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d by Google
k
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BOHN'S ANTIQUARIAN LIBRARY.
BEDE'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY,
THE ANGLO-SAXON CRRONICLE.
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1-.
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THE
VENERABLE BEDE'S
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
OF ENGLAND.
ALSO THB
ANGLO-SAXON- CHRONICLE.
. ILLUSTBATIVE NOTES, A MAP OP ANOLO-SAXON ENGLAND,
AND A QENBBAL INDEX.
EDITED
BY J. A. GILES, D.aL.,
LATB FELLOW OP C<VIPUS CBRI8T| GO/XBOE, qzitOJL^
LONDON:
HENRY G. BOHN, YORK STREET, COYENT GARDEN.
M.DCCC.XLIX.
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LONDON :
J. UADOON, nUMTHR, CA8TLS liTRKXT, riNSBCRr
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PREFACE.
CHAP. I.— INTRODUCTION.
The period of six hundred years (from about a.d. 466 to
1066), during which the Anglo-Saxons were dominant in
England, has always been viewed with much interest and
attention by the modem English, particularly of our own
day. Nor are we at a loss to discover the true explanation
of this fact. A nation will always be most attached to that
portion of its former history which developes a state of
things, polity, and institutions^ similar to their own, and
adapted to become a model for their imitation. Now the
tendency of the present times is to enlarge the rights .and
privileges of the people, that they may — all, and not merely
a section of them — enjoy as much happiness in their social
life and during their existence on the earth, as the constitution
of their nature requires ; and, moreover, that they shall, as a
body, have the privilege of judging for themselves in what
way the largest share of enjoyment may be obtained. Hence
has arisen that renewal of attention which the people of
England at present devote to that part of English history
which preceded the Norman conquest. Then are supposed
to have been planted those seeds of national liberty which,
under every form of cutting and pruning to which the plant
may occasionally have been subjected, have nevertheless con-
tinually germinated, until the tree, like that which sprang
from the grain of mustard-seed, bids fair to overshadow
all of ^s.
To such a spirit of inquiry must be attributed the fact
that the Anglo-Saxon Ecclesiastical History by the Venerable
Bede, has already, before the appearance of this volume, been
published in three separate editions in about seven years;
and to the same cause must be ascribed the publication of
this volume, in which, at an unprecedented low price, are
now for the first time presented to the public the two great
vi PBEPACE.
Chronicles of Anglo-Saxon History. Although of limited
dimensions, they present us with a most extraordinary num-
ber of facts arranged chronologically, and form a mass of
history such as no other nation of Europe possesses.
CHAP. II.— LIFE OF BEDE.
Sect. l.'-'O/ hU birth.
The year of our Lord 673, remarkable for one of the most
important of our early English councils, held at Hertford,
for the purpose of enforcing certain general regulations of
the church, has an equal claim on our attention, as the year
in which that great teacher of religion, literature, and science,
the Venerable Bede, first saw the light.
The time of his birth has, however, been placed by some
writers as late as A.D. 677, but this error arose from not per-
ceiving that the last two or three pages of his Chronological
Epitome, attached to the Ecclesiastical History, were added
by another hand.*
Bede's own words appear decisive in fixing the date of his
birth : — " This is the present state of Britain, about 285
years since the coming of the Saxons, and in the seven hun-
dred and thirty-first year of our Lord's incarnation." To
this he subjoins a short chronology which comes down to
731, and was continued to 734, either by another hand or by
Bede himself, at a later period just before his death : he then
gives a short account of the principal events of his own life,
and says, that he has attained (attigisse) the fifty-ninth year
of his life. Grehle, in his recent publication on the life of
Bede, has not scrupled to fix the year 672, interpreting
Bede's expressicm that he had attained his 'fifty-ninth year as
implying that he was entering on his sixtieth. On the other
han^ another learned critic,t whose opinion has been adopted
by Stevenson in his Litroduction [p. 7], has endeavoured
to show that 674 is the true date. But in so unimportant a
particular it is hardly worth while to weigh the conflicting
opinions, and the intermediate date, so long ago settled by
* Mabill. in v. Bed. sect. ii. Sim. Dun. de Ecc. D. 8, and Ep. de Archie,
Ebor. Stubbs's Act. Pont. Eborac. Sparke's Hist. Ang. Scrip. 1723.
Surtees' Hist of Diirham, ii. p. Qd,
t Pagi Critic, in Baron. Ann. a,d. 693, sect. 8. r^^^^T^
' Digitized by VjOOQIC
LIFB OF B£D£. VJl
MabiUon, and apparently so weJl borne out by Bede's owa
wordsy is perhaps the best that can be adopted.
It is alwajs to be regretted, wh^i little is known of the
early life of eminent men^ as in all cases where many facta
have been Imnded down concerning the years of their youth,
something or other has inyariably broken forth signi&Wt of .
their future life and fortunes. So very little, however^ is
known o( this great ornament <^ £ngland and father of the
universal church, that, except his own writings, the lett^ of
Cuthbert his disciple, and one or two other almost contempo-
rary recOTds, we have no means whatever of tracing his pri-
vate Imtary.
The place of his birth is said by Bede himself to have
been in the territory afterwards belonging to the twin-mon-
asteries of St. Peter and St. Paul, at Wearmouth and Jar-
row. The whole of this territory, lying along the coast near
the mouths of the rivers Tyne and Wear, was granted to
abbat Benedict by king Egfrid two years after the birth of
Bede. William of Malmesbury points out more minutely
the spot where our author first saw the light. His words
are these : " Britain, which some writers have called another
world, because, from its lying at a distance, it has been over-
looked by most geographers, contains in its remotest parts a
place on the borders of Scotland, where Bede was bom and
educated. The whole country was formerly studded with
monasteries^ and beautiful cities founded therein by the Eo-
mans ; but now, owing to the devastatioius of the Danes and
Normans, it has nothing to allure the senses. Through it
runs the Wear, a river of no mean width, and of tolerable
rapidity. It flows into the sea, and receives ships, which
are driven thither by the wind, into its tranquil bosom. A
certain Benedict built two churches on its banks, and found-
ed there two monasteries, named after St. Peter and St. Paul,
and united together by the same rule and bond of brotherly
love."* The birth of Bede happened in the third year of
Egfrid, son of Oswy, the first of the kings of Northumber-
land, after the union of the provinces Deira and Bemicia
into one monarchy. The dominions of this king extended
fixMn the Humber to the Frith of Forth, and compre-
hended all the six northern counties of England, and the
• * Hist, of the Kings of England, book i.'chap. i^*^P^.f4hIp
J
YUl PREFACE.
whole of the southern part of Scotland. The piety of Eg-
frid induced him to grant the large tract of land above men-
tioned to one Biscop, sumamed Benedict, who had formerly
been one of his thajies, but now became a monk, and built
thereon a monastery, which he dedicated to St. Peter, on the
north bank of the river Wear, and which from this circum-
stance derived the name of Wearmouth. The same pious
abbat, eight years after [a.d. 682], built another monastic
estabHshment, which he dedicated to St. Paul, at Jarrow, on
the banks of the Tyne, at the distance of about ^ve miles
from the former. In memory of this, the following inscrip-
tion, which has been preserved, was carved on a tablet in the
church at Jarrow : —
Dedicatio Basilics
S. Pauli VIII Kal. Mail
Anno XV Eg&idi i^gis
Ceolfndi Abb. ejusdemque
Ecclesiae Deo auctore
ConditoTis anno IV,
The Dedication of the Church
of Saint Paul, on the 24th of April
in the fifteenth year of king Egfrid
and in the fourth year of abbat (>olfirid,
who, under God, founded the same church.
These two establishments were for many years ruled by
Benedict himself, and his associates Ceolfrid, Easterwin, and
Sigfrid, and from the unity and concord which prevailed
between the two, deserved rather, as Bede expresses it, to
be called "one single monastery built in two different
places."*
We cannot be certain as to the exact spot, but it is suffici-
ently near the mark to ascertain that Bede was born in the
neighbourhood of these two monasteries, and probably in the
village of Jarrow.
Of his parents nothing has been recorded. He tells us, in
his own short narrative of himself, that he was placed, at
the age of seven years, under the care of abbat Benedict, in
the abbey of Wearmouth, that of Jarrow being not yet
built. When, however, this second establishment was
founded, Bede appears to have gone thither under Ceolfrid
• Leland. Antiq. de Reb. Brit Coll. ed. Heame, iil 42.
LIFE OF BEDE. ix
its first abbat, and to have resided there all the remainder of
his life.
