NameAldhun (Ealdhun) of Durham
Birthabt 950, County Durham, Northumberland, England
Deathabt 1018, County Durham, Northumberland, England
OccupationBishop
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldhun_of_DurhamAldhun of Durham , also know as
Ealdhun, was the last
Bishop of Lindisfarne and the first
Bishop of Durham.
[1] He was of "noble descent."
[2]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 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.[
citation needed]
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.
[3] The removal of the see from Chester-le-Street to Durham took place in 995.
[4] 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.
[5]Aldhun was a bishop for 24 years, which puts his death in 1018 or 1019.
[4] He was said to have died of heartbreak because of the defeat of the Northumbrians by the Scots at the
battle of Carham.
[3]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.
[5] 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.
[6]