Burchard (Burchardus), St

Burchard (Burchardus), St., first bishop of Wurtzburg (Herbipolis), in Franconia, was born in England, and about 732, together with Lullus, went over from England to assist Bonifacius, archbishop of Mayence, upon his invitation to labor for the conversion of the Germans. He was sent to Rome by Pepin, king of France, to plead his cause before the pope; and, in consequence of his success, Pepin gave him the new see of Wurtzburg, in Franconia, where St. Kilian had preached about fifty years previously. Having at the expiration of ten years entirely exhausted his strength by his labors, he resigned his see in 752, and retired to Hoymburg, on the Mayne, where he died shortly after. He was afterward canonized, and is celebrated in the Romish Church on the 14th of October. — Butler, Lives of Saints, Oct. 14; Baillet, Vies des Saints, Oct. 16.