Sect. 2. — Of hit youth.
For a youth of such studious habits and indefatigable in-
dustry, no situation could have been more appropriate than
that in which he was now placed. Benedict Biscop, the
founder of the monasteries, was a man of extraordinary
learning and singular piety. Though a nobleman by birth,
he was unwearied in the pursuit of knowledge, and in ameli-
orating the condition of his country. In order to accomplish
his benevolent intentions, he travelled into other countries,
and introduced not only foreign literature, but arts hitherto
unknown, into our island. He was the first who brought
masons and glaziers home with him, having need of their
services in the noble buildings which he erected. He tra-
velled four or five times to Rome, and became intimate with
Pope Agatho. Here he was much captivated with the
liturgy of the Roman church, and their manner of chanting,
for until then the GaUican or Mozarabic liturgy was used
both in Britain and Ireland, as is alluded to in Augustine's
Questions to pope Gregory. Each time, on his return to
England, Benedict carried back with him the most valuable
books and costly relics and works of art which could be pro-
cured for money. This collection, which was, by his orders,
preserved with pecuHar care, received considerable augment-
ations from the zeal and munificence of his successors.
Bede's thirst for study was here, no doubt, satisfied : so large
and valuable a library could scarcely have been within his
reach elsewhere, even among the other Benedictines of the day,
however well qualified that order was to encourage a taste
for learning, and to provide means for gratifying that taste
among its fosterlings. In so large a community, too, as that of
Wearmouth, there were doubtlessly many scholars of mature
age, who would all assist in promoting the studies of so talented
a youth as he who was now introduced within their walls.
Bede was not, however, left to chance, or the untutored
dictates of his own youthful fancy, to find his way as he could
through the years spent in the rudiments'of learning. In
the study of theology and the Holy Scriptures, he received,
X PREFACE.
as he himself tells us,* the instructions of Trumhere, a monk,
who had been educated under the holy Chad, bishop of Lich-
field. The art of chanting, as it was practbed at Rome,
was taught him by John, the arch-chanter of St. Peter's at
Rome, who had been, by the consent of pope Agatho, brought
into Britain by Bdscop Benedict. This celebrated singer
attracted multitudes of people from the counties adjoining
to the monastery of Wearmouth to witness his performances.
It has also been said by Stubbs,f that Bede received instruc-
tions from John of Beverley, the disciple of archbishop Theo-
dore ; and possibly this may have been the case, as he might
also from others learned in the Greek and Latin tongue who
were in the company of that famous archbishop ; but Mabil-
lon thinks that the author above referred to has made a con-
fusion between the two Johns, for there is no other mention
whatever made of his being a pupil of John of Beverley. It
is certain, however, that Bede possessed considerable know-
ledge, not only in the Latin and Greek lan^ages, but also
in the Hebrew, although nothing remains which has been
ascribed to him in that language, save a vocabulary, entitled
" Interpretatio Nominum Hebraiconun," which is now admit-
ted to be the production of another. In the Greek tongue he
must have made considerable proficiency, as appears from his
" Ars Metrica," and from his having translated the life of
Anastasius and the Gospel of St. John out of that language
into Latin. The last two of these productions are no longer
extant.
.Whatever advantages, however, Bede may have enjoyed,
the greatest was his own ardour in the pursuit of learning ;
and let us remember, that the rules of the monastic institu-
tions did not leave the student the uncontrolled disposal of
his own time. Many offices, not wholly menial, were per-
formed by the brethren ; he himself instances Biscop the
founder, and says, that, like the rest of the brothers, he de-
lighted to exercise himself in winnowing the com, and
threshing it, in giving milk to the lambs and calves, in the
bakehouse, in the garden, in the kitchen, and in tlie other
employments of the monastery ; a considerable portion of the
day was spent in discharging the duties required by the mon-
astic rules, and in the daily service and psidmody of the
* Ecclesiastical Hittt. iv. 3, page 177. t Act. BtMitif. Eboi-ac
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^ LIFE OF BEDS. Zl
church. All his leisure time was not even then occupied in
reading ; part was devoted to writing and to the instruction
of others. His own words are here in point : '^ All my life
I spent in that same monasterj, giving mj whole attention to
the study of the Holy Scriptures, and in the intervals be-
tween the hours of regular discipline and the duties of singing
in the church, I always took pleasure in learning, or teaching,
or writing something.''
Sect 3. — 0/his admistUm to Holy Orders,
The twenty-fifth year of one's age, was then, as the twenty-
fourth at present, the limit of admission to Deacon's Orders.
Of his own entry into this holy ordination, let us hear what
he says himself, ''In the nineteenth year of my life I was
made deacon, and in the thirtieth was ordained priest ; both
ordinances were conferred on me by bishop John, at the bid-
ding of abbat Ceolfirid."
This John was bishop of Hagulstad, now Hexham, in the
county of Northumberiand, and. the monasteries of Wear-
mouth and Jarrow were in his diocese, for the see of Dur-
ham did not exist until a later period, when the brotherhood
of lindisfame settled there, carrying with them the bones of
St Cuthbert. This John is also better known by the name
of John of Bev^ley, and is mentioned in high terms by Bede
in his History.
So remarkable a deviation from the general rule as the
ordination of a candidate for Holy Orders in the nine-
teenth year of his age, is in itself a sufficient proof of the
estimation in which the young student was held. His piety,
moreover, must have beai wdl known to the abbat who sent
him for ordination, and to the bishop, who hesitated not to
admit him so prematurely to that holy rite. It is moreover
said of him that, in his ardour for study, he declined to be
raised to the dignity of an abbat, lest the distraction to which
the care of such an establishment, or family ^ as the historian
expresses it, would subject him, might allow him less time
and leisure for his favourite pursuits. " The office," as he
expressed it, ''demands thoughtfulness, and thoughtfulness
brings with it distraction of the mind, which impedes the
pursuit of learming."*
• Trithem. de Viris illust. ord. Bened. "*-2U QQQgle
gi^zed iJ
XU PBBFACE.
This, however, no doubt happened after he took priest's
orders in his thirtieth year, though the eleven years which
intervened must have been sedulously spent in laying up that
store of erudition which afterwards enabled him to shine forth
to the world in every department of literature. For it does
not appear that he published any thing in writing until aft«r
he had undergone the second of the church's ordinances.
This we have from his own words, " From the time of my
taking priest's orders, to the fifty-ninth year of my age, I
have occupied myself in making these short extracts from the
works of the. venerable fathers for the use of me and mine,
or in adding thereto somewhat of my own, after the model
of their meaning and interpretation."
If, however, he was admitted unusually early to the orders
of deacon, he was in no mind, on the other hand, to rush
hastily, or without long and patien^ study, into the full duty
of the priest's office ; and thus 1^ devoted eleven patient
years to qualify himself for the various ser' 'ces which he
was preparing to render to the literature of his country, and
the interests of the church.
Sect. 4. — Of his clerical and literary labours.
The office of priest, or mass-spriest, as he is called in king
Alfred's Anglo-Saxon translation, brought with it a consider-
able portion of duties which would not allow him to devote
the whole of his time to his favourite occupations. His em-
ployment was to say mass in the church, by which we are to
understand that he officiated at the various masses which
were performed at different hours in the day, besides perhaps
assisting in the morning and evening prayers of the monas-
tery. The following extracts from Anglo-Saxon writers,
quoted by Sharon Turner, will well describe the responsible
functions which were supposed to belong to the priest's
office.
" Priests I you ought to be well provided with books and
apparel as suits your condition. The mass-priest should at
least have his missal, his singing-book, his reading-book, his
psalter, his hand-book, his penitential, and his numeral one.
He ought to have his officiating garments, and to sing from
sun-rise, with the nine intervals and nine readings. His
sacramental cup should be of gold or silver, glass or tin, and
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LIFE OF BEDE. XIU
not of earth, at least not of wood. The altar should be
always clean, well clothed, and not defiled with dirt. There
should be no mass without wine.
" Take care that you be better and wiser in your spiritual
craft than worldly men are in theirs, that you may be fit
teachers of true wisdom. The priest should preach rightly
the true belief ; read fit discourses ; visit the sick ; and
baptize infants, and give the unction when desired. No one
should be a covetous trader, nor a plunderer, nor drunk often
in wine-houses, nor be proud or boastful, nor wear osten-
tatious girdles, nor be adorned with gold, but to do honour
to himself by his good morals.
