Bishop of Worcester from 1062 to 1095
Occupier of a Unique Place in British Church History
He was the last surviving pre-Conquest Bishop; the first Bishop to pay homage to William the Conqueror after the battle of Hastings, and one of the few Saxons to keep high office to the end of William’s reign. On top of that, he seems to have been a truly good and holy man.
Wulfstan was born about 1008 at Long Itchington, Warwickshire. His uncle was Archbishop of York, and through his help, Wulfstan studied at the monasteries of Evesham and in Peterborough. Because of his Christian dedication, his superiors recommended him for the Priesthood. Wulfstan was ordained in 1038 and joined a Benedictine monastery at Worcester, eventually becoming Prior. From 1034 he also served as the Parish Priest of Hawkesbury, Gloucestershire. He was made Bishop of Worcester in 1062.
As a bishop, Wulfstan made some significant contributions to the English church. He had a passion for pastoral care and was the first English Bishop to be known to have made a complete visitation of his Diocese. He was a gifted administrator, increasing the effectiveness of his Archdeacons. He was also highly influential in monastic reform, overseeing laws and canons to reform the role of the Clergy.
He was a powerful Preacher, possessing a great gift for explaining the teaching of Christianity. He encouraged a wider understanding of public penitence and taught against the many pagan customs throughout the land. He also had a strong social conscience, and soon became a bitter opponent of the slave trade. Together with Lanfranc, Wulfstan was mainly responsible for ending the slave trade in Bristol and the slave trade between Worcester Diocese and Ireland. With a passion for buildings, he founded Great Malvern Priory, as well as overseeing the large-scale rebuilding of Worcester Cathedral, Hereford Cathedral, and Tewkesbury Abbey.
Wulfstan died in January 1095, apparently during his daily ritual of washing the feet of twelve of his parishioners.
PP
Feature Image: Holy Trinity, Long Itchington, Wikimedia Images, PD