Osulf II of Bamburgh

Who was Osulf II of Bamburgh?

Osulf or Oswulf was the son of Eadulf III, Earl of Bamburgh, and grandson of Uchtred the Bold, Earl of Northumbria. Osulf’s family ruled as "High-Reeves" or ealdormen of Bamburgh from 954 until 1041, when Siward the Stout killed Eadulf and reunited Northumbria under one ruler.

In 1065, Morcar succeeded Tostig as Earl of all Northumbria, and he appointed Osulf to rule the portion north of the River Tyne. However, because of Morcar’s resistance to the Norman invasion of England by William the Conqueror in 1066, he was deposed and imprisoned. William then appointed Copsi, Tostig’s former deputy, as Morcar's replacement.

In February 1067, Copsi came north and forced Osulf to seek shelter in the hills. Osulf began to gather an army. Because Copsi was seen as an invader and a tax-gatherer for William, he was deeply unpopular amongst the Northumbrians north and south of the Tees, and Osulf had no trouble in gathering recruits. On March 12 he surprised Copsi and his men at a banquet at Newburn-upon-Tyne. Copsi fled to a nearby church, but this was set on fire, forcing Copsi out. Osulf then had Copsi's head cut off.