Saint Erkenwald
Bishop of London
Son of a king of the Heptarchy, Erkonwald founded the monasteries of Chertsey and Barking before becoming Bishop of London in 665. He dedicated his episcopate to the embellishment of St. Paul's Cathedral. His relics disappeared in the 16th century during the religious upheavals in England.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
SAINT ERKONWALD, BISHOP OF LONDON (698).
Origins and first foundations
A king's son, Erkonwald used his inheritance to found the monasteries of Chertsey and Barking, entrusting the latter to his sister Edilburge.
Saint Erkonwald Saint Erkonwald Bishop of London and founder of monasteries in the 7th century. was the son of one of the kings of the Heptarchy, though it is not known which one. He left his father's domains and went, with his share of the inheritance, to found two monasteries: one at Chertsey, in the county of Surrey, near the Thames; the other at Barking, in the county of Essex: the latter was intended for nuns; he gave the governa nce of it to Sai sainte Edilburge Sister of Saint Erkenwald and first abbess of Barking. nt Edilburge, his sister.
Bishop of London and Saint Paul's
Appointed Bishop of London by King Sebba in 665, he developed Saint Paul's Cathedral during his eleven years of episcopate.
In 665, King Sebba b le roi Sebba King of Essex who appointed Erkonwald as bishop. rought him out of his solitude at Chertsey to raise him to the episcopal see of Lo ndon, w Londres City where Æthelberht had the church of Saint Paul built. hich he occupied for eleven years. He considerably increased the revenues and buildin gs of Sain Saint-Paul Principal church of London dedicated to the saint. t Paul's. This magnificent church, which was the glory of the English nation, was destroyed by the fury of schismatics in the 18th century. Before accomplishing this work of destruction, they pulled the dead from their tombs, broke the funerary monuments, and scattered to the wind the ashes they contained.
Destruction and disappearance of the relics
The text recounts the desecration of the cathedral in the 18th century and the final disappearance of the saint's body in 1533.
In this barbaric search, they found, among other things, the body of the pious King Sebba, embalmed and wrapped in precious fabrics. They intended to discover treasures, and the infamous greed of the searchers found only a few rings with their stones and a chalice of little value. What was done in London was done throughout the rest of England.
In 1533, the body of Saint Erkonwald disa saint Erkonwald Bishop of London and founder of monasteries in the 7th century. ppeared from the cathedral, and it has not been spoken of since the latter was rebuilt.
Destiny of the Abbeys of Chertsey and Barking
Chertsey was ravaged by the Danes and then restored by King Edgar, while Barking was seized by Henry VIII during the Reformation.
Let us say a word about the monasteries of Chertsey and Barking, founded by Saint Erkonwald. The former, burned by the Danes who massacred its abbot and ninety monks, was rebuilt by King Edgar. The latter enjoyed an income of approximately two hundred thousand francs, when the greedy hand of Henry VIII appr Henri VIII King of England during whose reign miracles at the tomb ceased. opriated the convent and its revenues.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Foundation of Chertsey Abbey
- Foundation of Barking Abbey
- Elevation to the episcopal see of London in 665
- Increase in revenues and buildings of Saint Paul's
- Disappearance of the body from the cathedral in 1533