Cedd facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cedd
Bishop of London
Modern icon image of Cedd
Enthroned	c. 654
Reign ended	664
Predecessor	Mellitus
Successor	Wine
Personal details
Born	c. 620 Kingdom of Northumbria
Died	(664-10-26)26 October 664 Lastingham
Sainthood
Feast day	26 October, 7 January (Orthodox Church)
Venerated in	Catholic Church; Orthodox Church; Anglicanism
Title as Saint	Evangelist of the Middle Angles and East Saxons
Attributes	Bishop holding a model of the church at Bradwell-on-Sea
Patronage	Essex; Lastingham; interpreters
Shrines	Lastingham. Shrine destroyed in Danish period but corresponding to the crypt of the present parish church

Cedd (born around 620, died October 26, 664) was an Anglo-Saxon monk and bishop. He came from a kingdom called Northumbria in ancient England. He was a missionary who helped spread Christianity to the Middle Angles and East Saxons. Cedd also played a big role in the Synod of Whitby, an important meeting that settled disagreements within the Church in England. Today, he is honored as a saint in the Catholic Church, Anglicanism, and the Orthodox Church.

Who Was Cedd?

Most of what we know about Cedd comes from the writings of a monk named Bede. Bede wrote a famous book called Ecclesiastical History of the English People. This book tells us a lot about early English history.

Cedd was born in Northumbria and grew up on the island of Lindisfarne. He was taught by Aidan, a leader of the Irish Church. Cedd had three brothers: Chad of Mercia, Cynibil, and Cælin. All four brothers became priests. Cedd and Chad both became bishops. Even though they were from Northumbria, their names sound more like ancient British (Celtic) names than Anglo-Saxon ones. Cedd was likely the oldest brother and a leader in his family. He became a priest around the year 653.

Aidan came from Iona and brought with him a special way of practicing Christianity, known as the Celtic Rite. This included different ways of calculating the date of Easter and how monks cut their hair (called a tonsure). The Celtic Church also organized itself differently, focusing on monasteries and traveling bishops. Aidan was known for living a simple life and not caring about wealth. Bede tells us that Cedd and Chad followed Aidan's example.

Spreading Christianity in Mercia

In 653, Cedd was sent on an important mission. Oswiu, the king of Northumbria, sent Cedd and three other priests to teach Christianity to the Middle Angles. These people lived in a kingdom called Mercia.

Peada of Mercia, who was the sub-king of the Middle Angles, agreed to become a Christian. He did this so he could marry Oswiu's daughter, Alchflaed. This was a time when Northumbria was becoming very powerful.

Cedd, along with priests named Adda, Betti, and Diuma, went with Peada back to Middle Anglia. There, they helped many people become Christians. Bede says that Penda, Peada's father and a pagan king, did not stop them from preaching. However, the mission didn't spread very far into the rest of Mercia. Cedd's brother Chad later helped spread Christianity more widely in Mercia. To truly succeed, Christianity needed kings to support it and give land for monasteries.

Becoming Bishop of the East Saxons

Soon, King Oswiu called Cedd back from Mercia. He then sent Cedd on a new mission to the East Saxon kingdom. The king of the East Saxons, Sigeberht the Good, had asked for priests to help his people become Christian again.

The East Saxon kingdom had been introduced to Christianity before. Missionaries from Canterbury, where Augustine of Canterbury had started a Roman mission, first arrived in 597. The first bishop there was Mellitus in 604, but he was later forced to leave. The kingdom's religion often changed, with some people being Christian, some pagan, and some wanting to allow both.

Bede tells us that King Sigeberht decided to become Christian and convert his kingdom because of King Oswiu. Sigeberht traveled to Northumbria and was baptized by Bishop Finan of Lindisfarne. Cedd went to the East Saxons as a representative of the Northumbrian king. His mission was helped by Northumbria's growing power, especially after they defeated King Penda in 655.

