Diuma (Dímma)

Diuma (Dímma) (d. 658), missionary-bishop called the ‘apostle of Mercia’, was sent with three others by Fínán (qv), abbot and bishop of Lindisfarne, to evangelise Mercia after the baptism of King Peada, son of Penda, c.652. His companions were Cedd, Betti, and Adda, all of whom were of the English race. According to Bede (‘Historia ecclesiastica’, iii, 21), Diuma's apostolate in Mercia was successful. After the death of Penda (654), Oswiu of Northumbria ruled Mercia 654–70, during which time Diuma was consecrated bishop of the Middle Angles and Mercians. He died at a place that Bede calls Infeppingum. An eleventh-century Saxon list of saints' burial places says that Diuma was buried at Charlebury (Oxon.). His feast-day is 7 December.