January 19th. St. Wulstan (1008-1095),

Benedictine monk and Bishop of Worcester. A native of Warwickshire, he was educated at the abbeys of Evesham and Peterborough before becoming a Benedictine at the cathedral priory at Worcester. In 1062 he became bishop of Worcester. Being both superior of a monastery and bishop of a diocese was no easy matter, but Wulstan was to prove a man of great energy; he systematically visited his diocese, organised the building of new churches, promoted the liturgy (Worcester was an important medieval centre of liturgy and chant). He was a vigorous opponent of the slave trade from the port of Bristol, and achieved the abandonment of this practice. He was also a zealous promoter of clerical celibacy. Unlike most Saxon bishops, he retained his see after the Norman Conquest, having recognised William the Conqueror, and indeed he was the principal defender of the castle of Worcester against two baronial rebellions during William’s reign.