On this day in 686, the last pagan Anglo Saxon kingdom, Wihtwara, fell.
Wihtwara was invaded by Wulfhere of Mercia in 661, yet paganism endured, until Cædwalla of Wessex invaded in 686. King Arwald died in battle in the initial invasion, along with the majority of the island’s inhabitants. His sons escaped to the Ytene Forest, but were eventually captured and forced to convert to Christianity before being put to the sword, severing the royal line of Wihtwara. They were collectively canonized as “Saint Arwald”.
But, according to local folklore, one of his sons escaped from his captors and threw himself onto a fallen tree, impaling himself. With his last breath, he dedicated his death to Woden.
Undoubtedly burdened by his abominable actions, Cædwalla made a pilgrimage to Rome to be formally baptized, where he died of his injuries sustained during the invasion. May he rot in Wyrmsele. What’s really funny is because he hadn’t yet been baptized when he invaded Wihtwara, many claimed he was a Pagan to further emphasize Saint Arwald’s canonization.
On “Saint” Arwald’s Feastday, I instead remember the conviction of our ancestors, choosing a dignified death over dishonour.
