Writing about ninety years after Oswald’s death, Bede asserted that “the fame of this illustrious hero was not confined to Britain, for the rays of his beneficent light shone far overseas, and reached Germany and Ireland”. While Bede was probably over-emphasising Oswald’s popularity as part of his wider narrative strategy, over the following centuries, Oswald’s fame has spread pretty far and in some surprising ways. There are now more churches dedicated to Oswald in German-speaking regions than in his native England!
As the map of church dedications shows, southern Germany, Austria and northern Italy were undoubtedly the regions in which Oswald’s cult was strongest, however, there are churches dedicated to him in other countries too.
Maroon pins designate locations where not only the church is dedicated to Oswald, but the village is also named after him.
Red pins designate locations where churches are dedicated to Oswald as sole patron.
Purple pins designate locations where churches are dedicated to Oswald as co-patron. Interestingly, he is co-patron with a variety of saints. Martin is the most common co-patron, which is probably because the powerful Welf monastery at Weingarten was dedicated to them both, which perhaps provided an example for rural churches in areas under Welf influence. The church at Sonntag is dedicated to Oswald and Dominic – this is neat as they shared a feast day!
Green pins designate locations where the church was formerly dedicated to Oswald, but now has a different patron.
If you would like to explore the map in more detail, it is best to click on the frame icon in the top right-hand corner and view it on the google maps platform.
Oswald of Northumbria 