Lyfing (archbishop of Canterbury) facts for kids

Lyfing (who died on June 12, 1020) was an important religious leader in Anglo-Saxon England. He served as the Bishop of Wells and later became the Archbishop of Canterbury. Before these big roles, he was the abbot of Chertsey Abbey. Lyfing became archbishop during a tough time when Danish invaders were attacking England. Despite these challenges, he played a key role, even crowning the Danish king, Cnut, as the new king of England. Lyfing was known for his wisdom and helped improve his church before he passed away.

Lyfing's Early Life and Roles

Lyfing was originally named "Ælfstan." He started his religious career as an abbot at Chertsey Abbey around the year 989. An abbot is the head of a monastery, which is a community of monks.

Later, in 998 or 999, he became the Bishop of Wells. A bishop is a senior member of the Christian clergy, usually in charge of a diocese (a specific church area). In 1013, King Æthelred the Unready chose Lyfing to become the Archbishop of Canterbury. This was a very important position, as the Archbishop of Canterbury is the leader of the church in England.

Becoming Archbishop of Canterbury

When Lyfing was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, he needed to get a special scarf called a pallium from the Pope in Rome. This pallium was a symbol of his authority as an archbishop. However, Lyfing couldn't travel to Rome right away. This was mainly because England was in a lot of trouble due to constant Danish raids and attempts to conquer the country.

Because of this chaos, another archbishop, Wulfstan of York, had to perform many church ceremonies during that time. By 1018, things had settled down enough for Lyfing to return to England from Rome. He brought letters from Pope Benedict VIII for the new king, Cnut, who had become king in 1016. These letters encouraged King Cnut to be a good ruler.

Crowning Kings and Church Work

As Archbishop of Canterbury, Lyfing had the important job of crowning two English kings. First, he crowned King Æthelred's son, Edmund Ironside, in 1016. Then, in 1017, he crowned Cnut, the Danish king who had taken over England. The exact date and place of Cnut's coronation are not fully clear, but historical records suggest Lyfing performed the ceremony. Lyfing also traveled to Rome at least once to represent King Cnut.

A story from Canterbury Cathedral tells how Lyfing was talking with King Cnut about the church's freedom. The king offered to give the archbishop a new document (a charter) to guarantee the church's rights. Lyfing politely refused, saying that they already had many such documents, but they didn't always help. He felt another one wouldn't change much. The king then simply confirmed the church's freedom in the same way previous kings had.

Lyfing also managed to get land for the cathedral from King Cnut. He also gave his own gifts to help decorate the cathedral. He even oversaw the repair of the cathedral's roof, making sure the building was well-maintained.

Lyfing's Death and Lasting Impact

Lyfing passed away on June 12, 1020. He was buried in Canterbury Cathedral, a very important church. His remains were later moved within the cathedral, first to a gallery and then near the altar of St Martin.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, an old historical record, described Lyfing as "a sagacious man, both before God and before the world." This means he was considered a very wise and intelligent person, both in his religious duties and in his dealings with people and the world around him. His work helped the church during a difficult period in English history.