Rhiainfellt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rhiainfellt |
|
|---|---|
| Born | unknown, flourished c. 630 |
| Died | unknown |
| Spouse | Oswiu |
| Issue | Alhfrith, possibly Alhflaed |
| House | Rheged |
| Father | 'Royth' (Rhaith) son of Rhun |
| Religion | Celtic Christianity |
Rhiainfellt was a British princess from the royal family of Rheged. Rheged was an ancient kingdom in what is now northern England and southern Scotland. Her name, which can also be spelled Rieinmelt or Rieinmelth, means "Lightning Maiden" or "Lightning Queen" in Old Welsh. She became the wife of Oswiu, who was the King of Northumbria.
Contents
Who Was Rhiainfellt?
Rhiainfellt is mentioned in an old book called the Historia Brittonum. This book tells us she was the wife of King Oswiu. It also says she was the granddaughter of Rhun, who was the son of Urien Rheged.
Her Royal Status
Another important old document, the Durham Liber Vitae, also confirms her royal status. In this book, her name appears as 'Raegnmaeld'. She is listed first among many Northumbrian queens and abbesses (leaders of convents).
Her Children
Historians believe Rhiainfellt was the mother of Alhfrith. Alhfrith later became the King of Deira, a part of Northumbria. There is also some evidence that she might have been the mother of Oswiu's daughter, Alhflaed.
Connections Between Kingdoms
Before Rhiainfellt married King Oswiu, there was already a friendly link between the rulers of Rheged and Northumbria. Some British stories say that Rhiainfellt's grandfather, Rhun, helped baptize King Edwin of Northumbria. Baptism is a Christian ceremony.
A Different Story
However, a famous historian named Bede wrote that Bishop Paulinus baptized Edwin. It's possible that Rhun was Edwin's godfather. This means Rhun would have been an important supporter at the baptism, even if Paulinus performed the ceremony.
Rheged and Northumbria's Future
A historian named Jackson suggested in the 1950s that King Oswiu might have gained control of Rheged peacefully. This could have happened through his marriage to Rhiainfellt. If so, he would have become the rightful ruler of both Rheged and Northumbria.
The marriage of a Northumbrian prince to a Rheged princess shows something important. It means that the British royal family of Rheged still had high status and likely political power. Rhiainfellt's father, 'Royth' (also called Rhaith), might have been the last king of an independent Rheged.
