ALTHOUGH the ancient written evidence is just as reliable or unreliable for both their lives, history books about York now include Eric Bloodaxe but leave our Peredur.
Both were rulers of York and the surrounding territory. Both died in battle after lives filled with conflict, for such was Dark Age life.
Peredur was the last of a line or dynasty of native Britons who took over locally as the Roman Empire broke up. He ruled from 560 to 580 AD. Contrary to the impression given in most history books, the 'Romans' did 'go home'.
The Britons were also Roman citizens, a politico/legal concept, not an ethnic description. Brittania was their home. They were the majority population locally, right up to the mid-600s, when Britons and Angles merged to form one people.
Boss man of another set of incomers, the Scandinavians, Eric had an interrupted four- year reign. Guess which warrior lord draws the crowds?
Which all goes to show, if you want to be famous, get good PR.
Robert Taylor,
Albemarle Road,
York.
Updated: 11:46 Saturday, May 31, 2003
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