{{otheruses4|Aldred the English ecclesiastic|the Anglo-Saxon leader|Hwicce}}
:''For the Australian politician, see [[Ken Aldred]].''

{{Infobox Archbishop of York|
| Full name = Aldred|
| image =
| birth_name = Ealdred
| began = 1061
| term_end = [[September 11]] [[1069]]
| predecessor = [[Cynesige]]
| successor = [[Thomas I of York|Thomas I]]
| birth_date =
| birthplace =
| death_date = [[September 11]] [[1069]]
| deathplace = [[York]]
| tomb = [[York Minster]]}}

'''Aldred''', or '''Ealdred''' (died [[11 September]] [[1069]]), [[England|English]] ecclesiastic, was [[Abbot of Tavistock]], [[Bishop of Worcester]], [[Bishop of Hereford]], and [[Archbishop of York]].

==Early life==

He probably was from the west of England, and possibly was related to [[Lyfing of Winchester|Lyfing]], his predecessor as bishop of Worcester. He was also related to Wilstan or Wulfstan, who under Aldred's influence became [[Abbot of Gloucester]].<ref name=DNB>Lawson "Ealdred (d. 1069)" ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/37382 Online Edition] accessed November 11, 2007</ref> He was a [[monk]] at [[Winchester]] before becoming [[abbot]] of [[Tavistock Abbey]] about 1027, and held that office until about 1043.<ref name=Knowles72>Knowles ''Heads of Religious Houses'' p. 72</ref> The ''Handbook of British Chronology Second Edition'' says he was named bishop of Hereford in 1044, holding the see until 1060, when he resigned the see,<ref name=Powicke229>Powicke ''Handbook of British Chronology'' p. 229</ref> but other sources say that he merely administered the see while it was vacant.<ref name=Huscroft45>Huscroft ''Ruling England 1042-1217'' p. 45</ref> or that he was bishop of Hereford from 1055 to 1060.<ref name=BHOYork>[http://british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=8457 British History Online Archbishops of York] accessed on September 12, 2007</ref> However, it is sure that he was made bishop of Worcester in 1046, and held that office until 1062, when he resigned the [[see of Worcester]].<ref name=Powicke264>Powicke ''Handbook of British Chronology'' p. 264</ref> He may have been acting as his predecessor [[Lyfing]]'s [[suffragan]] before formally assuming the bishopric.<ref name=Edward86>[[Frank Barlow (historian)|Barlow, Frank]], ''Edward the Confessor'' p. 86-87</ref><ref name=DNB/>

==Political influence and travels==
[[Image:Harold2.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Harold Godwinson, from the [[Bayeux Tapestry]], whom Aldred failed to catch in 1051]]
He had considerable influence over King [[Edward the Confessor]], and as his interests were secular rather than religious he took a prominent part in affairs of state, and in 1046 led an unsuccessful expedition against the [[Wales|Welsh]].<ref name=Huscroft49>Huscroft ''Ruling England 1042-1217</ref> In 1050, as Aldred was returning to England from Rome he met [[Sweyn Godwinson|Sweyn]], a son of [[Earl Godwin]] in Flanders, and probably absolved Sweyn for having abducted the abbess of [[Leominster Abbey]] in 1046.<ref name=Godwins55>Barlow ''The Godwins'' p. 55</ref> It was through Aldred's intercession that Sweyn was restored to his earldom.<ref name=Edward103>Barlow ''Edward the Confessor'' p. 103</ref> Aldred probably helped Sweyn not only because Aldred was a supporter of Earl [[Godwin of Wessex|Godwin]]'s family but because Sweyn's earldom was close to his bishopric. As recently as 1049 Irish raiders had allied with King [[Gruffydd ap Rhydderch]] of [[Gwent]] in raiding along the [[River Usk]]. Aldred unsuccessfully tried to drive off the raiders, but was routed. This failure probably drove home the need to Aldred for a strong earl in the area to protect against raids.<ref name=Mason57>Mason ''The House of Godwine'' p. 57-58</ref> Also in 1050, Aldred went to [[Rome]] "on the king's errand."<ref name=Huscroft50>Huscroft ''Ruling England 1042-1217'' p. 50</ref> This errand was apparently to secure the papal approval for the moving of the see of Crediton to Exeter, and may also have been to secure the release of the king from a vow to go on pilgrimage, if post-Conquest sources are to be believed.<ref name=DNB/> In 1051, when he was sent to intercept [[Harold Godwinson]] and his brothers as they fled England after their father's outlawing, Aldred "could not, or would not" capture the brothers.<ref name=Harold132>Walker ''Harold'' p. 132-133</ref><ref name=Edward114>Barlow ''Edward the Confessor'' p. 114</ref>

