Cealchythe, Council of

Cealchythe, Council of (Concilium Celchytum, or Calchuthense). This was a place in Mercia. Bishop Gibson suggests that it may be the same with Kelchelth, in Lancashire, on the borders of Cheshire. It is generally thought to be Chelsea originally Chelchyth. Several councils were held there:

I. In 785 or 787, by Gregory (or George), bishop of Ostia (the legate of pope Adrian I), who, in his letter to the pope, declares that Alfwald, the king, and Eanbald, the archbishop of York, with all the bishops and abbots of the country, were present, besides the senators, dukes, and people of the land. Its object-was to renew the "antiquam amicitiam" between Rome and England, and to affirm "the Catholic faith" and the six ecumenical councils. But it also appears to have been made the occasion of preparing the way for the erecting of Lichfield into an archbishopric independent of Canterbury, which actually took place in 788. Twenty canons were published, regulating the administration of baptism, visitations of bishops, their care of canons, election of abbots, etc., ordination of priests and deacons, celebration of mass, election of, and government bys kings, marriage tithes, etc.

A companion council was held in Northumbria (Haddan and Stubbs, Concil. 3, 444).

II. Held in 789, called "Pontificale Concilium;" made several grants still extant.

III. In 793, at which a grant was made to St. Alban's.

IV. In 799, at which a cause was adjudicated between king Kenutlf and the bishop of Selsea.

V. Held July 26, 816, Wulfred, archbishop of Canterblury, presiding. Besides Kenlulf, king of the Mercials, and his lords, there were present twelve bishops, among whom were those of Rochester, Selsea, Hereford, Lindisfarne, and London. Many abbots, priests, and deacons also attended. Eleven canons were published, relating to the faith, consecration of churches, giving to every bishop the power to select his own abbots, etc., forbidding them to diminish the estates of their churches, etc.