Elmet, kingdom of

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Elmet, kingdom of. British kingdom based in the south-west of Yorkshire, including the area around Leeds; modern place-names with the suffix ‘in-Elmet’ delineate its eastern border. At the beginning of the 7th cent. its king Gwallog was allied with other British rulers against Hussa and Theodoric of Bernicia. The last known British king Ceretic was driven out by Edwin of Deira c.616, perhaps in revenge for the death of his nephew Hereric who had been poisoned in the province. Elmet is listed in the Tribal Hidage, but probably before the end of the 7th cent. had been fully incorporated into Deira. The name is perpetuated in a parliamentary seat.

Barbara Yorke