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Osric of Deira

600 – 634

7th-century English monarch

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About Osric of Deira

Lived 600 – 634. Osric of Deira was a sovereign.

Osric (died 633 or 634) was a King of Deira (632–633 or 633–634) in northern England. He was a cousin of king Edwin of Northumbria, being the son of Edwin's uncle Æthelric of Deira. Osric was also the father of Oswine.

After Edwin was killed in battle against Cadwallon ap Cadfan of Gwynedd and Penda of Mercia, Northumbria fell into disarray, with Eanfrith taking power in the sub-kingdom of Bernicia and Osric taking power in Deira. According to Bede, Osric was, like Eanfrith, a Christian who reverted to paganism upon coming to power.

Cadwallon continued his ruinous invasion of Northumbria, however. Bede says that Osric besieged Cadwallon "in a strong town", but Cadwallon successfully "sallied out on a sudden with all his forces, by surprise, and destroyed him [Osric] and all his army."

The year in which he and Eanfrith ruled was subsequently deemed so abhorrent because of their paganism that it was decided to add that year to the reign of the Christian Oswald of Bernicia, who defeated Cadwallon and came to rule both Bernicia and Deira, so as to ignore the brief reigns of Osric and Eanfrith.

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Important facts

Born
600
Birth century
Died
634, York
Occupation
Nationality
Kingdom of Deira
Positions held
King of Deira

People in Osric of Deira's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Osric of Deira's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Osric of Deira?

7th-century English monarch

When was Osric of Deira born?

Osric of Deira was born in 600.

When did Osric of Deira die?

Osric of Deira died in 634 in York.

What was Osric of Deira's occupation?

Osric of Deira was a sovereign.

What nationality was Osric of Deira?

Osric of Deira's recorded nationality: Kingdom of Deira.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Osric of Deira

· Wikidata: Q879949

· DBpedia: Osric of Deira

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Osric of Deira. https://biography.guide/osric-of-deira/

MLA: "Osric of Deira." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/osric-of-deira/.

Chicago: "Osric of Deira." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/osric-of-deira/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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