He went in his youth from his friends and kindred
to Scotland by sea, and there was forthwith baptised,
together with his companions who had travelled with him.
About that time Edwin his uncle,
king of the Northumbrians, who believed in Christ,
was slain by the British king named Cadwalla,
and [also] two of his successors within two years;
and this Cadwalla slew and shamefully ill-treated
the Northumbrian people after their lord's fall,
until Oswald the blessed extinguished his wickedness.
Oswald came to him and fought boldly against him
with a little army, but his faith strengthened him,
and Christ helped him to the slaughter of his enemies.
Then Oswald raised a cross quickly
to the honour of God before he came to battle,
and cried to his companions, ' Let us fall down before the cross,
and pray the Almighty that He will save us
against the proud enemy who desires to kill us.
God Himself knoweth well that we fight justly
against this cruel king, to deliver our people.'
Then they all fell down in prayer with Oswald,
and afterward on the next morning went to the fight,
and there won the victory, even as the almighty ruler granted them
for Oswald's faith, and subdued their enemies,
the proud Cadwalla, with his great host,
who thought that no army could withstand him.
The same cross which Oswald had there erected,
afterward stood there for worship. And many infirm men
were healed, and also cattle
through the same cross, as Beda hath related to us.
A certain man fell on ice and broke his arm,
