Aldhun

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Aldhun of Durham, also called Ealdhun, was the last Bishop of Lindisfarne and the first Bishop of Durham. He came from a noble family.

Because Viking attacks forced the Lindisfarne bishopric to stay at Chester-le-Street for many years, Aldhun was living there. In 994, after England paid peace money (Danegeld) to Denmark and Norway, a time of peace followed. Aldhun wanted to move the remains of Cuthbert of Lindisfarne back to Lindisfarne and restore the old see there. But on the journey, he said he had a vision from Cuthbert telling him the saint should be buried at Durham. The monks then went to Durham, and the see was moved from Chester-le-Street to Durham in 995.

The new cathedral at Durham was finished and consecrated in 998, with help from Uhtred the Bold, who helped clear the site. Aldhun served as bishop for about 24 years and died in 1018 or 1019. Some say he died of heartbreak after the Northumbrians were defeated by the Scots at the Battle of Carham.

Aldhun’s daughter Ecgfrida married Uhtred the Bold, who was Earl of Northumbria from 1006 to 1016. Their son Ealdred was the grandfather of Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria. Ecgfrida later married Kilvert after Uhtred’s repudiation.