Editing Edmund of Abingdon (section)

==Life==

===Early life and career===
Edmund was born circa 1174, possibly on 20 November (the feast of St [[Edmund the Martyr]]), in [[Abingdon, Oxfordshire|Abingdon]] in Berkshire (now [[Oxfordshire]]), 7 miles south of [[Oxford]], England. Edmund had two sisters and at least one brother.<ref name=edmonds>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05294a.htm|title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Edmund Rich|website=www.newadvent.org}}</ref>

"Rich" was an epithet sometimes given to his wealthy merchant father, Reynold.<ref name=monks>{{Cite web|url=https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-edmund-of-canterbury/|title=CatholicSaints.Info » Blog Archive » Book of Saints – Edmund of Canterbury}}</ref> It was never applied to Edmund or his siblings in their lifetimes. His father retired, with his wife's consent, to the monastery at [[Eynsham Abbey]], leaving in her hands the education of their family. Her name was Mabel; she was a [[Faith|devout]] woman who lived an [[ascetic]] life and encouraged her children to do the same. Both her daughters [[nun|took the veil]].<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Edmund, Saint|volume=8|page=947|first=Henry William Carless|last=Davis|author-link=Henry William Carless Davis }}</ref>

Edmund may have been educated at the [[Abingdon School|monastic school]] in [[Abingdon Abbey|Abingdon]]. He developed a taste for religious learning, saw visions while still at school, and at the age of twelve took a vow of perpetual [[chastity]] in the [[University Church of St Mary the Virgin|Virgin's church]] at Oxford.<ref name="EB1911"/> His early studies were in England, but he completed his higher learning in France at the [[University of Paris]]. About 1195, in company with his brother Richard, he was sent to the schools of Paris. He studied at the [[University of Oxford|universities of Oxford]] and Paris and became a teacher about 1200, or a little earlier. For six years he lectured on [[mathematics]] and [[dialectics]], apparently dividing his time between Oxford and Paris, and helped introduce the study of [[Aristotle]].<ref name="EB1911"/>

Edmund became one of Oxford's first lecturers with a Master of Arts, but was not Oxford's first Doctor of Divinity.<ref>J.I. Catto (ed) 'The early Oxford Schools' in Aston (gen ed), The History of the University of Oxford (Oxford 1984) Vol 1, pp. 24, 25</ref> Long hours at night spent in prayer had the result that he often "nodded off" during his lectures. There is a long-established tradition that he utilised his lecture-fees to build the Lady Chapel of [[St Peter's-in-the-East|St Peter's in the East]] at Oxford.<ref name=dover>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stedmundschapel.co.uk/edmund.html|title=Dover's Chapel of St Edmund of Abingdon|website=www.stedmundschapel.co.uk}}</ref> The site where he lived and taught was formed into a mediaeval [[academic halls of the University of Oxford|academic hall]] in his name and later incorporated as the college of [[St Edmund Hall, Oxford|St Edmund Hall]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.seh.ox.ac.uk/discover/explore-teddy-hall/history-of-the-hall |website=St Edmund Hall|title=History of the Hall}}</ref>

His mother's influence then led to his taking up the study of [[theology]].
Though for some time Edmund resisted the change, he finally entered upon his new career between 1205 and 1210. He spent a year in retirement with the [[Canons regular#Canons Regular of Saint Augustine|Augustinian]] canons of [[Merton Priory]],<ref name="EB1911"/> received ordination, took a doctorate in divinity and soon became known as a lecturer on theology and as an extemporaneous preacher. In this capacity he gained some reputation for eloquence. He spent the fees which he received in charity,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://catholicsaints.info/butlers-lives-of-the-saints-saint-edmund-archbishop-of-canterbury-confessor/|title=CatholicSaints.Info » Blog Archive » Butler's Lives of the Saints – Saint Edmund, Archbishop of Canterbury, Confessor}}</ref> and refused to spend upon himself the revenues which he derived from several [[benefice]]s. He often retired for solitude to [[Reading Abbey]], and it is possible that he would have become a [[monk]] if that profession had afforded more scope for his gifts as a preacher and expositor.<ref name="EB1911"/>

Sometime between 1219 and 1222 he was appointed vicar of the parish of [[Calne]] in Wiltshire, and treasurer of [[Salisbury Cathedral]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Fines|first=John|title=St. Edmund of Abingdon|year=1970|publisher=Barnes & Noble Books|location=New York|isbn=1566197163|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/whoswhoinmiddlea0000fine}}</ref> He held this position for eleven years, during which time he also engaged in preaching. In 1227 he preached the [[Sixth Crusade]] through a large part of England.<ref name=edmonds/> He formed a friendship with [[Ela of Salisbury, 3rd Countess of Salisbury|Ela, countess of Salisbury]], and her husband, [[William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury|William Longespée]], and was noted for his works of charity and the austerity of his life.<ref name="EB1911"/>

