Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 61.djvu/245

 tion of Wulfhere of Mercia he discharged episcopal functions in that kingdom, and Wulfhere gave him lands on which he built monasteries, one being at Lichfield. Also at the request of Egbert of Kent he ordained priests and deacons in his kingdom during the vacancy of the metropolitan see. When visiting Canterbury he gathered round him several followers, Eddi or Eddius [q. v.], his future biographer, Æona, and Putta [q. v.], all skilled in the Roman method of chanting, and he also had in his retinue many masons and other artisans whom he employed in building churches and monasteries.

When archbishop Theodore [q. v.] deprived Ceadda in 669, Wilfrid regained his bishopric. Oswy, who fell sick soon afterwards, requested him to act as his guide to Rome, but the king's design of a pilgrimage was frustrated by his death. Wilfrid sent representatives to the synod held by Theodore at Hertford in September 673, and they no doubt opposed the archbishop's scheme for an increase of the episcopate. Wilfrid administered his diocese diligently and with magnificence, receiving the sons of nobles as his pupils and, though ascetic in his personal habits, keeping great state and spending much, specially on buildings, for gifts were showered upon him. For a time King Ecgfrid showed him favour, and he was the spiritual adviser of the queen, St. Etheldreda [q. v.] He and his followers completed the conversion of the Northumbrians from the Columbite to the Roman usages and services, and introduced the Benedictine rule into the monasteries. His cathedral church at York had become ruinous; he gave it a new roof which he covered with lead, filled the windows with glass, plastered the walls, furnished the altar with ornaments and vessels, and endowed the church with lands. At Ripon he built a basilican church of dressed stone with many columns and porches. To its dedication came Ecgfrid and his brother, the under-king Ælfwine, and abbots, princes, and ealdormen of the whole north, and Wilfrid made a great feast for all comers, which lasted three days. For this church he caused to be written a copy of the gospels in letters of gold on purple vellum, and placed it in a case of gold studded with jewels. At Hexham also he built a church, the like of which, men said, was not to be seen on this side of the Alps. His diocese extended over all Bernicia and Deira, and in 678 also over Lindsey.

After a while Wilfrid lost Ecgfrid's favour. He had encouraged Etheldreda in persisting to live as a virgin, and about 672 gave her the veil. In addition to this personal grievance, Ecgfrid became jealous of his power and wealth, and this feeling was encouraged by his second wife, Eormenburh or Irminburga, who disliked her predecessor's adviser. In 678 Ecgfrid invited Theodore to visit him, and the archbishop, in conjunction with the king, and without consulting Wilfrid, decreed that two new dioceses should be made in Deira and Bernicia, and that Lindsey should again be made a separate diocese, leaving Wilfrid at York as one of four bishops who were each to have a subdivision of his former bishopric. Wilfrid appeared before the king and Theodore at a gemot, and asked them why they had done him this injury. They replied that they had no charge against him, but would not alter their decree. Knowing that he could not hope for redress elsewhere, he declared that he would appeal to Rome. This was the first time that such an appeal had been made by an Englishman. His words were received with derision. When he had left England Theodore consecrated three bishops in Wilfrid's church at York, and divided his whole bishopric between them, one of them, Bosa [q. v.], having his see at York [see under ].

Ecgfrid, anxious to prevent Wilfrid from reaching Rome, arranged with Theodoric III of Neustria and Ebroin to have him waylaid at Quentavic, or Etaples, the usual landing-place from England; but their men by mistake caught Winfrid, the deprived bishop of Mercia, and Wilfrid escaped them, for he had chosen to land in Frisia. There, with the king's leave, he preached to the heathen people and baptised many, remaining there engaged in this missionary work during the winter. Ebroin, who had a grudge against Wilfrid because in the days of his power the bishop had helped Dagobert II of Austrasia to return from exile in Ireland, tried to bribe the king to deliver him up, but the king refused. In the spring of 679 Wilfrid went to the court of Dagobert, who received him honourably and offered him the bishopric of Strasburg. Wilfrid would not remain with him. He was entertained by the Lombard king Perctarit, who told him that envoys had come to him from England offering him a bribe if he would keep him from going on to Rome, but that he had refused to accept it. He reached Rome in that year. A council was held by Agatho to decide on his appeal, at which Theodore was represented, and Wilfrid appeared in person. It was decided that he should be restored to his bishopric and the intruding bishops removed, and that he should, with the advice of a council, appoint others to be his coadjutors. At another