Athelwald of Deira facts for kids
Athelwald (also spelled Oethelwald or Œthelwald) was a king of a place called Deira in ancient England. He was the nephew of King Oswiu of Northumbria, who was a very powerful ruler. Even though Oswiu was his uncle and a powerful leader, Athelwald chose to support King Penda of Mercia, who followed different beliefs. After King Penda was defeated and killed in battle, Athelwald lost his kingdom.
Early Life
Athelwald was the son of King Oswald of Northumbria. Sadly, King Oswald was killed in a big battle called the Battle of Maserfield in the year 642. He was killed by King Penda of Mercia.
After Oswald's death, the large kingdom of Northumbria split back into two smaller kingdoms: Bernicia and Deira. Athelwald's uncle, Oswiu, became the king of Bernicia. Oswiu was also seen as the main leader, or "overlord," of Deira.
King Penda of Mercia had placed another person, Oswine, on the throne of Deira. But Oswine and his overlord, Oswiu, did not get along well. Oswine gathered an army to fight Oswiu. However, he soon realized his army was not big enough and sent his soldiers home. Sadly, one of his own noblemen betrayed him to Oswiu, and Oswine was murdered in 651.
Becoming King of Deira
After Oswine's death, Athelwald became the king of Deira. It's not completely clear if his uncle, Oswiu, made him king, or if Athelwald took the kingship on his own, perhaps even against Oswiu's wishes.
At some point, Athelwald decided to join forces with King Penda of Mercia. Penda was a big enemy of Athelwald's uncle, Oswiu. Athelwald even helped guide Penda during his invasion of Northumbria in the year 655.
However, when the armies of Oswiu and Penda finally met on November 15 at the Battle of the Winwaed, Athelwald chose to leave the battlefield and stay safe. Penda was defeated and killed in this battle. It's possible that Athelwald's decision to leave played a part in Penda's defeat. After this battle, Athelwald is not mentioned in history again.
King Athelwald also gave land to a holy man named Cedd. This land was in a place called Lastingham, and Cedd used it to build a monastery, which is a special place for monks to live and pray.
