Ælfgar of Elmham
11th-century Bishop of Elmham
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ælfgar (died 24 or 25 December 1021)[1] was an Anglo-Saxon cleric and bureaucrat who served as Bishop of Elmham.
Ecclesiastical Career
Ælfgar was consecrated as a bishop in 1001.[1] Prior to his appointment to the role of bishop, he served as a priest.[2] In addition to his role as bishop, Ælfgar was active in politics; holding the title of ealdorman.[3]
Two days prior to the death of Dunstan; the then-Archbishop of Canterbury, Ælfgar reportedly had a vision of Dunstan being surrounded and praised by angels. This event was used by William of Malmesbury as evidence of Ælfgar's holiness.[4]
During his time as bishop, Ælfgar gained a reputation as a generous giver of alms.[5]
Ælfgar was an important patron to Ely Abbey, and devoted much of his religious life to its upkeep. He is painted as a mural alongside several other religious figures of the time.[6]
Ælfgar resigned as bishop at some point between 1012 and 1016.[1]
After retirement
Following his resignation as Bishop of Elmham, Ælfgar lived on the island of Ely in Cambridgeshire.[2] While living in Ely he would oversee the burial of Eadnoth the Younger; who had been recently martyred at the Battle of Assandun by Danish invaders lead by Cnut. While the group of Danish soldiers guarding Eadnoth's corpse were drunk following a visit to Ely Abbey, Ælfgar collaborated with the local monks in order to seize and hide Eadnoth's body.[2] Following his burial, Eadnoth was venerated as a saint.[2]
Ælfgar died on the morning of Christmas Day in 1021.[5][1] He was buried in a field near the Ely Abbey.[2]
