St. Brithwald, Abbot
(Beorhtweald, Berctuald, Bertwald, Brihtwald)

9 January

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Died 731. Saint Berhtwald was an Anglo-Saxon, probably educated at Canterbury, who became a monk and later abbot of Reculver in Kent. He was elected archbishop of Canterbury in 692 upon the death of Saint Theodore and was consecrated at Lyons by its Archbishop Godwin. Saint Bede describes him as learned in Scripture and ecclesiastical and monastic sciences, although far inferior to his predecessor in the see.

During his 37-year reign in that see, he was in correspondence with Saints Boniface, Aldhelm, and Wilfrid. In 703, Berhtwald presided over the synod of Austerfield (West Yorkshire), which decreed that Wilfrid should resign his see of York, accept virtual deposition and confinement, and give up his monasteries (Peterborough, Brixworth, Evesham, and Wing). Despite Wilfrid's appeal to the pope for reinstatement, Berhtwald remained adamant until a compromise was reached in 705 at the Synod of the River Nidd, during which it was agreed that Saint John of Beverley would continue as bishop of York, while Wilfrid would govern Hexham and resume control of his monasteries.

Berhtwald's cultus was never very widespread. His feast was only ever celebrated at Saint Augustine's Abbey in Canterbury, where he was buried (Benedictines, Farmer).


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