Anglo Saxon England No 7.
The outstanding ability of the Northumbrian Kings In the seventh century Northumbria was fortunate in her line of kings; Edwin (617-33), Oswald (634-42), Oswy (643-70).
Their military exploits can be briefly summerized. Edwin was that son of Aelle of Deira who had been driven into exile by Ethelfrith. He took up the policy outlined by his predecessor, strengthening, his northern frontier against the Picts and his western frontier against the Britons and absorbing at home the British principality which had so far held out successfully in the forests of Elmet. Never again was Northumbria to claim so widespread a predominance, for Kent alone had aparently not acknowledged his paramount position.
His overthrow at Hatfield in 633 A.D. by a combined force of North Welsh under Cadwallon and Mercians under Penda was a melancholy event; it divided Bernicia from Deira again, it caused the kingdom of Northumbria to split up among petty princes and to fall victim to the ravages of the revengeful and remorseless Celts, it almost blotted out the newly founded Christian faith. Later Northumbrian kings were not to press their claim to authority in the south and it was really an advantage to limit territorial ambitions; there was little lost when Oswald could not dominate the Mercians and when Oswy's power did not pass the Humber, Oswald came back from Iona to fight both for his royal rights and for his religious convictions; he defeated and killed Cadwallon at Heavenfield near Hexham in 634 A.D., and restored discipline and unity to Northumbria.
But his death at the hands of Penda of Mercia at Maserfield near Oswestry, in 642 A.D. again brought political disintegration in its train; indeed, for several years Deira came under Penda's supervision. Oswy with undaunting courage worked in Bernicia to restore the fortunes of his dynasty and his defeat of Penda at the battle of Winwaed – a stream near Leeds - in 655 A.D. at last placed him securely on the throne.
The rise of Northumbria to pre-eminence had been chequered with misfortune, and even the patriotic utterances of the Northumbrian Bede cannot conceal that fact that after Edwin's death Mercia was growing at its expense. Nevertheless, only rulers of strong character and firm resolve could in those days, when the power of the sword was everything, have snatched victory so often from the teeth of disaster.
Before closing this bulletin it may be of interest to know that I have of late seen the most beautiful coin of what I believe is of Aethelstan's reign (959-975) King of all England 959-975. It illustrated a small cross on both the obverse and reverse. This was found in a field in Maserfield near Oswestry. It has yet to be truly identified. Its condition is VF but unfortunately the silver is brittle and has chipped at the outer edge since recovery, nevertheless it is a delightful find.