Bernlef was born in the 8th century. During his life, he traveled the coast throughout
Frisia, between what is now the Dutch provinces of
Groningen and
Friesland, singing laudatory poems about the wars, heroes, and
kings of Frisia while he played his
harp. Sometime around the turn of the 9th century, he was converted to Christianity by Saint
Ludger. Bernlef died in 809. Much of what is known about Bernlef's life comes from ('The Life of Saint Ludger'), a
hagiography by his relative Saint
Altfrid, which is compiled with three other accounts written by monks at
the monastery established by Ludger in
Werden: the ('The Life [of Saint Ludger] the Second [Version]'), ('The Life [of Saint Ludger] the Third [Version]'), and ('The Life [of Saint Ludger, written in] Verse'). These works were compiled by monks from other copies of the story, except the , which is partially from
oral tradition as well. According to W. Moll's ('Church History of the Netherlands before the Reformation'), Bernlef and his wife resided in
Holwert near
Dokkum and traveled during the winter months to sing songs where he was held in high esteem by listeners. Over time, Bernlef had become blind and his wife invited
Ludger into their home as he passed through Holwert to
proselytize, hearing of his
good works in the south. Traditionally ascribed to a
miracle, Bernlef's blindness was cured by Ludger. Some versions of the story relate that Bernlef doubted Ludger's Christian message by saying "If your God is so powerful, show me a sign." Thereafter, Ludger placed his hands on Bernlef's eyes and with a
prayer healed his blindness. Other versions say that he
confessed his sins to Ludger and was healed. After regaining his sight, Bernlef learned to play the
Psalms on his harp from Ludger, forgoing the bellicose poetry from his earlier days and evangelizing to the
Frisian people. When Ludger was expelled from the area by the
Saxons, he charged Bernlef with continuing the evangelizing mission and the baptism of believers, particularly
baptizing children who were in poor health and likely to die. Bernlef had eighteen children, only two of whom survived. Both of the surviving children were
confirmed by Ludger. Bernlef held to his faith during the Saxon
persecution of Christians and died in old age. On his deathbed, he comforted his wife by saying that they would not be separated for long if his prayers were answered and she died fifteen days later. Some of what has been written about Bernlef is subject to debate. For example,
J. G. R. Acquoy disputed W. Moll's recounting of Bernlef's life, stating that although Moll was "otherwise so precise a historian, [he] unconsciously formed the legend of the Psalm-singing Bernlef". Acquoy points to several sections of the where Moll appears to take
artistic license, which may have been truthful but are not found in the source Moll purported to have found it. For example, Moll writes that Bernlef "was a welcome guest on winter evenings far and wide by free commoners in the area", but Acquoy cites the original , which only holds that he was held in high esteem by his neighbors. The only writes that he was "loved intensely by the plain and the wealthy", which is copied by the , and nothing of this is mentioned in the . Acquoy also notes that Moll later reported that he had gotten the town Bernlef was from wrong; Bernlef was actually from
Holwierde near
Delfzijl, not Holwert near Dokkum. ==Legacy==