Grimbald of St Bertin | |
---|---|
Abbot, Confessor | |
Born | c. 820s |
Died | 8 July 901 New Minster, Winchester, Wessex |
Venerated in |
Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church True Orthodox Church |
Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
Feast | 8 July |
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]
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]