Agilfrid ^[a] (died 13 December 787) was a Roman Catholic bishop, who was an associate of Charlemagne and served as the Bishop of Liege from 769 until his death in 787.

Biography [ edit ]

Agilfrid was born in the early 8th century into a noble Frankish family, and has been said to be a relative of Charlemagne . ^[1] Due to no clarification of how Agilfrid was related to him, historians suggest that he was related through one of his wives. ^[2] Agilfrid served as an abbot of Saint-Amand Abbey and Saint Bavo's Abbey prior to his ascension to bishop, ^[3] and is assumed to have retained the title of abbot during his episcopate. ^[4] Sometime in 754, Agilfrid, while returning from Rome , acquired and brought the relics of Pharaildis and Bavo of Ghent from Lotharingia to Saint Bavo's Abbey, ^[5] where they remain present to this day. ^[6]

Agilfrid was said to be well respected at the courtyard of Charlemagne, ^[7] who granted him several franchises and considerable assets in favor of his church, ^[4] and appointed Agilfrid as Bishop of Liege in 769, ^[b] replacing the previously deceased Fulcaire . ^[8] Charlemagne also visited the Diocese of Liege on multiple occasions, celebrating Easter . ^[9] According to the Annales Laubacenses , in 774, Agilfrid was entrusted by Charlemagne to handle the detention of Desiderius and his wife Ansa . ^[10]

It has recently been suggested, ^[11] that Agilfrid sanctified the first church in Osnabruck sometime from 783 to 787, ^[12] which was a wooden church and served as the seat for the Diocese of Osnabruck at the time of establishment. ^[13]

Agilfrid died on 13 December 787 and was succeeded by Gerbald . ^[8]

Notes [ edit ]

References [ edit ]

Works cited [ edit ]