August 3rd - Feast of St. Oswald of Northumbria

King Oswald of Bernicia was born in 604.  Benicia was an Anglo-Saxon kingdom encompassing the border of Scotland and England in what is now Northumbria. As a young child he was forced into exile in Scotland.  While there he became a Christian and was baptized on the island of Iona. 

In 633 Oswald went south with a small force to meet King Cadwallon near Hadrian's Wall.  On the eve of battle as he slept, Oswald had a vision of St. Columba who told him he would have the victory.  Oswald set a large cross  and prayed before going into battle.  Afterwards his men believed and were baptized.  



King Oswald brought monks from Iona and set up a monastery on Lindisfarne.  He was said to be a very humble, kind and generous to the poor and strangers.  He is said to have prayed daily from Matins to sunrise.  He moved his armies south and ran King Penda out of Mercia.  In 642 King Penda came back with a large army.  During the battle Oswald found himself surrounded and realized that he was about to be killed.  At that moment he prayed "God have mercy on their souls," which is the origin of the proverb.