Oswald, St (c.604–42), king of Northumbria (634–42). Son of Æthelfryth and Acha, Oswald spent Edwin's reign in exile amongst the Irish, becoming a Christian. Defeating Cadwallon of Gwynedd, at Heavenfield (634), brought him Bernicia and Deira. With Aidan (from Iona) he restored Northumbrian Christianity. Oswald established an overlordship over Wessex (under Cynegils) and perhaps other English kingdoms, and probably the southern Picts and Scottish Dalriada, and is one of the so-called bretwaldas. Bede's portrait, influenced by the Old Testament, presents Oswald as an exemplar for kings, demonstrating that piety would strengthen power. Killed in a campaign against the pagan Penda of Mercia, at Maserfield, his cult was promoted by his niece Osthryth, queen of Mercia, who moved his remains to Bardney (where Offa was to adorn his tomb), and by Wilfrid, and taken by pilgrim-exiles and missionaries, including Willibrord, to Ireland and Germany. In 909 Æthelfleda of Mercia transferred his remains to Gloucester. His skull came to be preserved in the coffin of St Cuthbert. His hands and arms stayed in Bamburgh.

A. E. Redgate

Oswald, St (d. 992). Archbishop of York. One of the three great monastic bishops of the 10th-cent. reformation, Oswald came from an East Anglian family of Danish origin who specialized in careers in the church. Archbishop Oda of Canterbury was his uncle and another kinsman Oscytel was Oswald's predecessor at York. Oswald was first a priest at Winchester and then lived for a time in the reformed Benedictine monastery of Fleury-sur-Loire, before joining the household of Archbishop Oscytel. In 961 he was created bishop of Worcester and continued to hold that see after he was appointed to York in 971. Oswald introduced monks into the Worcester chapter, and founded or refounded monasteries at Westbury-on-Trym, Winchcombe, and Pershore, as well as at Ramsey in his native East Anglia. He was buried at Worcester.

Barbara Yorke

Oswald male forename, name of two saints.
St Oswald (d. 642), king of Northumbria and martyr, killed in battle against the pagan king Penda of Mercia; his body was mutilated as a sacrifice to Odin, and his relics were subsequently dispersed. His head was buried at Lindisfarne, and was taken with the body of Cuthbert when the monks evacuated the island in 875.

Oswald was venerated as a warrior king who combined traditional Anglo Saxon heroism with Christian fortitude and sacrifice; his feast day was celebrated from the late 7th century. He is a patron saint of soldiers, and his emblems are a head and a raven. His feast day is 5 August.
St Oswald of York (d. 992), English prelate and Benedictine monk. As Archbishop of York, he founded several monasteries and, with St Dunstan, revived the Church and learning in 10th-century England. His feast day is 28 February.

Oswald, Saint (605–42) King of Northumbria (633–42). He became a Christian and converted his people with the help of St Aidan. Oswald became King of Northumbria in 633 and was eventually killed in battle. His feast day is August 5.