Birinus 1 (Male) Roman bishop, later bishop of the West Saxons, 634-c.650
e/m vii

Factoid List

Recorded Name (17)

... Birino (1)

 Bede.HE  iii.7

... Birinus (1)

 Wulfstan.NarrMetrSwithuno  Ep. 1, 392

...Byrino... (1)

 NewMinster.LiberVitae  Fol 14r.3.i

Birinus (6)

 Bede.HE  iv.12
 ASC  634 AF(OE and Lat.)G
 ASC  635 AF(OE and Lat.)
 ASC  639 AF(Lat.)
 ASC  650 AF(Lat.)
 S376   

Byrinus (8)

 ASC  634 BC
 ASC  635 BCEG
 ASC  639 BCG
 ASC  650 EG, 649 BC
 S393   
 Ęthelweard.Chron  ii.Cap.
 Ęthelweard.Chron  ii.6
 NewMinster.LiberVitae  Fol 15v.8.i

Personal Information (7)

ethnicity (1)

 ASC  650 AG, 649 BCE (Roman bishop)

saintly status (6)

 Wulfstan.NarrMetrSwithuno  Ep. 1, p. 392 (holy apostle)
 S393    (saint)
 Ęthelweard.Chron  ii.6 (holy)
 NewMinster.LiberVitae  Fol 14r.3.i (saint)
 NewMinster.LiberVitae  Fol 15v.8.i (saint)
 RestingPlaces  II.31 (saint)

Office (18)

Bishop (18)

 Bede.HE  iii.7
 Bede.HE  iii.7
 Bede.HE  iv.12 (First bishop of the West Saxons)
 ASC  634 ABC
 ASC  635 ABCEF(OE and Lat.)G (Bishop in Dorchester)
 ASC  650 AF(OE)G, 649 BCE
 S376   
 S393    (first bishop of the Saxons)
 S814   
 Ęthelweard.Chron  ii.Cap.
 Ęthelweard.Chron  ii.6
 NewMinster.LiberVitae  Fol 15v.8.i (Bishop of the West Saxons)
 Anon.EpisList1    (bishop of the West Saxons)
 Anon.EpisList2    (bishop of the West Saxons)
 Anon.EpisList3    (bishop of the West Saxons)
 Anon.EpisList4    (bishop of the West Saxons)
 Anon.EpisList5    (bishop of the West Saxons)
 RestingPlaces  II.31

Personal Relationship (3)

~ Godson (Ritual kinship) of Birinus 1 (2)

 Cuthred 1: of Birinus 1: ASC  639 ABCG
 Cuthred 1: of Birinus 1: Ęthelweard.Chron  ii.6

~ Successor (General relationship) of Birinus 1 (1)

 Agilbert 1: of Birinus 1: ASC  650 AF(Lat.)G, 649 BCE

Event (27)

Advice/counsel (2)

 Birinus 1.mission to Britain: Birinus 1 came to Britain on the advice of Honorius 2 and first visited the race of the Gewisse (West Saxons).: Bede.HE  iii.7
 Honorius 2.advice to Birinus 1: Birinus 1 came thither [sc. to the West Saxons (Anonymi 1329)] on the advice of Honorius 2.: ASC (E)  634 E (634)

Appointment/consecration/elevation/ordination of bishop (3)

 Agilbert 1.elevation to episcopacy of West Saxons: Here Agilbert 1 received the bishopric among the West Saxons [E: bishoprics of the Saxons; F(Lat.) substitutes: was consecrated] after Birinus 1 [F(Lat.) omits].: ASC  650 AF(Lat.)G, 649 BCE (650)
 Birinus 1.arrival: Birinus 1, who was the first bishop of the West Saxons under Cynegils 1 and Cwichelm 1, was sent to England by Honorius 2 and ordained by Asterius 1, bishop of Genoa. He was in such a hurry to leave that he left his corporals behind. Once out at the sea, he remembered his loss and, unwilling to interrupt the voyage, walked upon the water to the shore, found his corporals and returned to the ship in the same way. On arrival he converted King Cwichelm 1 and baptised him on the day of his daughter’s [Anonymous 215] wedding to Oswald 1, most holy king of the Northumbrians, who acted as Cwichelm 1’s godfather. Both kings then gave Birinus 1 Dorchester for is episcopal seat. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  ii.75.2-7
 Birinus 1.elevation to episcopacy: Birinus 1 was consecrated bishop at the Honorius 2's command by Asterius 1.: Bede.HE  iii.7

