The only reference made by the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle to the Northumbrians in this period is the statement that in 829 Egbert of Wessex "led an army against the Northumbrians as far as Dore, where they met him, and offered terms of obedience and subjection, on the acceptance of which they returned home",[1] thereby, at least temporarily, extending Egbert's hegemony to the entirety of Anglo-Saxon Britain.

Given the turbulence of Northumbrian history in this period, a reign of this length suggests a figure of some significance.

According to the History of the Church of Durham, Ælfwald ruled for two years before Eanred succeeded.

However, Frankish sources claim that, after being expelled from England, Eardwulf was received by Charlemagne and then the pope, and that their envoys escorted him back to Northumbria and secured his restoration to power.

Eanred's reign sees the appearance of the styca, a new style of small coin which replaced the earlier sceat.