Ernulf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ernulf |
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|---|---|
| Bishop of Rochester | |
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| Appointed | 28 September 1114 |
| Reign ended | 15 March 1124 |
| Predecessor | Ralph d'Escures |
| Successor | John |
| Other posts | |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 26 December 1115 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1040 Beauvais |
| Died | 15 March 1124 (aged 83–84) |
| Denomination | Catholic |
Ernulf (born 1040, died 1124) was a French Benedictine monk. He became a very important church leader in England. He served as a prior, an abbot, and a bishop. Ernulf was also a skilled architect and a legal expert. He helped greatly expand Canterbury Cathedral during his time there.
Contents
Ernulf's Early Life
Ernulf was born in 1040 in a place called Beauvais, France. He began his studies at the monastery of Bec. There, he learned from a famous teacher named Lanfranc. Ernulf then became a Benedictine monk. He lived at the monastery of St-Lucien in Beauvais.
After 1070, Ernulf moved to England. This happened because Lanfranc suggested it. He joined the monks at Canterbury. Ernulf also studied with Ivo of Chartres. He became very knowledgeable about canon law, which are the laws of the church.
Important Roles in the Church
Prior of Canterbury
In 1096, Ernulf became the prior of Canterbury. This was a high position given to him by Archbishop Anselm. As prior, Ernulf started a big building project. He began expanding Canterbury Cathedral. The cathedral had been rebuilt by Lanfranc, but Ernulf wanted to make it even grander.
He took down the eastern part of the church. Then, he built a much more magnificent structure. This included the famous crypt, known as Our Lady of the Undercroft. He also built as far as the Trinity Tower. The main part of the church, called the chancel, was finished by the next prior, Conrad. The chapel of St. Andrew was also part of Ernulf's work.
Abbot and Bishop
In 1107, Ernulf became the Abbot of Peterborough. An abbot is the head of a monastery. While there, he taught a young monk named Hugh Candidus.
Later, on September 28, 1114, Ernulf was made the Bishop of Rochester. A bishop is a senior leader in the church. He was officially consecrated on December 26, 1115. This was done by Ralph d'Escures, who was the archbishop of Canterbury. In both Peterborough and Rochester, Ernulf had old buildings torn down. He then built new ones, like dormitories and dining halls, for the monks.
Ernulf's Writings and Legacy
Ernulf is connected to an important collection of documents called the Textus Roffensis. This book contains many early church records from Rochester. It also includes old laws from Kent, believed to be from King Aethelberht. This collection shows that Ernulf was interested in older traditions from before the Norman Conquest.
He also helped bring back some Anglo-Saxon church practices at Canterbury. He may have influenced the restoration of shrines and altars dedicated to Anglo-Saxon saints. This made them important again as the Cathedral grew. Ernulf's time as abbot at Peterborough also seems to have sparked new interest in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. This was an important historical record. Ernulf also wrote several books about church law and religious ideas.
Ernulf passed away on March 15, 1124.
