Summary

Copper alloy coin; denomination: styca
York Mint
Osberht, King of Northumbria
Moneyer: Ethelhelm

Osberht succeeded to the throne of Northumbria after the assassination of Aethelred II (circa 849). He lost power to Aella (possibly his brother) after taking church lands.

Both died in battle on 21 March 867 in a strange circumstance. Symeon's Historia Regum Anglorum records "In those days, the nation of the Northumbrians had violently expelled from the kingdom the rightful king of their nation, Osbryht by name, and had placed at the head of the kingdom a certain tyrant, named Alla. When the pagans came upon the kingdom, the dissension was allayed by divine counsel and the aid of the nobles. King Osbryht and Alla, having united their forces and formed an army, came to the city of York; on their approach the multitude of the shipmen immediately took flight. The Christians, perceiving their flight and terror, found that they themselves were the stronger party. They fought upon each side with much ferocity, and both kings fell. The rest who escaped made peace with the Danes."

Obverse Description

The legend around a central bead, BOSBERH (retrograde)

Reverse Description

The legend around a central circle of beads, + EDALHA (retrograde)

Edge Description

Plain

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