Ætla


Ætla, who lived in the 7th century, is believed to be one of many Bishops of Dorchester during the Anglo-Saxon period. The village of Attlebridge, Norfolk is named after him, as he is credited for the construction of a bridge there.
Ætla was attested about 660. In the 670s, the seat of his bishopric was at Dorchester-on-Thames, which was then under Mercian control. He does not seem to have had any comparable predecessors or successors in that see.

Early life

Details regarding Ætla's early life are sparse. The venerable historian Bede's writings indicate a comparatively short duration of his existence. Prior to assuming the mantle of bishop, Ætla pursued a monastic vocation within the Northumbrian Monastery of Whitby.