Dunstan

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House Colour: White

Feast day: 19th May

Born in 910 near Glastonbury, Dunstan was educated at Glastonbury Abbey by Irish monks. He served for a time with his uncle, Aethelhelm, Archbishop of Canterbury; then he was called to the court of King Athelstan. He later became a monk and was then ordained a priest by his uncle.

Some years after ordination he lived at Glastonbury as a hermit; during this time he devoted his life to prayer, the study of music, literature and crafts. Following a two year exile in Flanders, Dunstan returned to England and was appointed Bishop of Worcester, then Bishop of London. Dunstan’s most influential period was during the sixteen year reign of King Edgar. During this time he was Archbishop of Canterbury and Chief Minister of State. When King Edgar died, Dunstan retired to Canterbury where he devoted the remainder of his life to teaching in the Cathedral School. St. Dunstan died peacefully on May 19th 988 and was buried in Canterbury Cathedral.