St Oswald was King of Northumbria from 634 AD until his death in 642 AD. He was born in 604 AD in Deira, Northumbria. St Oswald was the son of Æthelfrith of Bernicia and came to rule after spending a period in exile.
| St Oswald of Northumbria Biography | |
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| Date of Birth | 605 AD |
| Place of Birth | Deira, Northumbria, England |
| Profession | King of Northumbria |
| Place of Work | England |
| Date of Death | August 5 642 AD |
| Place of Death | Maserfield, Shropshire, England |
| Feast Day | August 5 |
| Canonization | Pre-Congregation |
| Patron Saint of | |
St Oswald of Northumbria History
Oswald’s father, King Aethelfrith, had ruled the two ancient Northumbrian kingdoms of Bernicia and Deira until 616 AD.
St Oswald and his brother Oswiu were expelled from Northumbria upon the accession of their uncle Edwin in 616 AD.
They took refuge in the Scottish kingdom of Dál Riata in northern Britain, where they were converted to Christianity.
After the death of King Edwin, St Oswald rose to power and brought the two Northumbrian kingdoms of Bernicia and Deira once again under a single ruler after defeating the Welsh ruler Cadwallon ap Cadfan. He thereafter promoted the spread of Christianity in Northumbria.
After eight years of rule, in which he was the most powerful ruler in Britain, Oswald was killed in the Battle of Maserfield while fighting the forces of Penda of Mercia.
St Oswald was venerated as a martyr of the Northumbrian church, and it was believed that his remains worked miracles.
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