Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms

The Scandinavian Kingdom of York / Jorvik

Between 865-874, Vikings and Danes under Ivarr the Boneless and his brother, Halfdan, swept England from the north and east, conquering Northumbria and East Anglia and large swathes of eastern Mercia. Not long afterwards, the acknowledged Danish leader, Guthrum, assumed the title of king of East Anglia. The first king of Scandinavian York was Halfdan himself, ruling all of modern Yorkshire and Lancashire.

(Corrections and most additions by Mick Baker.)

875 - 877

Halfdan

King of the Viking Kingdom of Dublin (873-883).

877 - 883

Interregnum.

883 - 895

Guthfrith

Converted to Christianity. Ruled until 24 August.

894 - 899

Siefred / Sigferth

899

Knutr / Cnut

900 - 905

Ęthelwald

c.899

Ęthelwald, the son of Edward the Elder, is driven from Wessex and takes refuge in York where the Danes receive him as king.

900

Around this time, the Scandinavians appear to lose control of the Northumbrian territory of Cumbria. The surviving British kingdom of Strathclyde now governs Cumbria.

905 - 910

Halfdan II / Healfden

Brothers and co-rulers - killed by the invading Saxon army.

905 - 910

Eowils / Ecwils / Eogils

910

Ingwer / Ivarr

902 - c.942

York controls Ynys Manau through client kings.

911 - 918

Interregnum. Was the kingdom controlled by the Saxons following their victory in 910?

918/9

A powerful Norse-Irish dynasty from Dublin seizes control of York.

919 - 921

Ragnald I of Ireland

921 - 927

Sihtric Caoch (the Blind)

Converted to Christianity by Athelstan. m.Athelstan's sister.

927

Guthfrith of Dublin

Brother. Expelled by Athelstan.

927

Olaf / Anlaf I Guthfrithson

Son. Expelled by Athelstan.

927 - 939

Athelstan of Wessex invades Northumbria and rules it as part of a united England until his death on 27th October 939. The is the very first time that a southern king rules north of the Humber.

934

The grand alliance including the Scots, Northumbrian Danes, Dublin Danes, and the Welsh of Gwynedd and Cumbria, mass their forces north of the Humber in a bold attempt to destroy Athelstan. The plan fails, however, when the West Saxons and Mercians of the south destroy the alliance at the battle of Brunanburh.

939

With Athelstan's death a fifteen year struggle for the future of an independent Northumbrian kingdom begins. Many Northumbrian leaders would rather be ruled by an integrated Danish nobility than the English south of the Humber.

939/40 - 942

Olaf / Anlaf I Guthfrithson

940

The Northumbrians conquer the Five Boroughs region comprising towns such as Derby, Leicester, Lincoln and Doncaster.

942 - 943

Olaf / Anlaf II Sihtricson (Cuaran)

Olaf of Ireland. Son of Sihtric. Ruled until summer 943.

942 - 943

Olaf II previously had to give way to his more powerful uncle and cousin, and wait for their demise - plus the death of Athelstan - before he could sit on the throne. However, Olaf is not so effective as his cousin, and is soon usurped, and then defeated by Athelstan's brother, Edmund.

943 - 944

Ragnald II Guthfrithson

944

Olaf / Anlaf II Sihtricson (Cuaran)

Restored. Defeated by Edmund of Wessex.

944 - 946

Ruled by Edmund of Wessex.

946 - 947

Ruled by Eadred of Wessex. The Northumbrians officially submit to him in 947, but within a few months they have invited Scandinavian adventurer Eric Bloodaxe to ascend the Northumbrian throne in late 947.

947 - 948

Eric Bloodaxe

Former King of Norway (930-934).

948

Eadred's burning of Ripon sees Eric Bloodaxe being rejected by the Northumbrian witan, despite him winning a battle against part of Eadred's army. Eric sails away to adventures overseas and Eadred is acknowledged king of the Northumbrians. The subsequent reign of Anlaf Sihtricson, invited back by the Northumbrians in 949, can only be explained in terms of Eadred preferring him over Eric, as long as he (probably) submitted to Eadred.

949 - 952

Olaf / Anlaf II Sihtricson (Cuaran)

Restored. Probably submitted to Eadred.

952

?

Dublin-based claimant, briefly recognised.

952 - 954

Eric Bloodaxe

Restored by the Northumbrians.

954

A coalition of northern forces tributary to Eadred defeats Eric in battle. Northumbria falls under the rule of the Kings of England, to the dismay of the independent-minded Northumbrians.