St Wilfred was a Northumbrian noble who studied at Lindisfarne. He was made abbot of the new foundation at Ripon and confirmed in his appointment as Bishop of Northumbria. He founded monasteries and built churches. He spread the Gospel in the kingdom of Sussex and among the Frisians in Germany.
St Wilfred was an extremely well educated person who knew the Fathers well and Canon Law. He conducted hiself with meticulous care at a time of upheaval. Hence his trips to Rome to ensure that what he did in connection with his episcopal was correct and beyond reproach. This cost him a lot of time and trouble. It also involved a lot of personal dangers, which was one reason why he had to travel with an expensive retinue.
