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Friday, October 12, 2012

[October 12] St. Edwin, king of Northumbria

Local Name: Ēadwine
Parents: Ælle, king of Deira
Born: circa 586
House: Deira
Spouse(s): (1) Cwenburg, daughter of Cearl, king of Mercia, then (2) Æthelburg, daughter of Ethelbert, king of Kent, and Bertha of the Franks
Predecessor: Æthelfrith
Reign: 616 – 632
Brief: Soon after Edwin was born, he was sent into exile with a rival relative taking the Deiran throne. His loyalty to Raedwald, king of East Anglia and bretwalda, ensured his succession to the Northumbrian throne in 616. Edwin ruled mostly as a client king, first under Raedwald and then under King Eadbald of Kent. Because of his marriage to Æthelburg in 627, all of Northumbria was converted to Christianity. By the year of his marriage, Edwin was the most powerful king in England, ruling over all of the north, parts of Mercia, the Isle of Man, and Anglesey. Late historians proclaimed Edwin a bretwalda—overlord—of the Angles and Saxons. He continued his conquest and subjugation of England and Wales until Penda of Mercia rose up in rebellion in 632. At the Battle of Hatfield Chase, Edwin was killed and his two sons were captured and executed. Northumbria reverted to paganism for a time, though a saint cult grew around the king.
Date of Death: 12 October 632
Successor: Osric (in Deira) and Eanfrith (in Bernicia)

Other Monarchs Who Died Today:

  • Honorius I, pope of Rome (638)
  • John IV, pope of Rome (642)
  • Leopold II, margrave of Austria (1095)
  • Michael IX, emperor of Constantinople (1320)
  • Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor (1576)
  • Frederick IV, king of Denmark and Norway (1730)

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