BRYNOLPHUS, bishop of SKARA, saint. — Born around the middle of the thirteenth century and died on 6 February 1317. Belonging to one of the noblest Swedish families, he was sent to France while still a boy to receive an adequate ecclesiastical education there, and returned to his homeland after about eighteen years. First a canon at Linköping and Skara, he was then appointed bishop of the latter city in 1278, and remained there until his death.
A strong figure as a believer and organizer, he is now remembered as the first Swedish lyric poet. His melodious verses, all on religious subjects, do not depart from the medieval scholastic tradition except perhaps in certain more pronounced mystical touches. His Offices of St. Elena, St. Eskil, for the Virgin, and for the Crown of Thorns of Christ have come down to us.
B. is venerated as a saint, with a feast on the anniversary of his death. At the Council of Constance, the petition for canonization was introduced (1416), but the matter was referred to certain Swedish prelates for further investigation. In 1417 Martin V approved the decision of the Council. According to some authors, the canonization took place in 1498.