In 1054 he was sent to the emperor [[Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry III]] to obtain that monarch's influence in securing the return to England of [[Edward the Exile]], son of [[Edmund Ironside]], who was in [[Hungary]] with King [[Andrew I of Hungary|Andrew I]].<ref name=Huscroft8>Huscroft ''Ruling England 1042-1217'' p. 8</ref> In this mission he was somewhat successful and obtained some insight into the working of the German church during a stay of a year<ref name=Walker76>Walker ''Harold'' p. 76</ref> with Hermann II, archbishop of [[Cologne]].<ref name=Edward215>Barlow ''Edward the Confessor'' p. 215-218</ref> However he failed to secure the return of Edward, because at the time Henry I's relations with the Hungarians were strained, and the emperor was unable or unwilling to help Aldred.<ref name=Mason88>Mason ''The House of Godwine'' p. 88</ref> After his return to [[England]] he took charge of the sees of [[Hereford]]<ref name=Mason94>Mason ''The House of Godwine'' p. 94</ref> and [[Ramsbury]],<ref name=Harold132/> although not appointed to Ramsbury, and only possibly appointed to Hereford. He also administered [[Winchcombe Abbey]] and [[Gloucester Abbey]].<ref name=Edward198>Barlow ''Edward the Confessor'' p. 198-199</ref> In 1058 made a pilgrimage to [[Jerusalem]], being the first English bishop to take this journey.<ref name=Edward208>Barlow ''Edward the Confessor'' p. 208-209</ref>

==Archbishop of York==
[[Image:B Nikolaus II2.jpg|left|thumb|175px|Pope Nicholas II, depicted in a fresco at the monastery of St Clement in Rome, at first deposed Aldred then restored him to York]]
Having previously given up Hereford and Ramsbury, Aldred was elected archbishop of [[York]] in 1060, and in 1061 he proceeded to Rome to receive the [[pallium]]. Journeying with him was [[Tostig]], another son of Earl Godwin, who was now earl of [[Northumbria]].<ref name=Hindley330>Hindley ''A Brief History of the Anglo-Saxons'' p. 330</ref> [[William of Malmesbury]] says that he by "amusing the simplicity of King Edward and alleging the custom of his predecessors, had acquired, more by bribery than by reason, the archbishopric of York while still holding his former see."<ref name=Powell13q>quoted in Powell ''The House of Lords'' p. 13</ref> On his arrival in Rome, however, charges of [[simony]], or the buying of ecclesiastical office, and lack of learning were brought against him by a [[synod]], and [[Pope Nicholas II]] not only refused to consent to his elevation to York, but removed him from Worcester also.<ref name=Powell13>Powell ''The House of Lords'' p. 13-14</ref> The sentence was, however, subsequently reversed, and Aldred received the pallium and was restored to York,<ref name=Huscroft52>Huscroft ''Ruling England 1042-1217'' p. 52</ref> although he was required to give up the see of Worcester in 1062, when papal legates arrived to hold a council and make sure that Aldred relinquished Worcester.<ref name=Harold50>Walker ''Harold'' p. 50</ref> While archbishop, he built at [[Beverley]], expanding on the building projects begun by his predecessor [[Cynesige]],<ref name=Huscroft46>Huscroft ''Ruling England 1042-1217'' p. 46</ref> as well as repairing and expanding other churches in his diocese.<ref name=Edward198/> He also was the one bishop that published ecclesiastical legistlation during Edward the Confessor's reign, attempting to discipline and reform the clergy.<ref name=Barlow122>Barlow ''The English Church 1066-1154'' p. 122</ref>

