Edwin of Northumbria

Who they were

Edwin, son of the King of Deira, spent his youth as a hunted exile until 616, when he became King of Northumbria. In 625 he married the Christian Ethelburga of Kent, who came with St Paulinus, and was baptised by Paulinus at York in 627.

He was zealous for his people's conversion, and under him the law was so respected that it was said a woman could cross the island with a baby at her breast without fear. He was killed on 12 October 633 resisting the pagan King Penda of Mercia.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

The first Christian king of Northumbria, who died defending his people.

Connected on this site

• Eanflæd Saint Child
  “She was the daughter of King Edwin of Northumbria and Æthelburg, who in turn was the daughter of King Æthelberht of Kent.” — Wikipedia
• Æthelburh of Kent Saint Spouse
  “In 627, Edwin was baptised under the influence of his wife, Æthelburh of Kent, and the Roman missionary Paulinus, who became the first Bishop of York.” — Wikipedia
• Hereswith Saint
  “Details of her life and identity come from Bede's Historia Ecclesiastica, the Anglian collection and the Lives of Edwin of Northumbria and Hilda of Whitby.” — Wikipedia
• Hilda Saint
  “Hilda, grand-niece of King Edwin of Northumbria, was baptised by St Paulinus about 627, aged thirteen.” — this site's research
• Paulinus of York Saint
  “He accompanied Æthelburg of Kent, sister of King Eadbald of Kent, on her journey to Northumbria to marry King Edwin of Northumbria, and eventually succeeded in converting Edwin to Christianity.” — Wikipedia