Northumbria

Northumbria was one of the major Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in early Britain. Anglo-Saxons were groups of people from northern Europe who settled in Britain after the Romans left in the 400s CE. Northumbria was located in the north of Britain, stretching from the River Humber in the south to parts of modern Scotland in the north. It became well known for its culture, religion, and powerful rulers.

Northumbria began as two smaller kingdoms called Bernicia and Deira. These two lands joined together in the 600s CE to form one larger kingdom. A kingdom is a land ruled by a king. Early rulers, such as King Edwin and King Oswald, helped Northumbria grow stronger. They also supported the spread of Christianity. Christianity is a religion based on the teachings of Jesus. Monks and missionaries traveled across the kingdom to teach this new faith.

One of the most famous places in Northumbria was Lindisfarne, an island with a monastery. A monastery is a community where religious people live, study, and work. Monks on Lindisfarne wrote important books and taught others to read and write. They helped create some of the earliest English writing. Another center of learning was the monastery at Jarrow, where the writer Bede lived. Bede wrote a history of early Britain that is still used by historians today.

Northumbria often traded with other kingdoms and with groups outside Britain. Trade is the buying and selling of goods. The kingdom also took part in battles for land and power. Sometimes Northumbria fought with neighboring kingdoms such as Mercia. At other times, they formed alliances. An alliance is an agreement to work together. These changes in friendship and conflict shaped the political map of early Britain.

In the late 700s and 800s CE, Northumbria faced Viking raids. Vikings were seafaring warriors from Scandinavia. They attacked towns and monasteries, including Lindisfarne. These attacks weakened the kingdom. As Viking groups began to settle in parts of Britain, Northumbria lost power. By the 900s CE, the kingdom became part of the growing Kingdom of England.

Today, the lands that were once Northumbria include parts of northern England, such as Northumberland and Yorkshire, as well as parts of southern Scotland. The history of Northumbria is remembered for its role in early English culture, especially its art, writing, and religious traditions. Many old buildings, stone crosses, and writings from this period survive and help people learn about life in early Britain.