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St Dunstan was born near Glastonbury in England. He attended school at Glastonbury Abbey. The era into which he was born was known as 'The Dark Ages.' The monasteries were in decline and the monastic way of life was virtually non existent.

Dunstan was a member of quite a prestigious family and was often in the company of royalty. He was well favoured by King Athelstan who reigned (924/25 - 939 CE) after Alfred the Great and before Edmund the Elder. However, his popularity with royalty made him unpopular with his peers and colleagues at school, so much so that they conspired successfully to have him expelled from Glastonbury.

After this he spent time with his uncle, the Bishop of Winchester. Later, after a period of illness he decided to become a monk; he studied Scripture and gave up his life of wealth for a life of prayer.

Edmund the Elder recalled Dunstan to his royal court in 940CE but he still experienced resentment and jealousy and once again he was expelled. However, the king had a change of heart and installed Dunstan as the Abbot of Glastonbury with a promise to furnish him with the resources to develop the Abbey and restore monastic life.

It was Dunstan's desire that the church be an educator for the people. He also introduced measures which would improve monastic life through educational reform.

He was made a Bishop in 957CE and then elected as Archbishop of Canterbury in 959CE. He brought a peace in England which had not been known for years and served to unify the population's loyalty to

the king.

From 975CE his role in public life lessened and he returned to his former life as a monk. He died on Saturday May 19 988CE after a short illness and was buried near the altar at Canterbury Cathedral. As a reflection of his popularity he was declared a saint very soon after his death. May 19th is universally observed as The Feast of St Dunstan.

History paints Dunstan as a formidable man of the church. He was also known as a creative genius, progressive educator and spiritual leader. He was also renowned for his skills with metals and is today the Patron Saint of Silversmiths.