Ida was the great-grandson of Ingwy, the grandson of Esa and the Son of Eoppa. It was Eoppa who first came to the land of the Britons, possibly as one of the mercenaries who were given lands in the north in exchange for protecting the borders from marauding Picts. (Anglo Saxon mercenaries settled in large numbers on lands below the Tees.
547AD. Ida with his wife Bearnoch (Historia Brittonum states Ida's "one Queen" was Bearnoch) and his twelve sons arrived with their men. They came in 40 ships and landed somewhere on the northeast coast above the Humber, (maybe after being invited there by his father?). After setting up a base he attacked the Britons, ousted king Morcant Bulc and took control of the British kingdom of Bryneich, Morgan Bulc fled to Gododdin.
Ida took over the coastal stronghold known by the Britons as Din Guyardi (Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland). At first he built a hedge and palisade fence around the top of the promontory, later he built a wall of stone. His new kingdom was known by the Angle name of Bernicia and it is possible that his fort be camr known as Cynclincanberg (Royal Fort).
550AD. By now Ida had extended his kingdom by conquering huge areas of land. To the south, his area of control now reached beyond the river Tees and he had earned a reputation as 'The Flame Bearer' for the havoc he and his men have wrought.
559 AD. Ida died (possibly in battle) At his death one of his allies Aelle broke away taking his men with him.
In Bernicia, Ida was followed as ruler by three sons.
