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Ealdwulf

950 – 1002

Bishop of Worcester; Abbot of Peterborough; Archbishop of York

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About Ealdwulf

Lived 950 – 1002 (aged 51–52). Ealdwulf was a catholic priest and catholic bishop.

Ealdwulf (died 6 May 1002) was a medieval Abbot of Peterborough, Bishop of Worcester, and Archbishop of York.

Life

Traditional stories state that Ealdwulf was a layman and chancellor to King Edgar of England when one night he accidentally smothered his son while sharing a bed with the child. Rather than go to Rome to seek absolution for this sin, which had been his original plan, Ealdwulf refounded the monastery at Medeshamstede, which later became known as Peterborough Abbey, on the advice of Æthelwold, bishop of Winchester. Ealdwulf then joined his new foundation as a monk before becoming abbot of Peterborough from about 966 to 992.

Ealdwulf was bishop of Worcester as well as archbishop of York from 995 to his death on 6 May 1002.

Ealdwulf's reputation was one of extreme piety. William of Malmesbury compared him to his successor Wulfstan as follows "Ealdwulf can be pardoned for holding the two sees contrary to canon law because of his sanctity, and because he did it not through ambition but by necessity."

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Important facts

Born
950
Birth century
Died
Positions held
Abbot, Roman Catholic archbishop of York, Roman Catholic bishop of Worcester (England)
Also known as
Aldulf

People in Ealdwulf's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Ealdwulf's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Ealdwulf?

Bishop of Worcester; Abbot of Peterborough; Archbishop of York

When was Ealdwulf born?

Ealdwulf was born in 950.

When did Ealdwulf die?

Ealdwulf died on 6 May 1002.

What was Ealdwulf's occupation?

Ealdwulf was a catholic priest and catholic bishop.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Ealdwulf

· Wikidata: Q4591727

· DBpedia: Ealdwulf (archbishop of York)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ealdwulf. https://biography.guide/ealdwulf/

MLA: "Ealdwulf." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ealdwulf/.

Chicago: "Ealdwulf." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ealdwulf/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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