Sigeberht of East Anglia
Sigebert (also Sigeberht, Sigberct; † around 640 in Suffolk ) was from 630/631 to 637 King of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of East Anglia from the dynasty of Wuffinger.
Life
Venerable Bede called Sigebert 's brother Eorpwalds and not Rædwalds son, which was interpreted by some historians such that Sigebert Rædwalds was stepson. This theory is based on William of Malmesbury, a historian of the 12th century, back. Sigebert retired to the resentment Rædwalds and had to leave East Anglia. He went into the Frankish Empire and was baptized there. Bede described him as a pious and learned man. In exile, he met the priest Felix of Burgundy know, who succeeded him around 630 to East Anglia.
To 630/631 Sigebert gained the kingship in East Anglia. He immediately began with the conversion of East Anglia. At his request, Honorius, Archbishop of Canterbury, Felix consecrated as Bishop of East Anglia and showed him Dommoc as a bishop's seat to. Usually Dommoc is identified with Dunwich, but is also the Castle Walton Castle, near Felixstowe into consideration. King Sigebert and Felix built around 631 by the Frankish model school. The Irish missionaries Fursa Foillan and were kindly received by Sigebert. Sigebert provides lands for the establishment of the monastery Cnobheresburg available. In the now-defunct monastery complex is likely to Burgh Castle near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk.
Sigebert abdicated in 637 and gave the throne to his relatives Ecgric, who had ruled as a king in a part of East Anglia. He retired as a monk in a monastery he built back. The fact that in this case, as alleged in the Liber Eliensis from the 12th century to Betrichesworðe acted, the later Bury St Edmunds, is implausible.
To 640 attacked Penda, king of Mercia, East Anglia. Sigebert, who had the reputation of a famous and courageous military leader, was taken from the defeated East Anglia from the monastery in order to encourage the army in the ensuing battle. He is said to be reluctant and mindful of his vow unarmed, drawn only with a staff in his hand, in the midst of the army into battle. Sigebert and Ecgric fell in battle and the ostanglische army was massacred or fled. Sigebert was probably in Bedricesweord ( Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk ) buried.
Bede's brief remarks on Sigeberts exile in the Frankish kingdom, Merovingian coins found in Sutton Hoo and Sigeberts name that also wore Frankish kings, point out the close connection between East Anglia and the continent in the early 7th century.
He is considered a martyr because he fell in battle against pagans. For his contributions to the Christianization of East Anglia he is venerated in the Anglican Church as a saint. His feast day is 29 October.
Swell
- Venerable Bede Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, online in Medieval Source Book (English)
- Janet Fairweather: Liber Eliensis. A History of the Isle of Ely from the Seventh Century to the Twelfth, compiled by a Monk of Ely in the Twelfth Century, Boydell, 2005, ISBN 978-1-84383-015-3