Edwin

Family: Northumberland · Role: king · First appears: Book XII 1–3

Edwin, king of Northumberland, was born to the banished wife of Ethelfrid and brought up alongside Cadwalla, the two boys being raised according to their royal birth. As they approached manhood, their parents sent them to Salomon, king of the Armorican Britons, whose court taught them warfare and princely qualifications; after their parents’ deaths, Edwin and Cadwalla returned to Britain and took up its government, renewing the friendship their fathers had shared.

Their friendship later became rivalry. After negotiations by the river Duglas, Edwin broke off the conference and returned to Northumberland, declaring that he would be crowned without Cadwalla’s leave: “he would be crowned without Cadwalla's leave.” War followed, and beyond the Humber Edwin defeated Cadwalla, then repeatedly prevented his return by sea and destroyed his ships.

At Heathfield, Cadwalla defeated Edwin’s forces. Edwin was killed with almost all his people, together with his son Osfrid and Godbold, king of the Orkneys. Pellitus was employed to kill Edwin’s magician.