According to the Vita Ædwardi Regis Ælric was brought up from early youth in the monastery of Christ Church[broken anchor] at Canterbury, and was much beloved by his fellow monks.
On the death of Archbishop Eadsige (October 1050) Ælric was elected to the see of Canterbury by the monastic chapter of his house.
The monks sent to Godwin, in whose earldom they were, and informed him of the canonical election of Ælric and begged him to use his influence in behalf of his kinsman.
King Edward was, however, at this time inclined to the faction which opposed the earl, and refused his request in behalf of Ælric.
In the mid-Lent meeting of the witenagemot, in 1051, Robert of Jumièges was appointed archbishop, much to the anger of English churchmen.