Ansfrid, Bl.
ANSFRID, BL.
Duke of Brabant, Benedictine, bishop of Utrecht; d. May 3, 1010. Ansfrid (Aufrid, Anfroi) was educated at the imperial school at Cologne. As duke, he vigorously suppressed brigandage. In 992 Ansfrid founded at Thorn a convent which his wife and daughter entered, and he himself became a monk at Heiligen, a monastery that he established. In 994 Emperor otto iii persuaded the reluctant Ansfrid to accept the bishopric of Utrecht, where he served until 1006, when he became blind. He withdrew again to Heiligen. He died there but his relics were later stolen and now repose in St. Peter's Church in Utrecht.
Feast: May 3.
Bibliography: Acta Sanctorum May 1:433–435. thietmar von merseberg, Monumenta Germaniae Historica: Scriptores rerum Germanicarum 4:31 NS 9. a. m. zimmermann, Lexikon für Theologie und Kirche 2 1:597. a. butler, The Lives of the Saints 2:273.
[r. balch]