Oswy

Oswy or Oswiu , d. 670, king of Northumbria. He succeeded (641) his brother Oswald in Bernicia only, Deira (the other part of Northumbria) having become a dependency of Mercia. However, when he killed Penda of Mercia at the battle of Winwæd (654), he not only made himself ruler of all Northumbria but gained actual possession of Mercia and overlordship of the southern English kingdoms. He lost Mercia again to Penda's son Wulfhere in 657. Oswy continued the conversion of England to Celtic Christianity (see Celtic Church ), sending missionaries to Mercia and Essex. To resolve the differences between the Celtic and Roman usages of the church in England, the king called the Synod of Whitby (663), at which he gave his decision in favor of the Roman form of Christianity.

Oswy (or Oswiu) (died 670) King of NORTHUMBRIA (651–70). He succeeded his brother Oswald as ruler of the Northumbrian kingdom of Bernicia in 642 and incorporated the other northern kingdom, Deira, after arranging the assassination of his cousin Oswin (651). Although initially Northumbria was still in the control of PENDA, king of the neighbouring Mercia, Oswy was able to defeat him (655) and establish himself as overlord of England. Oswy's support of St Wilfrid at the Synod of WHITBY (664), called to consider the rival claims of the Roman and Celtic forms of the Christian Church, was critical in gaining the decision in favour of Rome.

Oswiu ( d. 670), king of Northumbria (642–70). Ruling Bernicia, Oswiu was responsible for the death of the Deiran king Oswin (651), his wife's kinsman. Oswin's successor allied with the powerful Mercian king Penda, who attacked in 655, but was defeated and killed at the battle of Winwæd, near Leeds. Oswiu fulfilled his promise that, if victorious, he would grant twelve estates for monasteries and dedicate his infant daughter to God's service. He used his influence to convert the Mercian prince, Peada, and revive East Saxon Christianity.