Aethelric of Deira

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Aethelric (died c. 604?) was a King of Deira (c. 589/599–c. 604). He succeeded Aella of Deira and is historically obscure.

Deira was taken over by Æthelfrith of Bernicia in about the year 604. The circumstances of this are unclear, and Aethelric's fate is unknown; the fact that Edwin, a son of Aella and possibly Aethelric's brother, had to flee into exile suggests that Deira may have been conquered by Æthelfrith, and in this case Æthelfrith may have been killed during warfare. Æthelfrith ruled both Deira and Bernicia, the two components of Northumbria, until he was killed in battle and the Deiran line was restored for a time under Edwin.