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Chad of Mercia (d. 672)

Chad of Mercia (634-672) was a Christian monastic who lived in the 600s, at the time when the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were being Christianised. 

Chad was one of four brothers born, it is supposed, into the nobility of the Anglian kingdom of Northumbria (northeast England). However, curiously, his name is of Celtic origin, which may mean he was not of Anglo-Saxon stock. Sometime before Aidan's death in 651, Chad studied under that prominent Christian monastic at the Lindisfarne monastery. Chad may have completed his education at Mayo in Ireland. 

Sometime before 664, Chad was back on the island of Britain, helping his brother Cedd found a monastery at Lastingham (Yorkshire). When his brother Cedd died, Chad took over as abbot.

Caught up in the church politics of the time, Chad was briefly appointed bishop of York (approx. 666-669) in place of his contemporary, Wilfrid, only later to step down in favour of his colleague.  

Later, in 669, King Wulfhere of Mercia requested a bishop, and Chad was consecrated bishop of the Mercians and the Lindsey people with his episcopal see at Lichfield. In his role as bishop, Chad travelled around his diocese mostly on foot, carrying out pastoral and missionary work. According to Bede, Chad governed the diocese of Mercia "'in the manner of the ancient fathers and in great perfection of life". He was known for patience, gentleness and compassion. He died in 672 after just over two years in his role, but those two years were considered decisive for the Christianisation of Mercia.

The map below shows the extent of Mercia at this time. 



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