Edmund of Abingdon

edmund Rich) (c.1175-1240. Archbishop of Canterbury from 1233. After graduating at Paris, he taught liberal arts there and at Oxford (where he was the first to lecture on Aristotle). In 1227 he was appointed to preach the crusade in England, and six years later became archbishop of Canterbury at the pope's behest, although the monks of Canterbury had suggested three others. Edmund unsuccessfully challenged papal exactions, and rebuked King Henry III for following the advice of foreign favorites, and for other misdemeanors threatened him with excommunication. The king submitted, but asked the pope to send him a legate. When Cardinal Otto arrived in 1237, Edmund's influence declined, for the legate took precedence over him on public occasions. Edmund protested in vain, and on further papal encroachments withdrew to Pontigny. Though he was somewhat ineffectual when challenged by great national issues, he was one of the most saintly and attractive figures of the English Church. St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, was dedicated to him in 1682