Osbald of Northumbria

Who was Osbald of Northumbria?

Osbald was a king of Northumbria during 796. He was a friend of Alcuin, a monk from York who often sent him letters of advice.

Osbald was a violent man and most likely a murderer as modern records suggest. On 9 January AD 780, he killed Bearn, the son of King Ælfwald by burning him to death at Selectune. In 793 Alcuin wrote two letters to Osbald urging him to give up his extravagant way of life. He criticised his greedy behaviour, luxurious dress and his pagan hair style. He warned him to devote himself to God because “Luxury in princes means poverty for the people”.

Osbald became king of Northumbria in 796 at a time when it was dissolving into anarchy. He ruled for 27 days before being abandoned by the royal household and deserted by the people. He went into exile in Lindisfarne. Here Alcuin wrote Osbald a letter urging him to become a monk. After Osbald’s refusal Alcuin sent another letter. It read:

Shortly afterwards, Osbald sailed to Pictland with his companions, where he was given refuge by Caustantín, King of the Picts.

Osbald gave his name to two places in and around the area of Northumbria:

Osbaldeston, Blackburn

Osbaldwick, York

Osbald died in AD 799 and was buried in an unmarked grave in York Minster.