Heavenfield

More walking in the Hadrian's Wall area, this time taking in Heavenfield and St Oswald's church.

Oswald was Northumbria's most successful and very devout Christian king. At what is known as Heavenfield he defeated a Welsh Army by praying before the battle with his troops, raising a cross on the hill where the little church now stands and holding on against the odds. For this, as well as for his encouragement to the spread of Christianity in the early seventh century and his apparent kindness to his own people he is revered.

Within in few years of this great victory Oswald was killed in another battle. It was a messy end but his head eventually made it to Durham where it's buried in Cuthbert's tomb.

Found some paintings by local artists on sale in the Hadrian Hotel at lunchtime. Two lovely views of the castles at Alnwick and Bamburgh, close to Lindisfarne. Oswald spent time on Holy Island where he was converted to Christianity.

At the time of Oswald's battle Hadrian's wall was still a structure of significance that afforded protection to the Northumbrian troops. Today it's no more than a few stones and a tourist path. Northumbrian Christianity has fared rather better and the churches in the area remain places of sanctuary welcoming visitors who come now in peace.