Aldred

Aldred (also Ealdred or Alred) was successively, during the 11th century, abbot of Tavistock, Bishop of Worcester, and Archbishop of York. After his promotion to the see of Worcester in 1044, he undertook several diplomatic missions to the Continent; a journey which he made to Jerusalem in 1058 was a remarkable one for the times. He took an active share in the politics of his time. It has been alleged, on doubtful authority, that he crowned Harold in 1066; he certainly crowned William the Conqueror, and proved a faithful servant to the Norman king. He was active and courageous, but ambitious, greedy, and self-seeking. His appointment to the archbishopric of York in 1060 was confirmed by the pope only on condition that he resigned his former post. Aldred died at York, September 11, 1069. See vols. ii. to iv. of Freeman's Norman Conquest.