Northumbria

## Overview

The Earldom of Northumbria, combined with the Earldoms of Mercia and Wessex form the three major realms which make up the seven Earldoms of the Heptarchy of the Kingdom of Ængland. Bordering only the Earldom of Mercia to the South, Northumbria is the Northernmost Earldom of Ængland, and is the only Noble to border the Alba, with borders with the Earldoms of Bernicia and Strathclyde, it's vast territory stretching North to South has resulted in the development of a unique Northumbrian culture in the North of the Earldom, being a central point of the cultural continuum of Insular Germanics starting with Anglo-Saxons to the South, Northumbrians in the Centre and Scottish of Bernicia in the North; however its' unique cultural identity does not extend to the Northumbrian religious beliefs with the Earldom practising the Latin Christian faith like the rest of Ængland. Administered by Earl Morcar of Northumbria, Northumbria is the most rebellious of the Ænglish realms having only been integrated in 1064.

## Background

Under King Æthelfrith, the Crowns of Bernicia and Deira would be united in a Personal Union. During 616-633 under King Ēadwine, Northumbria would conquer the Isle of Mann and the Kingdom of Gwynedd, and then claim the title of Bretwalda, 'Britain-Ruler', but would later by Cadwallon of Gwynedd and Penda of Mercia, which would lead to the Kingdoms of Bernicia and Deira breaking apart. In 634 King Oswald of Bernicia would take Deira, however he would fail to recover Gwynedd and the Isle of Mann, during 642 King Oswald would also be killed King Penda of Mercia and King Cadwallon of Gwynedd, King Oswald would be succeeded by his brother Oswiu. Oswui would kill king Penda in 655 and then kill the Mercian successor in 656, uniting the two crowns until 658 when a Mercian result would expelling the Northumbrians and then paying tribute for a while before gaining full independence again. In 876 the Danish under Halfdan Ragnarsson would invade Northumbria and conquer much of Deira, the rest would be annexed by Bernicia and live on as the Kingdom of Northumbria, the former Kingdom of Deira would go on to become the Kingdom of Jórvík within the Danelaw. Northumbria would be reunited with the defeat of the Danelaw by Wessex under King Æthelstan who would then go on to also become King of Ængland and Northumbria in 927, but he would not integrate Northumbria into Ængland. after Æthelstan's death in 939 Northumbria would return to Northumbrian rule but this would only last until 947 when Eric of York would be installed to rule over the lands of Jórvík by King Eric Bloodaxe, but by 948 Eric of York would be deposed before regaining control in 952 to only be deposed again in 954. During this time much of Bernicia would be annexed by the Kingdom of Alba who would maintain the lands as the Earldom of Bernicia, after 954 Northumbria would become a vassal to the kingdom of Ængland, until it's integration in 1064. During 1052 Earl Siward would launch an invasion into Alba, with Strathclyde reclaim Bernicia, however this would ultimately fail and Strathclyde would be reintegrated into Alba. In 1055 Tostig of the powerful Godwin family would become Earl, however in 1065 he would be exiled by King Eadweard Cerdicing and replaced by Morcar of Northumbria, brother of Ēadwine of Mercia.

## Relationships

### Alba

Northumbria's relationship with their Northern neighbour is a very hostile one, laying claim to the Scottish lands of Alban Bernicia, the Scots being decedents of the Northumbrian people, conquered when Alba invaded an annexed much of Northumbrian Bernicia resulting in the transfer of Bernicia to Alba. Furthermore claims over Alban Strathclyde's Cumbria region has also resulted in tensions between the two powers.

### Denmark

The historic legacy of the Danish Kingdom of Jórvík, within the Danelaw has strained relations between Northumbria and Denmark, however no open hostilities have come about in recent years as a period of peace settles in.

### Gwynedd

The relationship between Northumbria and Gwynedd has the potential to become explosive due to their history of war between the two states, however geographical distance and other issues closer to home have redirected their attentions from one another therefore their current relationships is neutral but with the potential to become very tense.

### Mercia

Having regularly been in competition with Mercia and claiming the former Earldom of Lindsey, still claimed by Northumbria, the relationship between the two states is very strained and the disputes of land between the to powers has worsened the situation, than had it just been the legacy of repeated invasions, that said the appointment of a Mercian noble as Earl has eased tensions but instability has risen as a consequence.

### Norway

The recent restoration of the Kingdom of Jórvík by Eric Bloodaxe has been pivotal in determining modern relations, which remain very hostile, to the point that Norwegian merchants arriving in Northumbria have been aggressively driven off by the locals.

### Wessex

The West Saxons have dominated Northumbria in recent years, especially after the integration the Kingdom of Mercia, which created a mutual border between the two countries, later Wessex would form the Kingdom of Ængland and then annex the Kingdom of Northumbria in 1064. This annexation would result in large scale outcry by the Northumbrian peoples demanding independence and hence leading to a rise in tensions.