Talk:Æthelric of Deira

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Many sources (e.g. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9032042/Edwin) suggest that Æthelric, son of Ida of Bernicia, was the one who annexed Diera on Ælle's death in 588. This would mean that his son, Æthelfrith, continued to rule Deira after Æthelric's death. However, the chronology of this scenario is difficult. Æthelric of Bernicia was succeeded, in short order, by his brothers Theodoric and Frithwald, who probably ruled between 572 and 585.

Since Ælle of Deira didn't die till 588, it's hard to see how Æthelric of Bernicia could still be alive. The presumption here is that Theodoric would only have come to the Bernician throne on Æthelric'c death (~572).

I'd like to hear any points of view on this topic.

Karl Craig 00:27, 18 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The idea that there was one Æthelric who ruled Deira and Bernicia, according to D.P. Kirby in The Earliest English Kings (pp. 67–68), can be laid at the door of the compiler of the Chronicon ex Chronicis, the man formerly known as Florence of Worcester. Most kings before Æthelfrith and Edwin are dubious anyway, the sons of Ida are particularly suspicious. If I remember right, Æthelric of Deira's existence rests solely on the authority of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, not exactly a well-informed source on northern affairs, and very far from being contemporary. Æthelric of Bernicia is much better attested, appearing in the Historia Brittonum and the Prosopography of Anglo-Saxon England. Not that we have any real idea when he died, and the same is true of Ælle. Angus McLellan (Talk) 00:52, 18 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, the genealogies are all dubious, no doubt. Thanks for the Kirby reference. Karl Craig 04:57, 24 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]