ST/JD/1

Oswald

Gender

Male

Floruit (period)

None

Floruit date range

603 - 05/08/642

Description

Oswald, king of Northumbria. Most of what is known of Oswald's life is derived from Bede, whose principal interest in Oswald is his role in the conversion of Northumbria, and the miracles associated with him after his death. Oswald was killed at the age of 38 in battle against Penda of Mercia and his British allies on 5 August 642. Oswald's body was ritually dismembered by the pagan Penda, and his head, arms, and hands displayed on stakes. A year later his brother and successor, Oswiu, came with an army and took these trophies back to Bernicia. Oswald's head was buried within the church at Lindisfarne, and his arms taken to St Peter's Church in the royal palace at Bamburgh. His right hand was found to be undecayed, in fulfilment of Bishop Áedán's prophecy, and was placed in a silver casket. Bede records three miracle stories associated with the site of Oswald's death, showing how the cult of his sanctity developed. The growth of Oswald's cult in England can be followed in the increasing number of references in calendars and martyrologies, in various recastings of Bede's chapters on his life and miracles (in particular the extensive treatments in Alcuin's York poem in the late eighth century and Ælfric's homily in the late tenth century), as well as in numerous post-conquest writings. In addition, a major cult developed on the continent, particularly in Germany, the Low Countries, Switzerland, Italy, and Scandinavia. See D. J. Craig, 'Oswald [St Oswald] (603/4--642), king of Northumbria', ODNB.