Athelm facts for kids

Athelm (also known as Æthelhelm) was an important English church leader who lived a long time ago. He died in the year 926. He was the very first Bishop of Wells. Later, he became the Archbishop of Canterbury, which is a very high position in the church.

Moving from one bishop role to another, called a "translation," was not common back then. Athelm's move set a new example for other church leaders. As archbishop, he had the important job of crowning King Æthelstan. He might have even helped write the special service for the coronation. Athelm was also an older relative of Dunstan, who later became another famous Archbishop of Canterbury. Athelm helped Dunstan start his career. After Athelm passed away, people thought of him as a saint.

Early Life and Role

Athelm was a monk at Glastonbury Abbey. In 909, he became the first Bishop of Wells. A "see" is like a special area a bishop looks after. This new area was created to help manage the very large diocese of Sherborne. Wells was chosen because it was central to the county of Somerset.

Some historians once thought Athelm might be the son of King Æthelred of Wessex. However, most historians today don't agree with this idea. Some old stories say he was the head (Abbot) of Glastonbury before being a bishop. But other sources don't mention him holding that job. These stories come from later writers, not from people who lived at the same time as Athelm. We know his brother was Heorstan, who owned land near Glastonbury.

Becoming Archbishop

Athelm became Archbishop of Canterbury sometime between August 923 and September 925. His move from being Bishop of Wells to Archbishop was a big deal. Before this, moving a bishop from one area to another was usually against church rules, called "canon law." But recently, even popes had started moving to new roles. This practice became more common in England after Athelm's time.

Athelm was from West Saxon, a different region than the previous archbishop, Plegmund. This change showed how power was shifting towards Wessex at the time. Athelm was the uncle of Dunstan, who would later become a very important Archbishop of Canterbury himself. It was Athelm who first brought Dunstan to the king's court.

Crowning the King

Athelm led the coronation ceremony for King Athelstan of England. This happened on September 4, 925. He probably helped create the new "Ordo," which was the order of service for the coronation. In this new service, the king wore a crown for the first time instead of a helmet. Athelm also signed the king's first gift to St Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury. We don't know much else about Athelm's short time as archbishop. It's not clear why no coins were made with his name on them. It might have been because he was archbishop for only a short time, or because the rules about archbishops making coins had changed.

Death and Burial

Athelm died on January 8, 926. After his death, he was considered a saint. His special day, or feast day, is celebrated on January 8. He was first buried at the church of St John the Baptist. This church was near the old Canterbury Cathedral from the Saxon era.

After the Norman Conquest of England, a new cathedral was built by Archbishop Lanfranc. The bodies of earlier archbishops were moved to the new cathedral. Athelm and his successor, Archbishop Wulfhelm, were later moved to a special chapel. This chapel was dedicated to St Benedict. It was later included in the Lady Chapel, which was built by Prior Thomas Goldstone.