The Cathedral Church of Peterborough: A Description Of Its Fabric And A Brief History Of The Episcopal SeeSweeting, W. D. (Walter Debenham)
History
The Cathedral Church of Peterborough: A Description Of Its Fabric And A Brief History Of The Episcopal See
Sweeting, W. D. (Walter Debenham)
Peterborough Cathedral
The Fen monasteries remained desolate for 100 years. During that period
the lands were constantly being seized by different intruders. It was
not till the time of Alfred the Great, who came to the throne in 871,
that the invasions of the Danes were finally checked, and tranquillity
restored to the kingdom. Security being assured, the people began again
to improve their public buildings and the religious houses. Crowland was
the first in the neighbourhood to be restored. This restoration was
effected by Thurketyl. Instigated probably by his example, Ethelwold,
Bishop of Winchester, encouraged and supported by King Edgar, rebuilt
the monastery of Medeshamstede after the old model. The rebuilding was
completed in 972; and the name of Burgh was given to the place, and the
old name went altogether out of use.
The first Abbot, after the re-establishment of the monastery, was
=Aldulf= (971-992), formerly Chancellor to the King. He is said to have
accidentally caused the death of his only son, and feeling that he could
no longer live happily in the midst of earthly vanities, he endowed this
monastery with all his possessions, and was appointed to govern it.
Gunton declares that the prosperous and wealthy condition of the abbey
under the rule of Aldulf caused its name to be improved into
Gildenburgh, the Golden Borough. At this time most of the neighbouring
woods were cut down and the land brought into cultivation. Aldulf became
Bishop of Worcester after remaining twenty years at Burgh; and in 995
was made Archbishop of York. He died in May 1002, and is buried at
Worcester. He held indeed the See of Worcester with that of York till
his death.
He was succeeded at Burgh by =Kenulf= (992-1005). He is described as
famous for his wisdom and learning, and as having governed his abbey
"most admirably and sweetly." In 1005 he was made Bishop of Winchester,
not without suspicion of a corrupt purchase (_episcopatum nummis
nundinatus fuerat_), and died the following year.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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