Alphege

Saint Alphege (Ælfheah) (954-April 19 1012), Archbishop of Canterbury, came of a noble family, but in early life gave up everything to devote himself to his faith.

Related Topics:
954 - April 19 - 1012 - Archbishop of Canterbury

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Having assumed the monastic habit in the monastery of Deerhurst, he passed thence to Bath, where he became an anchorite and ultimately abbot, distinguishing himself by his piety and the austerity of his life. In 984 he

Related Topics:
Deerhurst - Bath - Abbot - 984

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was appointed through Dunstan's influence to the bishopric of Winchester, and in 1006 he succeeded Aelfric as Archbishop of Canterbury.

Related Topics:
Dunstan - Aelfric

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At the sack of Canterbury by the Danes in 1011 Ælfheah was captured and kept in prison for seven months. Refusing to pay a ransom, he was murdered at Greenwich, London on April 19, 1012 (St Alfege's Church reputedly marks the place he died). He was buried in St Paul's, whence his body was removed by Canute to Canterbury with all the ceremony of a great act of state in 1023.

Related Topics:
Greenwich, London - St Alfege's Church - St Paul's - Canute - 1023

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An incised paving slab to the north of the present High Altar of Canterbury Cathedral marks the place where the mediaeval shrine is believed to have stood.

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Dedications include: St. Alphege the Martyr, Canterbury (now used as an urban studies centre), St Alfege's Church, Greenwich (?site of martyrdom) and the twin churches of St. Alphege Whitstable and St. Alphege Seasalter (chancel only surviving).

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Feast Day: April 19th.

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Lives of St. Alphege in prose (which survives) and in verse were written by command of Lanfranc by the Canterbury monk Osborn (d. c. 1090), who says that his account of the solemn translation to Canterbury in 1023 was received

Related Topics:
Lanfranc - Osborn - 1090

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from the dean, Godric, one of Alphege's own scholars.

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Alphege is also the name of the bishop of Winchester 934-51. He had been a monk before his consecration, but nobody knows where: he may have joined a monastery overseas or have been a hermit. He was important in the 10th century monastic revival for the encouragement he gave to the pioneers Dunstan and Ethelwold, whom he ordained priests on the same day. This role as precursor, with his nicknam 'the Bald' is virutally all that is known of his episcopate. Feast: 12 March (at Winchester and St. Albans).

Related Topics:
Winchester - 934 - 51 - 10th century - Dunstan - Ethelwold - Bald - 12 March - St - Albans

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