Stigand
Archbishop of Canterbury
Stigand from the Bayeux Tapestry Stigand, last Bishop of Selsey and first Bishop of Chichester. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Bayeux Tapestry (French: Tapisserie de Bayeux) is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft) long embroidered cloth which depicts the events leading up to the 1066 Norman invasion of England as well as the events of the invasion itself. ...
Consecration	1052
Enthroned	unknown
Ended	11 April 1070
Predecessor	Robert of Jumièges
Successor	Lanfranc
Birth name	Stigand
Died	22 February 1072
Buried	Old Minster, Westminster

Stigand (died 1072) was an English churchman in pre-Norman Conquest England. By 1020, he was serving as a royal chaplain and advisor. He was named bishop of Elmham in 1043, and then later Bishop of Winchester and Archbishop of Canterbury. Stigand acted as an advisor to several members of the Anglo-Saxon and Norman English royal dynasties, serving six successive kings. Excommunicated by several popes for his pluralism in holding the two sees of Winchester and Canterbury concurrently, he was finally deposed in 1070, and his estates and personal wealth were confiscated by William the Conqueror. Stigand was imprisoned at Winchester, where he died without regaining his liberty. Robert of Jumièges (d. ... Lanfranc (d. ... Westminster is a district within the City of Westminster in London. ... The famous parade helmet found at Sutton Hoo, probably belonging to Raedwald of East Anglia circa 625. ... see also Holy Orders The following terms have traditional meanings for the Anglican Church, and possibly beyond: A churchman is in principle a member of a church congregation, in practice someone in holy orders. ... The Bayeux Tapestry depicts the Battle of Hastings and the events leading to it. ... A chaplain in the 45th Infantry Division leads a Christmas Day service in Italy, 1943. ... Arms of the Bishop of Norwich The Bishop of Norwich is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Norwich in the Province of Canterbury. ... Arms of the Bishop of Winchester The diocese of Winchester is one of the oldest and most important in England. ... The Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual leader and senior clergyman of the Church of England, recognized by convention as the head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. ... The Norman dynasty is a series of four monarchs, who ruled England from the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066, until 1154. ... In religion, the term plurality has been coined to refer to an alternative system of church government, wherein the local assemblys decisions are made by a committee, each typically called an elder; in contrast to the singularity of the bishop hierarchy system (Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches... William I of England (1027[1] – 9 September 1087), also known as William the Conqueror (French: ), was Duke of Normandy from 1035 and King of England from 1066 to his death. ... Winchester is a historic city in southern England, with a population of around 40,000 within a 3 mile radius of its centre. ...

Stigand served King Canute as a chaplain at a royal foundation at Ashingdon in 1020, and as an advisor then and later. He continued in his role of advisor during the reigns of Canute's sons, Harold Harefoot and Harthacanute. When Canute's stepson Edward the Confessor succeeded Harthacanute, Stigand likely became England's main administrator. Monastic writers of the time accused Stigand of extorting money and lands from the church. By 1066, the only estates richer than Stigand's were the royal estates and those of Harold Godwinson. Canute the Great, or Canute I, also known as Cnut in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, or Knut (Old Norse: Knútr inn ríki, Norwegian: Knut den mektige, Swedish: Knut den Store, Danish: Knud den Store, Polish: Kanut Wielki) (died November 12, 1035) was a Viking king of England and... Ashington is a village and civil parish in the Rochford district of Essex, England. ... Harold I Harefoot (c. ... Harthacanute (sometimes Hardicanute, Hardecanute; Danish Hardeknud, Canute the Hardy) (1018/1019–June 8, 1042) was a King of Denmark (1035–1042) and England (1035–1037, 1040–1042). ... St Edward the Confessor or Eadweard III (c. ... Harold Godwinson (Haraldur Guðinason), or Harold II (c. ...

