Ælla of Northumbria

Ælla (c. 815 – 867), alternatively Aelle, was the King of Northumbria from 866 until his death in 867. He was a member of the Order of the Ancients, and was in line to become the new Grand Maegester of the Order in England by the mid-860s.

Biography

Circa 865, ealdorman Ælla captured the famed Viking leader Ragnar Lothbrok and had him executed by throwing him into a pit of snakes. As retaliation, two of Ragnar's sons, Ivarr the Boneless and Ubba Ragnarsson, sought revenge and invaded England leading the Great Heathen Army.

On 1 November 866, after Ivarr killed Ælla's predecessor Osberht on the battlefield, Ælla was crowned King of Northumbria in the York Minster by the Archbishop Wulfhere. After which, the kingdom celebrated the All Saint's Day Feast. The day also marked the Viking Capture of York led by Ivarr. After receiving the news that Ivarr was leading this attack, Ælla sent his captain of the guard to lead the troops to defend the city. However, the captain was eventually killed by the brothers Ulf and Björn, and York was captured by the Vikings. With Ivarr's capture of York, Ælla also abandoned his people and escaped the city.

During Ælla's reign, King Louis the Younger of Saxony gave him a unique axe from Europe as a gift.

By March 867, the Sons of Ragnar captured Ælla and ritually executed him by way of the blood eagle. After Ælla's death, the title he would have assumed was instead bestowed upon Æthelred, the son of King Æthelwulf of Wessex.

Gallery

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  Ælla subjugated to the blood eagle

Appearances

• Echoes of History (voice only)
• Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (first mentioned)
• Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Blood Brothers (first appearance)