The origins of the town are lost in the mystery of time. The name Oswestry is said to be a corruption of 'Oswald's Tree'. The legend is that Oswald the Christian King of Northumbria fought a great battle against the pagan King of Mercia - Penda. Oswald was defeated and killed in the battle. Penda - as a warning to others who might challenge his rule - dismembered Oswald's body and hung his limbs on the branches of a tree - hence the name 'Oswalds Tree'.