Alkmund of Derby

Saint Alkmund
Saint Alkmund
Born	circa 770 AD
Died	800 AD
Feast	19 March

Alkmund of Derby (or of Lilleshall), also spelt Ealhmund, Alhmund, Alcmund, or Alchmund (d. c. 800) was a son of Alhred of Northumbria, who was caught up in the kingdom's dynastic struggles.

History

After more than twenty years in exile among the Picts, Alkmund returned with an army. As king, he acquired a reputation for being charitable to the poor and orphaned. He was killed about 800, for which King Eardwulf of Northumbria was held responsible. Whatever the exact circumstances, his death was regarded as a martyrdom, and Alkmund as a saint.

He was buried first in Shropshire,^[1] and then removed to "Northworthy", i.e. modern Derby, because of Viking raids.^[2]^[3]

Miracles were reported at the tomb. In the early 10th century, his remains were translated to Shrewsbury, probably by Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians.^[5]

When St Alkmund's, Shrewsbury became the property of Lilleshall Abbey about 1145, his body was translated back to Derby.^[6]

When St Alkmund's Church, Derby was demolished in 1968, traces of several earlier churches were revealed, stretching back to the 9th century. Artefacts found included the stone sarcophagus now in Derby Museum and Art Gallery.^[7]

Six churches in England are dedicated to him, at Derby (replaced by St Alkmund's (new) Church, Derby), Duffield (Derbyshire), Shrewsbury, Whitchurch (Shropshire), Aymestrey (Herefordshire) and Blyborough (Lincolnshire).^[6]

His feast day is 19 March. However, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham he is celebrated with a commemoration on 20 March, due to the Solemnity of St Joseph falling on 19 March.^[8]

Gallery

St Alkmund's Church, Derby, from Queen Street, 1882
Sarcophagus of St Alkmund, Derby Museum
St Alkmund's Church, Duffield

References

^ "St Alkmund: Patron Saint of Derby", BBC - Faith, September 4, 2014
^ "Ealhmund of Derby, son of Alhred", Saints in Scottish Place-Names
^ Signage at Derby Museum notes that he was recorded in the 9th century as being a saint buried in the Minster beside the Derwent at a place called Northworthy – whose Viking name is Derby.
^ The museum's exhibit label says "Part of 9th-century Anglo Saxon stone cross which once stood at St. Alkmund's church, Derby. This stone was found when St Alkmund's church was rebuilt in 1844. The cross was originally about 4 metres tall. There are birds and beasts carved on all four sides."
^ Meijns, Brigitte (2010). "The Policy on Relic Translations of Baldwin II of Flanders (879–918), Edward of Wessex (899–924), and Æthelflæd of Mercia (d.924): A Key to Anglo-Flemish Relations". In Rollason, David; Leyser, Conrad; Williams, Hannah (eds.). England and the Continent in the Tenth Century. Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols. p. 476. ISBN 9782503532080.
^ ^a ^b Saint Alkmund, His Life, Murder and Cults, Derek & Marion Taulbut, 1998
^ Sarah Allard, Nicola Rippon (2003). Goodey's Derby (Paintings and Drawing in the Collection of Derby Museum & Art Gallery) p.134. Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 978-1-85983-379-7.
^ "Nottingham Diocesan Ordo 2023-2024" (PDF). Diocese of Nottingham. 30 May 2024.