Death of Anselm – Archbishop of Canterbury

Death of Anselm – Archbishop of Canterbury

Saint Anselm of Canterbury was an Italian medieval philosopher, theologian, and church official who held the office of Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109.

Born the son of a Lombard nobleman in 1033 in Italy, Anselm crossed the alps in search of learning.
At the age of 26, he became a monk in the abbey of Bec, in Normandy.

Anselm’s writings, both theological and philosophical, were widely admired and respected.

Anselm was called the founder of scholasticism, he is famous as the originator of the argument for the existence of God.

When William II appointed him Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093, Anselm, then aged 60, accepted the post with great reluctance.

As archbishop, he openly opposed the Crusades.

By the time he died in Canterbury on 21st April 1109, Anselm had established an unrivalled reputation as a scholar, thinker, and spiritual leader.

During his primacy, the eastern end of Canterbury Cathedral was considerably remodelled, and the length of the building nearly doubled.

This twelfth century chapel in Canterbury Cathedral, was originally dedicated to St Peter and St Paul.

Following Anselm’s death, he was originally buried elsewhere in the cathedral.

His remains are believed to have been relocated to this chapel during the rebuilding and reorganisation of the cathedral in the 1170’s.

The chapel then became known as St. Anselm’s Chapel.

St Anselm’s altar was created by artist Stephen Cox and consecrated on 21st April 2006.

The altar was a gift from the people of the Italian Autonomous Region of Valle d’Aosta, the birthplace of Anselm.

It is made from Aosta marble, chosen for its dark colour and unique markings reflecting the mountainous region.

⛪ Picture Credits – M.Tong for The Tudor Intruders.