In 1043 Edward appointed Stigand to the see, or bishopric, of Elmham. Four years later, in 1047, he was appointed to the see of Winchester and then in 1052 to the archdiocese of Canterbury, which Stigand held jointly with that of Winchester. Five successive popes, including Nicholas II and Alexander II, excommunicated Stigand for holding both Winchester and Canterbury. Stigand was present at the deathbed of King Edward and at the coronation of Harold Godwinson as king of England in 1066.^[1] After Harold's death, Stigand submitted to William the Conqueror. On Christmas Day, 1066 Aldred, the Archbishop of York crowned William King of England. Stigand's excommunication meant that he could only assist at the coronation. A see (from the Latin word sedem, meaning seat) is the throne (cathedra) of a bishop. ... North Elmham is a village (population 1428) in Norfolk about 8 km (5 miles) north of East Dereham on the west bank of the River Wensum. ... Winchester is a historic city in southern England, with a population of around 40,000 within a 3 mile radius of its centre. ... The Province of Canterbury consists of the following dioceses of the Church of England: Their archbishop is the Archbishop of Canterbury. ... Nicholas II (died July 27, 1061), born Gérard de Bourgogne, Pope from 1059 to July 1061, was at the time of his election the Bishop of Florence. ... Alexander II (died April 21, 1073), born Anselmo da Baggio , Pope from 1061 to 1073, was a native of Milan. ... Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive or suspend membership in a religious community. ... Harold Godwinson (Haraldur Guðinason), or Harold II (c. ... William I of England (1027[1] – 9 September 1087), also known as William the Conqueror (French: ), was Duke of Normandy from 1035 and King of England from 1066 to his death. ... Aldred, or Ealdred (d. ... Arms of the Archbishop of York The Archbishop of York, Primate of England, is the metropolitan bishop of the Province of York, and is the junior of the two archbishops of the Church of England, after the Archbishop of Canterbury. ...

Despite growing pressure for his deposition, Stigand continued to attend the royal court and to consecrate bishops, until in 1070 he was deposed by papal legates and imprisoned at Winchester. His intransigence towards the papacy was used as propaganda by Norman advocates of the view that the English church was backward and needed reform.

Early life

Neither the year nor the date of Stigand's birth is known.^[2] He was born in East Anglia, possibly in Norwich,^[3] to a family that appears to have been prosperous.^[4] The family was of mixed English and Scandinavian ancestry,^[5] as is shown by the fact that Stigand's name was Norse but his brother's was English. His brother Æthelmaer, also a cleric, later succeeded Stigand as bishop of Elmham.^[4] His sister held land in Norwich,^[6] but her given name is unrecorded.^[7] Norfolk and Suffolk, the core area of East Anglia. ... For other places with the same name, see Norwich (disambiguation). ... Æthelmaer ( or Æthelmær) was a medieval Bishop of Elmham. ...

Stigand first appears in the historical record in 1020 as a royal chaplain to King Canute of England (reigned 1016–1035). In that year he was appointed to Canute's church at Ashingdon, or Assandun,^[5][8][9] which was dedicated by the reforming bishop Wulfstan of York.^[10] Little is known of Stigand's life during Canute's reign. He did witness occasional charters,^[2] which show that he had a place at the royal court.^[7] After Canute's death, Stigand successively served Canute's sons, Harold Harefoot (reigned 1035–1040) and Harthacanute (reigned 1040–1042).^[11][3] When Harthacanute died, Stigand became an advisor to Emma of Normandy, Canute's widow and the mother of Harthacanute and his successor Edward the Confessor.^{[3][11][notes 1]} He may have been her chaplain.^[13] It is possible that Stigand was already an advisor to Emma while Canute was alive, and that he owed his position at Ashingdon to Emma's influence and favour. Because little is known of Stigand's activities before his appointment as a bishop, it is difficult to determine to whom he owed his position.^[7] Canute the Great, or Canute I, also known as Cnut in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, or Knut (Old Norse: Knútr inn ríki, Norwegian: Knut den mektige, Swedish: Knut den Store, Danish: Knud den Store, Polish: Kanut Wielki) (died November 12, 1035) was a Viking king of England and... Ashington is a village and civil parish in the Rochford district of Essex, England. ... Wulfstan II (sometimes Lupus[1]) (died 28 May 1023) was an Anglo-Saxon Bishop of London, Bishop of Worcester, and Archbishop of York. ... Harold I Harefoot (c. ... Harthacanute (sometimes Hardicanute, Hardecanute; Danish Hardeknud, Canute the Hardy) (1018/1019–June 8, 1042) was a King of Denmark (1035–1042) and England (1035–1037, 1040–1042). ... Queen Emma of Normandy receiving the Encomium Emmae, with her sons Harthacanute and Edward the Confessor in the background. ... St Edward the Confessor or Eadweard III (c. ...

Bishop of Elmham and Winchester

Shortly after Edward the Confessor's coronation on 3 April 1043,^[1] Stigand was appointed to the see of Elmham, probably on Emma's advice.^[14] This was the first episcopal appointment of Edward's reign.^[15] The diocese of Elmham covered East Anglia, in eastern England,^[16] and was one of the poorer episcopal sees at that time.^{[7][notes 2]} He was consecrated bishop in 1043,^[16] but later in the year Edward deposed Stigand and deprived him of his wealth. During the next year, however, Edward returned Stigand to office.^[18] The reasons for the deposition are unknown, but it was probably connected to the simultaneous fall from power of the dowager queen, Emma. Rumours recorded a century later included some that Emma and Stigand were having an affair, and the alleged affair was supposedly the cause of their fall from power.^[19] Other sources state that Emma had invited King Magnus I of Norway, a rival claimant to the English throne, to invade England and had offered her personal wealth to aid Magnus.^{[20][notes 3]} Some suspected that Stigand had urged Emma to support Magnus, and claimed that his deposition was because of this.^[22] Contributing factors in Emma and Stigand's fall included Emma's wealth, and dislike of her political influence, which was linked to the reign of the unpopular Harthacanute.^[23] Arms of the Bishop of Norwich The Bishop of Norwich is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Norwich in the Province of Canterbury. ... Norfolk and Suffolk, the core area of East Anglia. ... Magnus I (1024 - October 25, 1047) was a King of Norway (1035 - 1047) and king of Denmark (1042 - 1047). ...

