Ceolwulf of Northumbria

Ceolwulf (also Ceolwulfus, Ceolulf, Ceoluulf, Ceolf, Ciolwulf; * 700, † January 15 764 in Lindisfarne ) was in the years 729-737 King of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria. He is considered a saint.

Life

Family

Ceolwulf was the son of Cuthwine. He led his origin on Ocga, a son of the dynasty 's founder Ida ( 547-559/560 ), back and thus belonged to a collateral branch of the Northumbrian royal house. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle referred to as the son of Ceolwulf Cutha and grandchildren Cuthwines.

Rule

Until 716 the descendants Æthelrics ( 568-572 ) had ruled in Northumbria. After the death Osreds I. ( 706-716 ) was the kingdom over to Ceolwulfs older brother Cenred ( 716-718 ) out of the house Ocga. After his death followed Osric ( 718-729 ) on the throne, the younger brother Osreds I probably was. While Osric's reign lived Ceolwulf possibly in exile. Osric certain shortly before his violent death on May 9, 729 Ceolwulf, the brother of his predecessor Cenred out of the house Occa ( ​​Ocga ), which thus finally inherited the previous dynasty, as his successor. The changing balance of power innerdynastischen indicate political instability during Ceolwulf rule. Venerable Bede mentioned that Ceolwulfs office and the early history of his reign were marked by serious adversity and setbacks, but without giving details. These problems were internal political nature, since apparently stable peace had been concluded with the Picts, the Irish remained calm and the British were severely weakened. Bede dedicated to him his 731 History of the English Church, the Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum.

To 731 Ceolwulf was taken by his opponents in the monastery prison without the backgrounds are clear. A little later he was released and came back to power. Shortly afterwards the bishops Acca of Hexham and Wilfrid of York II laid down their office or were deducted from Ceolwulf, is to assume that they were not involved in the conspiracy against the king. In York 732 Ceolwulfs cousin Ecgberht was installed as the new bishop and archbishop elevated to 735. Probably had Ecgberht and his brother Eadberht that should be Ceolwulfs successor has contributed considerably to the renewed takeover Ceolwulfs. Ceolwulf is often referred to as a great patron of churches, monasteries and education. However, whether he himself could read and write is questionable. The scholarship his alleged contemporary sources can not be removed safely and is only in the writings of 11-12. Century postulated.

Monastery

In the year 737 Ceolwulf himself decided to renounce his kingship. His successor as king, he used his cousin Eadberht. He entered the monastery of Lindisfarne, and transferred to the monastery lands at Warkworth ( Northumberland ). Chroniclers of the 11th and 12th century traditional that he should have the monks were allowed to drink wine and beer. He spent the last 27 years of his life in Lindisfarne, where he probably died on 15 January 764, and was buried.

Worship

At the grave Ceolwulfs several miracle will have occurred. The worship Ceolwulfs remained limited regionally. He trained no independent cult, but was tied to the worship of the saints Cuthbert. Bishop Ecgred ( 830-845 ) moved the episcopal see at least temporarily after Norham -upon- Tweed and led the Ceolwulfs body there. Bishop Ealdhun (990-1018) moved the bishopric in 995 final of Lindisfarne to Durham and transferred Ceolwulfs head into the local church.

Swell

• Anonymous: Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Online at Project Gutenberg (English)
• Venerable Bede Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, online in Medieval Source Book (English)
• Æthelweard: Chronica
• Anglian collection