Ecgberht of Ripon facts for kids

Saint Ecgberht (also known as Egbert) was an important Anglo-Saxon monk. He lived a long time ago, in the early Middle Ages. He was born in England, probably in a region called Northumbria. Ecgberht spent his life traveling between monasteries. He visited places in northern Britain and around the Irish Sea. He helped start important religious missions, like sending other monks to Frisia. He died in the year 729.

Who Was Saint Ecgberht?

Ecgberht was born in England around the year 639. He came from a noble Anglo-Saxon family. He began his studies at the monastery of Lindisfarne. Later, he traveled to Ireland to continue his education. He settled at a monastery called Rath Melsigi. This place is now in County Carlow, Ireland.

A Vow of Faith

In 664, a terrible plague spread. Many of Ecgberht's friends died from it. Ecgberht himself also got sick. He made a promise that if he got better, he would dedicate his life to God. He vowed to become a "peregrinus." This meant he would live as a pilgrim, always praying and fasting.

Ecgberht was about 25 years old when he made this vow. He recovered from the plague. He kept his promise for the rest of his life. He lived to be 90 years old. Many people saw him as a famous pilgrim. He was important in the religious world of Britain and Ireland.

Helping Others Spread Christianity

Ecgberht became a priest. He started to organize monks in Ireland. His goal was to send them to spread Christianity in a place called Frisia. This area is now part of the Netherlands and Germany. Many important people worked with him. These included Saint Adalbert and Saint Swithbert.

Ecgberht wanted to go to Frisia himself. However, he had a vision that stopped him. Instead, he sent another English monk named Wihtberht. Wihtberht also lived at Rath Melsigi. Ecgberht then helped arrange missions for other saints. These included Saint Willibrord and Saint Wigbert.

Influencing Kings and Monasteries

Ecgberht had connections with powerful people. He knew the kings of Northumbria and the Picts. The Picts were an ancient people in Scotland. In 684, he tried to stop King Ecgfrith of Northumbria from attacking Ireland. But the king did not listen to him.

Ecgberht was also present at an important meeting. This was the Synod of Birr in 697. At this meeting, a law called the Cáin Adomnáin was confirmed. This law protected women and children during wartime.

Around 716, Ecgberht moved to Iona. Iona is an island off the coast of Scotland. He tried to convince the monks there to change how they calculated Easter. He wanted them to follow the Roman way.

He died on Iona on April 24, 729. This was the very first day the monastery celebrated Easter the Roman way. He was 90 years old.

His Legacy

Saint Ecgberht's feast day is April 24. This day is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church. He is honored as a confessor. This means he lived a holy life dedicated to God. Some historians believe he might have also been a bishop.

It's important not to confuse him with other people named Ecgberht. There was a later Ecgberht, who was an Archbishop of York. There was also an Egbert of Lindisfarne.