Saint Edmund Rich

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Saint Edmund Rich
Feast Day	November 16
Liturgical Class	III class
Patronage	Abingdon; Central Television Network; difficult marriages
Birthplace	Abingdon, Berkshire, England
Death Place	Soissy-sur-Seine, Champagne, France
Cause of Death	Natural causes
Primary Shrine	Pontigny Abbey, Pontigny, France

Saint Edmund Rich (c. 1175 – 16 November 1240), also known as Saint Edmund of Abingdon, was an English academic and prelate who served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 1233 until his death, renowned for his scholarly piety and advocacy for Church independence amid royal encroachments. According to contemporary sources like Matthew Paris's chronicles, born in Abingdon, Berkshire, Edmund studied at Oxford and Paris, becoming a professor of mathematics and dialectics before ordination around 1200. He rose to Chancellor of Oxford (1224) and Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral (1229), elected archbishop in 1233 against King Henry III's opposition, where he enforced clerical discipline, mediated papal-royal conflicts, and lived ascetically, often in exile.

Canonized in 1246 by Pope Innocent IV, mere six years after his death at Soissy-sur-Seine, Edmund exemplifies 13th-century reformist zeal, with miracles reported at his Pontigny Abbey tomb leading to rapid veneration. His feast day, 16 November, honors his legacy in the Roman Rite, though historical details from annals confirm his administrative reforms while hagiographic traditions emphasize visions and healings, which cannot be independently verified. Evidence from Oxford records and Canterbury synods underscores his intellectual contributions to scholasticism and ecclesiastical governance during Henry III's reign.

Biography

Birth

Saint Edmund Rich was born around 1175 in Abingdon, Berkshire, England, the son of Reginald Rich, a prosperous merchant, and his wife Matilda, as noted in early biographies. Parish records are unavailable, but family tradition indicates a devout upbringing; his parents endowed a chantry in his honor. Hagiographic accounts describe a pious childhood, including early Mass attendance, though these originate from later vitae rather than primary documents.

Probabilistic inferences from 12th-century merchant families suggest exposure to basic education in Abingdon's schools.

Early Life

Edmund studied at Oxford from around 1190, excelling in arts and theology, before pursuing advanced studies in Paris c. 1200–1205. Returning to Oxford, he taught mathematics, astronomy, and dialectics for twenty years, earning a reputation for eloquence and holiness. Ordained subdeacon c. 1214, he was appointed vicar of Merton College. Evidence from university rolls confirms his scholarly influence during the era's intellectual revival.

His early life balanced academia with growing asceticism, including vows of chastity.

Occupation

Edmund's primary occupation was academia; as Chancellor of Oxford (1224–1227), he reformed curricula and mediated disputes. Appointed Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral (1229), he oversaw finances and liturgy. Elected Archbishop of Canterbury (1233), he enforced celibacy and residence among clergy, as documented in synodal statutes. Historical records from Canterbury archives highlight his administrative rigor.

This role positioned him as a defender of Church liberties against royal taxes.

Vocation

Edmund's vocation as archbishop, accepted reluctantly, focused on pastoral reform amid Henry III's conflicts with Rome. Consecrated at Potiers (1234), he crowned Henry and Eleanor (1236) but excommunicated simoniacs. Hagiographic tradition describes visions of the Virgin, but these cannot be confirmed. He mediated at the Council of Lyons (1245), advocating papal rights.

His calling emphasized poverty, often sleeping on bare floors.

Death

Exiled to Pontigny Abbey in 1240 for opposing Henry III's policies, Edmund traveled to Rome for papal support but fell ill en route. He died peacefully on 16 November 1240 at Soissy-sur-Seine, aged about 65, after receiving Viaticum.

Saint Edmund met his end peacefully in old age. Buried at Pontigny, his tomb became a miracle site.

Significant events

• Studied at Oxford and Paris (c. 1190–1205).
• Ordained and began teaching at Oxford (c. 1214).
• Chancellor of Oxford University (1224–1227).
• Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral (1229).
• Elected and consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury (1233–1234).
• Crowned Henry III and Eleanor (1236).
• Exiled to Pontigny Abbey (1240).
• Died at Soissy-sur-Seine (16 November 1240).
• Canonized by Pope Innocent IV (1246).

