Edmund of Abingdon, St (1180–1240)

English ecclesiastical scholar, archbishop of Canterbury 1233–40. Edmund became involved in a dispute with King Henry III, and was driven into exile, where he died. He was canonized in 1247.

Edmund was born at Abingdon, near Oxford; he studied and taught at Oxford University, and later in Paris. The Oxford college of St Edmund Hall stands on the site of his former house.

As archbishop of Canterbury, Edmund criticized Henry III for encouraging foreign favourites; the king successfully appealed to Pope Gregory IX to appoint a legate, who opposed and thwarted Edmund at every opportunity. In 1240 Edmund withdrew to Pontigny in France, and died at Soissy. His feast day is 16 November.