Osric is a ruler of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the Hwicce in the 7th century. It is generally considered - but without real proof - that he is the son of Eanhere. He may have ruled jointly with his brother Oshere.
Osric is designated as king by Bede, in a text where he tells us that he welcomed Bishop Oftfor to his province on his return from Rome.
He is also designated as such in a charter, dated 675-676, by which he gives an abbess named Bertana one hundred manentes of land in Bath in order to build a monastery there. This text, known from a copy of the twelfth century. is doubtful (the indiction is false), but, although interpolated and reworked, it seems to rest on a truthful foundation. The charter is co-signed by Aethelred, King of Mercia, and six bishops, including Theodore and Wilfrid, appear as witnesses to the donation (the list of signatories appears to have been edited).
But, in another problematic charter said to have been given to Chelsea possibly in 679, King Ethelred of Mercia gives lands to Osric and his brother Oswald who are simply referred to as ministri (equivalent of thegn) of the king. Oswald receives 300 hides in Pershore (Worcestershire) and Osric as much in Gloucester on the condition of building a monastery there.
This text, preserved in the archives of Gloucester in a writing which can date back to the 9th century. and apparently intended for the compilation of a book of the foundations of this church, highlights the surely close links between Osric and Gloucester. According to local tradition, Osric was the founder of the mixed abbey of Saint Peter in Gloucester and established his sister Cyneburga as first abbess there. But this is a confusing matter. In much of the English hagiographical tradition, Osric is confused with his namesake, a short-lived king of Deira, and Cyneburga of Gloucester is then thought to be the daughter of another Cyneburga, founder of Castor Abbey. Moreover, in Gloucester itself, the figure of the abbess quickly became encumbered with local legends.
In any case, Osric died in Gloucester, or at least was buried there. At an undetermined date, his remains were transferred to the cathedral where his tomb is still located.