Edmund Rich was born in in Abingdon in Berkshire (now Oxfordshire) about 1175.

The epithet 'Rich' was sometimes given to his wealthy merchant father, Reynold, but - in their lifetimes - not to Edmund or his siblings. His father retired, with the consent of Mabel his wife, to the monastery at Eynsham Abbey, leaving in her hands the education of their family. Mabel was a devout woman who lived an ascetic life and encouraged her children to do the same. Her two daughters entered religious life.

Edmund studied at both Paris and Oxford and in the cathedral school at SalisburyIn time he became a lecturer - in Mathematics and Dialectics; and was among the first to introduce the study of Aristotle as Aristotle's readings became more accessible to Western scholars. The site where he lived and taught was formed into a medieval academic hall in his name and later incorporated as the still extent college of St Edmund Hall.

Edmund was resistant to studying theology, and to becoming an ordained minister of the Church. But, under the influence of his mother, between 1205 and 1210 he embarked on a further time of study and preparation, including a year in retirement with Augustinian monks of Merton. Despite himself being attracted to the monastic life, his skills in preaching and administration fitted him to a more public life. Following he was appointed archbishop of Canterbury in 1233. He had frequent disputes with the king and it was while on his way to ask for the pope’s support that he died in France in 1240. He was buried in the Cistercian abbey of Pontigny.

He is venerated as a vigorous, reforming bishop and as a peacemaker, as well as being a distinguished commentator on the Scriptures and an effective spiritual writer.

In the National Calendar for England the memorial of St Edmund is kept on November 16th.

God, by whose grace the Bishop Saint Edmund of Abingdon
was vigilant over integrity in public office 
and discipline in religious life, 
grant, we pray, through his intercession, 
that same spirit of constancy to your Church, 
that she may be fearless in promoting justice. 
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.

Photographs (c) 2025, Allen Morris

Statue of St Edmund in the grounds of St Edmund Hall, Oxford.

Window from church of St. Edmund and St. Frideswide (Greyfriars), Oxford.