Here on the Isle of Wight, we are known for our independence and strength of identity. What you might not know is that this independence has been demonstrated time and time again throughout history. So, let’s take a look at one of the people who helped set us apart – King Arwald.
The Last Pagan King
King Arwald was the last Jutish pagan king to rule the Isle of Wight in the 6th century. So, what do we mean by this? Well, there is historical and archaeological evidence that shows the Jutes worshipped gods like Thor and Woden (otherwise known as Odin). You might recognise these names as some of the principal gods of Norse mythology. Despite the influx of Christianity, the interest in these gods and their mythology has been sustained even today. For example, it remains a popular theme for online casino games in the UK. Players trying their hand at Paddy’s online casino can find a wide range of mythological games such as Odin: Protector of Realms, Age of the Gods: Norse Legends, and Norse Ways of Thunder. These games use the iconography of the legends to provide an immersive and authentic mythology-themed casino experience. Source: Pixabay – Caption: A modern depiction of Odin Entertainment like this has kept the interest in pagan and Norse gods alive into the 21st century. However, in the 7th century, the Isle of Wight became known as the last place in England to worship pagan gods. This is when Arwald’s reign ended on the battlefield as he defended the Isle of Wight from a man called Caedwalla.
What Happened?
In mainland England, the Romans were committed to converting people to Christianity. But King Arwald was also committed to preserving the traditional culture on the Isle of Wight. This caused quite the issue for the Romans! This led to the Roman bishops taking matters into their own hands, persuading lone Anglo-Saxons to do their dirty work for them. One of these bishops, Wilfred, enlisted the help of the king of Wessex – Caedwalla. 
According to Britannica, Caedwalla lived from 659 to 689 AD and ruled the West Saxons from around 685. Once an outlaw, he obtained the throne of the Wessex kingdom and invaded Sussex, Kent, and, importantly here, the Isle of Wight. As the last remaining pagan kingdom, Caedwalla was set on conquering the island. After capturing it, he made a pilgrimage to Rome. Here, he was baptised before meeting his demise 10 days later. It is thought that, perhaps, this shows a desire to be absolved of his guilt for the part he played in the Roman mission.
Remembered as a Hero
At his height, King Arwald ruled 1,200 people on the island, over 300 families. Despite failing to stop the capture of the island, he was remembered for his bravery and determination – as were his family and martyrs of the island. As reported by Catholic Online, because their names were not known, they were canonised collectively as St Arwald. The feast day of St Arwald is celebrated by many people on the Isle of Wight on 22nd April. You can find out more about the history of King Arwald at Newport Roman Villa, just outside Newport town centre, hidden in a residential area.
