In 666 CE, Wilfrid was appointed as bishop of York, a position that placed him at the forefront of the English Church. However, his time in York was not without turmoil. In 678, he was deposed by King Egfrith of Northumbria, who was influenced by those opposed to Wilfrid’s pro-Roman stance. This deposing was not a mere ecclesiastical dispute but also a political maneuver, as King Egfrith sought to consolidate his power and diminish the influence of the Church.

Wilfrid was not one to accept defeat easily, and he embarked on a long legal and political battle to regain his position. He traveled to Rome in 679 to seek papal support, which he secured from Pope Agatho. Upon his return to England, Wilfrid was reinstated as bishop of York, and he was granted even more extensive powers, including control over several dioceses. His return marked the triumph of papal authority over local kings and bishops, but it also cemented his reputation as a man who was not afraid to challenge royal authority in defense of the Church’s rights.

Later Years and Exile

Despite his victories, Wilfrid’s later years were marked by further conflict. In the 680s and 690s, he found himself at odds with King Aldfrith of Northumbria, who eventually exiled him. During this period, Wilfrid withdrew to the kingdom of Sussex, where he continued to advocate for the Roman liturgical practices and attempted to establish monasteries. He spent much of his final years traveling and writing, spreading his version of Christianity to regions outside of Northumbria.

His exile, however, was not the end of his influence. Wilfrid’s legacy as a missionary and reformer remained intact, and he continued to be revered by many in southern England, where his reforms had a lasting impact. He died in 709 CE at the age of 75, leaving behind a church that had been significantly shaped by his efforts. shutdown123