Aella (Aelle) became king of Northumbria after the city of York fell to the Great Army of the Vikings. The previous king, Osberht was removed from power by the Northumbrians after York was captured and replaced by Aella. The two kings put aside their differences to mount a joint attack on York in an attempt to drive the Danes out, but even though they gained access to the city the pair were killed and the attack failed. Not much is known about his early life, but he was likely a nobleman who seized the throne of Northumbria, possibly by overthrowing King Osberht. His rule was marked by instability, as Osberht may have still had supporters, leading to political division in Northumbria. After the death of Aella, the Vikings installed a puppet king, marking the end of Northumbria as an independent Anglo-Saxon kingdom.

 Aella,  (King of Northumbria 866-7) ( - d.867)