Saint Aelred of Rievaulx
Cistercian abbot of Rievaulx and author of Spiritual Friendship
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Religious, Mystic
- Life
- 1110 – 1167
- Era
- 12th century
- Feast
- 12 January
- Countries
- United Kingdom
Life story
Aelred was born in 1110 at Hexham in Northumbria, England. He served at the court of David I of Scotland at Roxburgh, possibly from about the age of 14, rising to echonomus, that is steward or master of the household. Around 1134, aged about 24, he left the court and joined the Cistercian monastery of Rievaulx.
In 1143 he became abbot of Revesby, and from 1147 he was abbot of Rievaulx until his death. He left many writings: Speculum caritatis (The Mirror of Charity), De spirituali amicitia (Spiritual Friendship, written 1164 to 1167 and considered his greatest work), De institutione inclusarum (for his sister, a recluse), Oratio pastoralis and De anima. He also wrote historical works, among them a Life of Edward the Confessor and a Life of David, King of the Scots.
He died on 12 January 1167 at Rievaulx (the probable date). He was never canonised by the later formal procedure; his cult in northern England was officially recognised by the Cistercians in 1476. He is venerated by the Catholic Church and by some Anglicans, and his feast is 12 January.
Works and witness
- Served at David I's court, rising to steward
- Joined the Cistercians at Rievaulx around 1134
- Abbot of Revesby from 1143, of Rievaulx from 1147
- Wrote Spiritual Friendship and many other works
- His cult was recognised by the Cistercians in 1476
Saints from the same country
References
- Cistercians in Yorkshire, "Aelred" (hridigital.shef.ac.uk/cistercians)
- Prosopography of Medieval Scotland, "Aelred, abbot of Rievaulx" (poms.ac.uk)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.