LIUDGER, lud'ger (LUDGER), SAINT: Missionary to the Frisians and first bishop of M�nster; b. in Frisia, probably between 740 and 750; d. at Billerbeck (15 m. w.n.w. of M�nster) Mar. 26, 809. He was educated at Utrecht, and thence went, about 767, to York, where for a year he enjoyed the instruction of Alcuin and was ordained deacon. After remaining there for some time longer, he returned to Frisia and was employed as a missionary among his fellow countrymen by
505 |
Later tradition made Liudger a Benedictine and asserted that he baptised Widukind, calling him by his own name. A reminiscence of this legend is found in the third "adventure" of the Nibelungenlied, where the Saxon duke is called Liudeg�r. He is also connected traditionally with the diocese of Halberstadt, of which his brother Hildegrim, really bishop of Ch�lons and rector of Werden, is said to have beenbishop, while Liudger himself is described as establishing the Liudgeristift in Helmstadt, although this seems to have been merely a colony from Werden, founded in the beginning of the tenth century with Liudger as its patron saint.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Special study has been made of the sources by W. Diekamp, who has collected the early Vit� in Geschichtsquellen des Bisthums M�nster, vol. iv., M�nster, 1881, also published separately, ib. 1882. The Vit� are collected with less completeness, with commentary, in ASB, Mar., iii. 626-661; in MPL, xcix. 769-796; and ed. G. H. Pertz, in MGH, Script., ii (1829), 403-425. Modern discussions are: C. Krimphove. Leben und Wirken des heiligen Ludgerus, M�nster, 1860; idem, Der heilige Ludgerus, ib. 1886; A. H�sing, Der heilige Liudger, ib. 1878; L. T. W. Pingsmann Der heilige Liudgerus, Freiburg, 1879; K. F. von Richthofen, Untersuchungen �ber friesische Rechtsgeschichte, ii. 1, pp. 376 sqq., 398 sqq., Berlin, 1882; G. F. Maclear Apostles of Medi�val Europe, pp. 143-150, London, 1888; E. Knodt, Sturm, Ansgar, Liudger, G�tersloh, 1900 Histoire litt�raire de la France, iv. 359-362, v. 659-661; Hauck, KD, ii. 317 sqq., 369 sqq.; DCB, iii. 729-731; Neander, Christian Church, iii. 79-81; Ceillier, Auteurs sacr�s, xii, 218, xiii. 66.
Calvin College. Last modified on 10/03/03. Contact the CCEL. |