Æthelfrith of Northumbria wished to destroy Edwin and before 616 forced him into exile. Edwin sought refuge at the court of Rædwald. Æthelfrith attempted to bribe and threaten Rædwald to surrender Edwin or have him killed, but in 616 Rædwald destroyed the Northumbrian king at the Battle of the River Idle and set Edwin on the Northumbrian throne. Around this time, Hereric was treacherously murdered in Elmet by his British hosts, perhaps at the prompting either of Æthelfrith or of Cadwallon, both of whom wished to control Deira. Breguswith searched for him, but in vain. One of Edwin's first actions as king was to absorb Elmet and exile Ceretic in atonement for this crime and Hereric's family became attached to Edwin's household. Edwin, a pagan, had encountered Christianity both in Cadfan's and Rædwald's courts. It is probable that Hereric had witnessed Christian practises whilst in Elmet.