John of Bridlington
John of Bridlington (d. 1379), Austin Canon. Born at Thwing near Bridlington, he studied at Oxford University and became a canon at St. Augustine's monastery, Bridlington. Eventually he was in turn precentor, cellarer, and lastly prior (1362). In an age when monastic slackness was fairly widespread, John gave an example of complete fidelity in small things as well as great. Some of his words have been preserved, among them a special recommendation to study the Fourth Gospel. As superior he was prudent, wise, and greatly loved: he united a fervent life of prayer with the practical duties of his office with exceptional success. Miracles were reported at his tomb; after the usual inquiries he was canonized by Boniface IX in 1401. Richard Scrope, archbishop of York, translated his relics on 11 March 1404. The English success at the battle of Agincourt was attributed by Henry V to the intercession of the two Yorkshire saints, John of Beverley and John of Bridlington. There is a 15th-century stained-glass window of him in Morley (Derbyshire). Feast: 21 October.
Bibliography
Click here for a list of abbreviations used in this bibliography.
- AA.SS. Oct. V (1868), 135–44; N.L.A., ii. 64–78; J. S. Purvis, St. John of Bridlington (1924); P. Grosjean, ‘De S. Iohanne Bridlingtoniensi collectanea’, Anal. Boll., liii (1935), 101–29
