Baring-Gould’s sources: Wilson, in his Anglican Martyrology. Authority:—Bede.

The monastery of Streaneshalch, now Whitby, was founded and governed by S. Hilda, towards the middle of the seventh century. It was a double community, under the rule of S. Columba [Irish abbot of Iona (d. 597), apostle of Scotland], which S. Aidan [Irish monk, founder of Lindisfarne (d. 651)] had introduced among the Northumbrians. S. Hilda governed a congregation of men, as well as one of women, who lived in separate dwellings; and such was her care that no less than five bishops issued from this monastery, all of them men of singular merit and sanctity.

The first of these saint-like prelates named by Bede [English monk and historian (d. 735)], was Bosa, who, upon the removal of S. Wilfrid [bishop of York (d. 709)], was taken from the solitude of the cloister, and ordained bishop of York by S. Theodore, archbishop of Canterbury, in the year 678. He most worthily administered the see till 700, when S. Wilfrid being recalled, he humbly resigned his charge, and returned to his monastery.

But S. Wilfrid being again expelled, S. Bosa was once more called forth to the pastoral administration of the see of York [a bishop’s “see” is his diocese, named from his seat (Latin sedes)], and this he discharged till his death, which took place in the year 705. He was a man of great sanctity and humility, says Bede. He had for his successor S. John of Beverley, from the same monastery.