Aldhun

Who was Aldhun?

Aldhun of Durham, also known as Ealdhun, was the last Bishop of Lindisfarne and the first Bishop of Durham. He was of "noble descent."

Since the late 9th century the see of Lindisfarne was based in Chester-le-Street because of constant attacks from invading Danes. However in 994 King Æthelred II of England had paid a Danegeld to King Sweyn I of Denmark and King Olaf I of Norway in return for peace. The pay-off worked and there followed a period of freedom from Viking raids. This encouraged Aldhun to return the remains of Cuthbert of Lindisfarne to their original resting place at Lindisfarne, and to reinstate the diocese there.

En route to their destination however Aldhun claimed to have received a vision from Cuthbert saying that the saint's remains should be laid to rest at Durham. The monks detoured then to Durham, and the title Bishop of Lindisfarne was transferred to Bishop of Durham. The removal of the see from Chester-le-Street to Durham took place in 995. Symeon of Durham is the main source for the moving of the see, and he states that Uchtred the Bold helped the monks clear the site of the new cathedral, which was consecrated in 998.