Aethelnoth

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Aethelnoth the Good
Archbishop of Canterbury
Born unknown
Died 29 October 1038
Feast no formal cultus
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Aethelnoth (known also as Egelnodus or Ednodus) (died October 29, 1038) was an Archbishop of Canterbury. He was a son of the ealdorman Aethelmaer, and a member of the royal family of Wessex.

He became a monk at Glastonbury, then dean of the monastery of Christ Church, Canterbury, and chaplain to King Canute, and on November 13, 1020 was consecrated archbishop of Canterbury.

In 1022 he went to Rome to obtain the pallium, and was received with great respect by Pope Benedict VIII. Returning from Rome he purchased at Pavia a relic said to be an arm of St Augustine of Hippo, for a hundred talents of silver and one of gold, and presented it to the abbey of Coventry. He also presided over the translation of Saint Alphege's relics.

He appears to have exercised considerable influence over Canute, largely by whose aid he restored his cathedral at Canterbury, obtained important benefactions for Glastonbury and also helped finance the rebuilding of Chartres Cathedral. William of Malmesbury is known to have praised his wisdom and guidance. A story of doubtful authenticity tells how he refused to crown King Harold I, as he had promised Canute to crown none but a son of the king by his wife, Emma. Aethelnoth, who was called the "Good," died on October 29, 1038, and his name appears in the lists of saints in both Mabillon and the Bollandists. Even so, no calendar reveals evidence of a formal cultus.

Religious Posts
Preceded by
Lyfing
Archbishop of Canterbury
1020–1038
Succeeded by
Edsige

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.