died medieval archbishop elect canterbury little known comes 8th century writer inconsistencies works led confusion exact circumstances election confirmed office clear died rome travelling confirmation elevation death allowed select archbishop clergy rome life saxon priest late 7th century native kent served household priest canterbury 8th century writer says selected archbishop_of_canterbury sent rome visit pope confirmation receive exactly selected occurred open debate different stories related stated selected king kent years completion wrote states selected consent clergy people modern historians followed second account feel selected case excluding role election based theory letter stating involved selection historian points letter reasons involving replacement concern exiled bishop kent time selected new archbishop historian sees involvement selection attempt help restore anglo saxon church beginning steps secure york brooks points reason rome receive normal practice sent england travel rome indicate approval election ensure validity main source information unclear chronology relating point states canterbury vacant time election writings implies appointed soon conclusion likely took place selected died rome death possibly occurred late caused plague disease epidemic like life unclear actually consecrated death entry states died historian states died head home canterbury pope wrote death letter preserved letter mentions messenger companions archbishop elect pope unable find successor death rome allowed opportunity choose successor chose friend archbishop
Wighard