===Archbishop of Canterbury===
[[File:Saint John the Evangelist Church (Logan, Ohio) - high altar statue, St. Edmund of Abingdon.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of St. Edmund on the [[Altar in the Catholic Church|altar]] in [[Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church Complex|St. John the Evangelist Church]] ([[Logan, Ohio]])]]
[[File:Arms of Edmund of Abingdon.svg|thumb|199x199px|Coat of arms of Saint Edmund of Abingdon: ''Or, a [[cross patonce]] gules between four [[Cornish chough]]s [[Tincture (heraldry)|proper]]'' (now used by [[St Edmund Hall, Oxford]])]]
In 1233 came the news of Edmund's appointment, by [[Pope Gregory IX]], to the Archbishopric of Canterbury. The chapter had already made three selections which the pope had declined to confirm.  Edmund's name had been proposed as a compromise by Gregory, perhaps on account of his work for the crusade.  He was consecrated on 2 April 1234.<ref name=Handbook233>Fryde, et al. ''Handbook of British Chronology'' p. 233</ref>

Before his consecration Edmund became known for supporting ecclesiastical independence from Rome, maintenance of the [[Magna Carta]] and the exclusion of foreigners from civil and ecclesiastical office. Reluctant to accept appointment as archbishop, Edmund was persuaded when it was pointed out that if he refused, the Pope might very well appoint a foreign ecclesiastic.<ref name=dover/> He chose as his chancellor [[Richard of Wich]], known to later ages as St Richard of Chichester.<ref>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Richard, St |volume= 23 | page = 293 |short=1}}</ref>
In the name of his fellow bishops Edmund admonished [[Henry III of England]] at [[Westminster]], on 2 February 1234, to heed the example of his father, [[John of England]]. A week after his consecration he again appeared before the king with the barons and bishops, this time threatening Henry with excommunication if he refused to dismiss his councillors, many of them foreign,{{sfn|Davis|1911}} and particularly [[Peter des Roches]], [[Bishop of Winchester]]. Henry yielded, and the favourites were dismissed, [[Hubert de Burgh]] (whom they had imprisoned) was released and reconciled to the king and soon the archbishop was sent to [[Wales]] to negotiate peace with [[Llywelyn the Great]]. Edmund's success, however, turned the king against him.<ref name=dover/>

Edmund was valued by the local people for his teaching, preaching, study, and his prayer; but his uncompromising stand in favour of good discipline in both civil and ecclesial government, of strict observance in monastic life, and of justice in high quarters brought him into conflict with Henry III, with several monasteries, and with the priests of Canterbury cathedral.<ref name=millwall>[http://www.st-edmund-millwall.org.uk/stedmund.html "St Edmund, Patron of our Parish", Roman Catholic Parish of St. Edmund of Abingdon, Millwall] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818020453/http://st-edmund-millwall.org.uk/stedmund.html |date=18 August 2013 }}</ref> He claimed and exercised metropolitan rights of visitation, this was often challenged and he had to resort to litigation to maintain his authority, not the least with his own monastic chapter at Canterbury.<ref name=hayward>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wilfrid.com/saints/edmund_abingdon.htm|title=Hayward, John. "St Edmund of Abingdon", Parish Church of St. Wilfrid, Bognor}}</ref>
[[File:St Edmund bronze.jpg|thumb|upright|Bronze statue of Edmund at [[St Edmund Hall, Oxford]]]]

In 1236, with the object of emancipating himself from Edmund's control, the king asked the pope to send him a [[papal legate|legate]]. On the arrival of [[Otto of Tonengo|Cardinal Odo]] in 1237 the archbishop found himself thwarted and insulted at every point. The politically significant marriage between [[Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester|Simon de Montfort]] and Henry's sister [[Eleanor of England, Countess of Leicester|Eleanor]], which Edmund had pronounced invalid, was ratified at Rome upon appeal. The king and legate upheld the monks of Canterbury in their opposition to Edmund's authority. Edmund protested to the king, and [[Excommunication|excommunicated]] in general terms all who had infringed the liberties of Canterbury. These measures had no impact, and the pope could not be moved to reverse the legate's decisions. Edmund complained that the discipline of the national church was ruined by this conflict of powers, and began to consider retirement.<ref name="EB1911"/>

===Journey to Rome===
Notwithstanding the gentleness of his disposition, Edmund firmly defended the rights of Church and State against the exactions and usurpations of Henry III. In December 1237 Edmund set out for Rome to plead his cause in person.<ref name=edmonds/> From this futile mission he returned to England in August 1238 where his efforts to foster reform were frustrated. Edmund submitted to the papal demands and, early in 1240 paid to the pope's agents one fifth of his revenue, which had been levied for the pope's war against [[Emperor Frederick II]].  Other English prelates followed his example.<ref name="EB1911"/>

