King of Mercia in the first half of the 7th century. He sought to establish the supremacy of Mercia over the other English kingdoms. He drove the King of Wessex into exile, killed the ruler of East Anglia in battle, and, in alliance with Cadwallon, invaded Northumbria. Edwin, its ruler, was defeated and killed in 633, as was his successor St Oswald in 642. Although never a Christian, Penda allowed missionaries to preach in his kingdom. He was killed in battle by Oswy, King of Northumbria.