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Abingdon, Berkshire, England
• Death location: Soissy-sur-Seine, Champagne, France
• Notable location: Pontigny Abbey (burial and primary shrine) (Domfront-en-Champagne, 53240 Pontigny, France)
• Notable location: Chancellorship and teaching site (Christ Church, Oxford OX1 1DP, England)
• Notable location: Salisbury Cathedral (treasurership) (The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EF, England)
• Notable location: Archbishop's residence (Lambeth Palace, London SE1 7JU, England)
• Notable location: Consecration site (St. Mary's Church, Lambeth, London SE1 7JY, England)

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Saint Edmund Rich
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Shrines

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List of shrines

Pontigny Abbey

• Cistercian abbey where Edmund was buried in 1240, designated a pilgrimage site under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Sens-Auxerre for his exile and intercession devotions, serving as a center for prayer, sacraments, and retreats focused on his advocacy for Church independence.
• Pilgrimage details: Domfront-en-Champagne, 53240 Pontigny, France; founded 1114; features his tomb chapel, annual November 16 liturgies with indulgences; Diocese of Sens-Auxerre.
• Facts: "Site of numerous posthumous healings leading to canonization."

St. Edmund's Church, Abingdon

• Parish church in his birthplace, officially designated under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Oxford for local veneration and historical pilgrimages tied to his scholarly life, offering Masses and educational exhibits.
• Pilgrimage details: Conduit Road, Abingdon OX14 1DB, England; medieval origins; feast day commemorations; Diocese of Oxford.
• Facts: "Commemorates his merchant family; invokes his patronage for difficult marriages."

Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford

• University cathedral where Edmund taught and served as chancellor, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage basilica for academic devotions and relic fragments honoring his intellectual legacy.
• Pilgrimage details: St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1DP, England; 12th century; November events; Diocese of Oxford.
• Facts: "Reformed curricula under his chancellorship; site of student sodalities he founded."

Salisbury Cathedral

• Gothic cathedral where Edmund was treasurer, designated under Canon 1230 for pilgrimages focused on his financial stewardship and clerical reforms, with side chapel devotions.
• Pilgrimage details: The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EF, England; 13th century; annual liturgies; Diocese of Salisbury.
• Facts: "Oversaw treasury during Magna Carta era; linked to his synodal statutes."

Church of St Edmund, King and Martyr, Warkworth

• Though dedicated to another Edmund, this medieval church honors Rich through shared name and regional cult, serving as a diocesan shrine under Canon 1230 for northern English pilgrimages emphasizing his Canterbury legacy.
• Pilgrimage details: Warkworth, Morpeth NE65 0UR, England; 12th century; feast processions; Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
• Facts: "Reflects 13th-century devotion spread; invokes his peacemaking."

Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Saint Edmund Rich as a Servant of God began immediately after his death in 1240, with initial investigation conducted at Pontigny Abbey where he was buried.

Venerable

Declared Venerable through popular acclaim and reported miracles at his tomb by 1241 for his life of heroic virtue in scholarship and archiepiscopal service.

Beatification

Beatified on 3 February 1246 by Pope Innocent IV after confirmation of miracles at his shrine, allowing veneration in England.

Canonization

Canonized on 16 December 1246 by Pope Innocent IV following additional miracles, including healings, extending universal veneration to the Church.

Miracles

Saints like Edmund Rich are recognized for specific intercessions, often healings or resolutions, attributed to his scholarly and pastoral life. These events, from medieval records, became milestones in his rapid canonization. Miracles were authenticated for his cause, though specifics are limited to general shrine reports.

Miracle for beatification

Healings at Pontigny tomb, including recovery from illnesses, were verified for 1246 beatification.

Miracle for canonization

Additional cures, such as a blind man's sight restored, were confirmed for 1246 canonization.

Other notable miracles

• Numerous healings at Pontigny shrine post-death, including fevers and wounds.
• Aid in difficult marriages, per devotional traditions.

Patronage

Saint Edmund Rich is the patron saint of Abingdon, the Central Television Network, and difficult marriages.

Feast day

November 16

Veneration

Saint Edmund Rich is venerated through academic novenas, pilgrimages to Pontigny, and liturgies for Church reform. Relics are kept at Pontigny Abbey (body). Saint Edmund Rich has been depicted in numerous artworks, including medieval effigies. Literature and media often portray Saint Edmund Rich in biographies of Canterbury archbishops. Relics and shrines dedicated to Saint Edmund Rich are significant pilgrimage sites, influencing cultural or religious events such as Oxford's scholarly commemorations.

Books

Written about the saint

• Lives of St. Edmund Rich by Matthew Paris and others
• The Mirror of Saint Edmund

Written by the saint

• The Mirror of Saint Edmund

External links

• Catholic Online: St. Edmund Rich
• New Advent: St. Edmund Rich
• Wikipedia: Edmund of Abingdon
• AnaStpaul: Saint Edmund Rich