Spearhafoc

Spearhafoc
Spearhafoc
Bishop of London-elect
Appointed	1051
Term ended	1052
Predecessor	Robert of Jumièges
Successor	William the Norman
Orders
Consecration	never consecrated
Personal details
Denomination	Christian

Spearhafoc was an eleventh-century Anglo-Saxon artist and Benedictine monk, whose artistic talent was apparently the cause of his rapid elevation to Abbot of Abingdon in 1047–48 and Bishop-Elect of London in 1051.^[1] After his consecration as bishop was thwarted, he vanished with the gold and jewels he had been given to make into a crown for King Edward the Confessor, and was never seen again.^[2] He was also famous for a miracle which impacted his career.

His name means "sparrowhawk" in Old English^[3] (Speraver in Latin).

^ Dodwell:46
^ Dodwell:46–47. As well as Goscelin and the monastic histories referenced below, Spearhafoc's career is covered in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
^ Hudson, John, ed. (2002). Historia Ecclesie Abbendonensis: The History of the Church of Abingdon. Volume 1. Oxford: Clarendon Press. pp. ciii–civ. ISBN 0199299374. Retrieved 11 January 2023.

[1] Dodwell:46

[2] Dodwell:46–47. As well as Goscelin and the monastic histories referenced below, Spearhafoc's career is covered in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

[3] Hudson, John, ed. (2002). Historia Ecclesie Abbendonensis: The History of the Church of Abingdon. Volume 1. Oxford: Clarendon Press. pp. ciii–civ. ISBN 0199299374. Retrieved 11 January 2023.

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