By 1046, Stigand began to witness charters of Edward the Confessor, showing that he was once more in royal favour.^[24] In 1047 Stigand was translated to the see of Winchester,^[16][25] but he retained Elmham until 1052.^[26] He may have owed the promotion to Earl Godwin of Wessex, the father-in-law of King Edward;^[27] although other historians dispute this.^[28] Emma, who had retired to Winchester after regaining Edward's favour, may also have influenced the appointment, either alone or in concert with Godwin. After his appointment to Winchester, Stigand was a witness to all of the surviving charters of King Edward from the period 1047 to 1052.^[24] Arms of the Bishop of Winchester The diocese of Winchester is one of the oldest and most important in England. ... Godwin (sometimes Godwine, Goodwin, Godwyn, Goodwyn and sometimes known as Godwin of Wessex) (c. ...

Some historians, such as Frank Barlow and Emma Mason, state that he supported Earl Godwin in his quarrel with Edward the Confessor in 1051–1052;^[29][30] others, including Ian Walker, hold that he was neutral.^[31] Stigand, whether or not he was a supporter of Godwin's, did not go into exile with the earl.^[2][32] The quarrel started over a fight between Eustace of Boulogne, brother-in-law of the king, and men of the town of Dover. The king ordered Godwin to punish the town, and the earl refused. Continued pressure from Edward undermined Godwin's position, and the earl and his family fled England in 1051.^[33] The earl returned in 1052 with a substantial armed force, but eventually reached a peaceful accord with the king.^[29] Some medieval sources state that Stigand took part in the negotiations that reached a peace between the king and his earl,^[34] and the Canterbury manuscript of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle calls Stigand the king's chaplain and advisor during the negotiations.^[35] Frank Barlow (born 1911) is a British historian, known particularly for biographies of medieval figures. ... Eustace II, (d. ... The initial page of the Peterborough Chronicle. ...

Archbishop of Canterbury

Appointment to Canterbury and issues with the papacy

The Archbishopric of Canterbury became drawn into the conflict between Edward and Godwin.^[36] Pope Leo IX was beginning a reform movement later known as the Gregorian Reform. Leo first focused on improving the clergy and prohibiting simony – the buying and selling of clerical and ecclesiastical offices. In 1049 Leo IX publicly pronounced that he would take more interest in English church matters and would investigate episcopal candidates more strictly before confirming them.^[37] When Archbishop Edsige of Canterbury died in 1051 the monks of the cathedral chapter elected Æthelric, a relative of Earl Godwin's, as archbishop.^[38] King Edward opposed the election and instead appointed Robert of Jumièges, who was Norman and already Bishop of London. Besides furthering Edward's quarrel with Godwin, the appointment signalled that there were limits to Edward's willingness to compromise on ecclesiastical reform.^[37] Leo IX, born Bruno of Eguisheim-Dagsburg (June 21, 1002 – April 19, 1054) was Pope from February 12, 1049 to his death. ... The Gregorian Reform was a series of reforms initiated by Pope Gregory VII and the circle he formed in the papal curia, circa 1050–1080, which dealt with the moral integrity and independence of the clergy. ... Look up simony in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... St. ... Robert of Jumièges (d. ... Arms of the Bishop of London The Bishop of London is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury. ...

Although not known as a reformer before his appointment, Robert returned from Rome in 1051, where he had gone to be confirmed by the papacy, and opposed the king's choice for Bishop of London on the grounds that the candidate was not suitable. Robert's attempts to recover church property that had been appropriated by Earl Godwin contributed to the quarrel between the earl and the king. When Godwin returned to England in 1052, Robert was outlawed and exiled.^[37] King Edward then appointed Stigand to the archbishopric.^[39] The appointment was either a reward from Godwin for Stigand's support during the conflict with Edward or a reward from King Edward for successfully negotiating a peaceful conclusion to the crisis in 1052.^[31] Stigand was the first non-monk to be named to either English archbishopric since before the days of Dunstan (archbishop from 959 to 988).^[40][39][41] Arms of the Bishop of London The Bishop of London is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury. ... cows Dunstan (909 – May 19, 988) was an Archbishop of Canterbury (960 – 988) who was later canonized as a saint. ...

