In words that mark the temper of a man of whom we would willingly know more, Baeda tells us that the old king only "hated and scorned those whom he saw not doing the works of the faith they had received." His attitude shows that Penda looked with the tolerance of his race on all questions of creed, and that he was fighting less for heathenism than for political independence.

And now the growing power of Oswiu called him to the old struggle with Northumbria.

In 655 he met Oswiu in the field of Winwaed by Leeds.

It was in vain that the Northumbrian sought to avert Penda's attack by offers of ornaments and costly gifts.

"If the pagans will not accept them," Oswiu cried at last, "let us offer them to One that will"; and he vowed that if successful he would dedicate his daughter to God, and endow twelve monasteries in his realm.