Wulfric at St. Michael's, 1125-1154

In the year 1125 St Michael’s became the home of Wulfric, a middle-aged priest from Compton Martin on the Mendips, who wished to spend the rest of his life as an Anchorite, – “withdrawn from the world” – living in a "Cell" adjacent to the church. This Cell stood on the cold northern side of the Chancel where today’s Vestry is found. In writing up Wulfric’s life story, Abbot John of Forde Abbey tells us how, for 29 years Wulfric lived alone in these simple quarters, devoting much of his time to reading the Bible and praying. In keeping with the ideals of medieval spirituality, he adopted stern ascetic practises: he deprived himself of sleep, ate a frugal meatless diet, spent hours reciting the psalms sitting in a bath of cold water, and wore a hair shirt and heavy chain-mail tunic.

His faithful prayer resulted in great holiness and wisdom and soon people high and low came to him for guidance and blessing. Visitors even included two Kings, Henry I and Stephen. Wulfric received the gifts of prophecy and healing and was involved in many miraculous happenings. This “Man of God” became a healer of body, mind and spirit for all those who sought him out. One of the most influential anchorite priests of medieval England, he died in his Cell on the 20th February 1154.

At his death, an unseemly scuffle occurred in and around St. Michael's between black-robed Norman Cluniac monks fr15 June, 2006 Priest. The monks maintained that providing food for the anchorite, which they had done for many years, gave them a claim to the holy man's mortal remains. But the locals forced them to withdraw and Wulfric was buried in his cell by Robert of Lewes, the first Bishop of Bath and Wells, to whom Wulfric had paid obedience. For security reasons, the Priest Osbern moved Wulfric's remains twice, until they came to rest somewhere near the west end of the church, "...in a place known only to himself and God".

It is not known whether Wulfric was ever formally canonised, i.e. declared a Saint, but he has certainly been portrayed as one down the centuries. His life has a lot to teach us, even today in the 21st century. Looking at Wulfric we realise that those who truly seek God often withdraw from normal daily pursuits and cherish solitude and quiet. In their quest for a contemplative life they are filled with God’s Spirit of love and wisdom, develop increasing compassion for those around them and become a source of blessing for their contemporaries.

Further reading:

“Wulfric of Haselbury”, Dom Maurice Bell, 1933, Somerset Record Society, Vol 47

“Hermits and Anchorites”, Rotha Mary Clay, 1914

“The Cistercian World: Monastic Writings of the Twelfth Century”, Pauline Matarasso, 1993