St. Edmund Rich was born in Abingdon, England, around 1174. From
an early age, he practiced asceticism. He taught art and math at Oxford. After
his ordination, he taught theology and became the treasurer of Salisbury
Cathedral.
He was known as a great speaker; he travelled and preached for
the Sixth Crusade. Pope Gregory IX named him Archbishop of Canterbury in 1233.
In that role, he became advisor to King Henry III. He urged the king to ratify
the Magna Carta, which had been signed by his father, King John. Edmund tried
to negotiate between the Church and the king over control of leadership and
property in England, making him unpopular to the king. A papal legate was sent
from Rome in 1237, and King Henry used the legate’s authority to limit Edmund’s
power.
The feud with King Henry led Edmund to resign his see in
1240 and moved to France, where he became a Cistercian. He died that year and
was canonized just seven years later. His
feast day is November 20.
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