"They should not be litigious nor quarrelsome, nor
seditious, but should pacify the contending ; nor carry arms,
nor go to any fight, though some say that priests should
carry weapons when necessity requires ; yet the servant of
God ought not to go to any war or military exercise.
Neither a wife nor a battle becomes them, if they will
rightly obey God and keep his laws as becomes their
state.** ♦
Their duties are also described in the Canons of Edgar in
the following terms : —
"They are forbidden to carry any controversy among
themselves to a lay-tribunal. Their own companions were
to settle it, or the bishop was to determine it.
" No priest was to forsake the church to which he was
consecrated, nor to intermeddle with the rights of others,
nor to take the scholar of another. He was to learn
sedulously his own handicraft, and not put another to shame
for his ignorance, but to teach liim better. The high-bom
were not to despise the less-bom, nor any to be unrighteous
or covetous dealers. He was to baptize whenever required,
and to abolish all heathenism and witchcraft. They were to
take care of their churches, and apply exclusively to their
sacred duties ; and not to indulge in idle speech, or idle
deeds, or excessive drinking ; nor to let dogs come within
their church-inclosure, nor more swine than a man might
govern.
" They were to celebrate mass only in churches, and on
the altar, unless in cases of extreme sickness. They were
• Elfric, in Wilkins'8 Leges Anglo-Saxon^^ l,^9gy^le
XIV PSEFACE.
to have at mass their corporalis garment, and the subacula
under their alba ; and all their officiating garments were to
be woven. Each was to have a good and right book. No
one was to celebrate mass, unless fasting, and unless he had
one to make responses ; nor more than three times a day ;
nor unless he had, for the eucharist, pure bread, wine and
water. The cup was to be of somethbg molten, not of wood.
No w(»nan was to come near the altar during mass. The
bell was to be rung at the proper time.
" They were to preach every Sunday to the people ; and
always to give good examples. They were ordered to teach
youth with care, and to draw them to some craft. They
were to distribute alms, and urge the people to give them,
and to sing the psalms during the distribution, and to exhort
the poor to intercede for the donors. They were forbidden
to swear, and were to avoid ordeals. They were to recom-
mend confession, penitence, and compensation ; to administer
the sacrament to the sick, and to anoint him if he desired it ;
and the priest was always to keep oil ready for this purpose
and for baptism. He was neither to hunt, or hawk, or dice ;
but to play with his book as became his conditicm.*' *
But the duties pointed out in these extracts do not seem
to have satisfied the Venerable Bede ; he applied himself to
every branch of literature and science then known, and
besides study, and writing comments on the Scriptures, he
treated on several subjects, on history, astrology, ortho-
graphy, rhetoric, and poetry ; in the latter of which he was
not inferior to other poets of that age, as appears by what he
has left us on the life of St. Cuthbert, and some verses in his
Ecclesiastical History ; he wrote likewise two books of the
Art of Poetry, which are not now extant ; a book of Hymns,
and another of Epigrams. Bede's own writings inform us of
the names of some of his literary friends ; among whom were
Eusebius or Huetbert, to whom he inscribed his book, De
Ratione Temporum, and his Interpretation on the Apoca-
lypse, and who was afterwards abbat of Wearmouth :
Cuthbert, called likewise Antonius, to whom he inscribed
his book, De Arte Metrica, and who succeeded Huetbert,
and was afterwards abbat of Jarrow ; he wrote of his master's
death, but of this hereafter : also Cohstantine, to whom he
♦ Wilkins'8 Leges Anglo-Saxonicffi^ 85i^^5^gl^
LIFE OF BEDE. XV
inscribed his book, De Divisione Numerorum ; and Nothelm,
then priest at London, and afterwards arehbishop of Canter-
bury, to whom he wrote his Questions on the Books of
Kings 5 to which we may add several in other mcmasteries ;
whilst others have impropisriy classed amongst them Alcuinus,
afterwards preceptor to Charles the Great.
Thus was the time of that excellent man employed in
doing good to mankind, seldom or never moving beyond the
limits of his own monastery, and yet in the du^ cloister of
it surveyii^ the whole world, and dispensing to it the gifts
entrusted to him ; it seems not a little surpriong, that one
who had scarcely moved away from the place of his nativity,
i^ould so accurately describe those at a distance ; and this
quality in his writings, when considered with reference to
the age in which he lived, is the more remarkable, -as there
is but one other recorded in history who possessed it in equal
perfection, — the immortal Homer.
Sect 5. — Ofhia supposed journey to Rome,
The peaceful tenor of Bede's mcmastic life was apparently
uninterrupted by absence or travel, and his own words
might be thought to afford sufficient authority for the sup-
position. A controversy, however, on this subject has arisen
from a letter first published by William of Malmesbury,
which to this hour has not been satisfactorily decided. Tins
historian says tiiat Bede's learning and attainments were so
highly esteemed, that pope Sei^us wished to see him at
Rome, and consult him on questions of importance. and diffi-
culty rating to the church. He accordingly quotes a letter,
addressed by Sergius to abbat Ceolfrid, in which he is re-
quested to send Bede without delay to Rome. Now it is
argued, and apparently with truth, that Bede would not
have dared to decline an invitation ccmdng from so high a
quarter; and yet it is all but certain that Bede never was
out of England. He tells us distinctly that his whole life
was spent in the neighbourhood of Jarrow; and that the
letters, which he has inserted in his Ecclesiastical History,
had been procured for him at Rome by Nothelm, which
would certainly lead us to infer that Bede wets not there
himself. Moreover, he tells us in his treatise, De Natura
Rerum [46], that he was not with the monks of Yarrow,
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
XVI PREFACE.
who went to Rome in the year 701. It is therefore certain
that Bede, if invited, never went to Rome ; and it is most
probable, as has been stated by Grehle in his liatin Life of
Bede, that the unexpected death of Pope Sergius, which
happened shortly after, was the cause of his not undertaking
the journey.
Sect 6. — Of his pretended residence at Cambridge.
It has been also asserted, that Bede resided at the Univer-
sity of C^nbridge, and taught there in the office of Professor.
This has been maintained by certain members of that Uni-
versity, who have been eager to claim such an illustrious
man as their own ; whilst other writers of the University of
Oxford have been induced, by a corresponding jealousy, to
deny the fact.
The principal authority for this ill-supported statement is
found in a volume called Liher Niger ^ preserved in the Uni-
versity of Cambridge. Out of that book, Heame, in the
year 1719, published "Nicolai Cantalupi IHstoriola de Anti-
quitate et Origine Universitatis Cantabrigiensis, simul cum
Chronicis Sprotti Ox."*
In this history Bede is said, "at the request of doctor
Wilfred, and at the bidding of abbat Ceolfrid, to have left
the territory belonging to the monastery of St. Peter and
St. Paul, and being even then a monk in mind and regular
discipline, though not in dress, to have gone, in the year
682, to Cambridge, where by sowing the seeds of knowledge
for himself and others, by writing books and teaching the
ignorant, he was of use before Giod and man in eradicating
prevailing errors.
It is hardly necessary to observe, that this is said to have
happened at a time when Bede was little more than nine
years old ! Seven years after he is stated to have had public
honours conferred on him by the University, and at a later
period to be still pursuing the duties of a teacher.
In support of these statements a letter is produced,
purporting to be addressed to the Students of the University
* This work hns been twice published in English, under the following
titles, " History and Antiquities of the University of Cambridge, in two
parts, by Richard Parker, B.D., and Fellow of Caius College, in 1622.
London, 1721 ; and again printed for J. Marcus, in the Poultry, London."*
gitizedbyVjOOQlC
LIFB OF BEDE. XTU
of Cambridge, by Alcuin, in which aUusiou is made to Bedo
as still alive, but Alcuin was fifty years later than Bede, and
the supposed letter is consequently a forgery.
Sect, 7. — Of hi$ ooeasional trisUt to hit friends.