Baptism (7)

 Birinus 1.arrival: Birinus 1, who was the first bishop of the West Saxons under Cynegils 1 and Cwichelm 1, was sent to England by Honorius 2 and ordained by Asterius 1, bishop of Genoa. He was in such a hurry to leave that he left his corporals behind. Once out at the sea, he remembered his loss and, unwilling to interrupt the voyage, walked upon the water to the shore, found his corporals and returned to the ship in the same way. On arrival he converted King Cwichelm 1 and baptised him on the day of his daughter’s [Anonymous 215] wedding to Oswald 1, most holy king of the Northumbrians, who acted as Cwichelm 1’s godfather. Both kings then gave Birinus 1 Dorchester for is episcopal seat. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  ii.75.2-7
 Birinus 1.baptising Cynegils 1 and Cenwealh 2: Birinus 1 baptised King Cynegils 1 and King Cenwealh 2: S821   
 Birinus 1.baptism of Cuthred 1: Birinus 1 baptized Cuthred 1 in the same city [sc. Dorchester].: Ęthelweard.Chron  ii.6 (639)
 Birinus 1.baptism of Cynegils 1: Cynegils 1 received baptism from Birinus 1 at Dorchester.: Ęthelweard.Chron  ii.6 (635)
 Birinus 1.baptizing Cenwealh 2: Birinus 1 baptized King Cenwealh 2: S393   
 Birinus 1.conversion of West Saxons: Birinus 1 baptised the West Saxons.: Wulfstan.NarrMetrSwithuno  Ep. 1, p. 392 (611 x 642)
 Cynegils 1.baptism: Cynegils 1 was baptized by Birinus 1.: NewMinster.LiberVitae  Fol 14r.3.i (634 x 642)

Burial (2)

 Birinus 1.burial: Birinus 1 was buried in Dorchester in the church he had built. In after years, when the bishopric of the West Saxons had been established at Winchester, Birinus 1 was transferred there by Bishop Hędde 2 and is regarded as the patron of the city.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  ii.75.7
 Group of saints. buried at Winchester: St Birinus 1, St Hędde 2, St Swithhun 5, St Ęthelwold 1, St Ęlfheah 19, St Frithestan 1 and St Beornstan 5 rest in Winchester. : RestingPlaces  II.31

Commemoration of the dead (1)

 Birinus 1.commemoration: The death of Birinus 1 was celebrated on 3rd December.: NewMinster.LiberVitae  Fol 15v.7.i

Conversion (3)

 Birinus 1.arrival: Birinus 1, who was the first bishop of the West Saxons under Cynegils 1 and Cwichelm 1, was sent to England by Honorius 2 and ordained by Asterius 1, bishop of Genoa. He was in such a hurry to leave that he left his corporals behind. Once out at the sea, he remembered his loss and, unwilling to interrupt the voyage, walked upon the water to the shore, found his corporals and returned to the ship in the same way. On arrival he converted King Cwichelm 1 and baptised him on the day of his daughter’s [Anonymous 215] wedding to Oswald 1, most holy king of the Northumbrians, who acted as Cwichelm 1’s godfather. Both kings then gave Birinus 1 Dorchester for is episcopal seat. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  ii.75.2-7
 Birinus 1.preaching of baptism to West Saxons (Anonymi 801): Here Birinus 1 preached baptism [F (OE and Lat.) substitutes: belief in Christ] [ABCEF(Lat.)G: to the West Saxons (Anonymi 801)] [E adds: under King Cynegils 1].: ASC  634 ABCEF(OE and Lat.)G (634)
 Cynegils 1.conversion by Birinus 1: King Cynegils 1 was converted to Christianity by St Birinus 1.: Anon.LiberEliensis  I.50

