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Osberht of Northumbria

Osberht of Northumbria (died 21 March 867) was King of Northumbria from 848 to 867, succeeding Aethelred II and preceding Aella and Ecgbehrt.

Biography[]

Osberht became King of Northumbria in 848 following the death of Aethelred II of Northumbria, and he wrested Wercewurde and Tillemuthe from the Catholic Church in 866. The Northumbrians violently expelled Osbehrt as king and replaced him with his brother Aella of Northumbria, and Osbehrt, Aella, and Ealdorman Uhtred of Bebbanburg became the "Three Kings of Northumbria". Also in 866, the Great Heathen Army laid siege to York, so the Three Kings assembled their armies to relieve the city. The relief attempt failed, and, on 21 March 867, Aella and Osbehrt led an attempt to recapture the fallen city. However, after a ferocious battle, both kings fell.

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