Osulf I of Northumbria

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Osulf I (d.963) was earl of Bernicia from 930 and of all Northumbria from 954 until his death. He is known mostly for conspiring to with Earl Maccus, son of Olaf Guthfrithson or Olaf Sihtricson, to kill Eric Bloodaxe, king of York, and his son and brother. After Eric's death, Edred, king of England, gave the once Norse-held lands south of the river Tees to Osulf, who was already in possession of Bernicia north of the Tees.

It seems that Osulf, a man of Eric, betrayed him, when he was fighting for his kingdom after the local populace expelled him, to Maccus and Eric was defeated and slain at the Battle of Stainmore, of which little else is known.

He was succeed by Waltheof, his son.

[edit] Sources

• Stenton, Sir Frank M. Anglo-Saxon England Third Edition. Oxford University Press, 1971.

Preceded by Ealdred I	Earl of Bernicia 930–954	Succeeded by none
Preceded by none	Earl of Northumbria 954–963	Succeeded by Waltheof I