirators under Sicga
Outcome
Ælfwald killed; Osred II briefly placed on throne; Northumbrian instability deepens
The Battle

History & Significance

Ælfwald I of Northumbria was treacherously killed at Chesters on Hadrian's Wall by the ealdorman Sicga in 788. Ælfwald was regarded as a just ruler and his death was mourned. A heavenly light was reported over the site of his murder at Hadrian's Wall. Alcuin lamented another Northumbrian royal killing from his Carolingian vantage point.

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