Grimbald

Who was Grimbald?

Saint Grimbald was a 9th-century Benedictine monk at the Abbey of Saint Bertin near Saint-Omer, France. Around 892 Alfred invited Grimbald to England; he accepted, but declined the Diocese of Canterbury, preferring to remain a monk. He took a leading part in the school that Albert established for the education of young nobles. In the Introduction of his translation of Gregory the Great's Pastoral Care, Albert mentions the help he received from Grimbald in construing Latin.

King Edward the Elder appointed him abbot of the New Minster at Winchester. Grimbald died on 8 July 903, aged 83, in same year the New Minster was dedicated. He was venerated as a saint and confessor, and some altars were dedicated to him. He figures in a number of legendary tales of Oxford.