Thored

Thored
Ealdorman of York
Reignc. 964/974x979–992x994
PredecessorOslac (?)
SuccessorÆlfhelm
Bornc. 938
unknown
Died992 or 994
Burial
unknown
IssueÆlfgifu (died 1002)
Æthelstan (died 1010)
FatherGunnar (probable)/
Oslac (potential)
Motherunknown

Thored (Old English: Þoreþ; fl. 979–992) was a 10th-century Ealdorman of York, ruler of the southern half of the old Kingdom of Northumbria on behalf of the king of England. He was the son of either Gunnar or Oslac, northern ealdormen. If he was the former, he may have attained adulthood by the 960s, when a man of his name raided Westmorland. Other potential appearances in the records are likewise uncertain until 979, the point from which Thored's period as ealdorman can be accurately dated.

Although historians differ in their opinions about his relationship, if any, to Kings Edgar the Peaceable and Edward the Martyr, it is generally thought that he enjoyed a good relationship with King Æthelred II. His daughter Ælfgifu married Æthelred. Thored was ealdorman in Northumbria for much of his reign, disappearing from the sources in 992 after being appointed by Æthelred to lead an expedition against the Vikings.