ETHELFRID
(Æthelfrith)
He ordered his troops to attack the clerics first, and then they moved against the soldiers. Whenever there have been military conflicts with theocracies or cultures where religious leaders had a great deal of control or influence, the dilemma has always been whether to exempt the clerics from military attack. In modern times this has been a central problem in the War on Terror, the Iraq War, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In King Ethelfrid’s view “assailing us with their curses” is sufficient to make them a combatant and further, they should be the first military target because they are motivating the regular troops.
Æthelfrith (died c. 616) was King of Bernicia from c. 593 until his death. Around 604 he became the first Bernician king to also rule the neighboring land of Deira, giving him an important place in the development of the later kingdom of Northumbria. He was especially notable for his successes against the Britons and his victory over the Gaels of Dál Riata. Although he was defeated and killed in battle and replaced by a dynastic rival, his line was eventually restored to power in the 630s.
