Viking chieftain and one of the commanders of the Great Army
828 CE
to 878 CE
Ubba, also known as Hubba, Ubbe, and Ubbi, is a mid-ninth-century Viking chieftain and one of the commanders of the Great Army.
Although contemporary English sources tend to describe the army's men as Danes and heathens, there is evidence to suggest that a proportion of the force originated in Frisia, and one source describes Ubba himself as dux of the Frisians.
In 865, the Great Army, apparently under the command of Ivar, overwinterw in the East Anglia, before invading and destroying the Kingdom of the Northumbrians.
In 869, having been bought off by the Mercians, the Vikings conquer the East Angles, and in the process kill their king, Edmund, a man who is later canonized a saint.
Whilst near contemporary sources do not associate Ubba with the latter campaign, some later less reliable sources associate him with the king's martyrdom.
Others associate Ubba, and Edmund's martyrdom, in traditions concerning the saga-character Ragnar Lothbrok.
After the fall of the East Anglian kingdom, leadership of the Great Army appears to have fallen to Halfdan, Ivar's brother.
Henceforth, the Vikings campaign against the West Saxons, and destroy the Kingdom of the Mercians.
In 873, the Great Army splits in two, with Halfdan campaigning in the north before settling his troops in Northumbria.
The second half, which comes to be commanded by Guthrum, continues to campaign against the West Saxons.
In the winter of 877/878, Guthrum launches a lightning strike deep into Wessex.
There is reason to suspect that Guthrum's attack was coordinated with another Viking force simultaneously campaigning in Devonshire.
The commander of this latter force, according to a near contemporary source, was a brother of Ivar and Halfdan.
Some later sources identify him as Ubba.
The commander's identity aside, his defeat and death may well have contributed to the collapse of Guthrum's campaign.
Within weeks, Guthrum is defeated by the resurgent West Saxons.
In consequence, Guthrum is baptized a Christian, settles his troops in East Anglia, and rules as a Christian king until his death.
