This list of Northumbrian saints includes Christian saints with strong connections to the medieval Kingdom of Northumbria, either because they were of local origin and ethnicity (chiefly Anglian) or because they travelled to Northumbria from their own homeland and became noted in their hagiography for work there. Northumbria existed from the 7th–10th centuries in what is now northern England, along with areas of the Scottish Borders and the Lothian. Its chief ecclesiastical centre was York. Northumbria originally extended from North of the Humber to the Firth of Forth, although the borders were ever expanding, and land South of the Humber was part of the Kingdom of Northumbria, such as Lindsey. Also lands north of The Firth of Forth.
During the reign of king Oswald of Northumbria, an Irish monk Aidan was invited to reconvert the area to Christianity. He and other Irish monks achieved this and subsequently the Northumbrians helped to reconvert much of the rest of England and also parts of the European continent.
Saints
Name Born Life Comments Feast Reference Edwin of Northumbria Deira, Northumbria 586—632 King of Northumbria, converted to Christianity from paganism. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Paulinus of York Rome died 644 First bishop of the refounded diocese of YorkConverted Edwin to Christianity. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Oswald of Northumbria Deira, Northumbria 604—642 King of Northumbria, invited Aidan to reconvert his kingdom to Christianity. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Aidan of Lindisfarne Connacht, Ireland died 651First Bishop of Lindisfarne, invited by Oswald to reconvert Northumbria. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Oswine of Deira Deira, Northumbria died 651 King of Deira, died "at least for the justice of Christ". Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Honorius of Canterbury Rome died 653 accompanied Paulinus, wrote to Pope to raise York into archbishoporic. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Everilda Wessex Founder of Everingham. Wessex princess, became a nun in Northumbria. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Finan of Lindisfarne Ireland died 661 Bishop of Lindisfarne, converted Sigeberht II of Essex and Peada of Mercia. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Colmán of Lindisfarne Ireland 605—675 Bishop of Lindisfarne, active during time of the Synod of Whitby. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Balin Northumbria Brother of Gerald of Mayo, disciple of Colmán, moved to Connacht. Retrieved on 8 November 2009. Tuda of Lindisfarne Ireland died 664 Bishop of Lindisfarne, staunch supporter of Latin calculations of Easter. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Boisil Northumbria died 664 Founder of Melrose, abbot who was the teacher of Cuthbert. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Hilda of Whitby Deira, Northumbria 614—680 Founder of Whitby, abbess and part of the Deiran royal family. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Æbbe the Elder Northumbria 615—683 Founder of Ebchester and St Abb's Head, abbess and Bernician princess. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Eata of Hexham Northumbria died 686 Bishop of Lindisfarne, earlier abbot, first non-Irishman to hold the bishopric. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Cedd Northumbria 620—664 Bishop of London, brother of Chad, credited with reconversion of Essex. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. James the Deacon Rome accompanied Paulinus, taught people Gregorian chant and plain song. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Chad of Mercia Northumbria died 672 Bishop of York, brother of Cedd, credited with Christianisation of Mercia. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Cædmon Whitby, Northumbria Earliest English poet, herdsman who became a devoted monk Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Hereswitha Deira, Northumbria sister of Hilda of Whitby, retired to Gaul to lead religious life. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Begu Hackness, Northumbria died 690 Nun at Whitby, witnessed miracle of Hilda. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. The Two Ewalds Northumbria died 695 missionaries Ewald the Black and Ewald the Fair, martyred in Old Saxony. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Eanflæd of Bernicia Deira, Northumbria 626—704 Queen of Bernicia, later Abbess of Whitby succeeding Hilda. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Benedict Biscop Northumbria 628—690 Founder of Monkwearmouth and Jarrow, Benedictine abbot. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Bosa of York Northumbria died 705 Bishop of York, educated as a scholar at Whitby Abbey under Hilda. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Hædde Headingley, Northumbria died 705 Bishop of Winchester, was also a monk at Whitby Abbey. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Wilfrid Northumbria 633—709 Founder of Ripon and Preston, Bishop of York, advocate of Latin Easter. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Cuthbert Dunbar, Northumbria 634—687 Bishop of Lindisfarne, priest and hermit, patron saint of Northumbria Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Ceolfrith Northumbria 642—716 Abbot of Wearmouth, major contributor to the project Codex Amiatinus. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Easterwine Northumbria 650—686 Abbot of Wearmouth, previously a soldier in earlier life. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Eadberht of Lindisfarne Northumbria died 698 Bishop of Lindisfarne, favoured poverty, long periods of solitude and devotion. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Ælfflæd of Whitby Deira, Northumbria 654—713 Daughter of king Oswiu of Northumbria and Eanflæd, Abbess of Whitby. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Willibrord Northumbria 658—739 Founder of Utrecht, missionary known as Apostle of the Frisians. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Acca of Hexham Northumbria 660—740 Bishop of Hexham, strong promoter of education. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Suitbert of Kaiserwerdt Northumbria died 713 Founder of Kaiserswerth, joined Willibrord's Frisian mission. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Egbert of Northumbria Northumbria died 729 monk at the Abbey of Rathmelsigi, arranged Willibrord's Frisian mission. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Adalbert of Egmond Northumbria monk at the Abbey of Rathmelsigi, joined Willibrord's Frisian mission. John of Beverley Harpham, Northumbria died 721 Founder of Beverley, Bishop of Hexham and then Bishop of York. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Eadfrith of Lindisfarne Northumbria died 721 Bishop of Lindisfarne, said to have been artist of the Lindisfarne Gospels. Bede Jarrow, Northumbria 672—735 author of History of the English People, recognised Doctor of the Church. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Æthelwold of Lindisfarne Northumbria died 740 Bishop of Lindisfarne, oversaw binding of the raw Lindisfarne Gospels. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Wilfrid II Whitby, Northumbria died 745 Bishop of York, described as a very holy man, and interested in education. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Osana Deira, Northumbria 698—750 sister of Osred I of Northumbria, known for miraculous grave flagellation. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Baldred of Tyninghame Ireland died 757 Hermit and priest, moved to Lindisfarne, known as Apostle of the Lothians. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Billfrith Northumbria died 758 Benedictine hermit, silversmith who bound the Lindisfarne Gospels. Retrieved on 13 November 2009. Æthelwold of Farne Northumbria Hermit who lived on Inner Farne, priest and a monk at Ripon Abbey. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Lebuinus Ripon, Northumbria died 773 Founder of Deventer, an Apostle of the Frisians. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Alcmund of Hexham Northumbria died 781 Bishop of Hexham. Considered a saint after death. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Ælfwald I of Northumbria Northumbria died 788 King of Northumbria. Considered a saint at Hexham Abbey after murder. Willehad of Bremen Northumbria 735—789 First Bishop of Bremen, missionary to the Saxons under Charlemagne. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Alkelda Northumbria died 800 princess and nun, strangled by Viking women during raid at Middleham. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Alcmund of Derby Northumbria died 800 Northumbrian prince, son of king Alhred of Northumbria. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Bega Ireland princess from Ireland, valued virginity, moved to Northumbria to avoid pirates. Retrieved on 28 October 2009. Æbbe of Coldingham Northumbria died 870 Founder of Coldingham, origin of cutting off the nose to spite the face.
See also List of Anglo-Saxon saints List of Welsh saints List of Cornish saints List of Irish saints List of saints of the Canary Islands
Footnotes