Botolphus (or Botulf)

Botolphus (Or Botulf)

an early English monk, according to the Anglo-Saxon chronicle, founded a monastery at Ikanho, in 654; a place identified, very probably, with Boston (or Botulfstown), in Lincolnshire. He was born in England but had gone to Germany, where he became a monk; and returned to England after acting as guardian, in a French monastery, to two sisters of king Ethelmund. Taking possession of Ikanho, he built his monastery, and instituted the rule of St. Benedict. His death was commemorated June 17, and his relics were removed by St. Ethelwold to Thoriney. Upwards of fifty churches in England are dedicated to him, ten of which are in Norfolk. See Hardy, Catalogue of Materials for Brit Hist.1, 373-375; Parker, Cal. Ill. p. p. 311. He is probably the same with a reputed bishop, whose remains, with those of St. Germinus, were buried at St. Edmunds.