Felix of Burgundy (died 8 March 647 or 648), also known as Felix of Dunwich, was the first bishop of

the kingdom of the East Angles. He is widely credited as the man who introduced Christianity to the
kingdom. Almost all that is known about him comes from the Ecclesiastical History of the English
People, completed by the English historian Bede in about 731, and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Bede
wrote that Felix freed "the whole of this kingdom from long-standing evil and unhappiness".[2]

Felix came from the Frankish kingdom of Burgundy, and may have been a priest at one of the
monasteries in Francia founded by the Irish missionary Columbanus—he may have been Bishop of
Châlons, before being forced to seek refuge elsewhere. Felix travelled from Burgundy to Canterbury,
before being sent by Archbishop Honorius of Canterbury to Sigeberht of East Anglia's kingdom in
about 630 (travelling by sea to Babingley in Norfolk, according to local legend). Upon his arrival in
East Anglia, Sigeberht gave him a see at Dommoc, possibly at Walton, Suffolk near Felixstowe, or
Dunwich in Suffolk. According to Bede, Felix helped Sigeberht to establish a school in his kingdom
"where boys could be taught letters".[3][4]

Felix died on 8 March 647 or 648, having been bishop for 17 years. His relics were transported from
Dommoc to Soham Abbey and then to the abbey at Ramsey. After his death, he was venerated as a
saint; several English churches are dedicated to him. Felix's feast date is 8 March.

Background and early life

Felix was born in the Frankish kingdom of Burgundy, although his name prevents historians from
conclusively identifying his nationality.[5][6] According to the English historian Bede, he was
ordained in Burgundy.[5][7]

The historian Peter Hunter Blair suggested it is possible that Felix was associated with Irish
missionary activity in Francia, which was centred in Burgundy and was particularly associated with
the Irish missionary Columbanus and Luxeuil Abbey.[6] Columbanus had arrived in Francia in about
590, after going into voluntary exile. A few years later he founded the monastery at Luxeuil.[8]

map of 7th century Frankish lands

The Frankish dominions c. 629, which included Felix's native land of Burgundy

At this time, associations existed between the kingdoms of Francia and East Anglia, a small
independent Anglo-Saxon kingdom that mainly comprised what are now the English counties of
Norfolk and Suffolk.[9][10] The 7th century jewelled grave goods found at Sutton Hoo display
manufacturing technologies that are likely to be of Frankish origin, and materials that arrived in East
Anglia via Francia.[9] The connection between the East Anglian Wuffingas dynasty and the Frankish
abbess Burgundofara at Faremoutiers Abbey was an example the link between the Church in the
kingdom of East Anglia and religious establishments in Francia.[11]
Such associations were partly due to the work of Columbanus and his disciples at Luxeuil; together
with Eustace, his successor, Columbanus inspired Burgundofara to found the abbey at Faremoutiers.
It has been suggested that a connection between the disciples of Columbanus (who strongly
influenced the Christians of Northern Burgundy) and Felix, helps to explain how the Wuffingas
dynasty established its links with Faremoutiers.[11]

The historian N. J. Higham notes several suggestions for where Felix may have originated, including
Luxeuil, Châlons or the area around Autun. Other historians have made connections between Felix
and the Burgundian king Dagobert I, who had contact with both King Sigeberht of East Anglia and
Amandus, a disciple of Columbanus.[12]

The historians Judith McClure and Roger Collins have noted the possibility that Felix, who was
already consecrated as a bishop in Burgundy, may have become a political fugitive in Francia before
his arrival in East Anglia. A bishop named Felix held the see of Châlons in 626 or 627, but was
deprived of his see following the death of the Frankish king Chlothar II in 629.