Saint Aldhelm

Life story

Aldhelm was a kinsman of King Ine of Wessex. He was first taught at Malmesbury by the Irish teacher Máeldub, and he later credited Hadrian of Canterbury with improving his learning. He returned to Malmesbury and probably succeeded Máeldub as head of the school and abbey; the house prospered under him, other monasteries were founded from it, and he built a chapel of St Lawrence at Bradford-on-Avon. He visited Rome in the time of Pope Sergius.

He also wrote a letter on the dating of Easter to the Britons of Devon and Cornwall. In 705, when Bishop Hedda died and his diocese was divided, Aldhelm reluctantly became the first bishop of Sherborne; his episcopate was short. He died at Doulting in Somerset in 709; his body was carried about fifty miles to Malmesbury, and by tradition crosses were set up at each resting place. His best-known works are De virginitate, in both prose and verse, and the Epistola ad Acircium, which contains one hundred riddles.

His dense Latin style, full of rare words, influenced English writing for centuries. Bede praised his learning. William of Malmesbury reports that Aldhelm also composed songs in Old English, but none survive. His feast is 25 May.

Works and witness

• Studied under Máeldub at Malmesbury and Hadrian at Canterbury
• Abbot of Malmesbury, probably succeeding Máeldub
• Wrote to the Britons of Devon and Cornwall about the dating of Easter
• First bishop of Sherborne, 705
• Wrote De virginitate and the hundred riddles of the Epistola ad Acircium

Saints from the same country

Saint Thomas Becket, Saint Thomas More, Saint Carlo Acutis, Saint Bede the Venerable

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent), 'St. Aldhelm', 1907
• Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent), 'Malmesbury' and 'Sherborne Abbey'

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.