We may therefore infer without hesitation that Bede did
not travel far from the monastery. This is both plainly
asserted in his own account of his secluded life, and appears
also from the want of any evidence to the contrary. Yet it
is certain he made visits and excursions to other places ; nor
can we suppose that he confined himself entirely within the
monastery, and never indulged the pleasure of seeing and
conversing with his Mends. In his own letter to Egbert,
archbishop of York, and nephew to king Ceolwulf, he
alludes to a visit which he paid to that nobleman and prelate,
and acknowledges an invitation tr go there for the sake of
conferring with him on their & unon pursuits in the year
following. He was uj^ble to comply with this request, in
consequence of illness,'and therefore communicatod with his
friend by letter. In another letter, still extant, addressed to
Wictred* on the celebration of Easter, he speaks of the
kindness and affability with which he had been received by
him on a former occasion. It is not improbable that he
might sometimes likewise pay visits to the court; for
Ceolwulf, king of the Northumbrians, in one of whose
provinces, i. e, Bemicia, Bede lived, was himself a man of
singular learning, and a very great encourager of it in
others ; and had, doubtlessly, an extraordinary respect for
Bede, as appears by his request to him to write the
Ecclesiastical History, and by Bede*s submitting the papers
to him for his perusal. That prince was not only a lover of
learned men in general, but especially of that part of them
who led a monastic 'life, insomuch that, about three years
after Bede's death, he resigned his crown, and became a
monk at lindisfarne.
Sect. ^.— Of hit death.
The tranquillity of Bede's life, passed, as we have seen,
entirely in the monastery of Jarrow, has left it a difiicult
task for his biographers to extend their accounts of him to
• King of Kent. ^,g,,,^^^ ^^ Google
J
XYUl PfiEFACS.
that length which might seem suitable to his reputation and
the value of his works. It has been truly remarked that
scholars and persons of sedentary habits, though liable to
frequent petty illnesses from want of bodily exercise and too
great mental exertion, are nevertheless on the whole rather
a long-lived race. This rule was not exemplified in the case
of Bede. He seems to have contracted at a somewhat early
period a complaint in his stomach, accompanied with short-
ness of breath : " So that," says MaJmesbury, " he suffered
in his stomach, and drew his breath with pains and sighs."*
An attack of this disorder had lately prevented him from
visiting his friend archbishop Egbert, and led to his writing
him the valuable letter on the duties of a bishop, which we
have still extant. We are not informed whether the dis-
order left him at that time, and came on afresh, '^en it at
last killed him ; but it is most probable that he^^Joyect^
general ill health during the last few years of his existence.
He was ill some weeks before he died, and was attended by
Cuthbert, who had been one of his pupils, and after Huetbert
became abbat of the monastery. The Christian piety with
which he suffered the dispensation which awaited him, has
been the universal theme of pan^yric. The whole scene of
his increasing malady, his devout resignation, and fervent
prayers for aU his friends, together with his • paternal admo-
nitions for the regulation of their lives, and his uncontrollable*
anxiety to dictate to the boy who was his amanuensis, even
to his last moments, are so beautifully recorded in the letter
of his pupil Cuthbert, that we shadl not attempt here to
describe it in other terms.t
OUTHBEBt's letter on the death op
venerable bede.
" To his fellow reader Cuthwin, beloved in Christ, Cuth-
bert, his school-fellow ; health for ever in the Lord. I have
received with much pleasure the small present which you
sent me, and with much satisfaction read the letters of your
devout erudition ; wherein I found that masses and holy
* Hist, of the Kings of England, lib. i. c. 2.
+ See Simeon. Dunelm. de Ecc. Dun. ap, Twysdeni Scrip. X. I. 15,
p. 8. Leland, Collect. Heame, lY. Ui. 77* Mabilloni Act. Bened. Sec. iii.
LIFE OF BEDE. XIX
prayers are diKgently celebrated by you for our father and
master, Bede, whom God loved : this was what I principally
desired, and therefore it is more pleasing, for the love of him
(according to my capacity), in a few words to relate in what
maimer he departed this world, understanding that you also
desire and ask the same. He was much troubled with short-
ness of breath, yet without pain, before the day of our Lord's
resurrection, that is, about a fortnight ; and thus he after-
wards passed his life, cheerful and rejoicing, giving thanks
to Almighty God every day and night, nay, every hour, till
the day of our Lord's ascension, that is, the seventh before
the kalends of June [twenty-sixth of May], and daily read
lessons to us his disciples, and whatever remained of the day,
he spent in singing psalms ; he also passed all the night
awake, in joy and thanksgiving, unless a short sleep pre-
vehted it ; in which case he no sooner awoke than he pre-
sently repeated his wonted exercises, and ceased not to give
thanks to God with uplifted hands. I declare with truth,
thiit I have never seen with my eyes, nor heard with my
ears, any man so earnest in giving thanks to the living God.
" O truly happy man ! He chanted the sentence of St.
Paul the apostle, ' It is dreadful to fall into the hands of the
living God,' and much more out of Holy Writ ; wherein
also he admonished us to think of our last hour, and to shake
off the sleep of the soul ; and being learned in our poetry,
he said some things also in our tongue, for he said, putting
the same into English,
*^ 'For tham neod-fere
Mr his heonen-gange
Hwet his gaste
Grodes oththe jrveles
^fter deathe heonen
Demed wurthe.'
Nenig wyrtheth
Thances snottia
Thonne him thearf sy
To gehiggene
which means this : —
" * No m^n is wiser than is requisite, before the necessary
departure ; that is, to consider, before the soul departs hence,
what good or evil it hath done, and how it is to be judged
after its departure.'
". He also sang antiphons according to our custom and his
own, one of which is, * O glorious Kmg, Lord of all power,
who, triumphing this day, didst ascend above all the heavens ;
do not forsake us orphans ; but send down upon us the Spirit
c 2
XX PREFACE.
of truth which was promised to us by the Father. Hallelu-
jah!' And when he came to that word, * do not forsake us,'
he burst into tears, and wept much, and an hour after he
began to repeat what he had commenced, and we, hearing it,
mourned with him. By turns we read, and by turns we
wept, nay, we wept always whilst we read. In such joy we
pas3ed the days of Lent, till the aforesaid day ; and he re-
joiced much, and gave Grod thanks, because he had been
thought worthy to be so weakened. He often repeated,
* That Grod scourgeth every son whom he receiveth ;' and
much more out of Holy Scripture ; as also this sentence from
St. Ambrose, ^ I have not lived so as to be ashamed to live
among you ; nor do I fear to die, because we have a gracious
God.' During these days he laboured to compose two works
well worthy to be remembered, besides the lessons we had
from him, and singing of Psalms ; viz. he translated the
Gk)spel of St. John as far as the words : * But what are these
among so many,' etc. [St. John, vi. 9.] into our own tongue,
for the benefit of the church ; and some collections out of the
Book of Notes of bishop Isidorus, saying : * I will not have
my pupils read a falsehood, nor labour therein without profit
after my death.' When the Tuesday before the ascension of
our Lord came, he began to suffer still more in his breath,
and a small swelling appeared in his feet ; "but he passed all
that day and dictated cheerfully, and now and then among
other things, said, * Go on quickly, I know not how long I
shaU hold out, and whether my Maker will not soon take me
away.' But to us he seemed very well to know the time of
his departure ; and so he spent the night, awake, in thanks-
giving ; and when the morning appeared, that is, Wednesday,
he ordered us to write with all speed what he had begun ;
and this done, we walked till the third hour with the relic-s
of saints, according to the custom of that day. There- was
one of us with him, who said to him, * Most dear master,
there is still one chapter wanting : do you think it trouble-
some to be asked any more questions ?' He answered, ' It is
no trouble. Take your pen, and make ready, and write fast.'
Which he did, but at the ninth hour he said to me, ' I have
some little articles of value in my chest, such as pepper, nap-
kins, and incense : run quickly, and bring the priests of our
monastery to me, that I may distribute among them the gifts
LIFE OF BEDE. Xxl
which God has bestowed on me. The rich in this world are
bent on giving gold and silver and other precious things.
But I, in charity, will joyfully give my brothers what God
has given unto me.' He spoke to every one of them, admo-
nishing and entreating them that they would carefully say
masses and prayers for him, which they readily promised ;
but they all mourned and wept, especiaJly because he said,
* They should no more see his face in this world.' They re-
joiced for that he said, ^ It is time that I return to Him who
formed me out of nothing : I have lired long ; my merciful
' Judge well foresaw my life for me ; the time of my dissolu-
tion draws nigh ; for I desire to die and to be with Christ.'
Having said much more, he passed the day joyfully till the
evening ; and the boy, above mentioned, said : * Dear master,
there is yet one sentence not written.' He answered, * Write
quickly.' Soon after, the boy said, 'The sentence is now
written.' He replied, * It is weU, you have said the truth. It
is ended. Receive my head into your hands, for it is a great
satisfaction to me to sit facing my holy place, where I was wont
to pray, that I may also sitting call upon my Father.' And
thus on the pavement of his little cell, singing : * Glory be to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,' when he had
named the Holy Ghost, he breathed his last, and so departed
to the heavenly kingdom. • All who were present at the death
of the blessed father, said they had never seen any other person
expire with so much devotion, and in so tranquil a frame of
mind. For as you have heard, so long as the soul animated
his body, he never ceased to give thanks to the true and
living God, with expanded hands exclaiming : * Glory be to
the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost !' with
other spiritual ejaculations. But know this, dearest brother,
that I could say much concerning him, if my want of learn-
ing did not cut short my discourse. Nevertheless, by the
grace of God, I purpose shortly to write more concerning
him, particularly of those things which I saw with my own
eyes, and heard with my own ears."
