Bertwald
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- For Saint Bertwald of Ramsbury, see Bertwald of Ramsbury
Saint Bertwald of Canterbury (also known as Brihtwald, Beorhtweald, Berhtwald, Berthwald, or Beretuald) (died 731) was the ninth Archbishop of Canterbury (693–731) in England.
| Bertwald | |
| Archbishop of Canterbury | |
| Enthroned | {{{began}}} |
|---|---|
| Ended | January 13, 731 |
| Predecessor | Theodore of Tarsus |
| Successor | Tatwine |
| Consecration | June 29, 693 |
| Died | probably January 13, 731 |
|
Sainthood |
|
|---|---|
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Commemorated | January 9 |
 Saints Portal |
|
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Although of Royal lineage, little is known of his early life. According to Bede he was well acquainted with Holy Scripture and with ecclesiastical and monastic science. He corresponded with Saints Boniface, Aldhelm and Wilfrid.[1]
[edit] Abbot
Cenwalh, King of Wessex appointed Bertwald as the first Anglo-Saxon Abbot of Glastonbury in 667, on the advice of his friend, Saint Benedict Biscop. He received a generous land grant, around Meare, from the king some four years later. About 676, he was made abbot of the monastery at Reculver in Kent.[2]
[edit] Archbishop of Canterbury
The see of Canterbury was vacant for two years before Bertwald was elected to the see of Canterbury on July 1, 692. The long vacancy resulted from the disturbed conditions in the kingdom of Kent at the time, as various kings fought for control. The vacancy may also have occurred because Wilfrid, who was at that point having problems in Northumbria, desired to become Archbishop of Canterbury. Wilfrid's biographer says that Theodore had wished for Wilfrid to succeed Theodore at Canterbury. Æthelred of Mercia may have supported Wilfrid's translation to Canterbury also, but this did not happen.[3] Bertwald was consecrated on June 29, 693,[4] having travelled to France for his consecration as archbishop of Canterbury by Godwin, Archbishop of Lyon.[2] Bertwald went to the continent for consecration probably because he feared that his election was not supported by all of the kings and bishops. After his consecration, Bertwald traveled to Rome to obtain the support of Pope Sergius I, who wrote to a number of Anglo-Saxon kings and bishops in support of the archbishop.[3]
He appears to have been an able governor of the English Church, establishing the bishopric of Sherborne in Wessex and it was during his tenure that Sussex, the last pagan kingdom, was converted to Christianity. He also consecrated the first Bishop of Selsey. During his time in office, King Wihtred of Kent exempted the church from taxation. [5]
Much of Bertwald's time in office coincided with the efforts of Wilfrid to regain the see of York, and to reverse the division of York into smaller dioceses, and Bertwald was opposed to Wilfrid's position.[5] Bertwald presided at the Council of Easterfield in 702, at which Wilfrid's biographer relates the story that King Aldfrith of Northumbria, Bertwald, and the other enemies of Wilfrid conspired to deprived Wilfrid of all his offices and possessions. A more likely story is that Bertwald managed to secure concessions from the Northumbrians, and tried to broker a compromise. The offer in the end was that Wilfrid would retire to Ripon and cease acting as a bishop. Wilfrid rejected this compromise and once more appealed to the pope. Three years later, at a further Council, it was arranged that Wilfrid should receive the Bishopric of Hexham in place of that of York.[3]
[edit] Death and afterward
Bertwald died on January 13, 731.[4] Subsequently he was canonized with a feast day of January 9.[6][7]
[edit] References
- ^ Brithwald at Patron Saints Index retrieved on August 10, 2007
- ^ a b Bede A History of the English Church and People translated by Leo Sherley-Price London:Penguin Books 1988 ISBN 0-14-044042-9 p. 282
- ^ a b c Brooks, Nicholas (1984). The Early History of the Church of Canterbury: Christ Church from 597 to 1066. London: Leicester University Press, p. 76-80. ISBN 0-7185-0041-5.
- ^ a b Fryde, E. B.; Greenway, D. E.; Porter, S.; Roy, I. (1996). Handbook of British Chronology, Third Edition, revised, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 213. ISBN 0-521-56350-X.
- ^ a b Stenton, F. M. Anglo-Saxon England Third Edition Oxford:Oxford University Press 1971 ISBN 978-0-19-280139-5 p. 142-145
- ^ St. Brithwald at Catholic Online retrieved on August 10, 2007
- ^ Delaney, John J. Dictionary of Saints Second Edition Doubleday: New York 2003 ISBN 0-385-13594-7 p. 90
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Bertwald |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Brihtwald; Beorhtweald |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Abbot of Glastonbury; Archbishop of Canterbury |
| DATE OF BIRTH | |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | |
| DATE OF DEATH | January 13, 731 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
| Roman Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Theodore of Tarsus |
Archbishop of Canterbury 693–731 |
Succeeded by Tatwine |
