Wynfrith was born near Crediton in about 675AD to parents who were landowning peasants. He was educated at monasteries in Nursling and Exeter and became a monk at the latter, taking the name Boniface. He was ordained a priest at the age of 30. Boniface's knowledge of scripture was very great, and he became an extremely successful preacher and teacher, writing the first Latin grammar produced in England, as well as poetry. He was well known outside his monastery and could have done well in England but he preferred to be a missionary.
He left for Frisia* in 716 AD to continue the work of St Willibrord who was old. The Pope gave Boniface the mission to preach the gospel in Hesse and Bavaria and consecrated him as Bishop in 722 AD. He was not afraid to face militant pagans, and it was easier after the king of the Franks gave him protection. One famous incident was when he cut down the sacred oak at Geismar to defy the old gods; when no wrath fell on him, conversions to Christianity became widespread. Boniface set up monasteries and convents all across Germany, using English monks and nuns - many from Wimborne - and making them centres of learning and administration. In 732 AD he was made Archbishop of Mainz and was allowed to set up bishoprics all over Germany. Boniface wrote a letter to England asking for help to convert those who "are of one blood and bone with you". English monasteries sent him gifts of books, vestments, relics, monks and nuns but few missionaries.
Boniface was also encouraged by the French kings to reform the Church in France, but this was not very successful because not all the kings were supportive. He did get all the empty bishoprics filled and assured that every monastery and convent was Benedictine.
In 754 AD he was killed by a band of pagans and he was buried at Fielda. He was, and is still revered in Holland and Germany for his courage, affection, loyalty, foresight and determination. He is known there as the Apostle of Germany. He has never been well known in England
