Æthelfryth

Æthelfryth (d. c.616), king of Northumbria (c.593-c.616), was said by Bede to be the cruellest enemy of the Britons. It was probably Æthelfryth who defeated the British at Catterick (north Yorks.). His defeat of King Ædan at Degsastan in 603 subdued the Irish in Scotland. His victory over the men of Powys at Chester c.616 separated Britons in Wales from their northern compatriots. But Æthelfryth's demise was at the hands of Anglo-Saxons. Threatened by Æthelfryth if he did not hand over Edwin, claimant to the Northumbrian kingdom of Deira, who had taken refuge at his East Anglian court, Rædwald attacked, killing Æthelfryth near the river Idle (Lincs.) c.616.