St. Dunstan

Saint Dunstan (dŭns´tən), c.910–88, English monk, archbishop of Canterbury (960–88), b. near Glastonbury. He lived as a monk until called (940) to court by King Edmund of Wessex. He became (943) abbot of Glastonbury and initiated reforms that proved to be a turning point in English religious life. He was a royal counselor ...

Saint Dunstan (dŭns´tən), c.910–88, English monk, archbishop of Canterbury (960–88), b. near Glastonbury. He lived as a monk until called (940) to court by King Edmund of Wessex. He became (943) abbot of Glastonbury and initiated reforms that proved to be a turning point in English religious life. He was a royal counselor under King Edred, and the favorable peace with the Danes is credited to him. Unpopular with Edwy, he went to Flanders (956–58), where he witnessed the Benedictine reform then in full sway on the Continent. He was recalled by Edgar and was appointed bishop of Worcester (958), bishop of London (959), and archbishop of Canterbury. He was not in favor with Æthelred. Dunstan is regarded as one of the greatest Anglo-Saxon saints and has been called one of the makers of England. Feast: May 19.

See study by E. S. Duckett (1955).