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RATHBOLDUS Bishop of Utrecht.
RAthboldus or Ratholdus a German by Nation, descended from the Princes of Friesland, apply'd * 1.1 himself to study under Nanno or Manno, in the Court of Charles the Bald, and of his Son Lewis, where those Princes caus'd the Liberal Sciences to be taught publickly. He was chosen Bishop of Utrecht in the year 899. Trithemius says, that he was well vers'd in the Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, and that he was no Novice in Humane Literature; that he was of a quick Apprehensi∣on, and much esteem'd for his Eloquence, leading a very Circumspect Life and Conversation; that he govern'd the Church of Utrecht during Seventeen years, and wrote several Tracts; among o∣thers, a Treatise of the Commendation of S. Martin; another of that of S. Boniface; The Life of S. Amalberga; a Book of Homilies and Sermons; certain florid Discourses on S. Willebrord; an Office of the Translation of S. Martin; with divers Hymns in Honour of the Saints; and lastly that he dy'd in the year 917. or rather in 918. Another Writer nam'd William of Hedin, attributes to him certain Poetical Pieces, and a Compendious Chronicon. Surius likewise ascribes to him an Eclogue concerning S. Lebuin. Father Mabillon has publish'd a Discourse of the same Author on the Life of S. Amalberga, and another on that of S. Willebrord.