14. SAINT ALCMUND, MARTYR-KING OF NORTHUMBRIA

The holy Martyr Alcmund was the son of Alchred and the brother of Osred, kings of Northumbria. He succeeded on the throne of Northumbria after the murder of his brother, and ruled with great humility and love, being a liberal father to the poor, the orphans and the widows. But he always longed to die for Christ, and this the Lord in His goodness granted him.

In 802, Alderman Athelmund of the Hwicce (South-West Mercia) was enraged against the men of Wiltshire and threatened to invade that territory. On hearing this, King Alcmund, who had the intention of going to Wiltshire to protect some lands that he possessed there, called the two warring sides together and urged them to peace. The Mercians were persuaded to return home; but in their hearts they were not pacified, and they soon returned with a large army.

At this juncture the men of Wiltshire called on Alcmund to help them. And he wishing to die for Christ, and remembering the words of the Lord: «Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends», consented to their desire. In the ensuing battle, which took place in about 800, the Wiltshire men won, but both of the leaders and Alcmund were killed. (According to another account, St. Alcmund was killed by King Eardwulf of Northumbria.)

The place where the holy king fell was the scene of many miracles. His body was transferred to the ancient church of Lilleshall, and then later to the White church in Derby. This was the scene of further miracles. The sick, the deaf, the blind and those suffering from various diseases were brought to the tomb, and there they received healing through the intercession of St. Alcmund. Some years later, when, at the request of many of the faithful, the priests of this church raised the holy relics, a most beautiful fragrance issued from the tomb. This fragrance persisted for a long time, as the people praised and glorified God and his holy martyr. However, when a certain unbeliever entered the church and started to behave in an impious manner, the fragrance suddenly ceased.

St. Alcmund is commemorated on March 19.

Holy Martyr-King Alcmund, pray to God for us!

(Sources: P. Grosjean, «De Codice Hagiographico Gothano, Appendix: Vita S. Aelkmundi Regis», Analecta Bollandiana, vol. LVIII, 1940, pp. 178–183; David Farmer, The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1978, p. 10; David Harrison, England Before the Norman Conquest, Ipswich: Hadden Best, p. 257)