Expansion of the kingdoms of Bernicia and Deira in the 7th century.
Bernicia (Beornica in Old English) was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom located in present-day northern England and southern Scotland. Founded in the 6th century, it united with the neighboring kingdom of Deira in the early 7th century to form the Kingdom of Northumbria.
Its territory is said to have extended from the Tyne northwards, eventually reaching the Firth of Forth. Its western border gradually expanded, biting into the Brittonic-speaking kingdoms of Rheged, Gododdin and Dumbarton. The main royal residence is Bamburgh Castle, near the island of Lindisfarne.
History
The name Bernicie seems to derive from the Welsh Brynaich or Bryneich. It is possible that before the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons, a Breton kingdom bearing this name occupied the region, perhaps as early as the 5th century.
In 604, Æthelfrith became king of Deira, probably by force:Prince Edwin of Deira was forced to take refuge in East Anglia. Æthelfrith ruled both kingdoms until his death in battle in 616 or 617, after which Edwin succeeded him as ruler of Bernicia and Deira.
In 633 Edwin was killed fighting the Welsh Cadwallon ap Cadfan at the Battle of Hatfield Chase. His two kingdoms each choose a new ruler and Eanfrith, son of Æthelfrith, becomes king of Bernicia. However, he was killed by Cadwallon the following year while trying to negotiate with him. His brother Oswald succeeds him, triumphs over Cadwallon at Heavenfield and unites Bernicia and Deira again. The two kingdoms then merge into the Kingdom of Northumbria.
List of kings of Bernicia
The origins of the kingdom are obscure, and there is no evidence that kings Esa and Eoppa actually existed. The first king to appear in the annals is Ida, in 547. However, these dates should be considered approximate, as the sources are imprecise, corrupt and sometimes contradictory.
547-559:Ida
559-560:Glappa, son of Ida
560-568:Adda, son of Ida
568-572:Æthelric, son of Ida
572-579:Théodric, son of Ida
579-585:Frithuwald
585-592:Hussa
593-616:Æthelfrith
633-634:Eanfrith, son of Æthelfrith