Berhtwald facts for kids

Berhtwald (died 731) was an important leader in the early English Church. He became the ninth Archbishop of Canterbury, a very high position, in the year 692. Before this, he was an abbot, which is the head of a monastery, at a place called Reculver.

Berhtwald was special because he was the first in a long line of Archbishops of Canterbury who were born in England. Before him, some archbishops were English, but they didn't follow each other directly. Berhtwald's time as archbishop also saw the end of a big argument involving another important church leader named Wilfrid.

Berhtwald's Early Life and Beginnings

Little is known about Berhtwald's family or his very early years. He was likely born around the middle of the 600s. By 679, he was already the abbot of a monastery in Reculver, which is in Kent.

A very old document from May 679 mentions Berhtwald as the abbot. This document, from Hlothere, who was the King of Kent, is the oldest original Anglo-Saxon charter (a written record of a grant or agreement) that we still have today.

Becoming Archbishop: A Big Role

The position of Archbishop of Canterbury was empty for two years after the previous archbishop, Theodore, died. Berhtwald was finally chosen for the job on July 1, 692. This long wait happened because the kingdom of Kent was in a difficult state. Different kings were fighting for control.

Kings like Oswine and Wihtred were arguing over who should rule. Other kings, such as Caedwalla and Swaefheard, also attacked and robbed parts of Kent. Eventually, Wihtred became the main king around 691 or 692.

Some people think the delay in choosing an archbishop was because Wilfrid wanted the job. Wilfrid was having problems in another part of England, Northumbria. But even though some powerful people might have wanted Wilfrid, Berhtwald was chosen instead.

Berhtwald traveled to France to be officially made archbishop. This ceremony, called a consecration, happened on June 29, 693. He was consecrated by Godwin, the Archbishop of Lyon. Berhtwald might have gone to France because he wasn't sure if all the kings and bishops in England supported his election.

After his consecration, Berhtwald went to Rome to get support from Pope Sergius I. The Pope wrote letters to English kings and bishops to show his support for Berhtwald. The Pope also gave Berhtwald a pallium, which is a special woolen band. This band is a symbol of an archbishop's authority and power.

Berhtwald's Time as Archbishop

Berhtwald was very active in leading the church. He helped create a new bishopric (an area led by a bishop) in Wessex, called Sherborne. During his time, Sussex, which was the last part of England to still follow pagan religions, became Christian. He also consecrated the first Bishop of Selsey.

King Wihtred of Kent worked closely with Berhtwald. In 695, King Wihtred issued a set of laws, known as the Law of Wihtred. These laws gave the church special privileges, like being free from certain taxes. The laws also covered other church matters, such as marriage rules, how to observe Sunday, and stopping pagan worship. This law code came from a royal meeting held at Bearsted.

Berhtwald believed that the Archbishops of Canterbury should be the main church leaders for all of Britain, just like his predecessor Theodore thought.

Dealing with Wilfrid's Dispute

A large part of Berhtwald's time as archbishop was spent dealing with the ongoing problems of Wilfrid. Wilfrid wanted to get back his old position as Bishop of York and stop the division of his large bishopric into smaller ones. Berhtwald did not agree with Wilfrid's wishes.

Wilfrid's troubles had started even before Berhtwald became archbishop. Wilfrid had argued with King Ecgfrith of Northumbria and was forced to leave the north. Theodore, the previous Archbishop of Canterbury, had then divided Wilfrid's large area of York into several smaller ones. Wilfrid had asked the Pope in Rome to help him.

Berhtwald inherited this dispute. He led a meeting called the Council of Austerfield in 702. At this meeting, a compromise was offered: Wilfrid could retire to Ripon and stop acting as a bishop. Wilfrid refused this offer and again asked the Pope for help.

Three years later, at another meeting called the Council of Nidd (around 706), it was decided that Wilfrid would become the Bishop of Hexham instead of getting back York. This finally settled the long-running argument.

Letters and Records

One of Berhtwald's own letters still exists. He sent it to Forthhere, the Bishop of Sherborne, asking him to help free a slave. Another important letter, sent to Berhtwald from Waldhere, the Bishop of London, is also preserved. This second letter is very special because it is the oldest surviving "letter close" (a sealed letter meant for only one person) in Western Europe.

This letter also tells us that Waldhere and Berhtwald attended a church meeting between 703 and 705. At this meeting, the kingdom of Wessex was threatened with excommunication (being cut off from the church).

Death and Lasting Impact

Berhtwald passed away on January 13, 731. A poem written about him, called an epitaph, still exists. It might have been placed on his tomb in Canterbury. Later, he was recognized as a saint, and his feast day is celebrated on January 9.

Berhtwald is important because he was the first in a continuous line of Archbishops of Canterbury who were born in England. While there were two English archbishops before him, Deusdedit and Wighard, Berhtwald began the unbroken sequence of native-born leaders for this important church role.