 Around this time, Hereric was treacherously murdered in Elmet by his British hosts, perhaps at the prompting either of Æthelfrith or of Cadwallon, both of whom wished to control Deira.Breguswith searched for him, but in vain.One of Edwin's first actions as king was to absorb Elmet and exile Ceretic in atonement for this crime and Hereric's family became attached to Edwin's household.