Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Liulf

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1441781Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 33 — Liulf1893Mary Bateson

LIULF or LIGULF (d. 1080), Anglo-Saxon nobleman, was the friend of Walcher, bishop of Durham. Nothing is known of his parentage, but he claimed large possessions in many parts of England by hereditary right (Flor. Wig. s.a. 1080). He married Ealdgyth, a daughter of Ealdred, earl of Northumbria. The lady was first cousin to Gospatric, earl of Northumberland (1067–1072) [q. v.], and sister of Æthelflæd, the mother of Waltheof, his successor, 1072–85 (Sym. Dunelm. ed. Hinde, p. 92). Florence of Worcester says that Liulf retired to Durham with his men because of the depredations of the Normans, and because of his devotion to St. Cuthbert, who was wont, so he used to tell Archbishop Aldred [q. v.], to appear to him. As the friend of Bishop Walcher he excited the envy of Leobwine, the bishop's chaplain, who, indignant at the share Liulf had in all the bishop's councils and exasperated by a rebuke, at length plotted Liulf's death. Leobwine was joined in the plot by Gilbert, a Lotharingian and kinsman of the bishop, who had committed Northumbria to his charge. Leobwine and Gilbert marched to the vill where Liulf lived and killed him, with most of his household, in 1080. In revenge for this murder, Walcher, who was believed to be privy to it, was himself slain at Gateshead. Liulf had two sons, Uhtred and Morkere; Morkere was placed by his cousin Waltheof in the monastery of Jarrow during Liulf's lifetime (ib. Ges. Reg. s.a. 1080; Monasticon, i. 236).

[Simeon of Durham's Ges. Reg., ed. Hinde (Surtees Soc.), p. 98; Florence of Worcester, ed. Thorpe, p. 14.]

M. B.