BattlefieldsBattle of Gilling — Death of Oswin of Deira (651 AD)
Early Medieval

Battle of Gilling — Death of Oswin of Deira (651 AD)

651
North Riding, England
Also known as: Murder of Oswin · Gilling skirmish 651
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
North Riding, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Oswin of Deira
Forces
Oswiu's treachery against Oswin; betrayal rather than pitched battle.
VS
Victor
Oswiu of Bernicia (treachery)
Forces
c. 1,000–3,000
Outcome
Oswin betrayed and killed at Gilling; Deira absorbed into united Northumbria
The Battle

History & Significance

The sub-king Oswin of Deira dissolved his army to avoid civil war with his cousin Oswiu of Bernicia, and was betrayed to Oswiu by a nobleman at Gilling (now Gilling West, North Riding). His murder effectively ended Deira as a separate kingdom and united all of Northumbria under Oswiu. Bede recorded Oswin as a holy martyr; a monastery was built at Gilling to pray for his soul. The episode is a key moment in Yorkshire's early medieval history.

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