513 
line is distinct as before, and the second faint ; it seems 
to be 
AUSWINIC 
YNINGGIC ; 
on the fourth side a simple interlacing pattern, and an 
inscription almost defaced, of which the most distinct letter 
is an S at the beginning of the second line. Fortunately 
the traces of the inscription, even where it is most defaced, 
are sufficient to show that it was in the same form as those 
which will be noticed in the sequel, and by comparison with 
them it is not difficult to restore the whole thus : — 
■fCEDILBL^D I iEFTJERGI I AUSWINIC I EG.EDDE 
THIS SETT.E I NEFjEYMB ' YNINGGIC I RSAULE 
that is, two couplets of alliterative verse : — 
-fCEdilblaed this settse (Edilbleed this set 
seftser ginifae after her nephew 
The name CEdilblsed which I have supplied at the com- 
mencement, and which seems to agree with the traces of 
letters that remain in the first line, is not mentioned in 
history as connected with Oswini, nor is any person who 
stood in that relation to him. The spelling of both names 
is singular, and indicative of early date. Indeed there can 
be no doubt, I think, as to the identity of the person whom 
this monument was designed to commemorate. It is Oswini 
who reigned in Yorkshire from A.D. 642 to 650. During 
the later years of his reign he had been at enmity with 
Oswiu, the son of St. Oswald, king of Bernicia ; and at 
last their forces met at a place which Venerable Bseda calls 
Wilfaraesdun, and which he says is ten miles north-west of 
Cataracta. Here Oswini, seeing that Oswiu's forces were 
far superior to his own, determined to avoid an engagement 
which could only result in the slaughter of his people, and 
accordingly dismissed them to their homes, himself retiring 
in company with a trusty soldier to the abode of Earl 
ymb Auswini cyning 
gicegaed der saule 
after Auswini the king 
pray for the soul. 
