Oswald (Old English pronunciation: [ˈoːzwɑɫd]; c 604 – 5 August 641/642 [1]) was King of Northumbria from 634 until his death, and is venerated as a saint, [2] of whom there was a particular cult in the Middle Ages. [3] Oswald was the son of Æthelfrith of Bernicia and Acha of Deira and came to rule after spending a period in exile.

According to one account, St Oswald was executed against a tree, which gives the name ‘Oswald’s Tree’, or Oswestry for short. A raven picked up the king’s severed arm and dropped it on the ground a short distance away. Where it fell, a spring gushed forth. And that is the spring you can visit today. St Oswald died on 5 August, now his saint’s day.

Oswald’s brother Oswiu returned to the battlefield to find the parts of his body. By that time a “great black bird” is said to have picked up the right arm, flown to a nearby ash tree and dropped it (hence the name “Oswald’s Tree” or Oswestry). Water gushed out, and this became Oswald’s Well, the site of many miracles of healing.

Oct 25, 2012 · The holy, glorious, right-victorious martyr and right-believing King Oswald of Northumbria (c. 604- August 5, 641/642) was the king of Northumbria (Northern England) from 633 or 634 until his death. The son of Æthelfrith of Bernicia, King of Northumbria, he is best remembered as a Christian martyr. His feast day is August 5.

Jan 28, 2010 · This is all relevant for Oswald’s iconography in particular his associations with ravens and rings, and the reputed site of his death at Oswestry (Oswald’s Tree).

Aug 19, 2013 · “Oswald’s Well. Legend states that King Oswald was killed in battle against King Penda at the Battle of Maserfield an Eagle later lifted, flew and then dropped his arm at this site from whence a spring of water has since bubbled.” Such reads the plaque at this famous well. Told in the Life of St…

The legend of St Oswald relies upon the story of his violent death; persisting to this day through the place-name Oswestry, which is widely accepted as referring to Oswald’s Tree or Cross – the...

Saint Oswald of Northumbria (604-642) is venerated by English Christians as one of their greatest national heroes and leaders, one of the main apostles of the Orthodox faith in the north of England, as a patriot who loved his people and kingdom, who led a …

The present-day name of Oswestry is a corruption of the original name Oswald’s Tree, which derives from Oswald's body being nailed to a tree in mock crucifixion. The story of St Oswald can be read more fully HERE.

According to legend, Oswald was dismembered; one of his arms was carried to an ash tree by a ‘Great Bird’, and miracles were subsequently attributed to the tree – ‘Oswald’s Tree’ (as...