Aelfwines

Aelfwine (also spelled Ælfwine or Elfwine) was an Anglo-Saxon nobleman and bishop who played a significant role in the early Christianization of England during the 7th century. Born into a prominent West Saxon family, he was the son of King Cenwalh of Wessex and is believed to have been educated at the royal court, where he likely encountered Christian influences.

Aelfwine’s most notable contribution came in 675 when he was appointed Bishop of the West Saxons by King Cuthred of Mercia. His episcopal seat was at Dorchester-on-Thames, a strategic location that allowed him to oversee Christian missions across southern England. He is credited with establishing the first permanent bishopric in Wessex, which helped consolidate the Church’s presence in the region. His efforts were part of a broader effort to Christianize the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, often in collaboration with missionaries like St. Wilfrid and St. Theodore of Tarsus.

Aelfwine’s legacy is primarily documented through the *Vita Sancti Wilfridi*, a hagiographical work by the Venerable Bede, which describes his role in promoting Christianity. He is also mentioned in the *Anglo-Saxon Chronicle* and other contemporary sources as a key figure in the ecclesiastical reforms of the period. While little is known about his personal life, his administrative and pastoral work laid important foundations for the Church in Wessex.

Aelfwine’s feast day is celebrated on October 18th in the Anglican Communion, recognizing his contributions to early Christian England. His name appears in various spellings due to the phonetic variations of Old English, reflecting the linguistic shifts of the time. Today, he is remembered as a pivotal figure in the religious and cultural development of Anglo-Saxon England.