The papacy refused to recognise Stigand's elevation, as Robert was still alive and had not been deprived of office by a pope.^[36] Robert of Jumièges appealed to Leo IX, who summoned Stigand to Rome. When Stigand did not appear, he was excommunicated.^[42] Historian Nicholas Brooks holds the view that Stigand was not excommunicated at this time, but rather was ordered to refrain from any archiepiscopal functions, such as the consecration of bishops. He argues that in 1062 papal legates sat in council with Stigand, something they would not have done had he been excommunicated.^[43] The legates did nothing to alter Stigand's position either,^[44] although one of the legates later helped depose Stigand in 1070.^[45] However Pope Leo IX and his successors, Victor II and Stephen IX, continued to regard Robert as the rightful archbishop.^[46][42] Victor II (c. ... Pope Stephen IX, orignally Archdeacon Frederick of Leige was a native of Germany, was pope from about July 14, 939 until his death towards the end of October, 942. ...

Emma of Normandy, seated with sons Harthacanute and Edward the Confessor, in this manuscript copy of the Encomium Emmae from around 1042

Stigand did not travel to Rome to receive a pallium,^[2] the band worn around a neck that is the symbol of an archbishop's authority,^[47] from the pope. Traveling to Rome for the pallium had become a custom, practiced by a number of his predecessors.^[48] Instead, some medieval chroniclers state that he used Robert of Jumièges' pallium.^[2] It is not known if Stigand even petitioned the papacy for a pallium soon after his appointment.^[49] Due to the reform movement, Stigand probably knew the request would be unsuccessful.^[36] In 1058, Antipope Benedict X, who opposed much of the reform movement, gave Stigand a pallium.^[50][41] However, Benedict was deposed in the following year;^[51][41] the reforming party declared Benedict an anti-pope, and nullified all his acts,^[41] including Stigand's pallium grant.^[52] The exact circumstances that led to Benedict granting a pallium are unknown, whether it was at Stigand's request or was given without prompting.^[49] Source: http://www. ... Source: http://www. ... Queen Emma of Normandy receiving the Encomium Emmae, with her sons Harthacanute and Edward the Confessor in the background. ... now. ... Pope/Antipope Benedict X (reigned 1058–1059; died ca. ... For the book by Robert Rankin, see The Antipope. ...

After his translation to Canterbury, Stigand released Elmham to his brother Æthelmaer, but retained the bishopric of Winchester.^[25] Canterbury and Winchester were the two richest sees in England,^[53][54] and while precedent allowed the holding of a rich see along with a poor one, holding two rich sees in conjunction had no such rationale.^[55] He may have retained Winchester because of avarice, or it may have been that his hold in Canterbury was not secure.^[56] Besides these, he held the abbey of Gloucester and the abbey of Ely and perhaps other abbeys also.^[57] Whatever his reasons, the retention of Winchester made Stigand a pluralist, or the holder of more than one benefice at the same time.^[56] This was a practice that was targeted for elimination by the growing reform movement in the church.^[51] Five successive popes (Leo IX, Victor II, Stephen IX, Nicholas II and Alexander II)^[50] excommunicated Stigand for holding both Winchester and Canterbury at the same time.^[57] It has been suggested by the historian Emma Mason that Edward refused to remove Stigand because this would have undermined the royal prerogative to appoint bishops and archbishops without papal input.^[58] Further hurting Stigand's position, Pope Nicholas II in 1061 declared pluralism to be uncanonical unless approved by the pope.^[51] Æthelmaer ( or Æthelmær) was a medieval Bishop of Elmham. ... Gloucester Cathedral from the north east in 1828. ... Front of Ely Cathedral Ely Cathedral (in full, The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Ely) is the principal church of the diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England, and the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Ely. ... Originally a benefice was a gift of land for life as a reward (Latin beneficium, means to do well) for services rendered. ... Originally a benefice was a gift of land for life as a reward (Latin beneficium, means to do well) for services rendered. ... Nicholas II (died July 27, 1061), born Gérard de Bourgogne, Pope from 1059 to July 1061, was at the time of his election the Bishop of Florence. ... Alexander II (died April 21, 1073), born Anselmo da Baggio , Pope from 1061 to 1073, was a native of Milan. ...