As we learn from this letter of Cuthbert that Bede died
on St. Ascension-day which he states to have been that year
the seventh before the kalends of June, this fact enables us
to fix it on the 26th May, in the year of our Lord 735.
The remains of the venerable Bede were^ gl^d first under
XXU PREFACE.
the south porch of the church. After being removed to a
more honourable situation within the church, they were
stolen from the monastery by Elfred a priest of Durham,
who used for some years previously to offer up his prayers
at Bede's tomb, on the anniversary of his death.
*^ On one of these occasions," says Simeon of Durham,
'^he went to Jarrow as usual, and having spent some days
in the church in solitude, praying and watching, he returned
in the early morning alone to Durham, without the know-
ledge of his companions — a thing which he had never done
before — as though he wished to have no witness to his secret.
Now, although he lived many years afterwards, yet he never
again visited Jarrow, and it appeared as if he had achieved
the object of his desires. When, also, he was asked by his
most intimate friends, * Where were tiie bones of venerable
Bede ?' he would reply, ' No one can answer that question
so well as I. You may be assured, my brethren, beyond all
floubt, that the same chest which holds the hallowed body of
our ^Either Cuthbert, also contaLos the bones of Bede, our
reverend teacher and brother. It is useless to search be-
yond that little comer for any portion of his relics.' "
By this artifice the cathedral of Durham obtained posses-
sion of a valuable source of revenue in the offerings which
were sure to be made at the tomb of so venerable a man.
The theft was kept secret by the brethren until all who
could have reclaimed the body were dead, and so Bede's
bones remained until a.d. 1104, when St Cuthbert's relics
were removed, and those of Bede were placed alone in a
linen bag in the same chest. Fifty years afterwards Hugh
Pudsey, bishop of Durham, erected a shrine of, gold and
silver, adorned with jewels, in which he enclosed the relics
of venerable Bede, with an inscription placed on it, which
may be translated thus :
Within this chest Bede's mortal body lies.
In the reign of Henry Vlil this beautiful shrine Was
demolished, and the saintly relics were treated with every
indignity by the insane and ignorant mob. The only me-
morial now remaining in Durham cathedral of its having
once been the resting-place of Bedels remains, is a long
OP bede's ecclesiastical histokt. xria
inscription to liis memorj concluding with the well known
monkish rhyme : —
* T^Bt snnt in fossa J&ttm tmutdiUli oissa.'*
Here lie beneath these atones-— venerable Bede's bones.
CHAP. IIL— ANALYSIS OF BEDITS ECCLESIASTICAL
HISTORY.
The Ecclesiastical HistOTy of venerable Bede was first
pnldished oa the Continait: numerous editions of it have
been printed, "V^hich it is here necessary to enunierate.
It was first published in England by Wheloc, fbl. Cantab.
1643-4, with an Appendix containing the Anglo-Saxon
Iranslaticm by king Alfred the Great.
To this succeeded the edition of Smith, printed at Cam-
bridge in 1722, which superseded all the preceding. The
basis of this edition was a MS. formerly belonging to More,
bishop of Ely, and now deposited in the public library at
Cambridge. [Kk, 5, 16.] At the end of the MS., which is
written in Anglo-Saxon letters, are several notes in a some-
what later handwriting, by which it would appear that the
volume was copied in the year 737, i.e. two years after
Bede's death, and probably firom the author's original manu-
script.
The last edition of this celebrated and valuable work is
tiiat of Stevenson, published by the English Historical
Society, Lond. 8vo. 1838. The editor professes to have
used the same MS. of bishop More, and to have occasionally
collated four others [Cotton. Tib. C, II, Tib. A, XIV, Harl.
4978, and King's MS. 13 C, V.]. Prefixed to the volume
is a copious and valuable notice of the author and his work,
from which we take the liberty of making the following long
extract, as containing the most judicious account of this our
author^s greatest work.
f*Tlie scope of this valuable and justly esteemed work is^t
sufficiently indicated by its title. After some observations L
upon the position, inhabitants, and natural productions of
Britain, the author gives a rapid sketch of its history from
the earliest period until the arrival of Augustine in a.d. 597,
at which era, in his opinion, the ecclesiastical history of our
ZXIT PREFACE.
nation had its commencement. After ih&t event, he treats, ad
was to be expected, for a time exclusively of the circumstances
which occurred in Kent ; but, as Christianity extended itself
over the other kingdoms into which England was then
divided, he gradually includes their history in his narrative,
until he reaches the year 731. Here he concludes his work,
which embraces a space of one hundred and thirty-four years,
with a general outline of the ecclesiastical state of the
island.
" The Introduction, which extends from the commence- '
ment of the work to the conversion of the Saxons to Chris-
tianity, is gleaned, as Bede himself informs us, from various
writers. The chief sources for the description of Britain
are PUny, Solinus, Orosius, and Gildas; St. Basil is also
cited ; and the traditions which were current in Bede's own
day are occasionally introduced. The history of the Romans
in Britain is founded chiefly upon Orosius, Eutropius, and Gil-
das, corrected, however, in some places by the author, appar-
ently from tradition or local information, and augmented by an
account of the introduction of Christianity under Lucius, of
the martyrdom of St. Alban, copied apparently from some
legend, and of the origin of the Pelagian heresy, — ^all of
them circumstances intimately connected with the ecclesiast-
ical history of the island. The mention of Hengist and
Horsa, and the allusion to the tomb of the latter at Horstead,
render it probable that the account which Bede gives of the
arrival of the Teutonic tribes, and their settlement in Eng-
land, was communicated by Albinus and Nothelm. It is
purely fabulous, being, in fact, not the history, but the tradi-
tion, of the Jutish kingdom of Kent, as appears from circum-
stances mentioned elsewhere in this work, as well as from
the authorities there quoted. The two visits of Germanus
to England, so important in the history of its religion, are
introduced in the very words of Constantius Lugdunensis,
and must therefore have been copied from that author. The
ante- Augustine portion of the history is terminated by ex-
tracts from Gildas, relative to the conflicts between the
Saxons and Britons. As the mission of Augustine in a.d.
596 is the period at which Bede ceases to speak of himself as
a compiler, and assumes the character of an historian, it be-
comes incumbent upon us to exandne into (t|g sources upon
8AX0N OHBOmCLE. XXXlll
In the year 982 are some curious particulars respecting the
wars of Otho 11. in Greece, and Ins victories there over the
Saracens, now first printed. From the same source, and
from C. T, B. iv., we have been enabled to present to the
reader of English history a more copious and accurate ac-
count than has hitherto appeared, of the Danish invasions,
the civil wars in the reign of Edward the Confessor, and the
battles of Harold previous to the Norman Conquest. The
MS. terminates imperfectly in 1066, after describing most
minutely the battle of Stanford-bridge ; the few lines which
appear in the last page being supplied by a much later hand."
IV. A fourth copy of the Saxon Chronicle occurs also in
the British Museum. [Cott. Tiberius B. iv.]
" This MS. like the preceding, though of invaluable autho-
rity, was unknown to Gibson. It is written in a plain and
beautiful hand, with few abbreviations, and apparently
copied in the early part, with the exception of the introduc-
tory description of Britain, from a very ancient MS. The
defective parts, from a.d. 261 to 693, were long since sup-
plied from four excellent MSS. by Josselyn ; who also col-
lated it throughout with the same ; inserting from them,
both in the text and in the margin, such passages as came
within his notice ; which are so numerous, that very few
seem to have eluded his vigilant search. A smaller but
elegant hand commences fol. 68, a.d. 1016 ; and it is con-
tinued to the end, a.d. 1079, in a similar hand, though by
different writers. Wanley notices a difference in the year
1052. The value and importance of this MS., as well as of
the preceding, will be best exemplified by a reference to the
notes and various readings in the present edition. The last
notice of it will be found in page 456."
V. The fifth MS. is in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.
[Laud E, 80.]
