Willerich

Willerich (also Will Eric, Wilrich, Eric Wild, † May 4 837 ) was the second Bishop of Bremen. Some sources consider it as the first, as his 789 deceased teacher and predecessor, the Anglo-Saxon missionary Willehad, was only consecrated in 787 missionary bishop in the Bremen and the bishopric was formally established until 805 .. In fact, proved to be the deed of Foundation of the diocese of establishment of 788 later as a fake.

Willerich received the episcopal consecrations 804 or 805 instead of the built of Willehad 789 on the dune at the bellows and already 792, burned down during the Saxon wars wooden church he left off 805 build a single-aisled stone church, the 860 by Ansgar two aisles has been extended. Remnants of this in 1041 was destroyed by a fire set by a cleric church were found in the nave of today Bremen Cathedral.

In the year 823 were Willerich and Bishop of Cambrai Halitgar companion of the archbishop and papal legate Ebo of Rheims on its first mission trip to Denmark, but the zeitigte little success. Emperor Louis the Pious and Archbishop Ebo had been hoping that a successful missionary work in Denmark would strengthen the rule of pretenders to the throne, Harald Klak there, since 814 vassal of Louis, and thus the influence of the Frankish Empire beyond its northern border. Harald Klak was 826 Although baptized with great pomp in Mainz, where Emperor Louis acted as godfather, but was sold already 827 final from Denmark. The Danish mission was resumed only after 831 by Ansgar from Bremen.

Willerich died on May 4, 837 and was buried in Bremen Cathedral. His successor was Leuderich ( Lueder ).