BattlefieldsNorthumbrians Readmit Eirik Bloodaxe 952
Early Medieval

Northumbrians Readmit Eirik Bloodaxe 952

952
North Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Eirik Bloodaxe Returns 952 · Olaf Sihtricson Expelled 952
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
North Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Olaf Sihtricson
Forces
Eirik Bloodaxe and Norse followers
VS
Victor
Eirik Bloodaxe
Forces
Northumbrian Danish nobility
Outcome
Northumbrians expel Olaf Sihtricson and accept Eirik Bloodaxe as king a second time
The Battle

History & Significance

The complex Northumbrian power struggle of the 940s and 950s saw York change hands repeatedly. In 952 the Northumbrians expelled Olaf Sihtricson and accepted Eirik Bloodaxe as their king again. Eadred responded by taking Archbishop Wulfstan hostage. The pattern of acceptance and expulsion reflected the Northumbrian tendency to play off English and Norse claimants for political advantage, a strategy that ultimately failed when Eadred finally imposed permanent English rule.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around North Yorkshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near North Yorkshire