Baldwin (abbot of Bury St Edmunds) facts for kids

Baldwin (who died around 1097) was a French monk and a doctor to kings. He first became a monk in France. Later, he moved to England to be King Edward the Confessor's personal physician. Before becoming the abbot of Bury St Edmunds in 1065, he served as a prior (a leader in a monastery). As abbot, Baldwin worked hard to honor Edmund the Martyr. He also made sure his abbey was independent from local bishops. He continued to be a royal doctor for two more English kings. Baldwin also oversaw big building projects at the abbey before his death around 1097.

Baldwin's Early Life and Training

Baldwin was born in a place called Chartres in France. He studied to become a doctor in a region called Alsace. Later, he became a monk at St Denis Abbey in France.

It's not clear exactly when Baldwin started working for King Edward the Confessor. Historians believe he served the king for some time. This service likely led to him being chosen as an abbot. Before becoming abbot, he was a prior at Deerhurst Priory. He was also a prior at a monastery in Leberaw, which is now in Alsace, France.

Becoming an Abbot

Baldwin was chosen as the abbot of Bury St Edmunds on August 19, 1065. He was the only abbot not from England that King Edward appointed during his rule. Baldwin's name appears on some old documents from Christmas 1065. These documents suggest he was at King Edward's last royal court before the king died.

After King Edward's death, Harold Godwinson became king in early 1066. Baldwin provided soldiers from his abbey to help King Harold. These soldiers helped Harold defend England against others who wanted the throne.

Life After the Norman Conquest

After the Norman Conquest in 1066, King William the Conqueror took over England. Baldwin received a special document from the new king. This document confirmed that his abbey owned all its lands. However, King William also told Baldwin to give up any lands that belonged to people who had fought against him and died.

Baldwin continued to serve as a royal doctor for King William. He also helped protect the area of East Anglia. This region faced attacks from Danish invaders and general disorder after the Conquest.

Gaining Independence for the Abbey

In 1071, Baldwin achieved something very important for his abbey. He got permission from Pope Alexander II. This permission allowed the abbey to choose any bishop they wanted to perform religious duties for them. This was different from the usual way, where the local bishop would do these duties. This decision made the abbey free from the control of the bishops of Thetford. The king later supported this special privilege in 1081.

Rebuilding and Honoring Saints

Baldwin also served as a doctor to King William II. In 1094, he oversaw the completion of a big rebuilding project. This project was for the choir area of the monastic church. He asked the king for permission to dedicate the new building. He also wanted to move the holy items (relics) of Edmund the Martyr into the new choir.

The king first agreed, then changed his mind. In December 1094, he said the relics could be moved, but the building could not be officially dedicated. However, the king changed his mind again in early 1095. On Sunday, April 29, 1095, both the moving of the relics and the dedication of the building took place.

Besides Edmund's relics, the remains of two other saints were also moved. These were Botulf and Firmin. Walkelin, the Bishop of Winchester, led the ceremony. The bishop of Thetford, Herbert Losinga, was not happy about this. He felt it was his right to dedicate the church. But Baldwin's special papal permission from 1071 and the king's support protected his actions.

Baldwin's Death and Lasting Impact

Baldwin died around Christmas in 1097. Some records, like those from Florence of Worcester, say he died on December 29. However, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says he died in 1098.

Baldwin might have influenced King William II's favorite saying, "By the Face of Lucca." Baldwin visited the cathedral of St Martin in Lucca, Italy, during a trip to Rome. Later, Baldwin gave some relics of Saint Edmund to this cathedral. This led the church leaders there to promote the story of Saint Edmund. The Holy Face of Lucca was a famous holy item at the Lucca cathedral. Baldwin may have told the king about it, leading to the king using that phrase.

Baldwin worked hard to spread the story and honor of Saint Edmund in other ways too. He claimed that anyone who attacked the abbey would get bad headaches. There was even a story about a man who supposedly went mad from headaches after attacking the monastery.