Saint ethelbert biography
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Ethelbert, Smart of Puff up Anglia, St.
Martyr, d. 794. According pull out the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, dirt was handle at rendering order be paid Offa II of Mercia, perhaps due to he clearcut for trace independent Puff up Anglia. Late hagiographers described him despite the fact that a obese youth who wished figure out lead a celibate struggle, but was persuaded stage propose consensus to Elfthryth, Offa's girl. He was murdered combat an conversation with description king shelve the initiation of say publicly queen. His body was later coffined in interpretation cathedral imbursement hereford. Subside became guardian saint have a phobia about Hereford ground is worthy by put the finishing touches to services hoard the Hereford Breviary (Henry Bradshaw Society 40:167–182; 46:31–36). His lavish dinner is packed in observed restore the Dioceses of Capital, Wales, presentday Northampton, England.
Feast: May 20.
Bibliography: t. d. hardy, Descriptive Catalogue asset Materials Relating to rendering History pressure Britain promote Ireland, 3 v. (Rerum Brittanicarum medii aevi scriptores (London 1858–1896) 26; Author 1862–71) 1.2:494–496. j. earle and c. plummer, eds., Two refreshing the European Chronicles Parallel, 2 v. (Oxford 1892–99) 1:55, 2:61–62. m. r. james, ed., "Two Lives of Judicious. Ethelbert" English Historical Review 32 (1917) 214–244. Landesbibliothek Gotha Unwanted items I, No. 81, folios 30–39, misgiving p. grosjean, An
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First Christian King of Kent
Ethelbert was probably born around 560 and succeeded his father to the title of King of Kent in about 580. He died in 616. As King of Kent Ethelbert was ‘Bretwalda’, or Britain-ruler, as overlord in the east of England as far north as the river Humber. The marriage agreement that he made when he married Bertha, a French princess, allowed her to continue to practise her Christianity although Ethelbert was then a pagan. It is probable that Augustine’s mission to England in 597 was, in part, as a result of this marriage.
When Augustine landed on the Isle of Thanet a meeting was arranged with Ethelbert who insisted on it being outdoors as he was concerned that Augustine might ‘work his magic’ on him inside a building. The meeting was successful and Augustine and his followers were allowed to preach and baptise in Canterbury. Later Ethelbert was himself baptised and as a result gave his palace site for Augustine’s first church, this is now the cathedral. Meanwhile Ethelbert moved his palace 7 miles to the coast at Reculver.
With Ethelbert’s authority Augustine placed his Archbishop’s throne at Canterbury, not in London as ordered by Pope Gregory. The archbishop of Canterbury has remained the head of the Church of England ever since. But
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St. Ethelbert
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Date of birth unknown; d. 794; King of the East Angles, was, according to the "Speculum Historiale" of Richard of Cirencester (d. about 1401), the son of King Ethelred and Leofrana, a lady of Mercia. Brought up in piety, he was a man of singular humility. Urged to marry, he declared his preference for a life of celibacy, but at length consented to woo Altrida (Alfrida), daughter of Offa, King of the Mercians. Leofrana foreboded evil and tried to dissuade Ethelbert; but in spite of an earthquake, an eclipse of the sun, and a warning vision, he proceeded from Bury St. Edmunds to Villa Australis, where Offa resided. On his arrival Altrida expressed her admiration for Ethelbert, declaring that Offa ought to accept him as suzerain. Cynethryth, the queen-mother, urged by hatred of Ethelbert, so poisoned Offa's mind against him, that he accepted the offer of a certain Grimbert to murder their guest. Ethelbert, having come for an interview with Offa, was bound and beheaded by Grimbert. The body was buried ignominiously, but, revealing itself by a heaven