Sigeberht of East Anglia facts for kids

Sigeberht of East Anglia, also known as Saint Sigebert, was a king and a saint from the Anglo-Saxon period. He ruled the Kingdom of East Anglia, which is now part of eastern England, including Norfolk and Suffolk. Sigeberht was special because he was the first English king to be baptized and educated as a Christian before he became king. He was also the first to give up his throne to live a life in a monastery. Most of what we know about Sigeberht comes from a book called Ecclesiastical History of the English People, written by Bede in the 730s.

Sigeberht was likely a son or stepson of Rædwald of East Anglia, a powerful king. He was sent away to Gaul (modern-day France) for many years. While there, he became a strong Christian and learned a lot. After his step-brother Eorpwald was killed around 627, Sigeberht returned to East Anglia. He became king, sharing power with Ecgric, who was a relative.

During Sigeberht's time as king, Christianity grew a lot in East Anglia. He worked with Saint Felix to set up a church center in Dommoc. Sigeberht also started a school to teach boys how to read and write in Latin. He gave land to the Irish monk Saint Fursey to build a monastery at Cnobheresburg, possibly Burgh Castle. Eventually, Sigeberht gave up his crown to Ecgric and went to live in a monastery he had built. Later, the kingdom was attacked by Penda, the king of Mercia. The East Anglians begged Sigeberht to lead them in battle. He refused to fight, but was dragged to the battlefield. He would not carry weapons and was killed in the fight, along with Ecgric. Sigeberht is remembered as a Christian martyr.

Becoming King of the East Angles

Early Life and Exile

Sigeberht's exact birth date is unknown, and not much is known about his early life. He was sent away from East Anglia before he became king. This was probably to make sure that King Rædwald's own sons would rule the kingdom.

While Sigeberht was in Gaul, he became a Christian and was baptized. He was very impressed by the churches and schools he saw there. These places taught people how to read and write. He became a very religious and educated person during his time in exile.

Returning to Rule

A map showing the general locations of the Anglo-Saxon peoples around the year 600

After King Eorpwald was killed, Sigeberht came back from Gaul. He became the ruler of the East Angles. It is thought that he might have won the kingdom through fighting, as he was known for his skills as a leader. During his reign, he shared power with a relative named Ecgric. Ecgric might have been Rædwald's son or nephew.

Sigeberht's Christian faith was important for him becoming king. At that time, other powerful English kings like Edwin of Northumbria and Eadbald of Kent were also Christian. Sigeberht likely wanted to spread Christianity in his own kingdom.

Spreading Christianity in East Anglia

Establishing the Church

The kingdom of East Anglia during the early Saxon period

Bede tells us that Saint Felix came to England from Burgundy. He was a missionary bishop sent by Honorius, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Felix came to help Sigeberht establish Christianity in East Anglia. Sigeberht set up the main church center for Felix in a place called Dommoc. This place is thought to be either Dunwich or Walton (near Felixstowe) on the coast of Suffolk.

Starting a School

Sigeberht wanted to make sure the Christian Church would continue to grow in East Anglia. He started a school in his kingdom. This school taught boys how to read and write in Latin. He wanted it to be like the schools he had seen in Gaul. Felix helped him find teachers for this new school.

Founding a Monastery

Around 633, an Irish monk and hermit named Saint Fursey came to East Anglia. He brought his priests and brothers with him. Sigeberht gave Fursey a place to build a monastery. This monastery was built in an old Roman fort called Cnobheresburg. This fort is usually thought to be Burgh Castle, near Great Yarmouth. Both Felix and Fursey helped many people become Christians. They also built many churches throughout Sigeberht's kingdom.

Giving Up the Throne and Martyrdom

At some point, Sigeberht decided to give up his power to Ecgric. He wanted to live a religious life in a monastery he had built for himself. Bede does not say where this monastery was. However, later writings suggest it was at Beodricesworth, which is now known as Bury St Edmunds. This monastery was in a good location near the River Lark.

Later, the kingdom of East Anglia was attacked by an army from Mercia, led by King Penda. Ecgric and the East Anglians had to defend their land with a smaller army. They asked Sigeberht to leave his monastery and lead them in battle. They hoped his presence would encourage the soldiers. Sigeberht refused, saying he had given up his worldly kingdom for a heavenly one. But he was forced to go to the battlefield. He refused to carry any weapons, only a staff. The Mercians won the battle. Sigeberht, Ecgric, and many East Anglian soldiers were killed. In this way, Sigeberht became a Christian martyr.

The Christian Church that Sigeberht helped build in East Anglia continued for about two hundred years. It survived through difficult times, even when the kingdom was attacked by the Great Heathen Army in the 860s.

Sigeberht is remembered as a saint. His feast day is celebrated on different dates, depending on the Christian tradition. Some Catholic calendars list January 16, September 27, or October 29. Eastern Orthodox churches also list January 16, but sometimes January 25 or September 27.

See also

• For more information on Ecgric's Wuffingas identity, see the family trees in Ecgric of East Anglia.