CHAPTER IV.

ST. BONIFACE AND HIS COMPANIONS.--A.D. 686 TO 755.

Birth of St. Boniface. His early monastic life. The English missions in Friesland. St. Wilibrord. St. Boniface passes over into Germany. Story of St. Gregory of Utrecht. The canonical life of the clergy established among the missionaries. Episcopal monasteries and schools. St. Luidger: his childhood and his monastic foundations. Virgil, Bishop of Salzburg, and his supposed errors, and condemnation by Pope Zachary. Schools founded by St. Boniface. Letters from him and St. Lullus to English friends. Correspondence between Boniface and the Abbess Edburga. The nuns of Wimbourne and their learned pursuits. St. Lioba’s first letter to St. Boniface. Her Latin verses. New foundations in Germany. St. Sturm. The great foundation of Fulda. St. Boniface sends to England for some nuns. St. Walburga and St. Lioba cross over to Germany. The studies of St. Lioba. Reform of the Frankish Church by St. Boniface. He is appointed Papal Vicar. His interest in the state of religion in England. The Council of Cloveshoe, and its decrees on the subject of education. Martyrdom of St. Boniface. 89