 Æthelred himself was assassinated on 18 April 796, perhaps at Corbridge, by conspirators led by the "dux" Ealdred.Æthelred was followed as king by Osbald, whose antecedents are unknown; he was deposed after twenty-seven days and fled to the land of the Picts with a few supporters.Eardwulf became king on 14 May 796.