Long description:

The century between c. 650 and 750 was one of major religious, social and political transformations in northwest Europe. In the Frankish kingdom, clerics from Ireland and Britain played an important role in these processes. One of the most prominent figures to emerge from this period was Willibrord ? a Northumbrian educated in Ireland who became the first bishop of Utrecht and founded the monastery of Echternach in modern Luxembourg. Through his involvement in the Christianisation of Frisia, his cooperation with the eastern Frankish elite, including the ancestors of Charlemagne, and his connection with the pope, Willibrord was at the centre of the developments which led to the formation of a new ecclesiastical and political landscape between the North Sea and Thuringia on the eve of the Carolingian period. This book, which represents the first extensive study of the topic in English, extends its analysis of Willibrord?s career beyond the mission to Frisia and examines the political dimension of his activity in Merovingian Francia and its border regions. By offering a fresh look at the main sources for Willibrord?s life, the book explores how Insular clerics shaped their Frankish environment through the creation of networks between Ireland, Britain and the continent and their ability to take on a variety of different roles within Merovingian society.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Chapter 1: The Hagiographical Narrative versus the Charter Evidence
The Depiction of Willibrord?s Network in Bede?s Historia ecclesiastica and Alcuin?s Prose Vita Willibrordi
Early Life in Northumbria and Ireland
The Mission to Frisia
Willibrord?s Relationship with Pippin II
Beyond Utrecht and Rome
The Charters of the Liber aureus Epternacensis: Implications and Limitations
The Compilation of the Liber aureus: Theoderic?s Chronicon (1191)
Camille Wampach?s Edition (1929?30)
Irmina and the Foundation of Echternach
Donors and Networks: Beyond the Hugobert-Irmina-Sippe

Chapter 2: Between Ireland and Francia: Willibrord?s Ecclesiastical Network
Intersections: The Martyrological Entries in Willibrord?s Calendar
The Date and Compilation of the Calendar
Establishing an Interpretative Framework for the Calendar
Foundations: Willibrord?s Ecclesiastical Horizon around 700
Bede, Oswald and Ecgberct
Fursa, Fóillán and Amandus
Connections: The Development of Willibrord?s Network, c. 690?728
Adaption: The Dioceses of Trier, Cologne and Tongeren-Maastricht
Expansion: Chelles, Thuringia, Strasbourg

Chapter 3: ?Vassal? or ?Political Player?? The Relationship between Willibrord and the Family of Pippin II
A ?Momentous Decision?? The Establishment of the See of Utrecht
Willibrord as Archbishop
The Mission to Frisia in its Political Context, 690?714
Willibrord Between Frisia and Francia, c. 706?26
Echternach and Susteren: Centres of ?Carolingian? Power?
Reassessing Willibrord?s Role in the ?Pippinid Succession Crisis?

Conclusions

Bibliography