Saint Edwin of Northumbria
Saint Edwin of Northumbria (born c. 586 AD in Deira, Northumbria; died October 12, 633 AD at the Battle of Hatfield Chase, Yorkshire, England) was the first Christian King of Northumbria, baptized by Saint Paulinus of York in 627 AD. His conversion was a decisive moment in the Christianization of northern England. He was killed in battle against the pagan King Penda of Mercia and is venerated as a martyr. His feast day is October 12.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Edwin of Northumbria
| Saint Edwin of Northumbria | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | October 12 |
| Profession | King; Christian ruler; martyr |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church (Anglo-Saxon church); Church of England venerates as well |
| Patronage | York; Northumbria; England; converts; kings |
| Attributes | Crown; sword; scepter; Northumbrian cross; Chi-Rho |
| Birthplace | Deira, Northumbria (modern Yorkshire), England |
| Death Place | Hatfield Chase, Yorkshire, England |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; killed in battle against the pagan King Penda of Mercia |
| Primary Shrine | York Minster, York — chapel of Saint Edwin; historic site of his baptism; he is patron of York |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; observed in Diocese of Middlesbrough and Diocese of Leeds; Church of England observes October 12 |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Edwin was born around 586 as the son of Ælle, King of Deira (modern Yorkshire). He spent years in exile after the death of his father, living at the courts of Mercia and Gwynedd and (crucially) at the court of King Rædwald of East Anglia, who protected him from assassination plots and eventually championed his cause militarily.
By 616 Edwin had defeated his enemies and become King of Deira and Bernicia, uniting them into Northumbria. He extended his rule widely, becoming the most powerful king in Britain of his era. The Venerable Bede records that a man and child could walk safely from sea to sea under his protection, and that he had bronze drinking cups set up by springs for travelers.
His conversion came through the influence of his Christian queen, Saint Æthelburh of Kent, daughter of the Christian King Æthelberht of Kent. Pope Boniface V wrote to both of them urging Edwin's conversion. The missionary Saint Paulinus of York accompanied the queen north, and through his preaching — and a famous council at which the pagan chieftains themselves argued for Christianity (Bede's sparrow in the mead-hall speech) — Edwin was baptized at York on Easter Saturday, April 12, 627. He was baptized in a small wooden church hastily built for the occasion, later replaced by the great stone minster.
Under Edwin, much of Northumbria received Christian baptism. Paulinus was consecrated first Bishop of York.
Edwin was killed at the Battle of Hatfield Chase on October 12, 633, defeated by a coalition of the pagan Penda of Mercia and the British Christian (but anti-Northumbrian) King Cadwallon of Gwynedd. His head was brought to York; other relics went to Whitby. He was immediately venerated as a martyr and king.
Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People (731 AD) is the primary source for his life.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Deira, Northumbria (modern Yorkshire), England
Death location: Hatfield Chase, Yorkshire, England
Notable location: His head was brought to York after his death; a chapel at York Minster holds his shrine; he is patron of the city of York (York Minster, York, England)
Notable location: Some of his remains were translated here; the abbey was the great center of Northumbrian Christianity he helped establish (Whitby Abbey, Whitby, Yorkshire, England)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- York Minster, York — chapel and shrine of Saint Edwin; he is patron of York; his head was translated here.
- Whitby Abbey, Whitby — some of his relics were kept here.
Feast day
October 12
Veneration
Saint Edwin of Northumbria is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England with a feast day on October 12.
Prayers
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