Death/dying (1)

 Birinus 1.burial: After Birinus 1 had built many churches and brought many to the Lord, he died and was buried in Dorchester.: Bede.HE  iii.7

Dreaming/seeing vision/revelation (1)

 Ęthelwold 1.vision of Beornstan 5: Ęthelwold 1, whilst praying in the church in Winchester, saw a vision of Beornstan 5, accompanied by Birinus 1 and Swithhun 5, testifying that Beornstan 5, although quite forgotten of earth, was enjoying great glory in heaven. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  ii.75.27-8

Episcopal see, acquisition/institution/division/merge (1)

 Birinus 1.arrival: Birinus 1, who was the first bishop of the West Saxons under Cynegils 1 and Cwichelm 1, was sent to England by Honorius 2 and ordained by Asterius 1, bishop of Genoa. He was in such a hurry to leave that he left his corporals behind. Once out at the sea, he remembered his loss and, unwilling to interrupt the voyage, walked upon the water to the shore, found his corporals and returned to the ship in the same way. On arrival he converted King Cwichelm 1 and baptised him on the day of his daughter’s [Anonymous 215] wedding to Oswald 1, most holy king of the Northumbrians, who acted as Cwichelm 1’s godfather. Both kings then gave Birinus 1 Dorchester for is episcopal seat. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  ii.75.2-7

Godparenting (1)

 Birinus 1.arrival: Birinus 1, who was the first bishop of the West Saxons under Cynegils 1 and Cwichelm 1, was sent to England by Honorius 2 and ordained by Asterius 1, bishop of Genoa. He was in such a hurry to leave that he left his corporals behind. Once out at the sea, he remembered his loss and, unwilling to interrupt the voyage, walked upon the water to the shore, found his corporals and returned to the ship in the same way. On arrival he converted King Cwichelm 1 and baptised him on the day of his daughter’s [Anonymous 215] wedding to Oswald 1, most holy king of the Northumbrians, who acted as Cwichelm 1’s godfather. Both kings then gave Birinus 1 Dorchester for is episcopal seat. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  ii.75.2-7

Grant and Gift (1)

 Birinus 1.arrival: Birinus 1, who was the first bishop of the West Saxons under Cynegils 1 and Cwichelm 1, was sent to England by Honorius 2 and ordained by Asterius 1, bishop of Genoa. He was in such a hurry to leave that he left his corporals behind. Once out at the sea, he remembered his loss and, unwilling to interrupt the voyage, walked upon the water to the shore, found his corporals and returned to the ship in the same way. On arrival he converted King Cwichelm 1 and baptised him on the day of his daughter’s [Anonymous 215] wedding to Oswald 1, most holy king of the Northumbrians, who acted as Cwichelm 1’s godfather. Both kings then gave Birinus 1 Dorchester for is episcopal seat. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  ii.75.2-7

Journey (2)

 Birinus 1.arrival: Birinus 1, who was the first bishop of the West Saxons under Cynegils 1 and Cwichelm 1, was sent to England by Honorius 2 and ordained by Asterius 1, bishop of Genoa. He was in such a hurry to leave that he left his corporals behind. Once out at the sea, he remembered his loss and, unwilling to interrupt the voyage, walked upon the water to the shore, found his corporals and returned to the ship in the same way. On arrival he converted King Cwichelm 1 and baptised him on the day of his daughter’s [Anonymous 215] wedding to Oswald 1, most holy king of the Northumbrians, who acted as Cwichelm 1’s godfather. Both kings then gave Birinus 1 Dorchester for is episcopal seat. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  ii.75.2-7
 Honorius 2.advice to Birinus 1: Birinus 1 came thither [sc. to the West Saxons (Anonymi 1329)] on the advice of Honorius 2.: ASC (E)  634 E (634)

