Aethelric

Aethelric of Bernicia is a Northumbrian king who is believed to have ruled Bernicia, a kingdom in the region of Northumbria, in the 6th century. Little is known about his life and reign, but it is thought that he may have succeeded King Theodoric in the mid-6th century. Aethelric is often included in lists of kings of Bernicia, although some sources suggest that his reign may not have been a single, contiguous period.

Historical records of Aethelric are sparse and often inconsistent. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a primary source for the history of the Anglo-Saxons, does not mention Aethelric specifically. Instead, it credits Theodoric with a reign that extends beyond what is believed to be his actual lifetime. This has led some historians to question whether Aethelric was a distinct ruler or simply a continuation of Theodoric's reign.

Aethelric is not mentioned by Bede, a prominent Northumbrian historian, although his works do provide valuable information about the kingdoms of Bernicia and Northumbria during this period. Other sources, such as the Historia Brittonum, do mention Aethelric, but offer few details about his reign or significance.

Scholars have proposed various theories about Aethelric's reign, including the possibility that he may have faced challenges from neighboring kingdoms or that his rule may have seen a period of relative stability in Bernicia. However, without further evidence, these remain speculative interpretations, and the nature of Aethelric's rule remains a subject of ongoing historical debate.