Born in Northumbria in 658, Willibrord studied at Ripon monastery under Saint Wilfrid and spent twelve years studying in Ireland at the abbey of Rathmelsigi, under Saints Egbert and Wigbert. After his ordination he set out, in about 690, with a dozen companions for Frisia, or Friesland. These men covered extraordinary distances on foot, by boat and probably horseback in the course of their work. In 693, Willibrord went to Rome to seek papal approval for their mission. Pope Sergius I supported him and on his second visit to Rome he was consecrated archbishop of the Frisians, in 696.