It is so " well known, from being made the basis of Gib-
son's edition where Wheloc's was deficient, that it will not be
so necessary to enlarge on it here. It is a fair copy of older
Chronicles, with a few inaccuracies, omissions, and interpo-
lations, to the year 1122 ; therefore no part of it was written
poetry took advantage of the circumstance, and occafflonidly filled a chasm
with some of the earliest specimens of the northern muse ; the preservation
of which we owe excluavely to the Saxon Chionicl^i^ed by GoOqIc
XXXiy PBXFACB,
before tliat period. The next ten years rather exhibit differ-
ent ink thfui a different writer. From 1132 to the end,
A.D. 1154, the language and orthography became gradually
more Normanized, particularly in the reign of king Stephen ;
the account of whiich was not written till the close of it.
The dates not being regularly affixed to the last ten years,
Wanley has inadvertently described this MS. as ending
A.D. 1143 ; whereas it is continued eleven years after-
wards."
YI. The sixth and last copy is in the British Museum.
[Cotton, Domitian A. viii.]
*^ This is a singularly curious MS., attributed generally to
a monk of Christ Church, Canterlmry, on account of the
monastic interpolations. It is often quoted and commended
by H. Wharton, in his Anglia Sacra, because it contains
much ecclesiastical and local information. We consider it,
however, of the least authority among the Cotton' MSS.,
because the writer has taken greater liberties in abridging
former Chronicles, and inserting translations of Latin docu-
ments in his own Normanized dialect. Frithstan, bishop of
Winchester, who died a.d. 931 according to this Chronicle,
is called bLscop Wentanus ; and Bymstanus [Brinstan] is said
to have been consecrated on his loh — in eftis locum. lieUy Fr.
Its very peculiarities, nev^*theless, stamp a great value on
it ; and its frauds are harmless, if possible, because they are
easily detected. Towards the end the writer intended to
say something about prince Edward, the father of Edgar and
Margaret ; but it is nearly obliterated, and the MS. soon
after concludes, a.d. 1058. It is remarkable for being
written both in Latin and Saxon ; but for what purpose it is
now needless to conjecture. It is said to have been given to
Sir Robert Cotton by Camden. The passages printed from
it by Gibson, and the variations in the margin, marked Cot,
are from the collations of Junius inserted in his copy of
Wheloc. There does not appear to have been any entire
transcript of the MS., as we find it sometimes stated.* Gib-
son takes no notice of the introductory description of Britain
as being in this MS., and he dates its termination in the
wrong place. We have therefore had recourse to it again in
the British Museum, where it is deposited."
• Vid. Wanl. Cat. p. 22|,^,,^GoOgle
SAXON OHBONICLB. XXXfU
But there is anotlier peculiarity in the MSS. g£ the Saxon
Chronicle which almost proves for certain the account above
given. Some of these MSS. are more diffuse than the others
about the affairs of the particular monastery in which they
are believed to have been written. Thus one of them,
especially, is most minute concerning the affairs of Peter-
borough,— ^a fact, which, almost without other evidence,
would prove it to have been transcribed within the walls of
that monastery.
However this theory, which lies upon the surface of the
inquiry concerning the mode in which the Saxon Chronicle
was compiled, may be thought worthy or not of the reader's
attention, I am not disposed to waive it in favour of any
other ; for numerous writers have already tried to go more
deeply into the subject, and have failed in eliciting more
than vague and remote probabilities. The following remarks
are taken from the Preface of Dr. Ingram, and I do not
scruple to insert them, although the quotation is rather long,
because they show the train of thought which arose in
the mind of one who as yet stands foremost among the
translators and illustrators of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
"It is now time to examine, who were probably the
writers of these annals. I say probably, because we have
very little more than rational conjecture to guide us.
" The period antecedent to the times of Bede, except where
passages were afterwards asserted, was perhaps little else,
originally, than a kind of chronological table of events, with
a few genealogies, and notices of the death and succession of
kings and other distinguished personages. But it is evident
from the preface of Bede and from many passages in his
work, that he received considerable assistance from Sasion
bishops, abbats and others ; who not only ccHumunicated
certain traditionary facts viva voce, but also transmitted to
him many written documents. These, therefore, must have
been the early chronicles of Wessex, of Kent, and of the
other provinces of the Heptarchy ; which formed together
the groundwork of his history. With greater honesty than
most of his followers, he has given us the names of those
six of which contain about seventy letters only. On commg to examine
the seventh in St. John's College Library, I was at once enabled to augment
the number to 130. „g,,,, ,^ GoOglc
XXXTIU PBBVAOB.
learned persons who assisted him with this local information.
The first is Alcuinus or Albinus, an abbat of Canterbury, at
whose instigation he undertook the work ; who sent by
Nothelm, afterwards archbishop of that province, a full
account of all ecclesiastical transactions in Kent, and in the
contiguous districts, from the first conversion of the Saxons.
From the same source he partly derived his informati(»i
respecting the provinces of Essex, Wessex, East Anglia, and
Northumbria. Bishop Daniel communicated to him by letter
many particulars concerning Wessex, Sussex, and the Isle of
Wight. He acknowledges assistance more than once ^ex
scripiis priorum ; ' and there is every reason to believe that
some of these preceding records were the Anglo-Saxon
annals ; for we have already seen that such records were in
existence before the age of Nennius. In proof of this we
may observe, that even the phraseology sometimes partakes
more of the Saxon idiom than the Latin. If, therefore, it
be admitted, as there is every reason to conclude from the
foregoing remarks, that certain succinct and chronological
arrangements of historical facts had taken place in several
provinces of the Heptarchy before the time of Bede, let us
inquire by whom they were likely to have been made.
" In the province of Kent, the first person on record, who
is celebrated for his learning, is Tobias, the ninth bishop of
Rochester, who succeeded to that see in 693. He is noticed
by Bede as not only furnished with an ample store of Greek
and Latin literature, but skilled also in the Saxon language
and erudition. It is probable, therefore, that he left some
proofs of this attention to his native language ; and, as he
died within a few years of Bede, the latter would naturally
avail himself of his labours. It is worthy also of remark,
that Berthwald, who succeeded to the illustrious Theodore of
Tarsus in 690, was the first English or Saxon archbishop of
Canterbury. From this period, consequently, we may date
that cultivation of the vernacular tongue which would lead
to the composition of brief chronicles, * and other vehicles of
instruction, necessary for the improvement of a rude and
illiterate people. The first chronicles were, perhaps, those
of Kent or Wessex ; which seem to have been regularly
* '' The materials, howeyer, though not regularly arranged, must be traced
lo a much higher source. * r^ \
SAXON CHBONICLE. ZXXT
Besides these six, no other ancient copy is known to exist ;
but there is a single leaf of an ancient copy in the British
Museum. [Cotton, Tiberius A iii.] There are also three
modem transcripts, two of which are in the Bodleian library,
[Junian MSS. and Laud G. 36,] and one in the Dublin
library. [E 5, 15.] The Bodleian transcripts are taken
from two of the Cotton MSS., and therefore are of little
critical value ; but the Dublin transcript appears to be taken
from an original, now lost, [Cott. Otho B. xi.] and therefore
it possesses an independent authority.
" At the end of the Dublin transcript is this note, in the
hand- writing of archbishop Usher : * These Annales are ex-
tant in S*" R. Cotton's Librarye at the ende of Bede's His-
torye in the Saxon Tongue.' This accords with the descrip-
tion of the MS. in Wanle/s Catalogue, p. 219 ; to which
the reader is referred for more minute particulars. As
this MS. was therefore in existence so late as 1705, when
Wanley published his Catalogue, there can be little doubt
that it perished in the lamentable fire of 1731, which either
destroyed or damaged so many of the Cotton MSS. while
deposited in a house in Little Dean's Yard, Westmiaster."
" This transcript is become more valuable from the loss of
the original. It appears from dates by Lambard himself, at
the beginning and end, that it was begun by him in 1563,
and finished in 1564, when he was about the age of twenty-
five. Li the front is this inscription in Saxon characters :
WiUm lambarde, 1563 ; and, wulfhelm lambheord ; with
this addition, wadccath thine leoht-fast ; which may be thus
translated ;
' Lambard, arise ; awake thy lamp.'
At the end is the fallowing memorandum : * Finis : 9 Aprilis,
1564. W. L. propria manu.' I am informed by several
gentlemen of Trinity College, Dublin, to whom I am indebted
for most of the particulars relating to this transcript, that it
was once in the possession of archbishop Usher, and is the
same mentioned in his Ecclesiastical History, p. 182, which
Nicolson says *is worth the inquiring after.'* It came into
the Dublin Library with the other MSS. of the archbishop,
according to his original intention, after the restoration of
Charles H."
