Aldhun

Aldhun of Durham (born circa 959, died 1018), also know as Ealdhun, was the last Bishop of Lindisfarne and the first Bishop of Durham. He was of "noble descent."

Since the late 9th century the See of Lindisfarne was based in Chester-le-Street because of constant attacks from invading Danes. However in 994 the King of England had paid a Danegeld (protection money) to the King of Denmark and the King of Norway in return for peace. The pay-off worked and there followed a period of freedom from Viking raids. This encouraged Aldhun to return the remains of Saint Cuthbert to their original resting place at Lindisfarne, and to reinstate the See there.

En route to their destination however Aldhun claimed to have received a vision from Saint Cuthbert saying that the saint's remains should be laid to rest at Durham. The monks detoured then to Durham, and the title Bishop of Lindisfarne was transferred to Bishop of Durham. The removal of the see from Chester-le-Street to Durham took place in 995. Symeon of Durham is the main source for the moving of the see, and he states that Uchtred the Bold helped the monks clear the site of the new cathedral, which was consecrated in 998.

Aldhun was a bishop for 24 years, which puts his death in 1018 or 1019. He was said to have died of heartbreak because of the defeat of the Northumbrians by the Scots at the battle of Carham.

Aldhun's daughter Ecgfrida married first Uchtred the Bold who was Earl of Northumbria from 1006 to 1016. After he repudiated her, she married a northern thegn Kilvert. The marriage probably took place close to the time when Uchtred helped her father move the see to Durham. Their son Ealdred was the grandfather of Waltheof earl of Northumbria.

References

• Fletcher, Richard Bloodfeud: Murder and Revenge in Anglo-Saxon England Oxford: Oxford University Press 2003 ISBN 0-19-516136-X
• Fryde, E. B. (1996). Handbook of British Chronology (Third Edition, revised ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-56350-X. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Rollason, David "Aldhun (d. 1018)" Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Oxford University Press, 2004 Online Edition accessed January 16, 2008
• Stenton, F. M. Anglo-Saxon England Third Edition Oxford:Oxford University Press 1971 ISBN 978-0-19-280139-5
• Williams, Ann Æthelred the Unready: The Ill-Counselled King London: Hambledon and London 2003 ISBN1-85285-382-4

External links

• Prosopography of Anglo Saxon England entry for Ealdhun