Oda of Canterbury facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Oda
Archbishop of Canterbury
Imaginary portrait from the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493)
Appointed	941
Reign ended	958
Predecessor	Wulfhelm
Successor	Ælfsige
Other posts	Bishop of Ramsbury
Orders
Consecration	between 909 and 927
Personal details
Born	unknown
Died	2 June 958
Sainthood
Feast day	4 July
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church
Canonized	Pre-Congregation
Attributes	Archbishop holding a chalice

Oda (also known as Odo) was an important church leader in England during the 900s. He was called "the Good" or "the Severe." He became the Archbishop of Canterbury, which is a very high position in the church.

Oda's father was a Dane who came to England. Before becoming Archbishop, Oda was the Bishop of Ramsbury. Many stories are told about his life and actions, both before and during his time as a bishop. After becoming Archbishop in 941, Oda helped create new laws for the kingdom and set rules for the clergy (church officials). He also worked to improve religious life in England. Oda died in 958 and later became known as a saint.

Oda's Early Life and Family

Oda's parents were Danish, and he might have been born in East Anglia, a part of England. His father was said to have arrived in England in 865 with a large Viking army. It's believed his family then settled in East Anglia.

Oda had a nephew named Oswald of Worcester who later became the Archbishop of York. It's possible that other church leaders, like Oscytel (who also became Archbishop of York) and Thurcytel, were also related to Oda, but we don't know for sure.

Joining a Noble Household

According to one old book, Life of Saint Oswald, Oda joined the household of a kind nobleman named Æthelhelm. Oda traveled with Æthelhelm on a pilgrimage to Rome. During this trip, Oda is said to have healed the nobleman when he was sick.

Other stories, like those written by William of Malmesbury in the 1100s, say that Oda fought in battles under King Edward the Elder. These stories also claim he later became a priest. However, these accounts are probably not true. Some sources also suggest that Oda became a monk in France at a place called Fleury-sur-Loire.

Becoming a Bishop

Oda became the Bishop of Ramsbury sometime between 909 and 927. This appointment was most likely made by King Æthelstan. The first time we see Oda mentioned in official documents as a bishop is in 928.

Oda's Role with King Æthelstan

A chronicler from the late 900s, Richer of Rheims, wrote that King Æthelstan sent Oda to France in 936. Oda's mission was to help arrange for King Louis IV to return to the French throne. Louis was Æthelstan's nephew and had been living in England for several years. However, no other records from that time mention this story.

Oda is also said to have been with King Æthelstan at the Battle of Brunanburh in 937. During this battle, a famous story claims that Oda miraculously gave the king a new sword when his own fell out. A chronicle from Ramsey Abbey later recorded that in the 1170s, this sword was still kept in the royal treasury. The writer noted it was "as is said," meaning it was a story, not a proven fact. There are no records from the time of the battle that mention Oda being there.

In 940, Oda helped arrange a peaceful agreement between Olaf III Guthfrithson, who was king of Dublin and York, and Edmund I, who was king of England.

Archbishop of Canterbury

Oda was chosen to be the Archbishop of Canterbury after the previous archbishop, Wulfhelm, died in 941. It's not known if Oda traveled to Rome to receive his pallium (a special woolen vestment given by the Pope to archbishops), but he had it before he issued his own rules for the church.

Helping with Royal Laws

During his time as Archbishop, Oda worked with King Edmund to create new royal laws. Many of these laws dealt with church matters. Oda was present, along with Archbishop Wulfstan of York, at a council in London. This council, held around 945 or 946, announced the first of these new laws. Oda also helped settle a disagreement about the Five Burghs with Archbishop Wulfstan.

Rules for the Clergy

Oda also created his own set of rules, called Constitutions, for the clergy (church officials) under his authority. These Constitutions of Oda are the earliest surviving rules from a church reformer in 10th-century England. Oda updated some older rules from 786. He removed parts that dealt with paganism. His rules covered topics like how laypeople (non-clergy) and clergy should interact, the duties of bishops, the importance of proper marriages, how to observe fasts, and the need for people to give tithes (donations) to the church.

Political Involvement and Reforms

When King Eadred of England died in 955, Oda received a large amount of gold from the king's will. Oda likely played a role in bringing back a bishopric (a bishop's area of authority) at Elmham. The line of bishops there started again with Eadwulf of Elmham in 956.

Oda crowned King Eadwig in 956. However, in late 957, Oda joined Eadwig's brother and rival, Edgar. Edgar had been declared king of the Mercians, while Eadwig continued to rule Wessex. The reason for this split in the kingdom is not fully known. It might have been because Eadwig tried to promote his close relatives and his wife. The division was peaceful, and Eadwig still called himself "King of the English."

In early 958, Oda ended the marriage of King Eadwig and his wife Ælfgifu. They were too closely related. This action was probably a political move connected to the split between Eadwig and Edgar. It's unlikely that their close family connection wasn't known before their marriage.

Church Building and Relics

Oda supported the church reforms led by Dunstan. He was an important reformer in the church, working with other bishops like Cenwald of Worcester and Ælfheah of Winchester.

Oda also oversaw a lot of building work. He re-roofed Canterbury Cathedral after making its walls taller. In 948, Oda took the relics (holy remains) of Saint Wilfrid from Ripon. He wrote a preface to a poem about Wilfrid, saying he rescued the relics from Ripon, which he described as "decayed" and "thorn-covered." He also got the relics of St Ouen. Oda was also active in reorganizing the church's structure in his area.

Death and Legacy

Archbishop Oda died on 2 June 958. He is considered a saint, and his feast day is celebrated on 4 July. Other dates, like 2 June or 29 May, were also remembered.

After his death, many legendary stories were told about miracles he performed. One story says that the Eucharist (holy bread and wine) dripped with blood. Another tells of a sword being miraculously repaired. There isn't much evidence from his own time that people worshipped Oda as a saint. The first signs of his veneration appear in a book written about Saint Oswald. A specific book about Oda's life as a saint wasn't written until much later, between 1093 and 1125. Oda was known by people during his time as "The Good" and later also as Severus, meaning "The Severe."