About Ælfwald I
Lived 759 – 788 (aged 28–29). Ælfwald I was a sovereign.
Ælfwald I (born between 759 and 767 AD) was king of Northumbria from 779 to 788. He is thought to have been a son of Oswulf, and thus a grandson of Eadberht Eating.
Ælfwald became king after Æthelred son of Æthelwald Moll was deposed in 778. He was murdered, probably at Chesters, by ealdorman Sicga. He was buried at Hexham Abbey where he was considered a saint.
Ælfwald was succeeded by his first cousin Osred, son of Alhred and Osgifu, daughter of Eadberht Eating. Ælfwald's sons Ælf and Ælfwine were killed in 791 on the orders of King Æthelred.
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Important facts
Family & relationships
People in Ælfwald I's life
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Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Ælfwald I's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ælfwald I?
Northumbrian king
When was Ælfwald I born?
Ælfwald I was born in 759.
When did Ælfwald I die?
Ælfwald I died on 23 September 788 in Chesters Roman Fort.
What was Ælfwald I's occupation?
Ælfwald I was a sovereign.
What nationality was Ælfwald I?
Ælfwald I's recorded nationality: Kingdom of Northumbria.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Ælfwald I of Northumbria
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ælfwald I. https://biography.guide/aelfwald-i/
MLA: "Ælfwald I." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/aelfwald-i/.
Chicago: "Ælfwald I." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/aelfwald-i/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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