Saint Oswald was born at the very beginning of the 7th
century. He was the youngest son of the pagan Ethelfrid, the first king
of a united Northumbria. After his father’s death in battle, the young
Oswald fled to Iona for safety and was baptised there and became a
devoted Christian.
In 633 Oswald returned to Northumbria to regain his
father’s kingdom. It was said that he set up a wooden cross as his
standard and dedicated himself and his people to God’s protection before
engaging himself in battle with the occupying Welsh King Cadwallon, not
far from the present Hexham. He defeated and killed Cadwallon and at
once invited the monks from Iona to begin the evangelisation of his
kingdom which extended from the Forth to the Humber. After initial
difficulties, the monk Aidan was sent to lead these Irish missionaries
and Oswald found him to be both a valued adviser and a good friend.
Oswald took seriously the work of bringing Christianity to his people
and was even known to accompany Aidan on his missionary expeditions and
to act as interpreter during the time Aidan was learning the language of
the English. He was also well known both for his personal prayerfulness
and his charity to those in need.
Sadly the reign of King Oswald lasted only eight
years. In 642 he was killed in battle by Penda the pagan king of the
Mercians. It was said that as he fell in death he was heard to pray for
those who died with him. Oswald was a popular hero and his reputation as
a saint was widespread even into mainland Europe.
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