Eanfleda (626–?)

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Eanfleda (626–?)

Queen of Northumbria. Name variations: Eanfled; Eanflæd; Eanfled of Deira. Born on April 17, 626; death date unknown; daughter of Ethelberga of Northumbria (d. 647) and Edwin (Eadwine), king of Northumbria (585?–633); married Oswy (Oswin,Oswio), king of Northumbria; children: Ecgfrith, king of Northumbia; Elfwine (d. 679); Ostrith (d. 697); Elflaed (d. 714).

Baptized in infancy by Bishop Paulinus, Eanfleda was the first Northumbrian to receive the rite. Along with her husband Oswy, who succeeded her father as king, she continued to champion Christianity, and the royal couple placed their one-year-old daughter Elflaed under the tutelage of Hilda of Whitby . When Elflaed became abbess of Whitby in 680, Eanfleda shared the rule with her daughter.