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Alkmund of Derby (or of Lilleshall), also spelt Ealhmund, Alhmund, Alcmund, or Alchmund (d. c. 800) was a son of
Miracles were reported at the tomb. In the early tenth century, his remains were translated to Shrewsbury, probably by
File:St Alkmund's Church.jpg,
Alkmund of Derby (or of Lilleshall), also spelt Ealhmund, Alhmund, Alcmund, or Alchmund (d. c. 800) was a son of Alhred of Northumbria
Alhred or Alchred was king of Northumbria from 765 to 774. He had married Osgifu, either the daughter of Oswulf, granddaughter of Eadberht Eating, or Eadberht's daughter, and was thus related by marriage to Ecgbert, Archbishop of York. A genealo ...
, who was caught up in the kingdom's dynastic struggles.
History
After more than twenty years in exile among the Picts, Alkmund returned with an army. As king, he acquired a reputation for being charitable to the poor and orphaned. He was killed about 800, for which KingEardwulf of Northumbria
Eardwulf (fl. 790 – 830) was king of Northumbria from 796 to 806, when he was deposed and went into exile. He may have had a second reign from 808 until perhaps 811 or 830. Northumbria in the last years of the eighth century was the scene ...
was held responsible. Whatever the exact circumstances, his death was regarded as a martyr
A martyr (, ''mártys'', "witness", or , ''marturia'', stem , ''martyr-'') is someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, or refusing to renounce or advocate, a religious belief or other cause as demanded by an externa ...
dom, and Alkmund as a saint.
He was buried first in Shropshire, and then removed to "Northworthy", i.e. modern Derby, because of Viking raids.
Miracles were reported at the tomb. In the early tenth century, his remains were translated to Shrewsbury, probably by Æthelflæd
Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians ( 870 – 12 June 918) ruled Mercia in the English Midlands from 911 until her death. She was the eldest daughter of Alfred the Great, king of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex, and his wife Ealhswith.
Æthe ...
, Lady of the Mercians.
When St Alkmund's, Shrewsbury became the property of Lilleshall Abbey
Lilleshall Abbey was an Augustinian abbey in Shropshire, England, today located north of Telford. It was founded between 1145 and 1148 and followed the austere customs and observance of the Abbey of Arrouaise in northern France. It suffered ...
about 1145, his body was translated back to Derby.''Saint Alkmund, His Life, Murder and Cults'', Derek & Marion Taulbut, 1998
When St Alkmund's Church, Derby
Saint Alkmund's Church was a Victorian church, which stood in a Georgian square between Bridgegate and Queen Street in Derby; this was the only Georgian square in the city. The church and its yard were demolished in 1968 for construction of a roa ...
was demolished in 1968, traces of several earlier churches were revealed, stretching back to the 9th century. Artefacts found included the stone sarcophagus now in Derby Museum and Art Gallery.
Six churches in England are dedicated to him, at Derby
Derby ( ) is a city and unitary authority area in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the banks of the River Derwent in the south of Derbyshire, which is in the East Midlands Region. It was traditionally the county town of Derbyshire. Derby g ...
(replaced by St Alkmund's (new) Church, Derby), Duffield (Derbyshire), Shrewsbury, Whitchurch (Shropshire), Aymestrey (Herefordshire) and Blyborough
Blyborough is a village and civil parish in the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. The population of the civil parish at the 2011 census was 115. It lies on the B1398 road, east from Gainsborough, north from Lincoln and south f ...
(Lincolnshire).
His feast day is 19 March.
Gallery
St Alkmund's Church, Derby
Saint Alkmund's Church was a Victorian church, which stood in a Georgian square between Bridgegate and Queen Street in Derby; this was the only Georgian square in the city. The church and its yard were demolished in 1968 for construction of a roa ...
, from Queen Street, 1882
File:St Alkmunds Sarcophagus.jpg, Sarcophagus of St Alkmund, Derby Museum
File:St Alkmunds Church Duffield.jpg, St Alkmund's Church, Duffield
See also
*Alchmund of Hexham
Alcmund of Hexham (died 7 September 780 or 781) became the 7th bishop of the see of Hexham in Northumberland when he was consecrated on 24 April 767;Fryde, et al. ''Handbook of British Chronology'' p. 217 the see was centred on the church there ...
References
External links
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Alkmund of Derby 8th-century Christian saints Anglo-Saxon warriors Northumbrian saints History of Northumberland 800 deaths 770s births 8th-century English people 8th-century births