Saint Sigeberht of East Anglia was born in the late 6th century AD. He lived as the King of East Anglia and later a monk at a monastery called Beodricesworth, later called Bury St. Edmunds. He died presumably circa 650 AD as a martyr. His feast day is celebrated on January 16.
St. Sigeberht of East Anglia Biography |
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| Date of Birth | 6th century |
|---|---|
| Country of Birth | United Kingdom in Europe |
| Matrimony/Holy Orders | Saints who were Monks |
| Profession | King, Monk |
| Place of Work | England |
| Date of Death | circa 650 AD |
| Place of Death | East Anglia, England |
| Feast Day | January 16 |
| Beatification | N/A |
| Canonization | Canonized by Pre congregation |
| Patron Saint of | N/A |
Saint Sigeberht of East Anglia’s Life History
Sigeberht was born presumably in the 6th century, possibly from Raedwald and a pagan princess from the kingdom of Essex.
Nothing much of his life is known till his details of his exile to Gaul, which is accounted to the possibility he may have been sent there, so that Raedwald reserve the throne of East Anglia to his lineage, making it possible to consider that he may have been his step son.
In Gaul, it is said that he developed an interest in the schools and churches built there hence converting to Christianity and developing into a devout man.
Upon his return to East Angles, after the assassination of Eorpwald, who had succeeded Raedwald, he was made ruler of East Angles, possibly by military methods and governed the kingdom alongside Ergric.
The arrival of Saint Felix from Burgundy, resulted in Sigeberht’s establishment of a bishopric at Dommoc for him. He also established a school for boys where they could learn how to read and write in Latin.
Later on, Sigeberht abdicated his power to Ergric in order to fulfil his desire to live a monastic life in a monastery he had built for his own use; which was known to n=be named as Beodricesworth, later called, Bury St. Edmunds.
Unfortunately in the 640s, East Anglia was attacked by the Mercian Army and Ergric had to defend the Kingdom. In light of this, he called upon Sigeberht, who refused to participate in the war as he said that he then lived for the Kingdom of God and wont fight for the earthly one. He was the forcefully dragged to the battlefield with nothing but a staff where he was slain alongside King Ergric.
In this way, Sigeberht was considered to have died as a martyr in his right.
He presumably died circa 650 AD in battle, defending East Anglia from the Mercian army.
Saint Sigeberht of East Anglia’s Birth
Saint Sigeberht of East Anglia was born in the late 6th century AD.
Saint Sigeberht of East Anglia’s Death
He died presumably circa 650 AD as a martyr.
Saint Sigeberht of East Anglia’s Family Background
Two accounts exist on the identity of his father; one suggests that he was the son Raedwald of East Anglia and another assumption is that he may have been the step son of Raedwald from Raedwald’s marriage to a pagan princess of the Kingdom of Essex. He may have had a little brother or a step brother named Eorpwald and was related to Ergric who may have been either his cousin or his brother.
Saint Sigeberht of East Anglia’s Profession
He lived as the King of East Anglia and later a monk at a monastery called Beodricesworth, later called Bury St. Edmunds.
Saint Sigeberht of East Anglia’s Canonization
He was canonized pre-congregation.
Venerated in
He is venerated in the Anglican Communion, Roman Catholic and the Orthodox Churches.
Saint Sigeberht of East Anglia’s Feast Day
His feast day is celebrated on January 16.
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