Synod of Chelsea
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The Synod of Chelsea was held in 787 at Cealchythe[1], in Kent, generally identified with modern Chelsea, London.
It was called by Offa of Mercia and Beorhtric of Wessex, and was attended by papal legates, the only occasion in Anglo-Saxon times when papal representatives came to an English church council[2].
It resulted in the setting up of the Archbishopric of Lichfield, with Mercian areas being taken from the province of Canterbury[3]. This lasted only until 803, with Higbert, Archbishop of Lichfield being the only archbishop. Offa had papal support, and conceded in monetary terms.[4]
In political terms, Offa had Higbert consecrate Ecgfrith of Mercia co-king with him, in the same year.
There was a further synod in Chelsea in 816.[5] Called by Coenwulf of Mercia, it limited the power of Archbishop Wulfred. It also ruled on baptism[6], relics[7] and church property[8][9].
[edit] Notes
- ^ Also Celchyth, Calchut, Celicyth.
- ^ The next occasion was in the 1060s.[1]
- ^ Lichfield - History to c.1500 | British History Online
- ^ Offa granted the pope a yearly sum equal to one mancus a day for the relief of the poor and for lights to be kept burning before St. Peter's tomb.Catholic Encyclopedia, article Offa.
- ^ One of 793 is also reported.[2]
- ^ Baptism, an Examination of the Lutheran view of Baptism
- ^ When relics of the saints could not be procured, consecrated Hosts and fragments of the Gospels were sometimes used; concerning the use of the former for this purpose the English Synod of Calchut (Celicyth, Chelsea, 816) made a regulation (can. 22).[3]
- ^ PDF, p.235.
- ^ Parishes - Upton upon Severn | British History Online
