Anselm of St Saba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anselm of St Saba |
|
|---|---|
| Bishop of London elect | |
| Elected | about 22 March 1136 |
| Enthroned | 1137 |
| Reign ended | 1138 |
| Predecessor | Gilbert Universalis |
| Successor | Robert de Sigello |
| Other posts | Abbot of Bury St. Edmunds |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | never consecrated |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 3 January 1148 |
| Denomination | Catholic |
Anselm (died 1148) was an important church leader in the Middle Ages. He was chosen to be the Bishop of London, but his election was later cancelled by Pope Innocent II.
Anselm was a monk at a place called Chiusa. He also became an abbot (the head of a monastery) at Saint Saba in Rome. Later, he served as a special messenger for the Pope, called a papal legate, in England. Finally, he became the Abbot of Bury St Edmunds.
Anselm's Life Story
Anselm was born into a noble family. His father was named Burgundius, and his mother, Richeza or Richera, was the younger sister of Saint Anselm, who was a very famous Archbishop of Canterbury. Even though all his brothers and sisters had died young, Anselm was chosen from a young age to live a life dedicated to the church.
He joined the Benedictine monks at the Abbey of Saint Michael's. This abbey was located on Mount Pirchiriano, which overlooked a town called Chiusa. In 1098, his famous uncle, Saint Anselm, visited the abbey and took young Anselm with him to Lyons. Anselm became very ill there but thankfully recovered.
Anselm's father, Burgundius, seemed to want to benefit from his brother-in-law's high position. However, Saint Anselm made it very clear that this was not acceptable. Instead, Burgundius decided to go on a pilgrimage or join the First Crusade to the Holy Land. He either died there or never returned. This meant that Saint Anselm had to help provide for his sister's family. Saint Anselm kept an eye on his nephew's church career and sent him helpful letters.
After his uncle Saint Anselm passed away, Anselm was chosen to be the abbot of the Saint Saba monastery in Rome. He traveled to England twice between 1115 and 1119 as a papal legate. This meant he was a special representative sent by the Pope.
In 1121, Anselm was elected abbot of Bury St Edmunds. Then, around March 22, 1136, he was chosen to be the Bishop of London. He officially took his place in 1137. However, his election was later cancelled by Pope Innocent II in 1138. The reasons for this are not fully clear. After this, Anselm went back to Bury St Edmunds.
Some historians, like Richard W. Southern, believed that Anselm wasn't exceptionally brilliant. They thought he achieved his important positions mostly because of his famous uncle's influence. However, Anselm was still important for helping to establish the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in England.
Anselm died on January 3, 1148.
Anselm's Legacy
Anselm had wanted to go on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. But his monks convinced him not to go. Instead, he had a church built at the abbey dedicated to Saint James. This church might have been the very first one like it in England.
