Oswald
ST., king of Northumbria, son of the conquering Ethelfrith of Bernicia and of Acha, sister of the brave Edwin of Deira. He fought his way to the throne by the defeat, at Heavenfield near Hexham (635), of Cædwalla, the Welsh king, who had aided Penda to crush Edwin at Hatfield two years before. Under the reign of Edwin he had found shelter in Scotland, and been converted to Christianity at Hii or Iona; and now, when he was hailed king of the whole of Northumberland, he established Christianity with the help of St. Aidan, who settled on Holy Island. Oswald was acknowledged as overlord by all the kingdoms save those subject to Penda. He fell fighting against his en- .
He fell fighting against his enemy at Maserfield (Oswestry) in 642.