It is stated by [[John of Worcester]] that Aldred crowned King Harold II in 1066, although the [[Normans|Norman]] authorities mention [[Stigand]] as the officiating prelate.<ref name=Hindley335>Hindley ''A Brief History of the Anglo-Saxons'' p. 335</ref> However, given Aldred's known support of Godwin's family, John of Worcester is probably correct.<ref name=DNB/> In all events, Aldred and Harold were close, and Aldred supported Harold's bid to become king.<ref name=Harold117>Walker ''Harold'' p. 117</ref><ref name=Harold132/> After the [[battle of Hastings]], Aldred joined the party who sought to bestow the throne upon [[Edgar Atheling|Edgar the Ætheling]], but when these efforts appeared hopeless he was among those who submitted to [[William I of England|William the Conqueror]] at [[Berkhamsted]].<ref name=Huscroft19>Huscroft ''Ruling England 1042-1217</ref> Selected to crown the new king he performed the ceremony on [[Christmas Day]] 1066,<ref name=Powell1>Powell ''The House of Lords'' p. 1</ref> and at [[Whitsun]] 1068 performed the same office at the coronation of [[Matilda of Flanders|Matilda]], the Conqueror's wife.<ref name=Powell13/> One innovation in the crowning of the Conqueror was that before the actual crowning, Aldred asked the assembled crowd, in English, if it was their wish that William be crowned king. The [[bishop of Coutances]] then did the same, but in [[Norman French]].<ref name=Powell1/> But though often at court,<ref name=Powell13/> he seems to have been no sympathiser with Norman oppression, and is even said to have bearded the king himself. In March of 1067, William took Aldred with him when William returned to [[Normandy]], along with the other English leaders [[Earl Edwin]], [[Earl Morcar]], Edgar the Ætheling, and Archbishop Stigand.<ref name=Harold185>Walker ''Harold'' p. 185-187</ref>However, he was back at York before 1069, as he died at York on [[September 11]] [[1069]]<ref name=Powicke264/> and was buried in his own cathedral. He may have taken an active part in trying to calm the rebellions in the north in 1068 and 1069.<ref name=Powell13/>

==Legacy==

After Aldred's death, one of the restraints on William's treatment of the English was removed. In 1070, a church Council was held at Westminster and a number of bishops were deposed. By 1073 there were only two English in episcopal sees, and by the time of William's death in 1089, there was only one, [[Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester|Wulfstan II]] of Worcester.<ref name=Barlow57>Barlow ''The English Church 1066-1154'' p. 57</ref> Aldred did much for the restoration of discipline in the monasteries and churches under his authority,<ref name=Barlow122/><ref name=DNB/> and was liberal in his gifts for ecclesiastical purposes. He built the monastic church of St Peter at [[Gloucester]], and rebuilt a large part of the church of St John at Beverley.<ref name=Edward198/> At his instigation, Folcard, a monk of [[Canterbury Cathedral|Canterbury]], wrote the ''Life of St [[John of Beverley]]''.<ref name=DNB>Palliser "John of Beverley [St John of Beverley] (d. 721)" ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/14845 Online Edition] accessed November 9, 2007</ref>

==See also==

* [[List of the Bishops of the Diocese of Hereford, England and its precursor offices]]
* [[List of Bishops of Worcester]]
* [[List of Archbishops of York]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}

