The Feast Day of St Arwald – the last Jutish King of the Isle of Wight and the last pagan king in Anglo-Saxon England – is celebrated today (22nd April).
The pagan Jutes – a people who had migrated to England from Northern Denmark – lived on the Isle of Wight during the Dark Ages, following the departure of the Romans.
King Arwald ruled over 300 Isle of Wight families – around 1200 people – in the late 7th century. He was apparently determined to preserve the Island’s pagan way of life.
What we know of King Arwald comes from Bede’s Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum, which describes the invasion of the Isle of Wight by Cædwalla, King of Wessex.
Caedwalla massacred many of the inhabitants of the Island, killing Arwald and forcing any remaining Islanders to renounce their beliefs and convert to Christianity.
Arwald ‘s 2 younger brothers escaped to the New Forest. They were betrayed to Cædwalla and taken to Stoneham, near Southampton. Shortly before they were put to the sword, they were converted to Christianity.
Though venerated as saints, the names of Arwald’s brothers are unknown. However, they became collectively known as “St. Arwald” after their brother.
Arwald’s unnamed sister survived the slaughter, as the wife of the King of Kent. She was a direct ancestor of King Alfred the Great.
Other history sources says it was his sons not his brothers who fled to New Forest and were venerated as saints. Whatever the case, the actual King died a pagan and is now a Saint!
Thx for the interesting article.
Indeed. Some sources say sons – others brothers. However, we went with the brothers.
Thank you — Island Heritage is my favourite section of this site.
There has been talk at the club of having an annual Squealey Day, to commemorate my premiership of the island. It could include street parties, flag waving and games for the kids. It would be a nice way to remember me and my achievements.