Rimbert facts for kids

Saint Rimbert (born around 830, died June 11, 888) was an important church leader. He was the Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen in what was then East Frankia. This was a kingdom in the northern part of Europe. Rimbert is famous for writing a book about the life of his teacher, Ansgar. This book, called Vita Ansgari, was very popular in the Middle Ages.

About Saint Rimbert

We learn most about Rimbert from a book called Vita Rimberti. An unknown writer probably wrote this book in the 900s. Historians believe Rimbert was from Denmark. He trained to be a monk in a place called Turholt. After that, he went on a missionary trip to Scandinavia. His teacher, Ansgar, who was the Bishop of Hamburg, went with him.

Becoming Archbishop

When Ansgar died in 865, Rimbert was chosen to be the new Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen. Everyone agreed he was the right person. After being chosen, Rimbert traveled to meet King Louis the German. The king then sent him to another important church leader, Archbishop Liudbert of Mainz. There, Rimbert officially became an archbishop.

Rimbert's Important Work

Rimbert continued the missionary work that Ansgar had started. This was even though he did not get much support from the king or the Pope. As Archbishop, he kept open a place in Bremen that helped poor people. Ansgar had set up this place. Rimbert also started a new monastery in Bücken. He kept preaching to the Danish people in Hedeby.

In 888, Emperor Arnulf of Carinthia gave Bremen important rights. These rights allowed Bremen to have a market, make its own money, and collect tolls. This greatly improved the money situation for the church area. In 884, Rimbert even led an army of Frisian people against the Vikings. They won a big battle called Norditi. This victory helped drive the Vikings out of East Frisia for good.

Miracles and Legacy

The Vita Rimberti also says that Rimbert performed many miracles. Many of these happened during his missionary trips to Sweden. Some stories say he calmed stormy seas. Others say he helped blind people see again. In one story, he even performed an exorcism on King Louis the German's son.

Even though the book said his work was very popular, converting people in Scandinavia was difficult. Rimbert is honored as a saint, especially in Frisia. His special day, called a feast day, is February 4. People call Ansgar the "Apostle of the North." Rimbert is known as the "Second Apostle of the North." He is honored alongside another missionary, Sigfrid of Sweden.

Rimbert and the Dog-Headed People

Rimbert once wrote a letter to a famous thinker named Ratramnus. Rimbert asked about strange creatures called cynocephali. These were said to be people with dog heads. Rimbert had heard stories about them living in Scandinavia. He wondered if they were human and could become Christians.

Ratramnus replied that these dog-headed people were indeed human. He said they could think and should be converted to Christianity. This idea was new at the time. It changed how people thought about these creatures. It also changed how they thought about the Vikings, who were sometimes linked to these stories.

This idea was very important for Rimbert. It meant he had more reason to try and convert the people in Scandinavia. It also connected to old prophecies. Some prophecies said that when all people became Christians, monstrous people from the North would destroy the world. Rimbert knew his work to convert Scandinavians had big meaning for these prophecies.