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NORTHUMBRIA, Earl Uhtred of

NORTHUMBRIA, Earl Uhtred of

Male 975 - 1016  (41 years)

 Set As Default Person    

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  • Name NORTHUMBRIA, Uhtred of  [1] 
    Title Earl 
    Birth 975  Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Kingdom of Northumbria
    Gender Male 
    Books About The Saxon Tales series of 6 books by Bernard Cornwell (who is also an ancestor of Uhtred the Bold) 
    Royalty & Nobility Earl (Ealdorman) of Northumbria 
    Web Address https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uhtred_of_Bamburgh 
    Web Address https://screenrant.com/last-kingdom-things-uthred-accurate-and-arent/ 
    Web Address https://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/saxon_40.html 
    Web Address https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Northumbria-2 
    Name Uhtred the Bold also Uhtred the Bold, Ealdorman of Northumbria 
    Death 1016  Wighill, Yorkshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Uhtred and forty of his men were assassinated by Thurbrand the Hold, with Cnut's involvement
    Person ID I17590  My Genealogy
    Last Modified 4 Feb 2024 

    Father BAMBURG, Earl Waltheof of,   b. Bef 955, Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aft 996, Bamburgh, Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age > 43 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Family ID F13607  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Living 
    Children 
    +1. NORTHUMBRIA, Edith of,   b. Aft 1009, Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aft 1048, Northumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age > 39 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    Family ID F12907  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 4 Feb 2024 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 975 - Northumberland, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 1016 - Wighill, Yorkshire, England Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos
    The Saxon Tale Series    		The Saxon Tale Series

    Albums
    Knights and Nobility    		Knights and Nobility (3)
    Royals are/were the monarchs and their immediate family. See the following Wiki article re: royalty: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_family

    Nobles are/were the highest social class and generally held land or an office in exchange for allegiance and services to a monarch or higher-ranking nobleman. See the following Wiki article re: nobility: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobility

    Nobility and Knights: Understanding Their Roles and Distinctions

    Nobility is a broad social class that includes individuals holding titles, typically hereditary but sometimes granted by a monarch. Positioned immediately below royalty, this class encompasses ranks such as dukes, earls, and counts in the British system. While it's rare for commoners to ascend into nobility, history has seen such occurrences due to factors like wealth, military prowess, or royal favor.

    Knights represent a distinct class within the nobility. They were essentially professional cavalrymen, often of high birth, who achieved their privileged military status after undergoing rigorous training as a page and squire. The journey to knighthood involved several stages:

    As a Page: A young boy would start learning about horses, hunting, and weaponry.

    Becoming a Squire: Around age 14, showing potential, he would assist a full knight, honing his skills with weapons and armor.

    Knighthood: Between ages 18 and 21, he could be knighted by a lord or another knight, typically in an elaborate initiation ceremony.

    Knights were renowned as the most-feared and best-protected warriors on medieval battlefields. They were expected to uphold the chivalric traditions of bravery, strength, skill in battle, respect for women, defense of the weak and poor, and generosity. Off the battlefield, knights were known for their chivalry, often wealthy and of high status. Their roles extended to guarding a baron and his castle, fighting in wars for their sovereign and the Church, and participating in medieval tournaments.

  • Notes 
    • The Last Kingdom is a TV series that was based on Bernard Cornwall's novel series The Saxon Stories. In the TV series Uhtred of Bebbanburg is partially based on the real-life Uhtred the Bold, but there are historical inaccuracies in his characterization.

      ----

      Uhtred of Bamburgh, also known as Uhtred the Bold, was a significant historical figure in early 11th-century Northumbria. Born into the Eadwulfing family, who had ruled Bamburgh for over a century, Uhtred was the son of Waltheof I, the ruler of Bamburgh.

      In 995, Uhtred played a crucial role in clearing the site for the new cathedral in Durham, a project initiated by Bishop Aldhun. Around this time, he married Aldhun's daughter, Ecgfrida, and received several estates as part of the marriage.

      Uhtred's military prowess became evident in 1006 when Malcolm II of Scotland invaded Northumbria and besieged Durham. With the English King Ethelred unable to assist and his father too old to fight, Uhtred gathered an army from Bernicia and Yorkshire, leading them to a decisive victory against the Scots. This victory earned him the ealdormanry of Bamburgh, even while his father was alive.

      Ethelred, seeking a trustworthy Anglo-Saxon leader in southern Northumbria, had Ælfhelm of York murdered and allowed Uhtred to take his place. This move united northern and southern Northumbria under Uhtred's leadership.

      Uhtred's personal life was marked by strategic alliances. After gaining power, he divorced Ecgfrida and married Sige, daughter of Styr, a wealthy citizen of York. This marriage was likely an attempt to build alliances with the Danes in Deira. With Sige, Uhtred had two children, Eadulf and Gospatric.

      In 1013, when Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark invaded England, Uhtred submitted to him but switched allegiance back to Ethelred upon his return. Around this time, Uhtred married Ethelred's daughter Ælfgifu (we are descended from this marriage).

      Uhtred's life ended in 1016 when, after campaigning with Ethelred's son Edmund Ironside, he was summoned to a peace meeting by Sweyn's son, Cnut. En route, Uhtred and forty of his men were assassinated by Thurbrand the Hold, with Cnut's involvement. Uhtred's death marked the beginning of a long-standing blood feud and he was succeeded in Bernicia by his brother Eadwulf Cudel.

      Uhtred's legacy continued through his children from his three marriages. His first son, Ealdred, became Earl of Northumbria, followed by Eadulf, his son with Sige. His daughter Ealdgyth, from his marriage to Ælfgifu, married Maldred and was the ancestress of the Earls of Dunbar.

      Uhtred's story, marked by political maneuvering, military leadership, and personal alliances, played a significant role in the turbulent history of early 11th-century Northumbria.

  • Sources 
    1. [S1747] Gary Boyd Roberts, The Royal Descents of 900 Immigrants, (Name: Genealogical Publishing Company; Location: Baltimore, Maryland; Date: 2018;), Volume II; pgs 857-858.


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