Ceadda

Family: Northumbrians · Role: priest and later bishop · First appears: Book III · Chap. XXIII

c. 653, Ceadda assumed governance of Cedd’s monastery at Laestingaeu; Cedd left it to him after him. Ceadda and Cedd were brothers, as were Cynibill and Caelin, and all four were celebrated priests.

c. 664, Wini, bishop in the province of the West Saxons, consecrated Ceadda bishop of York. As one of Aidan’s disciples, Ceadda sought to instruct his people according to Aidan’s manner of life and character, also following the example of Cedd. He began labouring for ecclesiastical truth and purity of doctrine; Oswy had sent him for ordination, with the priest Eadhaed.

c. 668, Theodore completed Ceadda’s episcopal ordination and appointed him bishop of the Mercians and Lindsey. When challenged over his consecration, Ceadda answered, “If you know that I have not duly received episcopal ordination, I willingly resign the office”; Theodore then told him not to resign. Wulfhere gave him land at Ad Barvae for a monastery. Ceadda had earlier led a monastic life in Ireland with Egbert, who was his friend, and Trumbert was one of the brothers who instructed him in Scripture; Owini was with him at his habitation, while Wynfrid served among the clergy of the prelate Ceadda succeeded. Ceadda died and was buried at his episcopal see in Lyccidfelth, and his bones were later translated to the church of Peter.