(A.D. 705.)
[Wilson, in his Anglican Martyrology. Authority:--Bede.]
The monastery of Streaneshalch, now Whitby, was founded and governed by
S. Hilda, towards the middle of the seventh century. It was a double
community, under the rule of S. Columba, which S. Aidan had introduced
among the Northumbrians. S. Hilda governed a congregation of men, as
well as one of women, who lived in separate dwellings; and such was her
care that no less than five bishops issued from this monastery, all of
them men of singular merit and sanctity.
The first of these saint-like prelates named by Bede, was Bosa, who,
upon the removal of S. Wilfrid, was taken from the solitude of the
cloister, and ordained bishop of York by S. Theodore, archbishop of
Canterbury, in the year 678. He most worthily administered the see till
700, when S. Wilfrid being recalled, he humbly resigned his charge, and
returned to his monastery.
But S. Wilfrid being again expelled, S. Bosa was once more called
forth to the pastoral administration of the see of York, and this he
discharged till his death, which took place in the year 705. He was a
man of great sanctity and humility, says Bede. He had for his successor
S. John of Beverley, from the same monastery.