BONIFACE, SAINT, apostle of Germany." whose original name was Wirfried, was born in Devonshire, England, about 080. lie first entered a monastery in Exeter, at the age of 13, and afterwards removed to that 'of Nutcell, where he taught rhetoric, history, and theology, and became a priest at the age of 30. At that time, a movement, proceeding from England and Ireland, was going on for the conversion of the still heathen peoples of Europe; in 614, Gallus and Emmerau had been sent to Alemannia, Kilian (murdered 689) to Bavaria, Willibrord (died (t6) to the country of the Franks, Swidvert to Friesland, and Siegfried to Sweden. Whiffle d, also, look the resolution (715) of preaching Christianity to the Frisians, among when it had as yet found no entrance. But it war broke out between Charles 31artel ard the king of the Frisians, and Winfried returned from Utrecht to his convent, of which lie became allot. bent upon his design, he repaired to Rome in 718, and received the authorization of pope Gregory II. to preach the gospel Co all the tribes of Germany. He went first to Thuringia and Bavaria, then labored 3 years in Friesland, and traveled thiough Hesse and Saxony, everywhere baptizing multitudes, and consecrating their idolatrous groves as churches. In Gregory II. called him to Rome; made him bishop, with the name of Bonifacius; furnished him with new instructions or canons, and with letters to Charles Martel and all princes and bishops, requesting their aid in his pious work. Returning to Hesse (724), lie destroyed the objects of heathen worship (among which are mentioned an oak near Geismar, sacred to Thor, end an idol nau.cd Stuff°, on a summit of the Harz. still called Stureenberg), founded churches and convents, and called to his aid priests, monks, and nuns from England, he distributed timing!' the various countries. In recognition of his eminent services, Gregory III. sent him (782)
the pallium. and named him Archbishop and primate of all Germany, with power to establish bishoprics wherever he saw fit. B. now made a third journey to Rene (738), and was appointed papa] legate for Germany. The bishoprics of Regensburg, Erfurt, Paderborn, Wfirzburg, Eichstildt, Salzburg, and several others, owe their establishment to St. Boldface. The famous abbey of Fulda is also one of his foundations. 'He was named archbishop of Mainz by Pimp, whom he consecrated as of the Franks at Soissons (752), and he presided in the council held At that place. In 7;74. he resumed anew his apostolical labors among the Frisians; and at Dokkum. about 18 m. n.e. of Leeuwarden, in w. Friesland, this venerable Christian herowas fallen upon by a mob of armed heathens, and killed, along with the congregation of converts that were with him (755). His remains were taken first to Utrecht, then to Mainz, and finally to Fulda. In the abbey. there are still shown a copy of the gospels written by him, and a leaf stained with his blood. A. collection of his letters, and the cations he promulgated for the discipline of the newly established churches, have been preserved, and a”e instrnc tive as to the state of Germany at the time. The completest edition of the Letters (Epis take) is that of Wtirdtwcin (Mainz, 1789). In 1811, a monument was erected to tst. B. on a bill near Altenberga, in the principality of Gotha. where, according to tradition, he had erected (72-1) the first Christian church in North Germany. A statue by Henschel of Cassel wamilso erected to him in.Fulda in 1842. Milberg, Kirclicngeschichte licutsch lands (vols. i. and ii., Gott. 1845).