Eowa of Mercia

Eowa (also Eawa, EOBa; † August 5 642 at the Battle of Maser Field) was in the years from about 635-642 a King of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia.

Life

Eowa was a son of the king Pybba ( 593-606/615 ) of the dynasty of Iclingas. His mother and his wife are unknown. About his two sons Alweo and Osmod is only recorded that they were ancestors of the later kings Aethelbald ( 716-757 ), ' Offa and Ecgfrith.

Eowas position as ruler is disputed among historians. Maybe Penda to 635 by his brother Eowa ( 635? -642 ), Which is regarded by some historians as Northumbrian puppet king was forced from the throne. Some historians consider it possible that Eowa was of about 635-642 is the dominant king in Mercia and the northern Mercia dominated while Penda ruled only the southern areas. Other historians see in Eowa turn a co-regent Penda. To Eowas rule no details were passed.

In 642 the Northumbrian king Oswald reached ( 634-642 ) Penda, who was allied with the Welsh king Cynddylan ap Cyndrwyn of Powys, and fell on August 5 at the Battle of Maser Field ( probably at Oswestry ), near the Welsh border. The Historia Brittonum and the Annales Cambriae also following Penda's brother Eowa fell in this battle. However, it is unclear whether Eowa fought as co-regent of his brother Penda of the page, or as a puppet king on the side of his " Lord" Oswald in battle. After his death, Penda was the sole king Mercia.

Swell

• Anonymous: Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, online at Project Gutenberg (English)
• Anonymous: Annales Cambriae, Annales Cambriae 447-954 in Medieval Source Book ( English)
• Nennius: Historia Brittonum, online at the Medieval Sourcebook (English)
• Anglian Collection