♦ English Historical Lihraiy, PartJ-^p^.^Q^Qgle
ZXXVl PBSFA.CB.
To these six, or if we include the Dablin MS., seven,
copies of the Sax<m Chronicle, must our inquiry therefore be
confined ; and the first point worthy of notice, is the fact,
that no two of them agree in the date at which they termi-
nate. Thus :
No. 2. comes down no later than a.d. 977.
„ 7. ends at a.j>. 1001.
„ 6. ends imperfectly at 1058.
„ 3. ends at 1066.
„ 1. ends at 1070.
„ 4. ends abruptly at 1080.
„ 5. ends imperfectly at 1154.
This diversity can hardly be accounted for on any other
view of the case, than that which applies to a large number
of other ancient writings, and is peculiarly forcible as ap-
plied to a series of annals like the work before us.
Almost every monastery had its own historiographer or
historian, whose business or at least whose general practice
it was to copy the history of preceding times from those who
were already known to have written of them with success,
and to continue the narrative, during his own times, in his
own words, to the best of his ability. Now in the case of the
Saxon Chronicle we may reasonably suppose that its original
groundwork consisted of little more than a meagre string of
events, arranged chronologically with a few genealogies and
notices of the deaths and births of the kings and other
distinguished personages. In the limited dimensions within
which learning was confined during the Anglo-Saxon
Heptarchy, and in consequence also of the paucity of
scholars, it is more likely that such a record would become
generally used than that new ones wowld be written, and
most of the monasteries would probably possess a copy of
the early part of these annals, which afterwards they would
bring down to their own times. Consistent with this theory
is the evident fact that the existing MSS. coming from
difierent religious houses, all differ in the year at which they
terminate, as if the last transcriber of the shortest had not
been aware that the copy which he followed was less
complete than those which existed elsewhere.*
• A case exactly in point to illustrate this suggestion occurs in the letters
of Arnulf bishop of Lisieux under Henry II. Seven MSS. only exist :
SAXON CHBONK!L£. zli
From this period almost to the Reformation, whatever
knowledge we have of the affairs of England has been
originally derived either from the semi-barbarous Latin of
our own countrymen, or from the French chronicles of
Froissart and others.
" The revival of good taste and of good sense, and of the
good old custom adopted by most nations of the civilized
world — that of writing their own history in their own
langu^e — ^was happily exemplified at length in the laborious
works of our Enghsh chroniclers and historians.
** Many have since followed in the same track ; and the
importance of the whole body of English history has
attracted and employed the imagination of Milton, the
philosophy of Hume, the simplicity of Goldsmith, the
industry of Henry, the research of Turner, and the patience
of Lingard. The pages of these writers, however, accurate
and luminous as they generally are, as well as those of
Brady, Tyrrel, Carte, Rapin, and others, not to mention
those in black letter, still require correction from the Saxon
Chronicle ; without which no person, however learned, can
possess any thing beyond a superficial acquaintance with
the elements of English history, and of the British
Constitution.
" Some remarks may here be requisite on the chbonology
of the Saxon Chronicle. In the early part of it * the reader
will observe a reference to the grand epoch of the creation of
the world. So also in Ethelwerd, who closely follows the
Saxon annals. It is allowed by all, that considerable
difficulty has occurred in fixing the true epoch of Christ's
nativity, f because the Christian era was not used at all till
about the year 532, J when it was introduced by Dionysius
Exiguus ; whose code of canon law, joined afterwards with
the decretals of the popes, became as much the staMdard
of authority in ecclesiastical matters as the pandects of
Justinian among civilians. But it does not appear that in
♦ ** See A.D. XXXIII. the era of Christ's crucifixion.
+ " See Plajrfair's System of Chronology, p. 49.
X ^ Playfair says 527 : but I follow Bede, Florence of WM-cester, and
others ; who affirm that the great paschal cycle of Dionysius commenced
fi^m the year of our Lord*s incarnation 532 — the year in which the code
of Justinian was promulgated. Vid. Flor. an. 532, 1064, and 1073. See
also M. West. an. 532. Digitized by GoOglc
Xlii PREFACE.
the Saxon mode of computation this system of chronology
was implicitly followed. We mention this circumstance,
however, not with a view of settling the point of difference,
which would not be easy, but merely to account for those
variations observable in different MSS. ; which arose, not
only from the common mistakes or inadvertencies of tran-
scribers, but from the liberty, which the original writers
themselves sometimes assumed in this country, of computing
the current year according to their own ephemeral or local
custom. Some began with the incarnation or Nativity of
Christ ; some with the Circumcision, which accords with the
solar year of the Romans as now restored ; whilst others
commenced with the Annunciation ; a custom which became
very prevalent in honour of the Virgin Mary, and was not
formally abolished here till the year 1752 ; when the
Gregorian calendar, commonly called the New Style, was
substituted by Act of Parliament for the Dionysian. This
diversity of computation would alone occasion some con-
fusion ; but in addition to this, the indiction, or cycle of
fifteen years, which is mentioned in the latter part of the
Saxon Chronicle, was carried back three years before the
vulgar era, and commenced in different places at four
different periods of the year ! But it is very remarkable
that, whatever was the commencement of the year in the
early part of the Saxon Chronicle, in the latter part the
year invariably opens with Midwinter-day or the Nativity.
Grervase of Canterbury, whose Latin Chronicle ends in
1 199, the era of legal memory, had formed a design, as he
tells us, of regulating his chronology, by the Annunciation ;
but from an honest fear of falsifjdng dates he abandoned his
first intention, and acquiesced in the practice of his prede-
cessors ; who for the most part, he says, began the new year
with the Nativity.***
Let us now see what has been done by previous editors
and translators of this valuable national document.
Grerard Langbaine was the first who entertained thoughts
of publishing this Chronicle ; but he relinquished his design,
as appears from his papers in the Bodleian library, because
Wheloc had anticipated him.
The first edition therefore of the original text of this
• « Vid. Prol. in Chron. Gervas. ap. X. .§cj-j|)Q^J338."
SAXON CHBONICUB. XXXIX
continued, at intervals, hy the archbishops of Canterbury, or
by their direction,* at least as far as the year 1001, or even
1070 ; for the Benet MS. which some call the Plegmund
MS. ends in the latter year ; the rest being in Latin. From
internal evidence indeed, of an indirect nature, there is great
reason to presume, that archbishop Plegmund transcribed or
superintended this very copy of the Saxon annals to the year
891 ; f the year in which he came to the see ; inserting, both
before and after this date, to the time of his death in 923, such
additional materials as he was well qualified to furnish from
his high station and learning, and the confidential intercourse
which he enjoyed in the court of king Alfred. The total
omission of his own name, except by another hand, afibrds
indirect evidence of some importance in support of this con-
jecture. Whether king Alfred himself was the author of a
distinct and separate Chronicle of Wessex, cannot now be
determined. That he furnished additional supplies of
historical matter to the older chronicles is, I conceive,
sufficiently obvious to every reader who will take the
trouble of examining the subject. The argument of Dr.
Beeke, the present dean of Bristol, in an obliging letter to
the editor on this subject, is not without its force ; — that it
is extremely improbable, when we consider the niunber and
variety of king Alfred's works, that he should have neglected
the history of his own country. Besides a genealogy of the
kings of Wessex from Cerdic to his own time, which seems
never to have been incorporated with any MS. of the Saxon
Chronicle, though prefixed or annexed to several, he un-
doubtedly preserved many traditionary facts ; with a full and
circumstantial detail of his own operations, as well as those
of his father, brother, and other members of his family ;
which scarcely any other person than himself could have
supplied. To doubt this, would be as incredulous a thing
as to deny that Xenophon wrote his Anabasis, or Caesar his
Commentaries. From the time of Alfred and Plegmund to
• ** Jo68el)ni collated two Kentish MSS. of the first authority ; one of
which he calls the History or Chronicle of St. Augustine's, the other that of
Christ Church, Canterbury, The former was perhaps the one marked in
oar series C. T. A vi. ; the latter the Benet or Plegmund MS.
t " Wanley observes, that the Benet MS. is written in one and the same
liand to this year,* and in hands equally ancient to the year 924 ; after
which it is continued in different hands to the end. Vid. Cat. p. 130.