==References==

* Barlow, Frank ''Edward the Confessor'' Berkeley, California: University of California Press 1970 ISBN 0-520-01671-8
* Barlow, Frank ''The English Church 1066-1154'' New York: Longman 1979 ISBN 0-582-50236-5
* Barlow, Frank ''The Godwins: The Rise and Fall of a Noble Dynasty'' London: Pearson Longman 2002 ISBN 0-582-78440-9
* [http://british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=8457 British History Online Archbishops of York] accessed on September 12, 2007
* Hindley, Geoffrey ''A Brief History of the Anglo-Saxons: The beginnings of the English nation'' New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers 2006 ISBN 978-0-78671738-5
* Huscroft, Richard ''Ruling England 1042-1217'' London: Pearson Longman 2005 ISBN 0-582-84882-2
* [[David Knowles|Knowles, David]]; Brooke C. N. L.; and London, Vera C. M. ''The Heads of Religious Houses: England and Wales 940-1216'' Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1972 ISBN 0-521-08367-2
* Lawson, M. K. "Ealdred (d. 1069)" rev. Vanessa King, ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/37382 Online Edition] accessed November 11, 2007
* Mason, Emma ''The House of Godwine: The History of a Dynasty'' London: Hambledon and London 2004 ISBN 1-85285-389-1
* Palliser, D. M. "John of Beverley [St John of Beverley] (d. 721)" ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/14845 Online Edition] accessed November 9, 2007
* Powell, J. Enoch and Keith Wallis ''The House of Lords in the Middle Ages: A History of the English House of Lords to 1540'' London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson 1968
* [[Maurice Powicke|Powicke, F. Maurice]] and E. B. Fryde ''Handbook of British Chronology'' 2nd. ed. London:Royal Historical Society 1961
* Walker, Ian ''Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King'' Wrens Park Publishing 2000 ISBN 0-905-778-464

==Further reading==

* ''The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'', edited by [[Charles Plummer]] ([[Oxford]], [[1892]]-[[1899]])
* Dixon, W. H. ''Fasti Eboracenses'', vol. i., edited by [[James Raine]] ([[London]], [[1863]])
* [[Florence of Worcester]] (sic.), ''Chronicon ex Chronicis'', edited by [[Benjamin Thorpe]] ([[London]], [[1848]]-[[1849]])
* [[E. A. Freeman|Freeman, E. A.]], ''History of the Norman Conquest'', vols. ii., iii., iv. ([[Oxford]], [[1867]]-[[1879]])
* Stubbs, T. ''Chronica Pontificum Ecclesiae Eboracensis'', edited by James Raine ([[London]], [[1879]]-[[1894]])
* [[William of Malmesbury]], ''De Gestis Pontificum Anglorum'', edited by N. E. S. A. Hamilton ([[London]], [[1870]])

==External links==
* [http://www.britannia.com/bios/abofy/ealdred.html Ealdred at Britannia Biographies]
* [http://www.the-orb.net/textbooks/muhlberger/1066.html 1066 at Online Reference Book for Medieval Studies]

{{s-start}}
{{s-rel|ca}}
{{s-bef | before=[[Leofgar of Hereford]] }}
{{s-ttl| title=[[Bishop of Hereford]] | years=1044&ndash;1060}}
{{s-aft| after=[[Walter of Lorraine]] }}
{{s-bef | before=[[Lyfing of Winchester|Lyfing]] }}
{{s-ttl| title=[[Bishop of Worcester]] | years=1046&ndash;1062}}
{{s-aft| after=[[Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester|St. Wulfstan II]] }}
{{s-bef | before=[[Cynesige]] }}
{{s-ttl| title=[[Archbishop of York]] | years=1061&ndash;1069}}
{{s-aft| after=[[Thomas I of York|Thomas I]]}}
{{end}}

{{Archbishops of York}}
{{1911}}

{{Persondata
|NAME=Aldred
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Ealdred
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Abbot of Tavistock; Bishop of Hereford; Bishop of Worcester; Archbishop of York
|DATE OF BIRTH=
|PLACE OF BIRTH=
|DATE OF DEATH=September 11, 1069
|PLACE OF DEATH=York
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aldred}}
[[Category:1069 deaths]]
[[Category:Abbots of Tavistock]]
[[Category:Archbishops of York]]
[[Category:Bishops of Hereford]]
[[Category:Bishops of Worcester]]
[[Category:Late 11th century Roman Catholic archbishops]]

[[ru:Элдред]]
[[uk:Елдред]]