We know about Willibrord’s life and missionary labors through a notice in Bede’s Ecclesiastical History and a biography by his younger kinsman, Alcuin. He was born in Northumbria around 658, and, from the age of seven, was brought up and educated at Bishop Wilfrid’s monastery in Ripon. For twelve years, from 678–690, he studied in Ireland, where he acquired his thirst for missionary work.

In 690, with twelve companions, he set out for Frisia, a pagan area that was increasingly coming under the domination of the Christian Franks. There, Bishop Wilfrid and a few other Englishmen had made short missionary visits, but with little success. With the aid of the Frankish rulers, Willibrord established his base at Utrecht, and in 695 Pope Sergius ordained him as a bishop and gave him the name of Clement.

In 698, he founded the monastery of Echternach, near Trier. Hiswork was frequently disturbed by the conflict of the pagan Frisians with the Franks, and for a time he left the area to work among the Danes. For three years, from 719–722, he was assisted by Boniface, who at a later time came back to Frisia to strengthen the mission. In a very real sense, Willibrord prepared the way for Boniface’s more successful achievements by his relations with the Frankish rulers and the papacy, who thus became joint sponsors of missionary work. He died at Echternach, November 7th, 739.