Stigand was later accused of simony by monastic chroniclers, but all such accusations date to after 1066, and are thus suspect due to the post-Conquest desire to vilify the English Church as corrupt and backward.^[59] The medieval chronicler William of Poitiers also claimed that Stigand in 1052 agreed that William of Normandy, the future William the Conqueror, should succeed King Edward. This fact was used as propaganda after the Conquest, but the historian David Bates, among other historians, notes that this is unlikely to have happened.^[60][61] The position of Stigand as head of the church in England was used to good effect by the Normans in their propaganda before, during and after the Conquest.^[62] The Bayeux Tapestry depicts the Battle of Hastings and the events leading to it. ... William of Pointers (c. ... William I of England (1027[1] – 9 September 1087), also known as William the Conqueror (French: ), was Duke of Normandy from 1035 and King of England from 1066 to his death. ... Professor David Bates is a British historian. ...

Ecclesiastical affairs

The diocese of York took advantage of Stigand's difficulties with the papacy and encroached on the suffragans, or bishops owing obedience to an archbishop, normally subject to Canterbury. York had long been held in common with Worcester, but during the period when Stigand was excommunicated, the see of York also claimed oversight over the sees of Lichfield and Dorcester.^[63] In 1062, however, papal legates of Alexander II came to England. They did not depose Stigand, and even consulted with him and treated him as archbishop.^[64] He was allowed to attend the council they held and was an active participant with the legates in the business of the council.^[65] Arms of the Archbishop of York The Archbishop of York, Primate of England, is the metropolitan bishop of the Province of York, and is the junior of the two archbishops of the Church of England, after the Archbishop of Canterbury. ... The Bishop of Worcester is the ordinary in the see of Worcester and has his seat in Worcester Cathedral. ... Arms of the Bishop of Lichfield The Bishop of Lichfield is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lichfield in the Province of Canterbury. ... Arms of the Bishop of Lincoln The Bishop of Lincoln heads the Anglican Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury. ... Alexander II (died April 21, 1073), born Anselmo da Baggio , Pope from 1061 to 1073, was a native of Milan. ...

Many of the bishops in England did not want to be consecrated by Stigand.^[66] Both Giso of Wells and Walter of Hereford travelled to Rome to be consecrated by the Pope in 1061, rather than be consecrated by Stigand.^[67] During the brief period that he held a legitimate pallium, however, Stigand did consecrate Aethelric of Selsey and Siward of Rochester.^[68] Abbots of monasteries, however, came to Stigand for consecration throughout his time as archbishop. These included not only abbots from monastic houses inside his province, such as Æthelsige as abbot of St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury, but also Baldwin as Abbot of Bury St. Edmunds and Thurstan as Abbot of Ely.^[43] After the Norman Conquest, Stigand was accused of selling the office of abbot, but no abbot was deposed for buying the office, so the charge is suspect.^[69] Gisa (also spelt Giso) was Bishop of Wells from 1060 to 1088. ... Walter of Lorraine (or Walter of Lotharingia) was a medieval Bishop of Hereford. ... Æthelric II ( - 1076?), Bishop of Selsey. ... For other uses, see Siward. ... For the late 10th century Bishop of Sherborne, see Æthelsige of Sherborne. ... For other uses, see St. ... Abbot of Bury St. ... The roots of the diocese of Ely are ancient and the area of Ely was part of the patrimony of Saint Etheldreda. ...

Stigand also served as a benefactor to the abbey of Ely,^[6] and gave gold crosses to St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury, Bury St. Edmunds Abbey, and to his cathedral church at Winchester.^[70] Although it does not appear that Stigand ever traveled to Rome, there are indications that Stigand did go on pilgrimage. A twelfth-century life of Saint Willibrord, written at the Abbey of Echternach in what is now Luxembourg, records that "to this place also came Stigand, the eminent archbishop of the English". Stigand is recorded as giving rich gifts to the abbey as well as relics of saints.^[71] The roots of the diocese of Ely are ancient and the area of Ely was part of the patrimony of Saint Etheldreda. ... For other uses, see St. ... Bury St. ... Saint Willibrord (c. ... The façade of the Abbey of Echternach. ...

Advisor to the king

During Edward's reign, Stigand was an influential advisor at court and used his position to increase the his own wealth as well as that of his friends and family. Contemporary valuations of the lands he controlled at the death of King Edward, as listed in Domesday Book, come to an annual income of about 2500 pounds.^[2] There is little evidence, however, that he enriched either Canterbury or Winchester.^[2][72] He also appointed his followers to sees within his diocese in 1058, having Siward named Bishop of Rochester and Æthelric installed as Bishop of Selsey.^[27] Between his holding of two sees and the appointment of his men to other sees in the southeast of England, Stigand was an important figure in defending the coastline against invasion.^[73] A line drawing entitled Domesday Book from Andrew Williamss Historic Byways and Highways of Old England. ... For other uses, see Siward. ... The Bishop of Rochester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Rochester in the Province of Canterbury. ... Æthelric II ( - 1076?), Bishop of Selsey. ... Arms of the Bishop of Chichester The Bishop of Chichester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Chichester in the Province of Canterbury. ...

