Saint William of Roskilde

Memorial
2 September
Profile
Priest. Court chaplain to King Canute of England and Denmark. During a trip to Denmark William saw a crying need for Christian missionaries, and he worked there the rest of his life. Bishop of Roskilde, Zeeland. He decreed that a person who had shed blood unjustly could not receive the sacraments until he had done public penance. King Sweyn, who was one of the targets of this order, came to the cathedral with armed men. William stood at the door, armed only with his crozier. When the guards threatened to attack him, he offered no resistence. Sweyn asked forgiveness, and gave the church a gift of lands in token his penance.
Born
Anglo-Saxon
Died
1067 of natural causes
Additional Information
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
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