Eanbald

The name of two archbishops of York.

Eanbald I, date of birth unknown; died 10 August, 796. Most of his life was probably spent in the monastery of York. As one of the officials in the monastery he, conjointly with Alcuin, superintended the rebuilding of the minster. Albert, in his declining years, chose Eanbald to be his coadjutor and successor. He succeeded to the archbishopric in 782 (some say 778). His first care was to obtain the pallium and Alcuin went to Rome to bring it; on his return Eanbald was solemnly confirmed in his office. He lived in troublous times. Nevertheless Eanbald carried on the School of York and treasured its great library. In August, 791, he consecrated Baldulf Bishop of Whitherne. His last public act was on 25 June, 796, when he crowned Eardulf King of Northumbria. He died at the monastery of Etlete or Edete. His body was taken to York and buried in the minster.

Eanbald II, date of birth unknown; died 810 or 812. He received his education in the famous School of York where he was Alcuin's pupil. On the death of Eanbald I he was chosen his successor. On 8 September, 797, having received the pallium from Rome, he was solemnly confirmed in the archbishopric.

He assisted Ethelhard, Archbishop of Canterbury, to recover the prerogatives of which he had been despoiled by Offa. In 798 he assembled his clergy in synod at Pinchenheale (Finchale, near Durham) and there enacted a number of wise regulations relating to the ecclesiastical courts and the observance of Easter. Some think he was the author of a volume of decrees and that he was the first to introduce the Roman Ritual in the church of York.

Eadbald I: Raine, Fasti Eboracenses (London, 1863), I, 106 sqq.; Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, ad ann. 780, 791, 795, 796; Symeon of Durham, Hist. Regum in R. S, II, 58.—Eadbald II: Raine, Fasti Eboracenses (London, 1863), I, 109 sqq.; Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, ad ann. 796; Lingard, Hist. of England (London, 1854), I, 73, 81; Alcuini Opera (1777), I, 62-3, 217, 231, 233-4.

G. H. Hind