644AD. Oswine the son of Osric became king of Deira when the Deirians rejected the rule of Oswiu. A handsome, pious and courtly man he became friendly with St Aidan.
651AD. Oswine raised an army against Oswiu, but seeing he was outnumbered he backed down and fled to Gilling where he was assassinated on the orders of Oswiu. Castigated for this foul murder Oswiu was forced to atone by dedicating a new monastery at Gilling with Abbot Trumhere a relative of Oswine.
Oswine was buried at Tynemouth and his shrine became a place of pilgrimage.
