Born in Northumbria; died c. 740; second feast of the translation of his
relics by King Edgar to Westminster on April 21. Ethelwald was one of
Saint Cuthbert's (f.d. March 20)
chief assistants. He was prior and then
abbot of Old Melrose in Scotland. On the death of
Saint Edfrith (f.d. June 4),
Ethelwald succeeded to the see of Lindisfarne. His interest in
Edfrith's work is demonstrated by his patronage of the hermit
Saint Billfrith (f.d. March 6),
who made at his request a binding for it of
gold and precious stones (now lost). His relics were translated from
Lindisfarne with those of Saint Cuthbert. A stone cross bearing his name
went from Lindisfarne to Durham. A compilation by him called "Ymnarius
Edilwald" may be the source of the "Book of Cerne"
(
Benedictines,
Farmer).