When Aethelfrith died, Edwin, the son of Aelle and prince of Deira seized the kingdom of Northumbrian . A Deiran was now in charge of the Northumbrian kingdom, but the rivalry between Deiran and Bernician factions was still there. The claimant for the Bernician's was Aethelfrith's son Prince Oswald, who fled from Northumbria for safety. He had taken refuge on the island monastery of Iona off the west coast of Scotland . If and Anglo-Saxon King wanted to gain support and respect, it was essential that he had victories in battle as well as political expansion . T his was as true for Edwin as it had beeen for Aethelfrith.
The Celtic influence was still strong on the southern borders of Northumbria, consequently, lot of Edwin's early military activity seems to have been concentrated there. He evicted a client king called Ceretic from the ancient British kingdom of Elmet near Leeds, this was about 626. He then followed this with the capture of Meicen (Hatfield), a Celtic kingdom ( near Doncaster). He also extended south into the Anglian kingdom of Lindsey (Lincolnshire).
Edwin already had control over much of the land acquired by Aethelfrith, consequently, Edwin's power in the north was unequalled by any of his Anglian predecessors. However,his power and expansion naturally aroused jealousy and fear amongst rivals including Cuichelm, King of the West Saxons. The consequence of this jealousy was that in 626 Cuichelm sent an assassin north. The assassin was called Eumer, attempted to kill Edwin as he celebrated the pagan festival of Easter at his palace, which is thought to be situated somewhere close to the River Derwent on the edge of the Yorkshire wolds. Eumer, the assassin entered Edwin's court and asked to speak with him. He said he bhad an important message from the West Saxon King. When he was presented to King Edwin, Eumer produced a poisoned dagger from beneath his cloak and attempted to stab Edwin with it. Fortunately one of Edwin's men, who's name was Lillam, jumped in the way and took the blow which killed him. Edwin was injured in the fight which followed, but Eumer was eventually put to death. On the same night attempt on his life, Queen Ethelburga, King Edwin's wife, gave birth. Angered by the assasination attempt, Edwin sought revenge and defeated the West Saxons in a great battle in Wessex. This resulted in Edwin proclaiming himself 'overking' of all England.
EDWIN'S CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY
Up to this point in time, all the kings of Northumbria , including Edwin, had been pagan , this was however, about to change. Edwin had already formed an important alliance with the Kingdom of Kent. Kent was an Anglo-Saxon Kingdom that St Augustine, and his influence, had managed to converted to Christianity . A marriage had been arranged in 625, between Edwin and the Christian Princess of Kent called Ethelberga. At that time Edwin was already considering his own conversion to Christianity and he took the opportunity to claim that his victory in Wessex was due to his new Christian faith.
On April 11 627, Edwin converted to Christianity, and was baptized at York. The baptism was performed by Paulinus, a Roman missionary . The ceremony took place in the new, wooden church dedicated to St Peter. This humble little wooden building was the foundation of the present York Minster. Edwin's Pagan high priest Coifi,, followed the king's example and also converted to Christianity. Coifi destroyed the great heathen temple of Goodmanham near the River Derwent, to demonstrate his new faith. Goodmanham was in what is now East Yorkshire.
Though the title and position of "Bishop of York" had not been used since the time of Roman rule, Paulinus was appointed to that position. Paulinus travelled throughout Northumbria converting the people, particularly in those areas associated with the Royal household. He reputed to have baptised thousands people near Catterick , in the Swale, and in the River Glen near Yeavering.
Though it t is only visible from the air, the outline of one of Edwin's Palaces can still be seen in the fields at Yeavering. The outline of several buildings including an auditorium and a great hall can clearly be seen. It is thought that the people of the area assembled here to hear the words of influential speakers such as Edwin and Paulinus. The palace lies at the foot of a prominent hill called Yeavering Bell, which is also the site of a large Celtic fort. This may be one of the areas where the Celtic and Anglian cultures merged together.
Though tempting as it is to look for the continuous presence of Christianity in the region since Roman times. It may be significant that York was chosen by Edwin as the centre for his Christian activity because it was so closely associated with the great Christian Emperor Constantine as well as being the site of a Roman bishopric. Edwin's new wooden minster was built within what had been Yorks headquarters building, of the Roman legionary fortress. The church of St Peter's was rebuilt in 628 AD by Edwin. He built his new church in stone, and may even have used rubble from the Roman fortess in its construction. The Anglo-Saxon certainly made use of Roman stone in the building of their churches. This can be seen at the Anglo-Saxon church at Escomb in County Durham. It is also known for certain, that the minster at York is dedicated to St Peter, and was chosen to reflect its links with St Peter's in Rome. The church was given sealed approval by the Pope.
Though Roman Christianity was now re-established in the north. Its future was not secure and would only be assured as long as Edwin remained in power. Edwin was killed on October 12, 633. As with Aethelfrith, Edwin' died during a battle on the marshy low country near Doncaster. The battle was at Heathfield (or Hatfield). Edwin's forces were crushed by the Mercians who were alliance with the Welsh. The Mercians fought under a chieftain called Penda. The Welsh assisted under the their king Caedwalla. Osric, who was a possible successor to Edwin, was also killed in the battle. Edwin's son Edfrith surrendered.
The Mercians appointed Penda as their King, His Welsh ally Caedwalla, could now claim to be one of the most powerful kings in the north. Caedwalla claimed the throne of Deira, he also had his eye on Northumbrian territory. It is not so strange that a Welshman would claim Anglian territory in Yorkshire, as many parts of the region still encompassed Welsh speaking territory particularly in the Pennines and in the old Celtic kingdoms near Leeds and Doncaster.
In Bernicia, Eanfrith, the son of Aethelfrith, who was a pagan, was crowned King of the Northumbrians. Those people who had converted to Christianity during the reign of Edwin, may have thought it wise to revert to Eanfrith's Pagan ways. The Christian Bishop of York, St Paulinus, returned to Kent.
--Malcolm
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