Stigand may have been in charge of the royal administration.^[58] He may also have been behind the effort to locate Edward the Atheling and his brother Edmund after 1052, possibly to secure a more acceptable heir to King Edward.^[74] His landholdings were spread across ten counties, and in some of those counties, his lands were larger than the king's holdings.^[75] Although Norman propagandists claimed that as early as 1051 or 1052 King Edward promised the throne of England to Duke William of Normandy, who later became King William the Conqueror, there is little contemporary evidence of such a promise from non-Norman sources.^[76] By 1053, Edward probably realized that he would not have a son from his marriage, and he and his advisors began to search for an heir.^[77] Edward the Atheling was the son of King Edmund Ironside, (reigned 1016), and Edward had been exiled from England in 1017, after his father's death.^{[78][notes 4]} Although Aldred, the Bishop of Worcester actually went to the Continent in search of Edward, Ian Walker, the biographer of King Harold Godwinson, feels that Stigand was behind the effort.^[78] In the end, although Edward did return to England, he died soon after his return, leaving a young son Edgar the Ætheling.^[80] Edward the Exile (1016 – February 1057), son of King Edmund Ironside and of Ealdgyth, gained the name of Exile from his life spent mostly far from the England of his forefathers. ... William I of England (1027[1] – 9 September 1087), also known as William the Conqueror (French: ), was Duke of Normandy from 1035 and King of England from 1066 to his death. ... Edward the Exile (1016–February 1057), also called Edward Ætheling, son of King Edmund Ironside and of Ealdgyth, gained the name of Exile from his life spent mostly far from the England of his forefathers. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Aldred, or Ealdred (d. ... The Bishop of Worcester is the ordinary in the see of Worcester and has his seat in Worcester Cathedral. ... Edgar (the) Ætheling[1], also known as Edgar the Outlaw (c. ...

Final years and legacy

Norman Conquest

King Edward, on his deathbed, left the crown to his brother-in-law Harold Godwinson, the son of Earl Godwin.^[80] Stigand performed the funeral services for Edward.^[81] Norman writers claimed that Stigand crowned Harold as king in January 1066.^[82] This is generally considered propaganda, and not true, as it was in William's interest to portray Harold as uncanonically crowned. If Harold was not properly crowned, then William was merely claiming his rightful inheritance, and not deposing a rightful king.^[83] The Bayeux Tapestry depicts Stigand at Harold's coronation, although not actually placing the crown on Harold's head.^[84] The English sources claim that Aldred, Archbishop of York, crowned Harold, while the Norman sources claim that Stigand did so, with the conflict between the various sources probably tracing to the post-Conquest desire to vilify Harold and depict his coronation as improper.^[68] Current historical research has shown that this ceremony was performed by Aldred, due to the controversy about Stigand's position.^[66][68][52] However, one historian, Pauline Stafford, theorizes that both archbishops may have consecrated Harold.^[85] Another historian, Frank Barlow, writing in 1979, felt that the fact that some of the English sources do not name who consecrated Harold "tip(s) the balance in favour of Stigand".^[86] Harold Godwinson (Haraldur Guðinason), or Harold II (c. ... The Bayeux Tapestry (French: Tapisserie de Bayeux) is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft) long embroidered cloth which depicts the events leading up to the 1066 Norman invasion of England as well as the events of the invasion itself. ... Aldred, or Ealdred (d. ... Arms of the Archbishop of York The Archbishop of York, Primate of England, is the metropolitan bishop of the Province of York, and is the junior of the two archbishops of the Church of England, after the Archbishop of Canterbury. ... Pauline Stafford is the Professor of Early Medieval History at Liverpool University in England. ... Frank Barlow (born 1911) is a British historian, known particularly for biographies of medieval figures. ...

Stigand did support Harold, and was present at Edward the Confessor's deathbed.^[87] Stigand's controversial position may have influenced Pope Alexander II's support of William the Conqueror's invasion of England.^[88][89] The reformers, led by Archdeacon Hildebrand, later Pope Gregory VII, opposed the older type of bishop, rich and installed by the lay powers.^[90] Alexander II (died April 21, 1073), born Anselmo da Baggio , Pope from 1061 to 1073, was a native of Milan. ... William I of England (1027[1] – 9 September 1087), also known as William the Conqueror (French: ), was Duke of Normandy from 1035 and King of England from 1066 to his death. ... Pope Gregory VII (c. ...

