Edwin Seeks Protection from Raedwald
Before gaining the Northumbrian throne, Edwin received protection at the court of Raedwald of East Anglia, according to Bede. The exact date of his arrival is not recorded.
Role range: 0616-0633
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Edwin Biography and Timeline
Follow Edwin through 32 dated historical records for England.
Edwin, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
32Distinct records
1 of 1Page
615–633Years on this page
615
Aethelfrith Demands Extradition of Edwin
Bede reports that Aethelfrith offered inducements to Raedwald to surrender or kill the exiled Edwin. Raedwald ultimately refused to sacrifice his guest. The assigned year is approximate rather than securely documented.
Role range: 0616-0633
616
Exiled Bernician Princes Leave Northumbria
After Edwin obtained the Northumbrian throne, sons of the defeated Aethelfrith lived in exile among the Picts or Scots. Bede describes their return after Edwins death. The assigned year is approximate rather than securely documented.
Role range: 0616-0633
Succession to Northumbrian Kingship
Following the defeat and death of Aethelfrith at the River Idle, Edwin became king of Deira and Bernicia with the support of Raedwald of East Anglia. The accession is generally dated to 616, although some chronicles place it in 617.
Role range: 0616-0633
Battle of River Idle
Raedwald of East Anglia defeated and killed Aethelfrith at the River Idle. The victory ended Aethelfriths rule and enabled the exiled Edwin to gain control of the Northumbrian kingdoms.
Role range: 0616-0633
625
Kentish Marriage Negotiations
Edwin sought marriage with Aethelburh, sister of King Eadbald of Kent. According to Bede, religious conditions were discussed because the bride was Christian and Edwin had not yet converted. The assigned year is approximate rather than securely documented.
Role range: 0616-0633
Edwin Grants Religious Freedom to Queen
Edwin agreed that Aethelburh and her attendants could practise Christianity at his court. This arrangement allowed Christian worship before Edwins own baptism. The assigned year is approximate rather than securely documented.
Role range: 0616-0633
Paulinus Consecrated for Northumbrian Mission
Paulinus was consecrated bishop in 625 before accompanying the Kentish princess to Edwins kingdom. The mission operated under the protection of the royal marriage.
Role range: 0616-0633
Pope Boniface Urges Edwin Toward Christianity
Pope Boniface V sent Edwin a letter urging him to abandon traditional worship and accept Christianity. Bede preserves the substance of this papal appeal. The assigned year is approximate rather than securely documented.
Role range: 0616-0633
Papal Letter Encourages Queen Aethelburh
Pope Boniface V wrote separately to Aethelburh and encouraged her to influence her husband toward the Christian faith. The correspondence reveals direct papal interest in Edwins conversion. The assigned year is approximate rather than securely documented.
Role range: 0616-0633
Marriage to Aethelburh of Kent
Edwin married Aethelburh, daughter of King Aethelberht of Kent and sister of King Eadbald. She brought Bishop Paulinus to the Northumbrian court, where the Christian mission gained royal protection.
Role range: 0616-0633
626
Birth of Princess Eanflaed
Edwins daughter Eanflaed was born in 626, shortly after the attack on her father, according to Bedes narrative. Her birth provided an occasion for Paulinus to speak about Christian prayer.
Role range: 0616-0633
Edwin Promises to Consider Christian Faith
Following his survival of the assassination attempt and the birth of his daughter, Edwin promised to consider accepting Christianity if he obtained victory over his enemies. Bede presents this as a stage before baptism rather than a completed conversion.
Role range: 0616-0633
Princess Eanflaed Receives Baptism
Paulinus baptized Edwins infant daughter Eanflaed at Pentecost in 626, along with other members of the royal household. Her baptism preceded that of Edwin himself.
Role range: 0616-0633
Failed Assassination of Edwin
Edwin survived an assassination attempt by Eomer, an agent of the West Saxon ruler Cwichelm. His retainer Lilla was killed while protecting him, and Edwin subsequently mounted a retaliatory campaign against the West Saxons.
