Adda of Bernicia
| Adda | |
|---|---|
| King of Bernicia | |
| Reign | 560–568 |
| Predecessor | Glappa |
| Successor | Æthelric |
| Father | Ida of Bernicia |
Adda(fl. AD 560–568) was the third known ruler of theAnglo-SaxonKingdom of Bernicia.
Adda was one of several sons born toIda,the first ruler of Bernicia, as was his successorÆthelric.
Adda may have been the Bernician commander at the battle ofCaer Greu,where the British kingsPeredurand Gwrgi ofEbraucwere killed. There is some confusion here because of a conflict between sources. TheAnnales Cambriaestate that the Battle of Caer Greu took place in 580. The evidence for Adda being the Bernician king in question is that theWelsh Triadsidentify that leader as Ida. Since the sources agree that Ida died in 559, it is assumed that the Triads have named Ida by mistake, and that Adda—the only son with a name similar to Ida's -- was meant. However, theHistoria Brittonumstates that Adda only reigned for 8 years after Ida, in which case either the Bernician leader must have been one of Adda's successors, or else one of the sources has the dates confused. It is also possible that Ælle of Deira led the Angles at Caer Greu—certainly, Ebrauc ceased to exist as a British kingdom after the battle, with Deira taking over its territory. Since, however, the surviving northern British kingdoms subsequently combined to launch a vigorous campaign directed against Bernicia rather than Deira, this suggests that Bernicia was the original combatant.
Nothing else is known for certain about Adda's life or reign. The earliest authorities differ widely on the order and the regnal years of the Bernician kings between the death of Ida and the beginning ofÆthelfrith'srule in 592/593.
References
[edit]- .Dictionary of National Biography.London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.