Æthelthryth

Ethelthryth is the well-known wife of Ealdred I of Bamburgh who was granted the Earldom of Bamburgh/Northumberland by first King Alfred the Great and his successor Edward the Elder. St. Cuthbert recorded that Ealdred was the favourite of King Edward the Elder as his father, Eadwulf IV, was the friend of King Alfred the Great. They swore allegiance to the Kings of England and were given the Earl title to be held by birth succession. Ethelthryth's birthyear varies greatly from her two supposed brothers. She was decades younger than them and married to Ealdred bc860. Researchers looking at the records of each of these have given 2 opinions: (1) making her and Osberht and Aella siblings with a birth spread of some 50 years or (2) making her the daughter of Aella preferably. Osberht was king from 847-about 862 and then Aella replaced him until 867 when Ragnarsson defeated them both at the Battle of York. This would imply that Osberht and Aella were born before c827 and that Ethelthryth lived on after 867 and united in marriage with Ealdred to win back Bamburgh.