After the death of Harold at the Battle of Hastings, Stigand worked with Earl Edwin and Earl Morcar, as well as Archbishop Aldred of York, to put Edgar the Ætheling on the throne.^[91] This plan did not come to fruition, however, due to opposition from the northern earls and some of the other bishops.^[92] Stigand submitted to William the Conqueror at Wallingford in early December 1066,^[93][94] and assisted at his coronation on Christmas Day, 1066,^[92] although the actual coronation was performed by Aldred.^[95] William took Stigand with him to Normandy in 1067,^[96] although whether this was because William did not trust the archbishop, as the medieval chronicler William of Poitiers alleges, is not certain.^[97] Stigand was present at the coronation of William's queen, Matilda in 1068, although once more the ceremony was actually performed by Aldred.^[98] Belligerents Normans supported by: Bretons (one third of total), Flemings, French Anglo-Saxons, the Þingalið Commanders William of Normandy, Odo of Bayeux Harold Godwinson † Strength 7,400-8,400 (maximum 2,200 cavalry, 1,700 archers, 4,500 men-at-arms) 7,500 (2,000 housecarls, 5,500 fyrd) Casualties... Edwin (died 1070) was the elder brother of Morcar, Earl of Northumbria, son of Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia and nephew of Hereward. ... Morcar (or Morkere) (d. ... Aldred, or Ealdred (d. ... Edgar (the) Ætheling[1], also known as Edgar the Outlaw (c. ... Map sources for Wallingford at grid reference SU6089 Wallingford is a small town in Oxfordshire in southern England. ... For other uses, see Normandy (disambiguation). ... William of Pointers (c. ... Matilda of Flanders (c. ...

Deposition and death

William I, shown here from the Bayeux Tapestry, at first accepted Stigand's position, but later allowed papal legates to depose him.

After the first rebellions broke out in late 1067 William adopted a policy of conciliation towards the church. He gave Stigand a place at court, as well as giving administrative positions to Aldred of York and Aethelwig, abbot of Evesham.^[99] Archbishop Stigand appears on a number of royal charters in 1069, along with both Norman and English leaders.^[100] He even consecrated Remigius de Fécamp as Bishop of Dorcester in 1067.^[2] Once the danger of rebellion was past, however, William had no further need of Stigand.^[26] At a council held at Winchester at Easter 1070,^[101] the bishops met with papal legates from Alexander II.^[102] On 11 April 1070 Stigand was deposed^[39] by the papal legate, Ermenfrid, bishop of Sion in the Alps,^[50][103] and was imprisoned at Winchester. His brother Aethelmaer, bishop of Elmham, was also deposed at the same council. Shortly afterwards Aethelric bishop of Selsey, Ethelwin bishop of Durham and Leofwine bishop of Lichfield, who was married, were deposed at a council held at Windsor.^{[4][104][105]} There were three reasons given for Stigand's deposition: that he held the bishopric of Winchester in plurality with Canterbury; that he not only occupied Canterbury after Robert of Jumièges fled but also seized Robert's pallium which was left behind; and that he received his own pallium from Benedict X, an anti-pope.^[106][2] Some accounts state that Stigand did appear at the council which deposed him, but nothing is recorded of any defence that he attempted. The charges against his brother are nowhere stated, leading to a belief that the depositions were mainly political.^[105] That spring he had deposited his personal wealth at Ely Abbey for safekeeping,^[6] but King William confiscated it after his deposition, along with his estates.^[107] King William appointed Lanfranc, a native of Italy and a scholar and abbot in Normandy, as the new archbishop.^[108] Image File history File links William1. ... Image File history File links William1. ... Evesham Abbey was founded at Evesham in England following a vision of the Virgin Mary by Eof. ... Remigius de Fécamp, bishop of Dorchester 1070-1072, who then became the first bishop of Lincoln when in 1072 he and the king moved the seat of that bishopric to Lincoln, reconstituting it as the diocese of Lincoln. ... Arms of the Bishop of Lincoln The Bishop of Lincoln heads the Anglican Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury. ... Winchester is a historic city in southern England, with a population of around 40,000 within a 3 mile radius of its centre. ... Alexander II (died April 21, 1073), born Anselmo da Baggio , Pope from 1061 to 1073, was a native of Milan. ... Anthem Notre Valais (fr, de) Map of the modern diocese of Sion within Switzerland Capital Sion Language(s) French, Walser German Religion Roman Catholic Government Bishop  - before 381–391 St Theodore of Octodurus Prince-Bishop  - 998–1017 Hugo, Count of Valais (first Prince-Bishop)  - 1613–38 Hildebrand II Jost (last... Æthelric II ( - 1076?), Bishop of Selsey. ... Arms of the Bishop of Chichester The Bishop of Chichester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Chichester in the Province of Canterbury. ... Ethelwin was the last Anglo-Saxon bishop of Durham (1056-1071), the last who was not also a secular ruler, and the only English bishop at the time of the Norman Conquest who did not remain loyal to William the Conqueror. ... The Bishop of Durham is the officer of the Church of England responsible for the diocese of Durham, one of the oldest in the country. ... For other uses, see Leofwine. ... Arms of the Bishop of Lichfield The Bishop of Lichfield is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lichfield in the Province of Canterbury. ... Lanfranc (d. ...

King William appears to have left the initiative for Stigand's deposition to the papacy, and did nothing to hinder Stigand's authority until the papal legates arrived in England to depose the archbishop and reform the English Church. Besides witnessing charters and consecrating Remigius, Stigand appears to have been a member of the royal council, and able to move freely about the country. But after the arrival of the legates, William did nothing to protect Stigand from deposition, and the archbishop later accused the king of acting with bad faith.^[100] Stigand may even have been surprised that the legates wished him deposed.^[109] It was probably the death of Aldred in 1069 that moved the pope to send the legates, as that left only one archbishop in England; and he was not considered legitimate and unable to consecrate bishops.^[105]

Stigand died in 1072 ^[50] while still imprisoned,^[110] and his death was commemorated on 21 February or 22 February.^[50] Sometime between his deposition and his death the widow of King Edward and sister of King Harold, Edith of Wessex, visited him in his imprisonment and allegedly told him to take better care of himself.^[111] He was buried in the Old Minster at Westminster.^[2] Edith of Wessex, (c. ...

At King Edward's death, only the royal estates and the estates of Harold were larger and wealthier than those held by Stigand.^[112] Medieval writers condemned him for his greed and for his pluralism.^[2] Hugh the Chanter, a medieval chronicler, claimed that the confiscated wealth of Stigand helped keep King William on the throne.^[113] A recent study of his wealth and how it was earned, shows that while he did engage in some exploitative methods to gain some of his wealth, other lands were gained through inheritance or through royal favour.^[114] The same study shows little evidence that he despoiled his episcopal estates, although the record towards monastic houses is more suspect.^[115] There is no complaint in contemporary records about his private life, and the accusations that he committed simony and was illiterate only date from the 1100s.^[116] Hugh Sottovagina, (died c. ...

Although monastic chroniclers after the Norman Conquest accused him of crimes such as perjury and homicide, they do not provide any evidence of those crimes.^[117][118] Modern historians views tend to see him as either a wily politician and indifferent bishop, or to see him purely in terms of his ecclesiastical failings. The historian Frank Stenton felt that his "whole career shows that he was essentially a politician".^[119] Concurring with this, the historian Nick Higham said that "Stigand was a seasoned politician whose career had been built on an accurate reading of the balance of power."^[120] Another historian, Eric John, said that "Stigand had a fair claim to be the worst bishop of Christendom".^[121] However, the historian Frank Barlow felt that "he was a man of cultured tastes, a patron of the arts who was generous to the monasteries which he held".^[54] Sir Frank Merry Stenton (1880–September 15, 1967) was a noted 20th century historian of Anglo-Saxon England. ...

Notes

1. ^ Harold Harefoot and Harthacanute were half-brothers, both being sons of Canute, but by different mothers – Harold's was Ælfgifu, Harthacanute's was Emma of Normandy. Harthacanute and Edward the Confessor were half-brothers, both being sons of Emma of Normandy, by different fathers – Harthacanute's being Canute and Edward's being Æthelred the Unready, the king whom Canute had overthrown. Thus, while Harthacanute was related to both his predecessor and successor, Harold Harefoot and Edward were not closely related.^[12]
2. ^ It was so poor that later, under successive bishops, the seat of the bishopric was moved first to Thetford, and then to Norwich.^[17]
3. ^ Magnus was the son of St. Olaf of Norway, and his claim to the English throne came from a treaty Harthacanute and Magnus signed around 1038 that provided that if either of the two should die without heirs, the other would inherit their kingdom.^[21]
4. ^ Edmund Ironside was the elder half-brother of Edward the Confessor; both were sons of Æthelred, with Edmund being the son of Ælfgifu, and Edward being the son of Emma of Normandy. Edmund Ironside had two sons, Edward the Exile and Edmund, who probably died while young in exile. Edward the Exile married while in exile and was the father of Edgar the Ætheling and Margaret of England, the wife of King Malcolm III of Scotland.^[79]

Edward the Exile (1016 – February 1057), son of King Edmund Ironside and of Ealdgyth, gained the name of Exile from his life spent mostly far from the England of his forefathers. ... Edgar (the) Ætheling[1], also known as Edgar the Outlaw (c. ... Margaret of England, Queen Consort of Alexander III of Scotland (b. ... Máel Coluim mac Donnchada (anglicised Malcolm III) (1030x1038–13 November 1093) was King of Scots. ...

Footnotes