Early Life and Education
Wilfrid was born around 634, likely in Northumbria, one of the kingdoms of Anglo-Saxon England. The exact details of his early life are not definitively known, but it is believed that he came from a noble family. As a young man, he was sent to the monastery of Lindisfarne, a key center of early Christianity in Northumbria. It was here that he received a religious education, steeped in the Latin traditions of the Christian faith, which was gradually spreading throughout the British Isles.
At the age of around 14, Wilfrid journeyed to the Continent, likely to Rome, where he received further theological training. His time in Italy and his exposure to the practices of the Roman Church were to shape much of his later ecclesiastical views and controversies. Wilfrid was particularly impressed by the Roman liturgical practices and the system of church governance that differed significantly from the practices in Anglo-Saxon England.
Wilfrid’s Role in the Synod of Whitby (664)
One of the most significant events in Wilfrid’s life was his involvement in the Synod of Whitby in 664, which was a pivotal moment in the history of Christianity in England. The Synod was convened by King Oswiu of Northumbria to resolve the growing divide between the Celtic and Roman branches of Christianity. This divide had its roots in different ecclesiastical practices, notably the date of Easter. The Celtic Church, which was based in the north of England and Ireland, followed a different system for calculating the date of Easter, while the Roman Church adhered to the Roman method.
Wilfrid, who supported the Roman position, played a crucial role in arguing for the Roman tradition at the Synod. He eloquently presented his case for aligning with Rome, emphasizing the importance of unity within the Church. His arguments ultimately persuaded King Oswiu to adopt the Roman Easter calculation, marking a significant moment in the consolidation of Roman Christianity in England. The decision had far-reaching implications, as it paved the way for the Roman Church to have greater influence in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. shutdown123