SAINT

See also:

• SAINT DUNSTAN (924 or 925-g88)

DUNSTAN (924 or 925-g88)  ,1 English archbishop, entered the household of King .Ethelstan when still quite a boy . Here he soon excited the dislike of his young companions, who procured his banishment from the court . He now took refuge with his kinsman Alphege, bishop of Winchester, whose per-suasion, seconded by a serious illness, induced him to become a monk. lEthelstan's successor, Edmund, recalled him to the court and made him one of his counsellors . Through the machinations of enemies he was again expelled from the royal presence; but shortly afterwards Edmund revoked the sentence and made him abbot of Glastonbury . His successor Edred showed him greater favour still . On the accession of Edwig, however, in 955, Dunstan's fortunes underwent a temporary eclipse . Having offended the influential lElfgifu, he was outlawed and compelled to flee to Flanders . But in 957 the Mercians and Northumbrians revolted and chose Edgar as their king . The new king at once recalled Dunstan, who was made a bishop . At first apparently he was without a see; but that of Worcester falling vacant, he was appointed to fill it . In 959 he received the bishopric of London as well . In the same year Edwig died and Edgar became sole king, Dunstan shared his triumph, and was appointed archbishop of Canterbury .

On Edgar's

death in 975 the arch-bishop's influence secured the crown for his elder son Edward . But with the accession of "'Ethelred in 979 Dunstan's public career came to an end . He retired to Canterbury, and died on the 19th of May 988 . Dunstan is of more importance as a lay than as an ecclesiastical statesman . The great church movement of his time—the reformation of English monasticism on Benedictine lines—found in him a sympathizer, but in no sense an active participant . But as a secular statesman he occupies a high place . He guided the state successfully during the nine years' reign of the invalid Edred . Through that of Edgar, he was the king's chief minister and most trusted adviser; and to him a great share in its glories must be assigned . See Memorials of St Dunstan, edited by W . Stubbs (London, 1874) Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, edited by C . Plummer (Oxford, 1892--1899) .