St Oswald's Arm

After Edwin, the first Christian King of Northumbria, was killed in battle, his kingdom was again divided into its original provinces of Bernicia and Deira. Eanfrid, the son of Edwin's predecessor, became ruler of Bernicia, and Osric, Edwin's cousin, King of Deira. Their triumph however, was shortlived, as the barbarous Cadwalla, King of Strathclyde, slew them both in battle, and became ruler in their stead.

Eanfrid's younger brother, Oswald, was determined to rescue his country from the terrible cruelty and tyranny of Cadwalla. Gathering a small army, he marched to meet Cadwalla at Heavenfield, near the Roman Wall. Here Oswald erected a simple wooden cross, and on his knees prayed to God to help him and his followers defeat their enemy.

Cadwalla was slain in the fierce battle that took place, and his army was scattered. It was claimed as a tremendous victory of 'right over might' and became known as the first decisive triumph of Christianity over Paganism in this country. Many miracles are said to have happened at this spot, which today is marked by a roughcast cross.

Now that his enemies were disposed of, Oswald set about restoring the Christian faith to his kingdom. Sending to friends in Scotland, where he had been taught during his exile, he arranged for a priest to come and teach his people.

At first the experiment was not successful. The people would not listen to Corman, the first monk to be sent, and he was forced to return to Iona and admit defeat. In his place, however, came Aidan, who quickly won the hearts of all he met. King Oswald made him Bishop of Lindisfarne and himself acted as an interpreter between Aidan and the people. Together they founded many churches, two of the most famous being Bamburgh and Lindisfarne.

King Oswald himself ruled wisely and well, and was much loved for his unfailing generosity to the poor and needy. He became known as 'Oswald of the Fair Hand' following the events one Easter day when he was dining with Aidan at Bamburgh. As they were about to say grace, servants told them that there were several poor people outside begging for food. The King immediately sent out not only his own dinner, but the huge silver dish on which it had been served. This was broken up and distributed among the people. So impressed was Bishop Aidan by this act, that seizing the King's right hand, he declared: "May this hand never perish."

just a few years later however, in 642, the good King Oswald was killed in battle by Penda of Mercia. The place where it happened is believed by some sources to have been Oswestry 'Oswalds' Tree'- in Shropshire. The body of the king was taken to Bardsley in Lincolnshire to be buried. Whilst it lay overnight in a tent, a marvellous light was seen to glow around the whole area, and miracles were reported later to have happened there.

Legend relates variously that Oswald's right hand and arm were cut off during the terrible slaughter, or that the body was mutilated by his enemies after death. In either event his faithful followers managed to gain possesion of them. Transported to Bamburgh, the relics were placed in a silver casket in St. Peter's Chapel, where they became a focus of pilgrimage throughout the Middle Ages.

It is said that, many years after Oswald's death, Bede witnessed the opening of the casket when the hand and arm were found to be intact. Thus was fulfilled the prophesy of Aidan : "the hand that did not perish".