Siefredus of Northumbria

Siefredus was a Norse King of Northumbria. Numismatic evidence suggests he ruled from around 895 until 900, succeeding Guthfrith.

Discovery

In 1840 a hoard of over 8,000 items (known as the Cuerdale Hoard) was found in Cuerdale, Lancashire, England. A number of Northumbrian silver coins bearing the inscription (King Siefredus) were found as part of this hoard, indicating the existence of a previously unknown king. Two competing theories have been put forward for Siefredus's origins. Smyth has proposed Siefredus was a Northumbrian who sailed to Dublin after his fleet landed troops in Wessex. According to this theory Siefredus failed to take the city and caused the strife among the Vikings of Dublin noted by the Annals of Ulster. Angus instead proposes that Siefredus was a Dubliner who left for England after he failed to take the throne. Smyth's explanation is considered more likely since Æthelweard in his Chronicon implies Sichfrith was a Northumbrian.