Penda

Also known as: King Penda · Family: Mercians · Role: king · First appears: Book II · Chap. XX

In 631, Penda, king of the Mercians, made war on the East Angles under Ecgric, and Anna was later slain by the same Mercian chief. In 633, Caedwalla rebelled against Edwin with Penda’s support; around the same time, Eadfrid went over to Penda under compulsion and was later slain by him in Oswald’s reign, contrary to his oath. Not long after, Penda went to war with Coinwalch after Coinwalch repudiated Penda’s sister, and deprived him of his kingdom.

Around 644, Penda’s army ravaged Northumbria and reached the royal city, where it tried to burn the city after failing to take it by assault or siege. Aidan prayed, and the wind drove the flames back upon those who had kindled them, causing the army to abandon the attack. Some years later, Penda’s hostile army again came into the region and destroyed what it could with fire and sword, including the village and church where Aidan had died. Penda also made war on Sigbert and Anna, and Ethelhere was among the royal commanders who came to Penda’s assistance and were slain.

Penda’s children appear in later events: Peada, his son, received the Christian faith, Cyneburg was his daughter and the wife of Peada, and Wulfhere, another son, was set up as king after being kept concealed. Penda was an enemy of Oswy, who suffered his invasions after Penda had slain his brother, but by about 653 he allowed Christian preaching among the Mercians and condemned those who rejected the faith.