Excerpts From a History of the English People
By Bede of Jarway
Originally published AD 731
1988 Translation, Eoforwick press.
CHAPTER XIII HOW THE PROVINCE OF THE MIDLAND ANGLES BECAME CHRISTIAN UNDER KING PEADA. [A.D. 653.]
AT this time, the Middle Angles, under their Prince Peada, the son of King Penda, received the faith and sacraments of the truth. He was by the death of his his father elevated to the throne of that nation, his elevation came at the hands of Oswine, king of the Northumbrians, requesting to have his cousin Elfieda, daughter of Oswy given him to wife; but could not obtain his desires unless he would embrace the faith of Christ, and be baptized, with the nation which he governed. Likewise Oswine would take his sister Cyneherga, the daughter of King Penda to be his bride. Accordingly Paeda was baptized by Bishop Finan.
Upon his ascention to the throne Paeda recieved four priests at the demand of Oswine, who would be allowed to instruct and baptize his nation.. These priests were Cedd and Adda, and Betti and Diuma; the last of whom was by nation a Scot, the others English. The aforesaid priests, arriving in the province with the prince, preached the word, and were willingly listened to; and many, as well of the nobility as the common sort, renouncing the abominations of idolatry, were baptized daily. Before the arrival of the four the old King Peada did not obstruct the preaching of the word among his people, the Mercians, if any were willing to hear it; but, on the contrary, he hated and despised those whom he perceived not to perform the works of faith, when they had once received the faith, saying, "They were contemptible and wretched who did not obey their God, in whom they believed." In time Diuma, one of the aforesaid four priests, was made bishop of the Mercians with his seat at Tamworig (1) for it was the capital of Mercia.
Royals: Episode Recap
Season 3 Episodes Three and Four
Seen in Kinophone Monthly Magazine
Warning Major Spoilers for Royals Seasons Two and Season three episodes One at Two! You have been warned
Last episode we rejoined the battling families of Mercia and Northumbria with Paeda, son of Penda being baptised more or less at knife point by Oswine, the calmly sinister king of Northumbria following the death of both their fathers at each other’s hands (At the end of Season Two). Only for the shocking revelation that Paeda was still sleeping with his sister Cyneherga, who we had seen be married to Oswine at the beginning of the season.
Once again Royals is playing fast and loose with historical accuracy, but we had already worked this out (for example King Penda never made human sacrifices). Episode Three opens with somewhat brattish king Paeda being met in private by the noblemen Immin, Eafa and Eadbert who propose a rebellion against Oswine. Paeda considers it though eventually rejects until Immin (Played by veteran actor Beric Kantor) strongly hints he knows about Cyneherga and Paeda sleeping together. With this Paeda rallys his men to march to war to “seek honour” against Oswine.
Episode Four opens with Oswine and Paeda meeting in battle as Paeda marching on Bamburgh (the Northumbrian capital) and they face each other in battle. The twist hits at the end of episode four with Immin killing Paeda (The historical accuracy of this is also highly questionable. This episode also introduces us properly to Wulfhere (Played by Taedine Thatcher) who had previously been a background character and looks like he will be king pretty soon (And anyone who's read into the history, knows that will be true)
Meanwhile we have Cenwalh of Wessex marching south against the celts of Dummonia (the EKO continuing their questionable portrayal of Celtic people) with some pretty cool battle scenes. Cenwalh’s religious fervour against the celtic pagans grows all the more extreme with the Dummonian chief being crucified to the protest of the bishop of Glecaster and the Queen of Wessex. (editors note: again, exaggerated for the show). The Season seems to keep going for shock value. It’ll be interesting to see where it goes from here.
- OTL Tamworth