Synod_of_Chelsea

Synod of Chelsea

The Synod of Chelsea was held in 787 at Cealchythe^[1], in Kent, generally identified with modern Chelsea, London.

It was called by Offa of Mercia and Beorhtric of Wessex, and was attended by papal legates, the only occasion in Anglo-Saxon times when papal representatives came to an English church council^[2].

It resulted in the setting up of the Archbishopric of Lichfield, with Mercian areas being taken from the province of Canterbury^[3]. This lasted only until 803, with Higbert, Archbishop of Lichfield being the only archbishop. Offa had papal support, and conceded in monetary terms.^[4]

In political terms, Offa had Higbert consecrate Ecgfrith of Mercia co-king with him, in the same year.

There was a further synod in Chelsea in 816.^[5] Called by Coenwulf of Mercia, it limited the power of Archbishop Wulfred. It also ruled on baptism^[6], relics^[7] and church property^[8]^[9].

Notes

^ Also Celchyth, Calchut, Celicyth.
^ The next occasion was in the 1060s.[1]
^ Lichfield - History to c.1500 | British History Online
^ Offa granted the pope a yearly sum equal to one mancus a day for the relief of the poor and for lights to be kept burning before St. Peter's tomb.Catholic Encyclopedia, article Offa.
^ One of 793 is also reported.[2]
^ Baptism, an Examination of the Lutheran view of Baptism
^ When relics of the saints could not be procured, consecrated Hosts and fragments of the Gospels were sometimes used; concerning the use of the former for this purpose the English Synod of Calchut (Celicyth, Chelsea, 816) made a regulation (can. 22).[3]
^ PDF, p.235.
^ Parishes - Upton upon Severn | British History Online