Ealdred of Bamburgh

Who was Ealdred of Bamburgh?

Ealdred was Earl of Bernicia from 1020/25 until his murder in 1038. He was the son of Uhtred, Earl of Northumbria, who was murdered by Thurbrand the Hold in 1016 with the connivance of Cnut. Ealdred's mother was Ecgfrida, daughter of Aldhun, bishop of Durham.

Ealdred succeeded his uncle Eadwulf Cudel as Earl of Bernicia in 1020/25, and some time probably in the mid 1020s he killed Thurbrand in revenge for his father's death. In 1038 Ealdred was murdered by Thurbrand's son, Carl. He was succeeded as Earl of Bernicia by his brother, another Eadwulf, who was murdered by King Harthacnut in 1041.

Ealdred's daughter, Aelfflaed, was the first wife of Siward, Earl of Northumbria and her son, and Ealdred's grandson, was Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria.