Saint Dunstan
Archbishop of Canterbury
Dunstan in The Little Lives of the Saints, illustrated by Charles Robinson in 1904.
Enthroned	{{{began}}}
Ended	988
Predecessor	Birthelm
Successor	Æthelgar
Consecration	959
Birth name	Dunstan
Born	c. Birthelm, (or Beorhthelm or Byrhthelm) was the bishop of Wells and was appointed to be the 27th Archbishop of Canterbury in 959 Æthelgar was Archbishop of Canterbury, and previously Bishop of Selsey. 909 Baltonsborough
Died	19 May 988 Canterbury
Buried	Canterbury Cathedral

Sainthood
Venerated in	Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion
Major shrine	Canterbury Cathedral (but also claimed by Glastonbury Abbey), both destroyed
Commemorated	19 May
Attributes	man holding a pair of smith's tongs; with a dove hovering near him; with a troop of angels before him
Patronage	blacksmiths; Charlottetown, Canada; goldsmiths; locksmiths; musicians; silversmiths
Saints Portal

Dunstan (c. Baltonsborough is a village and Civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and Events By Place Africa Al-Azhar University is founded in Cairo, Egypt (the second oldest university in the world Canterbury ( ˈkæntəbɹ̩i is a City in eastern Kent in the South East region of England. Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a In Christianity, veneration ( Latin veneratio, Greek &delta&omicron&upsilon&lambda&iota&alpha dulia) or veneration of saints The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world See also Anglicanism The Anglican Communion is an international association of national Anglican churches A shrine, from the Latin scrinium (‘box’ also used as a desk like the French bureau) was originally a container usually made of precious materials used Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a Glastonbury Abbey, founded in the seventh century was a rich and powerful monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the formal process between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded The Calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a Liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more Saints Christianity has used symbols from its very beginnings Each Saint has a story and a reason why he or she led an exemplary life The patron saint of a particular group of people is a Saint who would protect and 'love' the group and its members 909–19 May 988) was an abbot of Glastonbury, a bishop of Worcester, a bishop of London, and an archbishop of Canterbury who was later canonized as a saint. Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and Events By Place Africa Al-Azhar University is founded in Cairo, Egypt (the second oldest university in the world The word abbot, meaning Father, is a title given to the head of a Monastery in various traditions including Christianity. Glastonbury Abbey, founded in the seventh century was a rich and powerful monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. The Bishop of Worcester heads the Church of England Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury in England. The Bishop of London is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the chief bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Canonization is the act by which a particular Christian church declares a deceased person to be a Saint and is included in the canon or list of recognized saints A saint (from the Latin sanctus) is a human being to whom has been attributed (and who has generally demonstrated a high level of Holiness and Sanctity ^[1] His work restored monastic life in England and reformed the English Church. His 11th century biographer, Osbern, himself an artist and scribe, states that Dunstan was skilled in "making a picture and forming letters", as were other clergy of his age who reached senior rank. Osbern (c 1050-c 1090 was a Roman Catholic Hagiographer, sometimes confused with Osbert de Clare, alias Osbern de Westminster ^[2]

Dunstan served as an important minister of state to several English kings. He was the most popular saint in England for nearly two centuries, having gained fame for the many stories of his greatness. ^[3] Adding to Dunstan's myth was his legendary cunning in dealing with the Devil. mainstream Christianity, the Devil is named Satan, sometimes Lucifer.

Contents 1 Early life (909-43) 1.1 Birth 1.2 School to the king's court 2 Monk, abbot, and bishop (943-60) 2.1 Life as a monk 2.2 Abbot of Glastonbury 2.3 Changes in fortune 3 Archbishop of Canterbury (960–78) 4 Final years (978–88) 5 Legacy 6 See also 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External links

Early life (909-43)

Birth

Dunstan was born in Baltonsborough. Baltonsborough is a village and Civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. ^[4] He was the son of Heorstan, a noble of Wessex. West Saxon redirects here For other meanings of Wessex or West Saxon see Wessex (disambiguation. Heorstan was the brother of the bishops of Wells and of Winchester. The Bishop of Bath and Wells heads the Church of England Diocese of Bath and Wells in the Province of Canterbury in England. See also List of bishops of Winchester The Bishop of Winchester is the head of the Church of England ^[5] It is recorded his mother, Cynethryth, was a pious woman. Osbern relates that a messenger miraculously told her of the saintly child she would give birth:

“

She was in the church of St Mary on Candleday, when all the lights were suddenly extinguished. Osbern (c 1050-c 1090 was a Roman Catholic Hagiographer, sometimes confused with Osbert de Clare, alias Osbern de Westminster Then the candle held by Cynethryth was as suddenly relighted, and all present lit their candles at this miraculous flame, thus foreshadowing that the boy 'would be the minister of eternal light' to the Church of England. [3]

”

The anonymous author of the earliest Life places Dunstan's birth during the reign of Athelstan, while Osbern fixed it at "the first year of the reign of King Æthelstan", 924 or 925. Hagiography ( is the study of Saints. A hagiography, from Greek (hağios (ἅγιος "holy" or "saint" and graphē (γραφή This date, however, cannot be reconciled with other known dates of Dunstan's life and creates many obvious anachronisms. An anachronism (from the Greek "ana" " ανά " "against anti-" and "chronos" " χρόνος " Historians therefore assume that Dunstan was born circa 910 or earlier. Circa (often abbreviated c, ca, ca or cca and sometimes Italicized to show it is Latin) means "about" ^[6]

School to the king's court

As a young boy, Dunstan studied under the Irish monks who then occupied the ruins of Glastonbury abbey. Irish and Scottish missionaries (Iro-Scottish Hiberno-Scottish were instrumental in the spread of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England and the Glastonbury Abbey, founded in the seventh century was a rich and powerful monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. ^[7] Accounts tell of his youthful optimism and of his vision of the abbey being restored. While still a boy, Dunstan was stricken with a near-fatal illness and effected a seemingly miraculous recovery. Even as a child, he was noted for his devotion to learning and for his mastery of many kinds of artistic craftsmanship. With his parent's consent he was tonsured, received minor orders and served in the ancient church of St Mary. Tonsure is the practice of some Christian churches mystics Buddhist novices and Monks and some Hindu temples of cutting the Hair from the The minor orders are the lowest ranks in the Christian clergy. He became so well known for his devotion to learning that he is said to have been summoned by his uncle Athelm, the archbishop of Canterbury, to enter his service. Athelm or Æthelhelm was an English churchman who was the first Bishop of Wells, and later Archbishop of Canterbury. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the chief bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the ^[3] He was later appointed to the court of King Athelstan. ^[8]

Dunstan soon became a favourite of the king and was the envy of other members of the court. In historical writings when used in reference to a person favourite ( British English and the English of Commonwealth Countries or favorite ( American ^[3] A plot was hatched to disgrace him and Dunstan was accused of being involved with witchcraft and black magic. Witchcraft, in various historical anthropological religious and mythological contexts is the use of certain kinds of Supernatural or magical powers Black magic or dark magic is a form of sorcery that draws on malevolent powers ^[1] The king ordered him to leave the court and as Dunstan was leaving the palace his enemies physically attacked him, beat him severely, bound him, and threw him into a cesspool. A cesspit, or cesspool, is a pit conservancy tank or covered Cistern, which can be used for Sewage or Refuse. ^[9] He managed to crawl out and make his way to the house of a friend. From there, he journeyed to Winchester and entered the service of his uncle, Ælfheah, bishop of Winchester. Saint Alphege the Bald is the commonly used name for Ælfheah the Bald (died 12 March 951) the first Anglo-Saxon Bishop ^[3]

The bishop tried to persuade him to become a monk, but Dunstan was doubtful whether he had a vocation to a celibate life. MONK is a Monte Carlo software package for simulating nuclear processes particularly for the purpose of determining the neutron multiplication factor or k-effective Clerical celibacy is the practice in various religious traditions, in which Clergy, Monastics and those (of either sex in religious orders adopt a The answer came in the form of an attack of swelling tumours all over Dunstan's body. This ailment was so severe that it was thought to be leprosy. Leprosy (from the Greek lepi (λέπι meaning scales on a fish or Hansen's disease, is a chronic disease caused by the bacterium ^[3] It was more probably some form of blood poisoning caused by being beaten and thrown in the cesspool. Bacteremia ( Bacteræmia in British English is the presence of bacteria in the Blood. ^[9] Whatever the cause, it changed Dunstan's mind. He took Holy Orders in 943, in the presence of Ælfheah, and returned to live the life of a hermit at Glastonbury. In a general sense the term Holy Orders refers to those in the Christian religion who have been ordained in Apostolic Succession. ^[3] Against the old church of St Mary he built a small cell five feet long and two and a half feet deep. It was there that Dunstan studied, worked at his handicrafts, and played on his harp. ^[3] It is at this point that, according to a late 11th century legend, that the Devil is said to have tempted Dunstan and to have been held by the face with Dunstan's tongs. mainstream Christianity, the Devil is named Satan, sometimes Lucifer. ^[9]

Monk, abbot, and bishop (943-60)

Life as a monk

Dunstan worked as a silversmith and in the scriptorium while he was living at Glastonbury. A silversmith is a person who works primarily making objects in solid Silver; historically the training and guild organization of Goldsmiths included silversmiths Scriptorium, literally "a place for writing" is commonly used to refer to a room in medieval European Monasteries devoted to the copying of manuscripts by monastic It is thought likely that he was the artist who drew the well-known image of Christ with a small kneeling monk beside him in the Glastonbury Classbook, "one of the first of a series of outline drawings which were to become a special feature of Anglo-Saxon art of this period. "^[2] Dunstan became famous as a musician, illuminator, and metalworker. ^[8] Lady Æthelflaed, King Æthelstan's niece, made Dunstan a trusted adviser and on her death she left a considerable fortune to him. ^[3] He used this money later in life to foster and encourage a monastic revival in England. About the same time, his father Heorstan died and Dunstan inherited his fortune as well. He became a person of great influence, and on the death of King Æthelstan in 940, the new King, Edmund, summoned him to his court at Cheddar and made him a minister. Edmund I (or Eadmund) 922 &ndash May 26 946) called the Elder, the Deed-Doer, the Just or the Magnificent Cheddar is a large Village and Civil parish in the district of Sedgemoor in the English county of Somerset. ^[1]

Again, royal favour fostered jealousy among other courtiers and again Dunstan's enemies succeeded in their plots. The king was prepared to send Dunstan away. ^[3] There were then at Cheddar certain envoys from the "Eastern Kingdom", which probably meant East Anglia. East Anglia is often used as a shorthand for the Kingdom of the East Angles. Dunstan implored the envoys to take him with them when they returned to their homes. They agreed to do so, but it never happened. The story is recorded:

“

. . . the king rode out to hunt the stag in Mendip Forest. He became separated from his attendants and followed a stag at great speed in the direction of the Cheddar cliffs. The stag rushed blindly over the precipice and was followed by the hounds. Eadmund endeavoured vainly to stop his horse; then, seeing death to be imminent, he remembered his harsh treatment of St Dunstan and promised to make amends if his life was spared. At that moment his horse was stopped on the very edge of the cliff. Giving thanks to God, he returned forthwith to his palace, called for St. Dunstan and bade him follow, then rode straight to Glastonbury. Entering the church, the king first knelt in prayer before the altar, then, taking St. Dunstan by the hand, he gave him the kiss of peace, led him to the abbot's throne and, seating him thereon, promised him all assistance in restoring Divine worship and regular observance. The word abbot, meaning Father, is a title given to the head of a Monastery in various traditions including Christianity. [3]

”

Abbot of Glastonbury

Dunstan, now abbot of Glastonbury, went to work at once on the task of reform. ^[1] He had to re-create monastic life and to rebuild the abbey. He began by establishing Benedictine monasticism at Glastonbury. ^[8] That the Rule of St. Benedict was the basis of his restoration is not only definitely stated by his first biographer, who knew Dunstan well, but it is also in accordance with the nature of his first measures as abbot, with the significance of his first buildings, and with the Benedictine leanings of his most prominent disciples. ^[3]

Dunstan's first care was to rebuild the church of St. Peter, rebuild the cloister, and re-establish the monastic enclosure. The secular affairs of the house were committed to his brother; Wulfric, "so that neither himself nor any of the professed monks might break enclosure. "^[3] A school for the local youth was founded and soon became the most famous of its time in England. ^[8] A substantial extension of the irrigation system on the surrounding Somerset Levels was also completed. The Somerset Levels (or Somerset Levels and Moors as they are less commonly but more correctly called is a sparsely populated Wetland area of central Somerset

Within two years after the appointment, in 946, King Edmund was assassinated. His successor was Edred. King Edred, also known as Eadred or Aedred (c 923 &ndash 23 November, 955) known as 'weak-in-the-feet' was King The policy of the new government was supported by the Queen Mother, Edgiva of Kent, by the primate, Oda, and by the East Anglian nobles, at whose head was the powerful ealdorman Æthelstan the "Half-king". Queen mother is a title or position reserved for a widowed Queen consort (a Queen dowager) whose son or daughter from that marriage is the reigning monarch Edgiva of Kent, or also Eadgifu (died August 25, 968) was the third wife of Edward the Elder, King of England. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the chief bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Saint Oda or Odo, called the Good or the Severe (d 958 was a 10th-century Archbishop of Canterbury in England An ealdorman (modern Alderman) was the prior magistrate of an Anglo-Saxon shire from 900 to the time of the Danes. Æthelstan (died after 957 commonly called Æthelstan Half-King, was Ealdorman of East Anglia and the leading member of a very prominent Anglo-Saxon It was a policy of unification and conciliation with the Danish half of the kingdom. ^[7] The goal was a firm establishment of the royal authority. In ecclesiastical matters it favoured the spread of Catholic observance, the rebuilding of churches, the moral reform of the clergy and laity, and the end of the religion of the Danes in England. As a Christian Ecclesiastical term Catholic —from the Greek adjective, meaning "general" or "universal"—is described Norse mythology comprises the indigenous pre-Christian religion, beliefs and Legends of the Scandinavian peoples including those who settled on Iceland ^[9] Against all these reforms were the nobles of Wessex, which included most of the Dunstan's own relatives, who had an interest in maintaining established customs. ^[3] For nine years Dunstan's influence was dominant, during which time he twice refused the office of bishop (that of Winchester in 951 and Crediton in 953), affirming that he would not leave the king's side so long as the king lived and he needed him. The Bishop of Exeter is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Exeter ^[8]

Changes in fortune

In 955, Edred died, and the situation was at once changed. Edwy, the elder son of Edmund, who then came to the throne, was a headstrong youth who was wholly devoted to the reactionary nobles. Edwy All-Fair or Eadwig (941?&ndash October 1, 959) was the King of England from 955 until his death According to one legend, the feud with Dunstan began on the day of Edwy's coronation, when he failed to attend a meeting of nobles. When Dunstan eventually found the young monarch, he was cavorting with a noblewoman named Ælfgifu, and her mother, and refused to return with the bishop. Infuriated by this, Dunstan dragged Edwy back and forced him to renounce the girl as a "strumpet. " Later realizing that he had provoked the king, Dunstan fled to the apparent sanctuary of his cloister, but Edwy, incited by Ælfgifu, whom he married, followed him and plundered the monastery. ^[3]

Though Dunstan managed to escape, he saw that his life was threatened. He fled England and crossed the channel to Flanders, where he found himself ignorant of the language and of the customs of the locals. ^[8] The count of Flanders, Arnulf I, received him with honour and lodged him in the Abbey of Mont Blandin, near Ghent. counts of Flanders were the Rulers over the county of Flanders from the 9th century until the abolition of the Countship by the French revolutionaries Arnulf I of Flanders (c 890 &ndash March 28, 965) called the Great, was the third Count of Flanders. Ghent (ˈɡɛnt Gent ʝɛnt in Dutch, Gand in French, and formerly Gaunt in English) is a City and a ^[3] This was one of the centres of the Benedictine revival in that country, and Dunstan was able for the first time to observe the strict observance that had seen its rebirth at Cluny at the beginning of the century. The Abbey of Cluny (or Cluni, or Clugny, pronunciation klyˈni is an abbey in France. His exile was not of long duration. Before the end of 957, the Mercians and Northumbrians revolted and drove out Edwy, choosing his brother Edgar as king of the country north of the Thames. Mercia (ˈmɝsiə was one of the kingdoms of the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy. Edgar I the Peaceful or the Peaceable (c 7 August 943&ndash8 July 975 1 ^[7] The south remained faithful to Edwy. At once Edgar's advisers recalled Dunstan. ^[8] On his return, the archbishop consecrated Dunstan a bishop and, on the death of Coenwald of Worcester at the end of 957, Oda appointed Dunstan to that see. Koenwald ( Floruit 929&ndash958 (Cenwald Coenwald was an Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Worcester of Mercian origins The Diocese of Worcester forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England. ^[10]

In the following year the See of London became vacant and was conferred on Dunstan, who held it in conjunction with Worcester. The Diocese of London forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England. ^[1][10] In October 959, Edwy died and his brother Edgar was readily accepted as ruler of Wessex. One of the last acts of Edwy had been to appoint a successor to Archbishop Oda, who died on 2 June 958. Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks Events By Place Asia King Kshemgupta of Kashmir dies and is succeeded by his young son Abhimanyu First he appointed Aelfsige of Winchester, but he perished of cold in the Alps as he journeyed to Rome for the pallium. Aelfsige I (or Ælfsige) ( fl 951-959 was Bishop of Winchester before he became Archbishop of Canterbury in 959 The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, commonly known as the Pope, and is the preeminent Episcopal see of the Roman Catholic This article refers to the religious garment called a "pallium" In his place Edwy nominated Birthelm, the bishop of Wells. Birthelm, (or Beorhthelm or Byrhthelm) was the bishop of Wells and was appointed to be the 27th Archbishop of Canterbury in 959 As soon as Edgar became king he reversed this act on the ground that Brithelm had not been able to govern even his former diocese properly. ^[3] The archbishopric was then conferred on Dunstan. ^[8]

Archbishop of Canterbury (960–78)

Dunstan himself went to Rome in 960, and received the pallium from Pope John XII. John XII (c 937&ndash May 14, 964) was Pope from December 16, 955 to May 14, 964. ^[1] On his journey there, Dunstan's charities were so lavish as to leave nothing for himself and his attendants. His steward complained, but Dunstan seems to have suggested that they trust in Jesus Christ. Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed "

On his return from Rome, Dunstan at once regained his position as virtual prime minister of the kingdom. This article is about the government position For other uses see Prime Minister (disambiguation. By his advice Ælfstan was appointed to the Bishopric of London, and Oswald to that of Worcester. Saint Oswald of Worcester (died 29 February 992 was Archbishop of York from 972 to his death in 992 In 963, Æthelwold, the abbot of Abingdon, was appointed to the See of Winchester. Saint Æthelwold of Winchester (also spelled Aethelwald, Ethelwold, etc (909-984 was a 10th century Bishop of Winchester and leader of the monastic Abingdon Abbey was a Benedictine monastery located in Abingdon, historically in the county of Berkshire but now in Oxfordshire With their aid and with the ready support of King Edgar, Dunstan pushed forward his reforms in the English Church. ^[1] The monks in his communities were taught to live in a spirit of self-sacrifice, and Dunstan actively enforced the law of celibacy whenever possible. ^[11] He forbade the practices of simony (selling ecclesiastical offices for money) and ended the custom of clerics appointing relatives to offices under their jurisdiction. Simony is the Ecclesiastical crime of paying for Holy offices or positions in the hierarchy of a church named after Simon Magus, who appears in the A cleric ( Ancient Greek κληρικός - klērikos clergyman (pl Monasteries were built, and in some of the great cathedrals, monks took the place of the secular canons; in the rest the canons were obliged to live according to rule. A canon (from the Latin canonicus, itself derived from the Greek κανωνικος 'relating to a rule' is a priest who is a member of certain bodies of the The parish priests were compelled to be qualified for their office; they were urged to teach parishioners not only the truths of the Christian faith, but also trades to improve their position. ^[9] The State saw reforms as well. ^[8] Throughout the realm there was good order maintained and respect for law. Trained bands policed the north, a navy guarded the shores from Viking raids. There was a level of peace in the kingdom that was not within living memory. ^[3]

In 973, Dunstan's statesmanship reached its zenith when he performed the solemn coronation of King Edgar. Edgar was crowned at Bath in an imperial ceremony planned not as the initiation, but as the culmination of his reign (a move that must have taken a great deal of preliminary diplomacy). ^[12] This service, devised by Dunstan himself and celebrated with a poem in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle forms the basis of the present-day British coronation ceremony. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a collection of Annals in Old English chronicling the history of the Anglo-Saxons. The Coronation of the British Monarch is a Ceremony (specifically Initiation rite) in which the Monarch of the United Kingdom and of the other ^[12] There was a second symbolic coronation held later. This was an important step, as other kings of Britain came and gave their allegiance to Edgar at Chester. Chester is the County town of Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77040 ^[13] Six kings in Britain, including the kings of Scotland and of Strathclyde, pledged their faith that they would be the king's liege-men on sea and land. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Strathclyde ( Srath Chluaidh in Gaelic, meaning "valley of the River Clyde" is a Historic subdivision of Scotland, and was one of the regional

Two years after his crowning Edgar died, and was succeeded by his eldest son Eadweard II. Edward the Martyr or Eadweard II (c 962&ndash 18 March 978) was King of England from 975 until he was murdered in 978 ^[8] His accession was disputed by his stepmother, Ælfthryth, who wished her own son Ethelred to reign. Ælfthryth (c 945-1000 also Alfrida, Elfrida or Elfthryth) was the second or third wife of King Edgar of England. Ethelred II ( c. 968 – 23 April 1016 also known as Æthelred II, Aethelred II, Ethelred the Unready, Æthelred the Unready Through the influence of Dunstan, Eadward was chosen and crowned at Winchester. ^[1] The death of Edgar had given courage to the reactionary nobles. At once there was a determined attack upon the monks, the protagonists of reform. Throughout Mercia they were persecuted and deprived of their possessions. Their cause, however, was supported by Æthelwine, the ealdorman of East Anglia, and the realm was in serious danger of civil war. Æthelstan (died after 957 commonly called Æthelstan Half-King, was Ealdorman of East Anglia and the leading member of a very prominent Anglo-Saxon Three meetings of the Witan were held to settle these disputes, at Kyrtlington, at Calne, and at Amesbury. The Witenagemot or the Witena gemot (ˈwɪtənəgɪˌməʊt also known as the Witan (more properly the title of its members was a political institution in History See also History of Oxfordshire The county of Oxfordshire was formed in the early years of the 10th century and is broadly situated in the Calne is a Town in central Wiltshire, England. It is situated at the southern extreme of the county's North Wiltshire * local government district Amesbury is a Town and Civil parish in the English county of Wiltshire, eight miles north of Salisbury. At the second place the floor of the hall where the Witan was sitting gave way, and all except Dunstan, who clung to a beam, fell into the room below, several men were killed. ^[3]

Final years (978–88)

In March 978, King Eadweard was assassinated at Corfe Castle, possibly at the instigation of his stepmother, and Ethelred the Unready became king. Corfe Castle is a Village, Civil parish and ruined Castle, in the English county of Dorset. Ethelred II ( c. 968 – 23 April 1016 also known as Æthelred II, Aethelred II, Ethelred the Unready, Æthelred the Unready His coronation on Low Sunday 31st March, 978, was the last action of the state in which Dunstan took part. The Octave Day of Easter, sometimes known as Low Sunday (and also known historically as White Sunday Whitsunday St ^[3] When the young king took the usual oath to govern well, Dunstan addressed him in solemn warning, criticizing the violent act whereby he became king and prophesying the misfortunes that were shortly to fall on the kingdom. ^[12] But Dunstan's influence at court was ended. ^[8] Dunstan retired to Canterbury to teach at the cathedral school. ^[1]

Only three more public acts are known. In 980, Dunstan joined Ælfhere of Mercia in the solemn translation of the relics of King Eadward II, soon to be known as St Edward the Martyr, from their grave at Wareham to a shrine at Shaftesbury Abbey. Ælfhere ( Floruit 956&ndash983 was Ealdorman of Mercia. His family along with those of Æthelstan Half-King and Æthelstan Rota Edward the Martyr or Eadweard II (c 962&ndash 18 March 978) was King of England from 975 until he was murdered in 978 Wareham is a historic Market town and under the name Wareham Town, a Civil parish, in the English county of Dorset. Shaftesbury Abbey was an abbey that housed nuns in Shaftesbury, Dorset. In 984, when in obedience to a vision of St Andrew, he persuaded King Ethelred to appoint Ælfheah as bishop of Winchester in succession to Æthelwold. Saint Alphege (also spelt "Alfege" is the commonly used name for Ælfheah (954 &ndash 19 April 1012 an Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Winchester In 986, when he induced the king, by a donation of 100 pounds of silver, to stop his persecution of the see of Rochester. The Diocese of Rochester is ancient having been established in 604; only the neighbouring Diocese of Canterbury is older in the Church of England ^[3]

Dunstan's retirement at Canterbury consisted of long hours, both day and night, spent in private prayer, besides his regular attendance at Mass and the daily office. Canonical hours are divisions of time developed by the Christian Church, serving as increments between the prescribed Prayers of the daily round He would visit the shrines of St Augustine and St Æthelberht, and there are reports of a vision of angels who sang to him heavenly canticles. Augustine of Canterbury OSB (born c first third of the 6th century - died 26 May 604 was a Benedictine Monk who became the first Archbishop Æthelberht (also Æthelbert, Aethelberht, Aethelbert, or Ethelbert) (c ^[3] He worked to improve the spiritual and temporal well-being of his people, to build and restore churches, to establish schools, to judge suits, to defend widows and orphans, to promote peace, and to enforce respect for purity. ^[7] He practised his crafts, made bells and organs and corrected the books in the cathedral library. He encouraged and protected scholars of Europe who came to England, and was active as a teacher of boys in the cathedral school. On the vigil of Ascension Day 988, it is recorded that a vision of angels warned he would die in three days. The general and most common understanding of the Christian Doctrine of Ascension holds that Jesus bodily ascended to Heaven in the presence ^[3] On the feast day itself, Dunstan said Mass and preached three times to the people: at the Gospel, at the benediction, and after the Agnus Dei. The Mass is the Eucharistic celebration in the Latin liturgical rites of the Roman Catholic Church. A benediction ( Latin: bene, well + dicere, to speak is a short Invocation for divine help Blessing and guidance usually at the Agnus Dei is a Latin term meaning Lamb of God, and was originally used to refer to Jesus Christ in his role of the perfect sacrificial In this last address, he announced his impending death and wished them well. ^[14] That afternoon he chose the spot for his tomb, then went to his bed. His strength failed rapidly, and on Saturday morning, 19 May, he caused the clergy to assemble. Mass was celebrated in his presence, then he received Extreme Unction and the Viaticum, and died. Anointing of the Sick is the ritual anointing of a sick person and is a Sacrament of the Catholic Church. Viaticum is the term the Catholic Church and some Anglo Catholic Anglicans uses for the Eucharist (Communion given to a dying person Dunstan's final words are reported to be, "He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: He hath given food to them that fear Him. "^[3]

The English people accepted him as a saint shortly thereafter. A saint (from the Latin sanctus) is a human being to whom has been attributed (and who has generally demonstrated a high level of Holiness and Sanctity He was formally canonized in 1029. Canonization is the act by which a particular Christian church declares a deceased person to be a Saint and is included in the canon or list of recognized saints That year at the Synod of Winchester, St Dunstan's feast was ordered to be kept solemnly throughout England. ^[3]

Legacy

Until St Thomas Becket’s fame overshadowed Dunstan's, he was the favourite saint of the English people. St Thomas Becket (c 1118 &ndash December 29, 1170) was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 to 1170 Dunstan had been buried in his Cathedral; and when that building was destroyed by a fire in 1074, his relics were translated by archbishop Lanfranc to a tomb on the south side of the high altar in the rebuilt Canterbury Cathedral. Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a Lanfranc (c 1005 – 1089 was Archbishop of Canterbury, and a Lombard by extraction Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a ^[3]

The monks of Glastonbury used to claim that during the sack of Canterbury by the Danes in 1012, Dunstan's body had been carried for safety to their abbey. George Cruikshank ( September 27, 1792 — February 1, 1878) was an English Caricaturist and book illustrator praised as A Viking is one of the Norse ( Scandinavian Explorers Warriors Merchants, and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas This story was disproved by Archbishop William Warham, who opened the tomb at Canterbury in 1508. William Warham (c 1450 &ndash August 22 1532) Archbishop of Canterbury, belonged to a Hampshire family and was educated at Winchester They found Dunstan's relics still to be there at that time. Within a century, his shrine was destroyed during the English Reformation. The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th century England by which the Church of England first broke away from the authority of the Pope ^[3]

He functions as the patron saint of goldsmiths, as he worked as a blacksmith, painter, and jeweller. The patron saint of a particular group of people is a Saint who would protect and 'love' the group and its members A goldsmith is a Metalworker who specializes in working with Gold and other Precious metals usually in modern times to make Jewelry. blacksmith is a person who creates objects from Iron or Steel by Forging the Metal; i Painting (pān'tīng in Art, is the practice of applying Color to a Surface (support base such as e Jewellery (also spelled jewelry, see spelling differences) is a personal Ornament, such as a necklace ring or bracelet made from Gemstones St Dunstan's - the charity providing support, rehabilitation and respite care to blind ex-service personnel of the British Armed Forces - is named for him. St Dunstan's is a charity providing support rehabilitation and respite care to blind ex-service personnel of the British Armed Forces. The definition of charitable organization, and of charity varies according to the country and in some instances the region of the country in which the charitable organization operates The Armed forces of the United Kingdom, commonly known as the British Armed Forces or Her Majesty's Armed Forces, and sometimes legally the Armed Forces Many churches all over the world are named for him as well. St Dunstan's, Mayfield, St Dunstan's, Stepney, St Dunstan-in-the-East, London, and St Dunstan-in-the-West, London are four of the more famous ones in England. St Dunstan's Mayfield was founded in 960 CE by St Dunstan, who was then Archbishop of Canterbury. Located in Stepney High Street St Dunstan's Stepney is an Anglican Church which stands on a site which has been used for Christian worship for St Dunstan-in-the-East was an Anglican church located on St Dunstan's Hill half way between London Bridge and the Tower of London in the City The church of St Dunstan-in-the-West is in Fleet Street in London.

