Ricsige of Northumbria
King of Northumbria
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ricsige (also rendered Ricsy, Ricsi or Ricsig) was King of Northumbria from 873[2][3][1] to 876.[2][1] He became king after Ecgberht I was overthrown and fled, with Wulfhere, Archbishop of York, to Mercia.
| Ricsige | |
|---|---|
| King of Northumbria | |
| Reign | 873–876 AD |
| Predecessor | Ecgberht I |
| Successor | Ecgberht II |
| Died | 876 AD[1] |
| House | Northumbria |
Career
In 872, Northumbria rebelled against the Great Heathen Army and their collaborators. The Northumbrians expelled Ecgberht I of Northumbria and Wulfhere of York.[4][5] After the death of Ecgberht in 873, Ricsige became King of Northumbria, and restored Wulfhere as Archbishop of York.[5]
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle reports that the Great Heathen Army came north against the Northumbrians in 873.[6] Halfdan Ragnarsson departed Repton in 875, bringing Northumbria under his dominion and destroying all of the monasteries.[5] Halfdan would divide the land the following year amongst his followers,[7] with Ricsige reportedly dying that same year from a broken heart according to the Flores Historiarum.[8]
Popular culture
In 2020, Ricsige was featured in Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, installed as the King of Northumbria by Halfdan Ragnarsson after Ecgberht's deposition.[9]