Northumbria

Northumbria was originally composed of the union of two independent kingdoms, Bernicia and Deira. It stretched from the Humber to the Firth of Forth and included Edinburgh as one of its cities. The northern half of the kingdom was ceded to the new kingdom of Scotland after a Northumbrian defeat to the Scots in the 9th century. The links between Northumbria and Scotland are clearly visible today, in the dialect spoken which includes many Old English words, like 'Bairn' for 'Child'.

King Edwin of Deira (616-32) accepted Christianity in 627 and was Bretwalda of England from 627-632.

The flag of Northumbria is a white cross on a blue background.

Northumbria sees some use as a placename today. It has been adopted by the English Tourist Board as the more appropriate and historically accurate name for the region of North East England and is seen in the name of the regional police constabulary, the Northumbria Police. There is a Northumbria University, which has campuses in Newcastle upon Tyne, Morpeth, and Carlisle.

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