Sigeberht the Good

Although a bishopric in Essex had been created under Mellitus, the kingdom had lapsed to paganism and it was in Sigeberht's reign that a systematic (re-)conversion of the East Saxons took root.

Like Peada, he and his followers were baptised by Bishop Finan at one of Oswiu's estates called Ad Murum (presumably in the region of Hadrian's Wall, possibly Walbottle), 12 miles from the east coast.

The party was led by Cedd, freshly recalled from his missionary work among the Middle Angles, and three companion priests.

These activities brought about an extension of the authority of the church of Lindisfarne into the south,[6] which has been regarded as "redolent of an opportunistic Bernician colonisation of the region".

Bede's concluding verdict is that "the death of this religious king was such that it not only atoned for his offence but even increased his merit; for it came about as a result of his piety and his observance of Christ's command."

A change of loyalty or political affiliations among the East Saxon ruling elite may therefore help explain the context for Sigeberht's assassination.