11 Facts About Willibrord

Willibrord was an Anglo-Saxon monk, bishop, and missionary.

Willibrord became the first Bishop of Utrecht in what is the Netherlands, dying at Echternach in Luxembourg, and is known as the "Apostle to the Frisians".

Willibrord's father, named Wilgils or Hilgis, was styled by Alcuin as a Saxon of Northumbria.

Willibrord grew up under the influence of Wilfrid, Bishop of York.

Willibrord spent the years between the ages of 20 and 32 in the Abbey of Rath Melsigi, in County Carlow in southern Ireland, which was a centre of European learning in the 7th century.

The way in which he described the visit and its purpose is important; unlike all the others, Willibrord was not on the usual pilgrimage to the graves of the apostles Peter and Paul and the martyrs.

Willibrord returned to Frisia to preach and establish churches, among them a monastery at Utrecht, where he built his cathedral.

Willibrord repaired the damage done there, ably assisted by Boniface.

At Gravelines in northern France, where Willibrord is said to have landed after crossing the Channel on his mission to the Frisians, the church in the old town is dedicated to him.

Nothing written by Willibrord can be found save a marginal note in the Calendar of Echternach giving some chronological data.

The Echternach Gospels, a copy of the Gospels under the name of Willibrord is an Irish codex no doubt brought by Willibrord from Ireland.