St Wilfrid (c. 634–709) was one of the most prominent and controversial figures of the early English Church. A bishop, reformer, and monastic founder, he played a central role in aligning the English Church with Roman ecclesiastical practice during the 7th century.

Born into a Northumbrian noble family, Wilfrid was educated both in England and on the Continent, including an extended period in Rome. This experience shaped his strong commitment to Roman liturgy, canon law, and church organisation. His most famous intervention came at the Synod of Whitby in 664, where he successfully argued for the adoption of Roman calculation of Easter and related customs over Celtic practices.

Wilfrid was appointed Bishop of York, though his episcopate was marked by repeated conflicts with kings and archbishops, leading to periods of deposition and exile. Despite this instability, he founded and patronised numerous monasteries and churches, including major centres at Ripon and Hexham, and promoted stone church architecture inspired by continental models.

In his later years, Wilfrid continued to act as a missionary bishop and ecclesiastical advocate, travelling widely and appealing directly to the papacy in defence of his position. He died in 709 and was buried at Ripon, which became a centre of his cult.

In art, St Wilfrid is typically shown as a bishop, wearing mitre and vestments, carrying a crosier and a book. He is sometimes accompanied by a model of a church, reflecting his role as a founder and builder. His imagery emphasises episcopal authority, teaching, and alignment with Roman tradition.