Eorpwald of East Anglia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eorpwald |
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An imaginary depiction of Eorpwald's murder from John Speed's 1611 Saxon Heptarchy.
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| King of the East Angles | |
| Reign | from c. 624 |
| Predecessor | Rædwald |
| Successor | possibly Ricberht |
| Died | assassinated c. 627 or 632 |
| Dynasty | Wuffingas |
| Father | Rædwald |
| Religion | Syncretic pagan-Christian |
Eorpwald (also known as Erpenwald or Earpwald) was a king of the East Angles. He ruled from around 624 AD until his death. He was killed around 627 or 632 AD. Eorpwald took over from his father, Rædwald.
He belonged to the Wuffingas royal family. This family was named after an early king called Wuffa. We don't know much about Eorpwald's life or his short time as king. This is because few old writings about East Anglia have survived.
The main source of information about Eorpwald is a book called Ecclesiastical History of the English People. It was written by a monk named Bede in the 700s. Soon after becoming king, Eorpwald learned about Christianity and was baptised.
However, he was killed shortly after his conversion. A pagan noble named Ricberht murdered him. Ricberht might have ruled for three years after Eorpwald. Eorpwald's death was likely due to both political and religious reasons. He was the first early English king to die because of his Christian faith. Later, the Church honored him as a saint and a martyr.
In 1939, an amazing ship-burial was found at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk. This burial site is usually linked to Eorpwald's father, Rædwald. However, some people think it might have been Eorpwald's burial. He might also have had his own ship-burial nearby.
Contents
Early Life and Family Connections
By the early 600s, most of southern England was controlled by the Anglo-Saxons. These groups, including Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Frisians, arrived in Britain in the 400s. By 600, several kingdoms had formed. One of these was the Kingdom of East Anglia. This kingdom covered the areas we now call Norfolk and Suffolk.
We have very few written records about East Anglia before King Rædwald. He ruled until about 624. The names of some early Wuffing kings are mentioned in Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People.
In 616, Rædwald won a big battle against Æthelfrith of Northumbria. He then made Edwin the new king of Deira. Edwin had been living in exile at Rædwald's court. He had a dream that he would become a great ruler if he became Christian. After his victory, Rædwald was the most powerful king in England. He held a special role later called Bretwalda. Many believe he was buried in the rich ship burial at Sutton Hoo.
Eorpwald was Rædwald's son. His mother's name is not known. He had at least one brother, Rægenhere. Another sibling, Sigeberht, might also have been his brother. Rædwald used the letters R and E for his sons' names. This suggests Eorpwald was the younger son. He likely became heir after his older brother Rægenhere died in battle in 616.
Historians are not sure if Sigeberht and Eorpwald were full brothers. Some old texts say they had the same mother but different fathers. One historian, Barbara Yorke, suggests Sigeberht might have been a rival. He may have been forced to leave the kingdom so Eorpwald could become king.
Becoming King and Accepting Christianity
Eorpwald was a pagan when he became king of the East Angles. This happened after his father Rædwald died around 624. Some historians believe that Sigeberht fled to Gaul (modern-day France) during this time. This was due to fighting within the kingdom after Eorpwald became king.
Eorpwald's pagan beliefs caused tension between Christian and pagan groups. In 627, King Edwin of Northumbria began converting people in his own kingdom. He also encouraged Eorpwald to accept Christianity. According to Bede, Eorpwald was "persuaded to accept the Christian faith and sacraments." This event likely happened in 627. However, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says Eorpwald was baptised in 632.
We don't know where Eorpwald was baptised. It could have been in East Anglia, Northumbria, or Kent. It is very likely that Edwin, who was a powerful ruler, was there as his sponsor. Some suggest he was baptised in Northumbria. This was because East Anglia might not have had the right facilities. Eorpwald's conversion showed that he was a king under Edwin's rule.
After Eorpwald's baptism, Edwin's priests could work to spread Christianity in East Anglia. This conversion also had a political benefit. It brought the entire eastern coast of England under Edwin's influence. This area stretched from Northumbria to Kent, except for Essex.
Death and Recognition as a Saint
Eorpwald's conversion did not lead to the building of churches or bishoprics in his kingdom right away. Bede reported that soon after becoming Christian, Eorpwald was killed. He was slain by a pagan man named Ricberht. After Eorpwald's death, the kingdom went back to pagan rule for three years.
Eorpwald was the first English king to be killed because of his Christian faith. We don't know the exact reasons for his death. It's unclear if Ricberht was part of an East Anglian group against Christian rule. He might also have been sent from another land to weaken Edwin of Northumbria's power.
The return of East Anglia to pagan rule does not mean there was a big war between religions. It could show that some East Angles reacted against Christianity. This reaction might have been caused by Edwin's growing power over their king. We don't know where Ricberht came from. It's also unclear if he ruled after killing Eorpwald. But in 630 or 631, three years after Eorpwald's death, Sigeberht returned from exile. He then became king of the East Angles.
At Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge in Suffolk, there are two Anglo-Saxon burial sites. These date from the 500s and 600s. It is believed that members of Eorpwald's royal family were buried there. Several East Anglian kings, including Eorpwald, have been suggested as the person buried in Mound 1. This mound was discovered in 1939.
Historians have used old king lists to guess who was buried there. However, there is no physical proof that Eorpwald or his family are buried at Sutton Hoo. One historian, Martin Carver, has suggested Eorpwald could be in Mound 1 or 2. This is based on his relationship as Rædwald's son.
According to a book from 1904, King Eorpwald was honored as a saint and a martyr by the English Church. His special feast day is not known.
Images for kids
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An imaginary depiction of Eorpwald's murder from John Speed's 1611 Saxon Heptarchy.
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A map showing the general locations of the Anglo-Saxon peoples around the year 600
