Kingdom of Northumbria

The Kingdom of Northumbria was a medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom in what is now Northern England and southeastern Scotland, existing from the 7th to the 10th century. Formed by the merger of the kingdoms of Bernicia and Deira, Northumbria quickly became a powerful regional force, notable for its cultural achievements, such as the Lindisfarne Gospels, and its role in the spread of Christianity under kings like Oswald and Edwin. However, it faced numerous challenges, including internal strife and Viking invasions, which eventually led to its decline and fragmentation by the late 9th century.