Bertwald

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.

Infobox Archbishop of Canterbury
Full name = Bertwald


birth_name =
began=unknown
consecration = 29 June 693
term_end = 13 January 731
predecessor = Theodore of Tarsus
successor = Tatwine
birth_date =
death_date = probably 13 January 731
tomb =

Infobox Saint Archbishop of Canterbury
feast_day= 9 January
venerated_in= Roman Catholic Church
titles=
beatified_date=
beatified_place=
beatified_by=
canonized_date=
canonized_place=
canonized_by=
attributes=
patronage=
major_shrine=
suppressed_date=
issues=

Biography

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. [http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintb0u.htm Brithwald at Patron Saints Index] retrieved on 10 August 2007]

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.Bede "A History of the English Church and People" p. 282]

Archbishop of Canterbury

The see of Canterbury was vacant for two years before Bertwald was elected to the see of Canterbury on 1 July 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.Brooks "Early History of the Church of Canterbury" p. 76-80 ] Bertwald was consecrated on 29 June 693,Fryde, et. al. "Handbook of British Chronology" p. 213] having travelled to France for his consecration as archbishop of Canterbury by Godwin, Archbishop of Lyon. 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.

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. Stenton "Anglo-Saxon England" p. 142-145]

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. 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.

Death and afterward

Bertwald died on 13 January 731. Subsequently he was canonized with a feast day of 9 January. [http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1839 St. Brithwald at Catholic Online] retrieved on 10 August 2007] Delaney "Dictionary of Saints" p. 90]

Notes

References

* Bede "A History of the English Church and People" translated by Leo Sherley-Price London:Penguin Books 1988 ISBN 0-14-044042-9
*
* Delaney, John J. "Dictionary of Saints" Second Edition Doubleday: New York 2003 ISBN 0-385-13594-7
*
* Stenton, F. M. "Anglo-Saxon England" Third Edition Oxford:Oxford University Press 1971 ISBN 978-0-19-280139-5

Persondata
NAME= Bertwald
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Brihtwald; Beorhtweald
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Abbot of Glastonbury; Archbishop of Canterbury
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH= 13 January 731
PLACE OF DEATH=