Aldhelm, an English divine and writer during the Saxon heptarchy, born about 050, died in 709. He was a relative of the king of the West Saxons. He is said to have been the first Englishman who wrote Latin poetry. About 085 he became the first abbot of Malmesbury, and in 705 the first bishop of Sherborne (afterward the bishopric of Salisbury), He is chiefly known by his two works tie Virginitate, in prose (published by Wharton, 1693), and tie Laude Virginum, in verse.