Ethelbert of York

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Ethelbert, Archbishop of York (unknown - November 8, 780) (according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle or 781), was the teacher and intimate friend of Alcuin, whose poem on the saints and prelates of the Church of York, De Sanctis et Pontificibus Ecclesiæ Eboracensis, is the principal source of information concerning Ethelbert's life. He was a kinsman of his predecessor Archbishop Egbert, brother to Eadberht, King of Northumbria and a pupil in the school founded at York by Egbert, who ordained him priest and made him master of the school. Alcuin's affectionate eulogy, praised his erudition in grammar, rhetoric, law, poetry, astronomy, natural history, and Scripture, and his stern but supportive nature.

Ethelbert loved books ardently and spared no pains in forming a library at York, which was probably the largest contemporary collection of books to be found in Europe outside of Rome. Alcuin mentions several Latin and Greek classical authors, as well as the Fathers and other Christian writers that formed the 8th century canon. Ethelbert, in his search for books, travelled far, and we know that he visited Rome among other places. Everywhere his learning and power of sympathy won for him friends, so that his influence for good was widespread and he ranks as one of the foremost promoters of education in the eighth century.

In 766 Ethelbert succeeded Egbert as Archbishop; he was consecrated April 24, 767, and received the pallium from Pope Adrian I in 773. As archbishop he continued his simple and laborious life, working with such success that he is regarded as one of the founders of the diocese of York.

He set himself to rebuild the York Minster, which had been destroyed by fire in 741, employing Eanbald and Alcuin to oversee the work. Alcuin speaks of its magnificence, its columns and crypts, bright windows and ceilings, the tall crucifix of precious metals, the thirty altars it contained, and the gold, silver, and jewels employed in the decoration of sacred vessels and altars.

From the center of learning at York, Ethelbert sent out preachers and evangelizing teachers among the pagans of Northern Europe: Willibrord as a missionary to the Frisians and Saxons, and Alubert and Liudger, the Apostles of North Germany.

In 780 Ethelbert consecrated Eanbald as his coadjutor bishop and committed to Alcuin the care of the school and library and retired to a cell where he spent some time in devotion. He lived long enough to consecrate the new cathedral, ten days before his death.

Ethelbert's name appears in other forms, as Adalberht, Aelberht, Aldbert.