Cadwalla

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

Cadwalla, king of the Britons, was born to Cadwan and the queen and brought up alongside Edwin in a manner suited to their royal birth. When they were nearly grown, their parents sent them to Salomon’s court to learn warfare and princely skills; after their parents’ deaths, Cadwalla and Edwin returned to Britain and took up its government, renewing the friendship of their fathers. During negotiations over their rival claims, Cadwalla lay across the river with his nephew Brian, whose tears wet the king’s face and beard; soon afterward Edwin withdrew to Northumberland, declaring that he would be crowned without Cadwalla’s leave.

Their conflict became war. Beyond the Humber, Edwin defeated Cadwalla, killing many of his followers and driving him into exile in Ireland, while repeated attempts to return by sea were blocked and his companions’ ships were scattered by a tempest. At Garnareia, while Cadwalla was ill, Brian cut flesh from his own thigh, roasted it, and brought it to him as venison; Cadwalla recovered within three days. In Armorica, he appealed to his kinsman and former patron Salomon, who promised assistance in recovering the kingdom.

With Penda’s surrender and promise of aid against the Saxons, Cadwalla returned to the struggle. At Heathfield he defeated Edwin’s forces, killing Edwin, Osfrid, and Godbold; he later killed Osric and his two nephews, as well as Aidan, who had come to assist them. He pursued Oswald, and in the battle at Burne Penda killed him. Cadwalla then held the government of all Britain, while Oswy secured peace and submission through gifts of gold and silver. Cadwalla permitted Penda to make war against Oswy, granted the kingdom to Wulfred after Penda’s death, and commanded Wulfred, Eafa, and Eadbert to make peace with Oswy. After forty-eight years, infirm with age and sickness, Cadwalla died and was succeeded by his son Cadwallader.