After helping many people become Christian, Cedd went back to Lindisfarne to report to Finan. Because of his success, Finan made him a bishop. Two other Irish bishops helped with the ceremony. Cedd was made bishop of the East Saxons. This is why he is often listed among the bishops of London, which was part of the East Saxon kingdom.

Bede's writings show that Cedd expected people to be truly committed to their faith. He was not afraid to challenge powerful people. For example, he stopped Christians from visiting a powerful man who was in an unlawful marriage. Bede says that when King Sigeberht kept visiting this man, Cedd went to the house to scold the king. Cedd even predicted that the king would die in that house. Bede believed the king's murder in 660 was a punishment for ignoring Cedd's warning.

After Sigeberht died, Cedd's position became less secure. The new king, Swithhelm of Essex, was a pagan. After some convincing, Swithhelm accepted baptism from Cedd. The bishop traveled to another kingdom, East Anglia, to baptize the king. For a while, the East Saxon kingdom remained Christian.

Bede shows Cedd's work as very important for converting the East Saxons. However, there were times when paganism returned.

Founding Monasteries

Cedd helped establish many churches. He also founded monasteries at Tilaburg (likely East Tilbury or West Tilbury) and Ithancester (most likely Bradwell-on-Sea).

Cedd was also made the abbot (leader) of the monastery of Lastingham in his home region of Northumbria. This happened at the request of a sub-king named Œthelwald of Deira. Bede describes how this monastery was founded. Cedd spent 40 days fasting to prepare the site. His brother Cynibil finished the fast for him when Cedd had to leave for royal duties.

Cedd remained the abbot of Lastingham for the rest of his life. He also continued his work as a missionary bishop and a diplomat. He often traveled far from the monastery for these duties. His brother Chad, who became abbot after him, did the same. Cedd and his brothers saw Lastingham as a spiritual home, a place for learning, and a quiet place for reflection. Cedd left the daily running of Lastingham to other priests.

Cedd's Last Years

Cedd had been raised with the Celtic Rite, which had different ways of dating the religious calendar and other practices compared to the Roman Rite. Supporters of both rites met at an important council in Northumbria called the Synod of Whitby.

The meeting was difficult because people spoke different languages, including Old Irish, Old English, Frankish, Old Welsh, and Latin. Bede wrote that Cedd helped by interpreting for both sides. His ability to speak different languages and his role as a trusted royal messenger made him a key person in the discussions. His language skills were even seen as a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence. When the council ended, Cedd returned to Essex.

According to Bede, Cedd accepted the Roman way of dating Easter. He went back to his work as bishop, changing some of his practices to match the Roman traditions.

A short time later, he returned to Northumbria and the monastery at Lastingham. He became sick with the plague and died on October 26, 664. Bede tells us that right after Cedd's death, thirty monks traveled from Essex to Lastingham to honor him. Sadly, all but one young boy also died there from the plague. Cedd was first buried in a grave at Lastingham. Later, when a stone church was built, his body was moved and reburied in a special shrine inside the church. Chad took over as abbot after his brother.

King Swithhelm of Essex died around the same time as Cedd. He was followed by two kings, Sighere and Sæbbi. Some people in Essex went back to paganism, which Bede said was because of the plague. King Wulfhere of Mercia was very powerful in the south. He sent Bishop Jaruman to continue Cedd's work among the East Saxons. Jaruman worked carefully and helped bring Christianity back to Essex.

Remembering Cedd

Cedd is remembered in the Church of England on October 26, which is the anniversary of his death. This day is also known as Essex Day.

In 1954, the Diocese of Chelmsford celebrated 1300 years since Cedd's mission to Essex. This was called St Cedd's Year. Chelmsford Cathedral, which was already dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, was also dedicated to St Cedd and St Peter. Events were held to honor him, including a big gathering at West Ham United's football ground.

There is an ancient tree in Polstead, Suffolk, called the Gospel Oak. People traditionally believe that Cedd preached there. The original tree fell in 1953, but its remains can still be seen among new trees that have grown. A church service is held there every first Sunday of August.

Images for kids

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  Modern icon image of Cedd