Erkenwald

Saint Erkenwald or Erconwald or Eorcenwald (died c. 693) was bishop of London in the Anglo-Saxon Christian Church between 675 and 693.

He was born at Lindsey into the princely Offa family. Erkenwald gave up his share of family money to establish two Benedictine abbeys, Chertsey Abbey in Surrey in 661 for men, and Barking Abbey for women. He placed his sister, Æthelburg, at the head of the convent, while he served as abbot of Chertsey.

In 675, he became the bishop of London, after Wine. He is also reputed to have converted Sebba, king of the East Saxons, to Christianity in 677. He died at Barking Abbey in 693 and his remains were buried at St. Paul's Cathedral. His feast day is May 13, April 30, April 24, or in some parts of England, November 14.

See also

• St. Erkenwald (poem)

Notes

References

• St. Erconwald Catholic Encyclopedia Online article accessed on September 3, 2007
• Patron Saints Index: Erconwald accessed on September 3, 2007
• Powicke, F. Maurice and E. B. Fryde Handbook of British Chronology 2nd. ed. London:Royal Historical Society 1961
• Walsh, Michael A New Dictionary of Saints: East and West London: Burns & Oates 2007 ISBN 0-8601-2438-X

External links

• Prosopography of Anglo Saxon England entry for Eorcenwald