TODAY'S SAINT

OSWALD

(d. 642)

Martyred king of Northumbria

The story of Oswald is related by the Venerable Bede. He was the son of King Aethelfrith, who took the throne in 592 and was murdered in 617. Oswald was forced by his enemies to flee to Scotland, where he converted to Chistianity and was baptize. In 633 he returned to Northumbria and took the throne after his uncel, King St. Edwin, was killed in battle. Oswald ingaged the British king Caedwalla in battle in 635, defeating him. According to Bede, Oswald saw a vision of St. Collumba prior to battle, and also carried with a wooden cross.

Oswald strove to convert people, and enlisted the help of St. Aidan to do so, giving him the island of Lindisfarn. During his reign, he helped the poor and was poppular with his subjects. He built churches and monasteries.

On August 5, 642, Oswald was killed in battle at Maserfeld as he fought the forces of the pagan king Penda of Mercia. His niece, Queeen Osthrida of the Mercians, had his bones taken by wagon to the monastery in Lindsey, where she wished them to be buried. But the monks there were reluctant to take them, since the king had been from anther province. The bones were left out at night with a tent over them while the issue was discused. During the night, a pillar of light was seen reaching from the wagon to the heavens. It was taken as a sign that the monks were meant to accept the relics, which they did.

Oswald's skull is preserved in St. Cuthbert's coffin in Durham. During the Middle Ages, he was widely revered as a martyr.

In art Oswald is shown with a raven holding a ring in its beak.