Grimbald
Saint Grimbald (or Grimwald) (c. 820s – 8 July 901) was a 9th-century Benedictine monk at the Abbey of Saint Bertin near Saint-Omer, France.[1]
Saint Grimbald of St Bertin | |
|---|---|
| Saint, Abbot, Confessor | |
| Born | c. 820s |
| Died | 8 July 901 |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Feast | 8 July |
Background
Although of dubious historical accuracy, the life of Grimbald was recorded in several volumes, of which the main source is referred to as the Vita Prima of St. Grimbaldi.[2] According to the Vita Prima, King Alfred met Grimbald before his reign, and after his coronation invited Grimbald to England around 892.[2] Invited for his linguistic and compositional ability, Grimbald was one of several scholars who had been invited to the English court by Alfred to assist him in his literary pursuits,[2] and was among the most prominent.[3] In fact, in the Introduction of his translation of Gregory the Great's Pastoral Care, Alfred mentions the help he received from Grimbald in composing Latin.[4] Although it is said that during Grimbald's life he refused King Alfred's offer of appointment to the see of Canterbury,[2] after Alfred's death he accepted appointment as abbot to a yet unbuilt monastery, New Minster, in Winchester by King Edward.[1] Grimwald died at New Minster on 8 July 901.[2] He was venerated as a saint and confessor, and some altars were dedicated to him. He also figures in a number of legendary tales of Oxford.[4] The Grimbald Gospels in the British Library are named after him.[5]
References
- Butler (1886). "St. Grimbald, Abbot". Lives of the Saints. VII.
- Grierson, Philip (1940). "Grimbald of St. Bertin's". The English Historical Review. 55 (220): 531. JSTOR 554293.
- Batley, Janet (1966). "Grimabld of St. Bertin's". Medium AEvum. 35 (1): 1–10. doi:10.2307/43627223. JSTOR 43627223.
- Stephen, Leslie; Lee, Sidney, eds. (1890). . Dictionary of National Biography. 23. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
- British Library