Waltheof of Bamburgh

Waltheofwashigh-reeveorealdormanofBamburgh(fl.994). He was the son of Ealdred, and the grandson ofOswulf I^[1]and was father ofUhtred the Bold,Ealdorman of Northumbria.

The name 'Waltheof' remained in his family when EarlSiwardmarried his great-granddaughter and named his son Waltheof. This son of Siward becameWaltheof, Earl of Northumbria,and one of his descendants being SaintWaltheof of Melrose.Additionally, another branch of the family would use the Waltheof name including:Waltheof of Allerdalewho was son ofGospatric, Earl of Northumbria.Waltheof of Inverkeithing and Dalmeny was son of Cospatric, and grandson ofWaltheof of Allerdale.Another descendant ofGospatric, Earl of NorthumbriawasWaltheof, Earl of Dunbar.

History

In 1006Malcolm II of Scotlandinvaded Northumbria and besieged the newly founded episcopal city ofDurham.At that time the Danes were raiding southern England andKing Æthelredwas unable to send help to the Northumbrians. Ealdorman Waltheof was too old to fight and remained in his castle atBamburgh.EaldormanÆlfhelmofYorkalso took no action. Waltheof's son Uhtred, acting for his father, called together an army from Bernicia and Yorkshire and led it against the Scots. The result was a decisive victory for Uhtred. Local women washed the severed heads of the Scots, receiving a payment of a cow for each, and the heads were fixed on stakes to Durham's walls. Uhtred was rewarded by KingÆthelred IIwith the ealdormanry of Bamburgh even though his father was still alive.

Issue

Waltheof has been identified as the father of two sons; their mothers are unknown:

Uhtred the Bold(also spelled Uchtred), Ealdorman of Northumbria; married several times including Ælfgifu, daughter of KingÆthelred the Unready
Eadwulf Cudel,Ealdorman of Bamburgh

References

^De Northumbria post Britannossays that Oswulf had a son named Ealdred, father of Waltheof of Bamburgh, father of Uhtred of Northumbria; see McGuigan, ′Ælla and the descendants of Ivar′, pp. 25, 33.

Sources

Stenton, Sir Frank M.Anglo-Saxon England;3rd edition.Oxford University Press,1971.

External links

Waltheof 4atProsopography of Anglo-Saxon England

Regnal titles
Preceded by Eadwulf Evil-child	Ruler of Bamburgh fl. 994	Succeeded by Uhtred the Bold

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[1] De Northumbria post Britannossays that Oswulf had a son named Ealdred, father of Waltheof of Bamburgh, father of Uhtred of Northumbria; see McGuigan, ′Ælla and the descendants of Ivar′, pp. 25, 33.

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