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Aelred

Aelred is a masculine given name of English origin, often rendered Ailred. It is derived from Old English elements meaning “noble counsel.” The name is most closely associated with Saint Aelred of Rievaulx, a twelfth‑century English monk and abbot.

Saint Aelred of Rievaulx (c. 1110–1167) was a Cistercian monk who became abbot of Rievaulx Abbey in

Aelred is remembered as a writer on Christian spirituality. His best‑known works include De Spirituali Amicitia

In the liturgical calendars of some Christian traditions, Aelred is venerated as a saint, with a feast

Yorkshire
in
1147.
He
guided
the
abbey
during
a
period
of
growth
and
reform
within
the
Cistercian
order,
emphasizing
hospitality,
discipline,
and
charitable
living.
He
corresponded
with
church
leaders
and
other
reformers
of
his
day,
contributing
to
the
intellectual
and
spiritual
life
of
medieval
England.
(On
Spiritual
Friendship),
which
treats
friendship
as
a
path
to
God,
and
Speculum
Caritatis
(The
Mirror
of
Charity),
a
pastoral
guide
on
love,
humility,
and
communal
life.
These
writings
helped
shape
late
medieval
conceptions
of
friendship,
virtue,
and
monastic
ethics.
day
observed
on
August
12.
The
name
Aelred
remains
primarily
of
historical
note
today,
though
it
is
still
used
occasionally
in
England
and
other
countries
in
various
spellings
such
as
Ailred.