Northumbrie

The Northumbrie (Latin Northumbria , Saxon NordanHymbria ) indicates in the beginning the grounds which were invaded by the Angles towards 500 and which were in the north ( north ) of the river Humber, in the current England.

Thereafter, Northumbrie became a kingdom angle (with Anglie of the East or East Anglia ), then one of the seven Anglo-Saxon Royaumes in England.

In fact, Northumbrie as a kingdom was constituted rather quickly by the union of two kingdoms of the Angles: that of Bernicie ( Bernicia ) and that of Deirie ( Deira ). The notoriety of this kingdom is especially related to its participation in the propagation of Roman Christianity (catholic) in the island and in the constitution of an arts center of European importance with the archbishop's palace of York, in the south of Northumbrie.

Its history - as that of the other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms - is primarily known through the work of Bède Worthy the, monk English of Northumbrie which lived at the beginning of the 8th century. This last left a ecclesiastical Histoire of the English people . In this one, he initially tells the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Roman Christianity under the action of Roman missionaries, then under that of English saints. It is remarkable that as of the time of Bède, Northumbriens de Deirie and of Bernicie were aware to belong, with the other Germanic inhabitants of the island, with the same people.

In fact, Northumbrie is plain first once under the reign of Edwin I {{er}}. This pagan king of the Angles converts with Christianity under the action of his wife, a Christian woman of Kent, and under the influence of the Roman missionary Paulinus which accompanied the future wife. The first Church northumbrienne is born then in 625.

But, this unit, just like the recent conversion of the Angles northumbriens, are quickly called into question by the death of Edwin to the combat, in 633, against the Breton king Cadwallon of which it had subjected the people before. Moreover, the come to power of the king of Mercie Penda, savage defender of paganism, temporarily stops good progresses by the Christian missionaries.

In 635, the king of Berniciens, Oswald de Northumbrie, again links Northumbrie after having overcome Caedwallon. It makes come the Scottish missionary Saint Aidan from Lindisfarne to help it with évangéliser its people. Its support for Christianity and its martyrdom for the hands of Penda are worth to him to be sanctified. One period of relative prosperity for the kingdom is followed from there. This one knows a cultural and artistic golden age at the 8th century even if its political role decrease at the end of the 7th century.

In 664 takes place in Northumbrie the Synode of Whitby. This major event shows the importance which then Northumbrie in the religious field acquired: on the initiative of the king northumbrien Oswy, the Celtic ecclesiastical tradition (Scottish) is confronted with the Roman tradition. The controversy relates in particular to the date of celebration of the Easter. The question, which tears the two Churches since the birth of the Anglo-Saxon Church, is solved in favor of the latter. Consequently, the bishops Scot leave the kingdom of Northumbrie and the Anglo-Saxon Church - of which the unit precedes the birth of England - lance in its turn of the missions towards the Celts: Iona accepts finally Roman Catholicism under the influence of a missionary northumbrien, Egbert, in 688. This one leaves even on the continent and takes part in the mission at the Frisons.

In 866, benefitting from a civil war in the kingdom, the Viking S of the “Large army” seize York and make this city then thrives the capital of a new State, the Royaume Viking of York. The two candidates for the throne are combined and tried to take again York in 867, but they die during this countryside. The Vikings fix the kingdom.

In 876, a new county of Bernicie is formed with for sovereigns the Earls of Bamburgh. In 918 Rognvald annexes Northumbrie Anglo-Saxon with its kingdom of York.

The Anglo-Saxons of Wessex temporarily conquer it in 919 - 920 then in 941 - 944. They will manage to seize them only in 954 with died the last king Viking York.

Northumbrie

See also