Æthelnoth

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Æthelnoth (d. 1038). Archbishop of Canterbury from 1020. Often referred to as ‘the Good’, and thought to have influenced Cnut, who was generous to Canterbury and granted him extensive powers of jurisdiction. Æthelnoth restored the church at Canterbury, damaged during Danish raids, and in 1023 had the remains of his martyred predecessor, Ælfheah, translated there with great ceremony. An arm of St Augustine of Hippo, bought by him at Pavia, was given to the abbey church at Coventry. An improbable account claims that, after Cnut's death, pledged to consecrate none but his son Harthacnut, he refused to crown Harold Harefoot.

Audrey MacDonald

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