Oswine of Deira

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Oswine or Osuine (d. August 20, 651) was a King of Deira in northern England. He succeeded King Oswald of Northumbria, probably around the year 644, after Oswald's death at the Battle of Maserfield. Oswine was the son of Osric.

His succession, perhaps the choice of the people of Deira, split the Kingdom of Northumbria. Oswiu was the successor of Bernicia to the north. After years of peaceful rule, Oswiu declared war on Oswine. Oswine refused to engage in battle, instead retreating to Gilling, where he was betrayed by a friend, and murdered by Oswiu’s soldiers.

[edit] Veneration

Saint Oswine

King, Martyr
Born	Date, place
Died	August 20, 651, Gilling, Yorkshire, England
Venerated in	All Christianity
Major shrine	Tynemouth, England
Feast	August 20
Patronage	Betrayal victims
Courtesy and humility shone from thee, O radiant Martyr Oswin. Trained by Saint Aidan as a Christian ruler, thou didst illumine northern Britain. Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee; glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all. -troparion of Saint Oswin

Oswine was buried at Tynemouth, but was later forgotten. It is said that his burial place was made known by an apparition to a monk named Edmund, and his relics were translated to an honorable place in the Tynemouth Priory in 1065. He was culted as a Christian martyr because he had died "if not for the faith of Christ, at least for the justice of Christ".

This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia.