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Benedict Biscop

Type Figure Region England Time c. 628–690 Also known as Saint Benedict Biscop

Benedict Biscop (c. 628–690) was a famous 7th-century abbot of Northumbria who founded the twin monasteries of Wearmouth and Jarrow, made multiple jo…

Timeline

  1. c. 628–674Northumbria · NorthumbriaBorn into the Northumbrian nobility, he abandoned secular life in his youth and travelled repeatedly to Rome and Francia to study the Benedictine monastic rule, bringing back Continental liturgical practices and scholarly resources.
  2. 674–682Wearmouth · NorthumbriaWith the patronage of Northumbrian King Egfrid, he founded a monastery at Wearmouth and served as its first abbot, importing stonemasons and glaziers from the Continent and establishing a richly stocked library.
  3. 682–690Jarrow · NorthumbriaHe founded a second monastery at Jarrow, unified the administration of the two houses, and continued to expand their book collections and scholarly traditions; Bede grew up under his tutelage, and Biscop died of illness at Wearmouth in 690.

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