The papacy then ordered that 300 English benefices should be assigned to Romans. In 1240 Edmund set out for Rome. At the [[Cistercian]] [[Pontigny Abbey]] in France he became sick, began travelling back to England, but died only 50 miles further north, on 16 November 1240,<ref name=Handbook233/> at the house of [[Augustinian Canons]] at [[Soisy-Bouy]] and was taken back to Pontigny.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saint Edmund {{!}} Saint Edmund's Catholic Church. Calne |url=https://www.saintedmundscalne.org.uk/saint-edmund |access-date=2022-04-25 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Veneration===

Less than a year after Edmund's death, miracles were alleged to be wrought at his grave.  Despite Henry's opposition,{{sfn|Davis|1911}} he was [[canonised]] only six years after his death, in December 1246. His feast day is 16 November.<ref name=Walsh>Walsh ''A New Dictionary of Saints'' p. 169</ref> A few years later, the first chapel dedicated to him, [[St Edmund's Chapel]], was consecrated in [[Dover, England|Dover]] by his friend [[Richard of Chichester]], making it the only chapel dedicated to one English saint by another; this small building still stands.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1070322|desc=St Edmund's Chapel|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref>

At Salisbury, a [[collegiate church]] founded in 1269 by [[Walter de la Wyle|Bishop de la Wyle]] was dedicated to Edmund; rebuilt in 1407, the church is now [[Salisbury Arts Centre]].<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1355852|desc=Former Church of St Edmund|access-date=31 August 2020|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> An altar in [[Salisbury Cathedral|the cathedral]] is also dedicated to him.<ref name=hayward/>

Today he is remembered in the name of [[St Edmund Hall, Oxford]] and [[St Edmund's College, Cambridge]]. His name is given also to [[St Edmund's College, Ware]]; [[St Edmund's School, Canterbury]]; [[St Edmund's School, Hindhead]]; [[St Edmund's Catholic School, Portsmouth]]; St Edmund of Abingdon [[deanery|pastoral area]] of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton]];<ref>{{cite web |title=Parishes |url=https://cliftondiocese.com/parishes/ |website=Clifton Diocese |access-date=9 February 2024}}</ref> St Edmund's Roman Catholic Primary School, Abingdon, Oxfordshire and St Edmund Preparatory High School, Brooklyn, NY.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

Edmund Rich of Abingdon is [[Calendar of saints (Church of England)|remembered]] in the [[Church of England]] with a [[Commemoration (Anglicanism)|commemoration]] on [[November 16|16 November]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Calendar|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/churchs-year/calendar|access-date=2021-04-08|website=The Church of England|language=en}}</ref>

===Relics===
Edmund's body was never translated to Canterbury, because the Benedictine community there resented what they regarded as Edmund's attacks on their independence.<ref name=hayward/> After his death he was taken back to [[Pontigny Abbey]], where his main relics are now found in a baroque reliquary tomb dating to the 17th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=dg6ycj.jpg |url=http://i34.tinypic.com/dg6ycj.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233942/http://i34.tinypic.com/dg6ycj.jpg |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=11 February 2023 |website=TinyPic}}</ref>

An arm is enshrined in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption at St. Edmund's Retreat on [[Enders Island]] off the coast of Mystic, Connecticut. The retreat is operated by the Society of the Fathers and Brothers of St. Edmund.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130629113025/http://www.hutchnews.com/Faith/A8-FAITH--saint-s-arm--1 "Saint's severed arm a unique treasure at Conn. site", (Associated Press), ''Hutch News'', Hutchinson, Kansas, 24 May 2013]</ref>

In 1853, the fibula of Edmund's left leg was presented to St Edmund's College, [[Ware, Hertfordshire|Ware]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.stedmundscollege.org/ |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=St Edmund's College & Prep School |language=en-GB}}</ref> by Cardinal Wiseman. Many local cures of serious illnesses were attributed to the intercession of St Edmund; one of the earliest of these was of a student who nearly died after a fall in 1871. His complete healing led to the accomplishment of a vow to extend the [[Augustus Pugin|Pugin]] chapel with a side chapel to honour the saint.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Thomas |title=St Edmund's College Chapel |url=http://www.stedmundscollege.org/assets/Pugin_Chapel.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003318/http://www.stedmundscollege.org/assets/Pugin_Chapel.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=11 February 2023 |website=St Edmund's College & Prep School}}</ref>

The Islamic silk [[chasuble]], with the main fabric probably made in [[Al-Andalus]], that Edmund had with him at his death remains in the museum in Provins, with a stole and [[Maniple (vestment)|maniple]].<ref>[http://cdm16028.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p15324coll10/id/111171 The Art of medieval Spain, A.D. 500–1200], an exhibition catalog from The Metropolitan Museum of Art Libraries (fully available online as PDF), #57</ref>

===Character===
Edmund's life was one of self-sacrifice and devotion to others. From boyhood he practised [[asceticism]], such as fasting on Saturdays on bread and water, and wearing a [[Cilice|hair shirt]]. After a few hours' sleep, he spent most of the night in prayer and meditation.<ref name=edmonds/>