Eardwulf

views updated

Eardwulf (d. c.810), king of Northumbria (796–c.810). Before his accession Eardwulf was an ealdorman and it is not known whether he was of royal descent. He became king at a particularly disturbed period in Northumbrian politics and within four years of his accession had defeated an attempted coup and had two rivals murdered. He attacked Cenwulf of Mercia in 801 for harbouring his enemies. In 806 or 808 he was forced into exile, but soon returned with help provided by the Frankish king Charles the Great; however, not long afterwards he was succeeded by his son Eanred. Subsequently Eardwulf was venerated as St Hardulf and his remains housed at the Mercian monastery of Breedon- on-the-Hill. His claim to sanctity apparently related to an event in 791 where he was left for dead outside the monastery of Ripon on the orders of King Æthelred, but made what was regarded as a miraculous recovery.

Barbara Yorke

More From encyclopedia.com