Benedict Biscop

Saint Benedict Biscop

Also known as
Benet Biscop
Biscop Baducing

memorial
12 January

Profile
Benet was raised in privilege as an Anglo-Saxon noble. Grew up and held high offices in the court of the King of Northumbria.

The rich then, and now, travel. As I have said in the past, the thing to do in the 7th century, with no Disney Worlds anywhere, was to go on religious pilgrimages. Sometimes they work, and folk experience an epiphany…. For our hero, following a pilgrimage to Rome, something hit home. He renounced his wealth and position, and dedicated himself to prayer and scripture study. He became a monk in France in 666, taking the name Benedict. In 668 the pope sent Benedict as an advisor to Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury England.

Benedict was a guy who liked to build stuff to last. Until his time in England churches were wooden thatched structures. He introduced the construction of stone churches and glass church windows to England, and brought in many foreign craftsmen to do the work and teach the English.

He tried to introduce more Universal Roman rituals to English worship, like the rest of Europe used instead of the Saxon rites and other mumbo jumbo the locals stuck to. He founded monasteries and built a large library and scriptorium.

In late life Benedict suffered a painful paralysis, and was confined to his bed for his last three years. He continued to work from his bed, buying books, establishing the Benedictine Rule. Generally doing the Lord’s work…..

Born
c.628

Died
12 January 690 of natural causes

Patronage
English Benedictines
musicians
painters

Representation
Benedictine abbot dressed as a bishop