Raedwald

Raedwald was an early 7th-century Anglo-Saxon king of East Anglia. He is known primarily from the writings of the Venerable Bede, who described him as the fourth of the kings who held imperium, or overlordship, over other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Bede states that Raedwald was a pagan who converted to Christianity, but his conversion was a private affair, and he maintained pagan practices alongside Christian ones. This is often interpreted as him practicing a form of religious syncretism.

Raedwald's reign saw significant military activity. He famously intervened in the politics of Northumbria, defeating and killing Aethelfrith, the king of Northumbria, at the Battle of the River Idle around 616 AD. This victory led to the installation of Edwin, a rival of Aethelfrith, on the Northumbrian throne. Bede suggests this intervention was a key moment in Raedwald's assertion of his overlordship.

The wealthy ship burial discovered at Sutton Hoo is widely believed to be Raedwald's tomb. The lavish grave goods, including a magnificent helmet and a decorated shield, point to a ruler of immense status and power. The discovery has provided invaluable insights into the material culture and craftsmanship of the period. The exact date of Raedwald's death is uncertain, but it is generally placed around 624 AD. His reign represented a period of considerable power and influence for the kingdom of East Anglia.