Role range: 0616-0633
627
Baptism of King Edwin
Edwin was baptized by Bishop Paulinus at York on Easter Sunday, 12 April 627. His conversion supported the spread of Christianity among the Northumbrian royal household and its subjects.
Role range: 0616-0633
Edwin Consults Council on Conversion
Edwin assembled his advisers to discuss whether the Northumbrian court should adopt Christianity. Bede describes the resulting council as a decisive stage in the royal conversion.
Role range: 0616-0633
Chief Priest Coifi Rejects Old Worship
At Edwins council, the high priest Coifi spoke against the traditional religion and favoured receiving Christianity. Bedes narrative portrays the priests intervention as important to the decision.
Role range: 0616-0633
Royal Councillor Compares Life to Sparrow
Bede reports that one of Edwins counsellors compared human life to a sparrow passing briefly through a warm hall. The image was used to argue that the new teaching deserved examination.
Role range: 0616-0633
Coifi Destroys Temple at Goodmanham
After the council endorsed Christianity, Coifi profaned a pagan sanctuary traditionally located at Goodmanham in the account given by Bede. The event symbolized the rejection of the old cult.
Role range: 0616-0633
Edwin Orders Timber Church at York
Edwin arranged for a wooden church dedicated to Saint Peter to be built at York for his baptism, according to Bede. A later stone church was begun on the same site.
Role range: 0616-0633
Stone Church Construction Begins at York
After his baptism, Edwin began constructing a more substantial stone church around the earlier wooden building at York. Bede states that the work remained unfinished at the kings death.
Role range: 0616-0633
Paulinus Baptizes Converts at Glen
Bede describes Paulinus baptizing numerous converts in the River Glen in Bernicia during the Northumbrian mission. The specific year is not securely dated and 627 marks the general period after Edwins conversion.
Role range: 0616-0633
Paulinus Baptizes Converts at Swale
Bede reports that Paulinus baptized many converts in the River Swale near Catterick. This activity illustrates the geographical reach of the mission supported by Edwin. The assigned year is approximate rather than securely documented.
Role range: 0616-0633
Edwin Supports Eorpwalds Christian Conversion
Bede relates that Eorpwald of East Anglia accepted Christianity under the influence of King Edwin. The dating is approximate and the event concerns Edwins political and religious influence beyond Northumbria.
Role range: 0616-0633
628
Paulinus Preaches Among People of Lindsey
Paulinus preached Christianity in Lindsey during Edwins period of influence, according to Bede. The exact timing within the reign is not securely established.
Role range: 0616-0633
Blaecca Baptized at Lincoln
Bede reports that Blaecca, the reeve of Lincoln, was among those baptized through the preaching of Paulinus. The account places the conversion within the missionary activity supported by Edwin. The assigned year is approximate rather than securely documented.
Role range: 0616-0633
Church Established at Lincoln
Bede associates the Christian mission in Lindsey with the construction of a stone church at Lincoln. The precise year is unknown and 628 is an approximate chronological placement.
Role range: 0616-0633
633
Battle of Hatfield Chase
Edwin was defeated and killed at the Battle of Hatfield Chase on 12 October 633. His opponents included Cadwallon of Gwynedd and Penda of Mercia, and his death disrupted the political unity of Northumbria.
Role range: 0616-0633
Prince Osfrith Falls at Hatfield Chase
Edwins son Osfrith was killed in the same battle in which Edwin died, according to Bede. The loss helped bring Edwins immediate political dominance to an end.
Role range: 0616-0633
Prince Eadfrith Taken Prisoner
Bede states that Edwins son Eadfrith was taken prisoner after the defeat at Hatfield Chase. Bede reports that he was subsequently killed on the orders of Penda.
Role range: 0616-0633
Queen Aethelburh Leaves Northumbria
After Edwins death, Queen Aethelburh departed Northumbria with surviving members of the royal family and returned to Kent. Paulinus accompanied her during the political collapse that followed. The precise date of her departure is not established.
Role range: 0616-0633
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.