Oda the Severe was a 10th-century Benedictine monk who served as the Bishop of Ramsbury and later as the Archbishop of Canterbury. Born to Danish parents, he rose through the ecclesiastical ranks to become a significant figure in the English church. During his tenure as archbishop, he played a vital role in shaping royal legislation and establishing rules for the clergy. He was an active participant in religious reforms and contributed to the reorganization of diocesan structures in England before his death in 958.