Arwald facts for kids
Arwald was the last king of the Isle of Wight. He was also the last pagan king in Anglo-Saxon England. He lived a long time ago, dying in the year 686 AD.
Arwald's Story
Most of what we know about Arwald comes from a very old book. It was written by a monk named Bede. The book is called Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum. It tells about the invasion of the Isle of Wight. This invasion was led by King Cædwalla of Wessex.
We don't know much about where Arwald came from. Some people think he was from a group called the Jutes. They believe he might have been a local leader on the island.
Arwald died fighting in a battle. His two sons managed to escape. They ran to a large forest, now called the New Forest. Sadly, they were found and taken to King Cædwalla. Cædwalla was recovering from his own battle wounds at a place called Stoneham.
Before they were killed, something important happened. A religious leader, Abbot Cynibert, helped them. They decided to become Christians. Bede, the monk who wrote the book, called them "the first fruits" because of this. King Cædwalla himself died later from his injuries.
Even though we don't know their names, Arwald's sons are remembered. People call them "St. Arwald" after their father. Their special day is April 22.
Arwald also had a sister. She survived and was married to the king of Kent. She is an ancestor of the famous King Alfred the Great.
Remembering King Arwald
People still remember Arwald today.
Annual Gathering
Every year, there is a special gathering. It happens on the first Monday after April 22. This event takes place at Sandown Library on the Isle of Wight. It is held to remember Arwald's death. People share poetry, dramatic readings, and music. This event is often streamed online for people around the world.
Druid Ceremony
In 2020, a group of druids from the Isle of Wight held a ceremony. They did this at the Longstone near Brighstone. This ceremony was shared as a podcast.
Art and Books
The Quay Arts Centre in Newport had an exhibition. It was called "Isle of Wight Hidden Heroes." This show included a sculpture of Arwald's mask. It was made by an artist named Nigel George. You can now see this sculpture permanently at Newport Roman Villa.
Arwald has also appeared in books.
- Caedwalla by Frank Cowper (1888) shows Arwald as a pagan leader. He is shown against the Christian King Cædwalla.
- Jan Harper Whale's Wihtwara Trilogy also tells a similar story. But it tells it from a pagan point of view.
- Arwald's Kingdom; Tales from the Isle of Wight (2018) is a book by Mark Francis. It has poetry, stories, and hiking guides about the Isle of Wight.
