Riksig

The most detailed evidence of Riksig contained in the writings of the author of the XII century Simeon of Durham ^[1] .

Information about the origin and early years of Riksig’s life was not preserved in medieval historical sources ^[2] . Nevertheless, modern researchers suggest that Riksig could belong to one of the noble families of Northumbria and even be related to one of the rulers of this kingdom ^[3] .

The first information about Riksig dates back to 872, when he led a rebellion against King Egbert I , the protege of the Vikings who captured Northumbria. As a result of the rebellion, Egbert and the Archbishop of York, supported him, were forced to seek refuge at the court of King Mercia Burgred . Instead of the fleeing monarch, Rixig became the new ruler of Bernice. It is not known when he took the royal title: immediately after the uprising, or after the death of Egbert I, who died in a foreign land the following year ^{[2] [3] [4]} . The text of the “Church History of England” by Simeon of Durham most likely testifies in favor of dating the beginning of the Riksig reign in 873 ^{[1] [5]} .

It is not precisely established in what relations Riksig was with the Vikings who occupied Northumbria. In the " Anglo-Saxon Chronicle " it is reported that in the years 872-875, the Great Pagan Army repeatedly came to Northumbria ^[6] . This may indicate the establishment of Riksig after the overthrow of Egbert I of his power over the entire territory of the kingdom, including its capital York ^[7] . The sources mention the terrible ruin of the Scandinavians, not only the Northumbrian lands, but also the neighboring territories (for example, Strathclyde ) ^[4] . However, no Viking atrocities in the northern regions of Northumbria, where anti-Scandinavian sentiments were strongest, were not reported in medieval chronicles ^[2] . Riksig’s dependence on the Scandinavians is evidenced only by later authors (for example, the historian , who lived in the 13th century ^[8] ), while in sources closer to these events there is no such data. According to modern historians, probably Riksig still managed to maintain his autonomy from the Danes , although only part of Northumbria remained under his direct control. Confirmation of this is considered the foundation in 876 by the Scandinavians of their own with the capital in York ^[2] . It is likely that between Rixig and the first ruler of Jorvik Halfdan , an agreement was concluded on the division of the former Northumbrian kingdom. Under this agreement, the Anglo-Saxons remained the land north of the Tyne River until the Fort (that is, the former Bernice), and the Scandinavians passed the area between the Tyne and the Humber interfluve, formerly part of the Deira kingdom ^[3] .

Riksig died in 876 after three years of rule by the kingdom ^{[7] [8]} . According to Roger Wendover, the king died of a heart failure caused by sadness due to the division of his beloved Northumbria. Rixig's successor to the throne was King Egbert II ^{[1] [3] [4] [5]} .

The History of St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne , written by Simeon of Durham, mentions that Riggsig was the father of Eadred ^[9] , a noble Northumbrian who died in battle in 918 ^[10] .

• Higham NJ The Kingdom of Northumbria AD 350-1100 . - Stroud: Sutton, 1993 .-- 296 p. - ISBN 978-0-8629-9730-4 .
• Kirby DP The Earliest English Kings . - London & New-York: Routledge , 2000 .-- 258 p. - ISBN 978-0-415-24211-0 .
• Yorke B. Kings and Kingdoms of early Anglo-Saxon England . - London: Taylor & Francis, 2002 .-- 232 p. - ISBN 978-0-2034-4730-7 .