Henry (bishop of Finland)

Bishop of Finland

Henry (Finnish: Henrik; Swedish: Henrik; Latin: Henricus; died c. 20 January 1156) was a medieval English clergyman. He came to Sweden with Cardinal Nicholas Breakspeare in 1153 and was probably designated to be the new Archbishop of Uppsala, but the independent church province of Sweden could only be established in 1164 after the civil war, and Henry would have been sent to organize the Church in Finland, where Christians had already existed for two centuries. According to legend, he entered Finland together with King Saint Eric of Sweden and died as a martyr (killed by Lalli), becoming a central figure in the local Catholic Church, however, the authenticity of the accounts of his life and ministry are widely disputed and there are no historical records of his birth, existence or death.

Bishop Henry and Lalli, "Missale Aboense", 1488

About Henry

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  • Now the bishop is in joy, Lalli in evil torture.
    The bishop sings with the angels, performs a joyful hymn.
    Lalli is skiing down in hell.
    His left ski slides along,
    Into the thick smoke of torture. With his staff he strikes about him:
    Demons beset him cruelty. In the swelter of hell
    They assail his pitiful soul.
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