Æthelgar
Æthelgar was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 988 until his death in 990, having previously served as the Bishop of Selsey. A former monk from Glastonbury and Abingdon, he was appointed Abbot of New Minster, Winchester, by Bishop Aethelwold. During his short tenure as archbishop, he received correspondence from monasteries in Flanders seeking his support and prayers.
Key Facts
- ݮthelgar was a monk at Glastonbury Abbey and later Abingdon Abbey.
- ›He was appointed Abbot of New Minster, Winchester, in 964 by Bishop Aethelwold.
- ›He was consecrated as Bishop of Selsey on may 2, 980.
- ›He succeeded Dunstan as Archbishop of Canterbury in 988.
- ݮthelgar died on February 13, 990, after serving as archbishop for approximately a year and three months.
- ›He received letters from monasteries in Flanders seeking support and prayers.
Served As Archbishop of Canterbury, Served As Bishop of Selsey, Served As Abbot of New Minster, Winchester
About Æthelgar
Æthelgar, Archbishop of Canterbury
Æthelgar served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 988 until his death in 990. His ecclesiastical career spanned several significant roles within the Church in England, including service as a monk, abbot, and bishop.
Life and Historical Context
Æthelgar began his religious life as a monk at Glastonbury Abbey. He later became the discipulus of Aethelwold, the Bishop of Winchester, and continued his monastic life at Abingdon Abbey. In 964, Bishop Aethelwold appointed him Abbot of the reformed New Minster in Winchester. Æthelgar was consecrated as the Bishop of Selsey on May 2, 980. He then succeeded Dunstan as Archbishop of Canterbury in 988. His time in this highest ecclesiastical office was brief, lasting no more than a year and three months. It is suggested that he may have retained his abbacy and bishopric concurrently with his archbishopric until his death.
Correspondence and Relations
During his tenure as archbishop, Æthelgar received communications from monasteries in Flanders. These included a letter from Falrad, the abbot of Saint Vaast Abbey, which aimed to maintain good relations between the abbey and Canterbury, and implied further requests for support. Odbert, the abbot of Saint Bertin Abbey, also sent a letter congratulating Æthelgar on his new position and soliciting financial assistance for his monastery.
Æthelgar died on February 13, 990.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Æthelgar's role before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury?
Before his appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury, Æthelgar was a monk at Glastonbury Abbey and later at Abingdon Abbey. He also served as the Abbot of the newly reformed New Minster in Winchester and was consecrated as the Bishop of Selsey.
When did Æthelgar become Archbishop of Canterbury?
Æthelgar succeeded Dunstan as the Archbishop of Canterbury in 988. His tenure in this position was relatively short.
When did Æthelgar die?
Æthelgar died on February 13, 990. He had served as Archbishop of Canterbury for a little over a year and three months.
Did Æthelgar have any contact with monasteries outside of England?
Yes, while serving as archbishop, Æthelgar received two letters from monasteries in Flanders. These letters were from Saint Vaast Abbey and Saint Bertin Abbey, seeking his support, prayers, and financial aid.
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