Marriage (1)

 Birinus 1.arrival: Birinus 1, who was the first bishop of the West Saxons under Cynegils 1 and Cwichelm 1, was sent to England by Honorius 2 and ordained by Asterius 1, bishop of Genoa. He was in such a hurry to leave that he left his corporals behind. Once out at the sea, he remembered his loss and, unwilling to interrupt the voyage, walked upon the water to the shore, found his corporals and returned to the ship in the same way. On arrival he converted King Cwichelm 1 and baptised him on the day of his daughter’s [Anonymous 215] wedding to Oswald 1, most holy king of the Northumbrians, who acted as Cwichelm 1’s godfather. Both kings then gave Birinus 1 Dorchester for is episcopal seat. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  ii.75.2-7

Miracle (1)

 Birinus 1.arrival: Birinus 1, who was the first bishop of the West Saxons under Cynegils 1 and Cwichelm 1, was sent to England by Honorius 2 and ordained by Asterius 1, bishop of Genoa. He was in such a hurry to leave that he left his corporals behind. Once out at the sea, he remembered his loss and, unwilling to interrupt the voyage, walked upon the water to the shore, found his corporals and returned to the ship in the same way. On arrival he converted King Cwichelm 1 and baptised him on the day of his daughter’s [Anonymous 215] wedding to Oswald 1, most holy king of the Northumbrians, who acted as Cwichelm 1’s godfather. Both kings then gave Birinus 1 Dorchester for is episcopal seat. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  ii.75.2-7

Mission/mission-sending (1)

 Birinus 1.mission to Britain: Birinus 1 came to Britain for the purpose of evangelisation.: NewMinster.LiberVitae  Fol 15v.8.i

Pastoral activities/preaching (3)

 Birinus 1.preaching of Gospel to West Angles [= West Saxons] (Anonymi 2429): Birinus 1 came to the West Angles [= West Saxons] (Anonymi 2429), preaching to them the Gospel of Christ.: Ęthelweard.Chron  ii.6 (634)
 Birinus 1.preaching of baptism to West Saxons (Anonymi 801): Here Birinus 1 preached baptism [F (OE and Lat.) substitutes: belief in Christ] [ABCEF(Lat.)G: to the West Saxons (Anonymi 801)] [E adds: under King Cynegils 1].: ASC  634 ABCEF(OE and Lat.)G (634)
 Cynegils 1.baptism: After receiving instructions from Birinus 1, Cynegils 1 was cleansed from his sins in the waters of baptism together with all his people.: Bede.HE  iii.7

Praying (1)

 Ęthelwold 1.vision of Beornstan 5: Ęthelwold 1, whilst praying in the church in Winchester, saw a vision of Beornstan 5, accompanied by Birinus 1 and Swithhun 5, testifying that Beornstan 5, although quite forgotten of earth, was enjoying great glory in heaven. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  ii.75.27-8

Relics-incorrupt preservation/placing in reliquary/requesting/translating (2)

 Birinus 1.burial: Birinus 1 was buried in Dorchester in the church he had built. In after years, when the bishopric of the West Saxons had been established at Winchester, Birinus 1 was transferred there by Bishop Hędde 2 and is regarded as the patron of the city.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  ii.75.7
 Birinus 1.translation to Winchester: Birinus 1's body was translated from Dorchester to Winchester, in St Peter and St Paul's church.: Bede.HE  iii.7

Residence (1)

 Birinus 1.residency as bishop: Birinus 1 was bishop there [sc.amongst the West Saxons (Anonymi 1329)] until the end of his life.: ASC (E)  634 E (634 - ?)

Restoration of land/property (1)

 Edgar 11.restoring land to Winchester 1 S814: King Edgar 11 to the church of Winchester 1; restoration of 40 hides (cassati) at Alresford, Hants.: S814    (963 x 975)