Aldhelm, Saint

Aldhelm, Saint (ôld`hĕlm), 639?–709, English churchman and scholar. He was abbot of Malmesbury (from 675) and became the first bishop of Sherborne (705). A distinguished student of the classics whose own Latin prose style was widely imitated, he was also a skilled musician and wrote hymns, popular songs, and ballads for the people. He founded several monasteries and built several churches; the one still standing at Bradford-on-Avon is considered a fine example of Saxon architecture. His name also occurs as Ealdhelm. Feast: May 25.