English literature contains many references to him, for example in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and in this folk rhyme:

St Dunstan, as the story goes,

Once pull'd the devil by the nose

With red-hot tongs, which made him roar,

That he was heard three miles or more. The term English literature refers to Literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by Writers not necessarily from A Christmas Carol in Prose Being a Ghost Story of Christmas (commonly known as A Christmas Carol) is a Novella by Charles Dickens ^[15]

From this the tongs have become a symbol of St Dunstan and are featured in the arms of Tower Hamlets. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets ( is a London borough to the east of the City of London, England and north of the River Thames in East

Another story relates how Dunstan nailed a horseshoe to the Devil's hoof when he was asked to re-shoe the Devil's horse. This caused the Devil great pain, and Dunstan only agreed to remove the shoe and release the Devil after he promised never to enter a place where a horseshoe is over the door. This is claimed as the origin of the lucky horseshoe.

The Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Anglican Communion mark his feast day on May 19. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world See also Anglicanism The Anglican Communion is an international association of national Anglican churches The Calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a Liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more Saints Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and ^[1]

See also

• List of bishops of Worcester

References

Further reading

• Dales, Douglas, Dunstan: Saint and Statesman, Cambridge: Lutterworth Press, 1988.
• Duckett, Eleanor. Saint Dunstan of Canterbury (1955).
• Dunstan, St. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 vols. Gale Research, 1998.
• Knowles, David. The Monastic Orders in England (1940; 2d ed. 1963).
• Ramsay, Nigel St Dunstan: his Life, Times, and Cult, Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK; Rochester, NY: Boydell Press, 1992.
• Sayles, G. O. , The Medieval Foundations of England (1948; 2d ed. 1950).

External links

• Early British Kingdoms: St Dunstan
• The True Legend of St. Dunstan and the Devil by Edward G. Flight, illustrated by George Cruikshank, published in 1871, and available from Project Gutenberg
• Early British Kingdoms: St. Dunstan enshrined at Glastonbury or Canterbury?
• Prosopography of Anglo Saxon England: Dunstan

Roman Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Koenwald	Bishop of Worcester 957-9	Succeeded by Oswald of Worcester
Preceded by Brithelmus	Bishop of London 958–9	Succeeded by Oelfstan
Preceded by Birthelm	Archbishop of Canterbury 959–88	Succeeded by Æthelgar

Persondata
NAME	Dunstan
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Saint Dunstan; St Dunstan
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Archbishop of Canterbury
DATE OF BIRTH	c. George Cruikshank ( September 27, 1792 — February 1, 1878) was an English Caricaturist and book illustrator praised as Project Gutenberg, abbreviated as PG, is a volunteer effort to Digitize, archive and distribute Cultural works Koenwald ( Floruit 929&ndash958 (Cenwald Coenwald was an Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Worcester of Mercian origins The Bishop of Worcester heads the Church of England Diocese of Worcester in the Province of Canterbury in England. Saint Oswald of Worcester (died 29 February 992 was Archbishop of York from 972 to his death in 992 Brithelmus or Beorhthelm was Bishop of London from before 950 to 959 The Bishop of London is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury. Oelfstan (or Ælfstan or Aelfstan) was Bishop of London from 961 to between 995 and 996 Birthelm, (or Beorhthelm or Byrhthelm) was the bishop of Wells and was appointed to be the 27th Archbishop of Canterbury in 959 The Archbishop of Canterbury is the chief bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Æthelgar was Archbishop of Canterbury, and previously Bishop of Selsey. 909
PLACE OF BIRTH	Baltonsborough, England
DATE OF DEATH	19 May 988
PLACE OF DEATH	Canterbury, England

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