Xl PBEFACE.
a few years after the Norman Conquest, these chronicles
seem to have been continued by different hands, under the
auspices of such men as archbishops Dunstan, Alfric, and
others, whose characters have been much misrepresented by
ignorance and scepticism on the one hand, as well as by
mistaken zeal and devotion on the other. The indirect
evidence respecting Dunstan and Alfric is as curious as that
concerning Plegmund ; but the discussion of it would lead
us into a wide and barren field of investigation ; nor is this
the place to refute the errors of Hickes, Cave, and Wharton,
already noticed by Wanley in his preface. The Chronicles
of Abingdon, of Worcester, of Peterborough, and others, are
continued in the same manner by different hands ; partly,
though not exclusively, by monks of those monasteries, who
very naturally inserted many particulars relating to their
own local interests and concerns ; which, so far from
invalidating the general history, render it more interesting
and valuable. It would be a vain and frivolous attempt to
ascribe these latter compilations to particular persons,*
where there were evidently so many contributors ; but that
they were successively furnished by contemporaiy writers,
many of whom were eye-witnesses of the events and trans-
actions which they relate, there is abundance of internal
evidence to convince us. Many instances of this the editor
had taken some pains to collect, in order to lay them before
the reader in the preface ; but they are so numerous that the
subject would necessarily become tedious ; and therefore
every reader must be left to find them for himself. They
will amply repay him for his trouble, if he takes any interest
in the early history of England, or in the general construction
of authentic history of any kind. He will see plagiarisms
without end in the Latin histories, and will be in no danger
of falling into the errors of Gale and others ; 'not to mention
those of our historians, who were not professe(f^Wijti5^uaries,
who mistook that for original and authentic testimony which
was only translated. It is remarkable that the Saxon
Chronicle gradually expires with the Saxon language,
almost melted into modem English, in the year 1154.
• ** Hickes supposed the Laud or Peterborough Chronicle to have been
compiled by Hugo Candidus (Albus, or White), or some other monk of
^a^l^O*^- Dgtzed by Google
SAXON CHBONICLE. xlifl
work 18 due to Wheloc, professor of Arabic at Cambridge.
His work entitled Chranologia Anglo- Saxonica, [a.d. 1644],
occupying about sixty folio pages, forms a supplement to hiis
edition of Bede's Ecclesiastic^ History. But as Wheloc
had the use of only the Bennet or Plegmund MS. [No. 1 in
our summary of the MSS.], and of an original, now lost, of
which our No. 7, the Dublin transcript, is supposed to be a
copy, it is manifest* that ihe editor had no opp(»rtunity of
inserting those parts of the Chronicle — forming about one
half of the whole — which do not occur in those two manu-
scripts.
Forty-eight years after Wheloc, Gibson, a young man of
Queen's College, Oxford, 4nd afteiwards bishop of London,
published a more complete edition of the Chronicle, for
which he used three additional MSS. which had come into
notice since the time of Wheloc.
More than 120 years passed before this historical record
again attracted the notice of the public, or the labours of an
editor. It was then translated into English throughout from
tlie text of Gibson by a learned lady still living, Miss Gur-
ney; to whom, both my enterprising publisher and myself
are largely indebted for her kindness in facilitating the pre-
sent edition, and to whom we gladly take this opportunity of
acknowledging the debt.
Miss Gumey's translation was printed for private circula-
tion, and did not receive the final polish of the fair trans-
lator, who was deterred from bestowing further labour upon
a work which was shortly to be undertaken by one of our
ablest antiquaries.
In 1823 appeared an edition of the Saxon Chronicle by
Dr. Ingram, now President of Trinity College, accompanied
with an English translation, a map of Saxon-England, coins
of the Saxon kings, &c., &c.
At the same time that this learned work made its appear-
ance, it was understood that the late Mr. Petrie, keeper of
the records in the Tower, was devoting his laborious atten-
tion to prepare the Chronicle for publication at the expense
of the Record Commission. Accuracy and laborious research
were shining features in the literary character of Petrie :
but he was less remarkable for discriminating how far an
author's text may be illustrated without being overlaid by
various readings, and he carried his mode of arrangement
Xliv PBBFACS.
to such extremities, mutilated and subdivided his authcnrs to
such a degree, and so encumbered hia pages with references,
stars, accents, and brackets, that it is doubtful whether the
learned and laborious folio, which he superintended to its
completion, will ever see the light of publication. • It re-
mains in the possession of the Master of the Rolls, a mighty
storehouse of collations for all future editions ' of Gildas,
Nennius, Bede, the Saxon Chronicle, Florence of Worcester,
Henry of Huntingdon, &c., &c.
In 1830 appeared a small anonymous volmne, entitled,
Ancient History, English and French, exemplified in a
regular dissection of die Saxon Chronicle, Sfc, SfC, London-^
Hatchard, 1830; containing some lively dissertations in
which much genius is displayed, unhappily not leading to
clear or satisfactory results.
Such being the editions and translations already in exist-
ence, it became a serious question with the publisher and
editor of the present volume, what would be the best plan
to be pursued, in order that the work might be placed be-
fore the public in a form the best adapted to secure general
approbation. As the result of this deliberation, it was
judged expedient to take the edition of Petrie as a basis,
because it was found to contain the most perfect collations
of all the six existing manuscripts, and therefore to present
a more complete text than any other printed volume. The
style of the translation is as literal as the idiom of our
language will allow.
But, as the edition of Mr. Petrie extends only to the year
1066, it has been necessary to form a text for the latter por-
tion of the Chroniclg from other sources. To effect this the
translation of Miss Gurney, has, with the consent of that
amiable lady, been taken as a ground-work, and numerous
additions, variations, and notes, have been introduced by a
collation of her text with that of Dr. Ingram.
As the result of these various modes, the public have now
the advantage of reading the whole of this very interesting
chronicle, not only in a perfect form, but even to an extent
that might, perhaps, by some be deemed superfluous, with
all the variations which can be gathered from all the manu-
script copies now known to be in existence.
Bamplon, Oxfordshire, July, 1847. °^ ''^ ^^ ^
OF BEDF's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. XXV
whicli he has founded this, by far the most interesting por-
tion of his history. The materials which he employed seem
to have consisted of (i.) written documents, and (n.) verbal
information, (l) The written materials may be divided into
(1.) Historical information drawn up and communicated by
his correspondents for tl^e express purpose of being employed
in his work ; (2.) documents pre-existing in a narrative
form, and (3.) transcripts of official documents.
" (1.) That Bede's correspondents drew up and communi-
cated to him information which he used when writing this
history, is certain from what he states in its prologue ; and it
is highly probable that to them we are indebted for many
particulars connected with the history of kingdoms situated
to the south of the river Humber, with which a monk of
Jarrow, from his local position, was probably unacquainted.
Traces of the assistance which he derived from Canterbury
are perceptible in the minute acquaintance which he exhibits
not only with the topography of Kent, but with its condition
at the time when he wrote ; and the same remark is appli-
cable, although in a more limited degree, to most of the
soutbem kingdoms.
*'(2.) Documents pre-existing in an historical form are
seldom quoted : amongst those of which use has been made
may be numbered the Life of Gregory the Great, written by
Faulus Diaconus; the miracles of Ethelberga, abbess of
Barking ; the Life of Sebbi, king of the East Saxons ; the
li^end of Fursey; and that of Cuthbert of Lindisfarne,
formerly written by Bede, but now augmented by himself,
with additional facts. These, together with some -extracts
from the Treatise of Arculf de Locis Sanctis, are all the
written documents to whi6h the author refers.
" That other narratives, however, were in Bede's posses-
sion, of which he has made liberal use, is certain from his
express words, and may also be inferred from internal evi-
dence. Albinus and Nothelm appear to have furnished him
with chronicles, in which he found accurate and full informa-
tion upon the pedigrees, accessions, marriages, exploits, descend-
ants, deaths, and bui*ials of the kings of Kent. From the same
source he derived his valuable account of the archbishops of
Canterbury, both before and after ordination, the place and
date of consecration, even though it took place^brcmd the
XXVI PBEFA.OB.
days on which they severally took possession of that see, the
duration of their episcopate, their deaths, burial-places, and
the intervals which elapsed before the election of a successor.
It is evident that the minuteness and accuracy of this in-
formation could have been preserved only by means of con-
temporary written memoranda. That such records existed
in the time of the Sax<ms cannot be doubted, for Bede intro-
duces a story by which it appears that the abbey of Selsey
possessed a volume in which were entered the obits of
eminent individuids; and the same custom probably pre-
vailed throughout the other monastic establishments of £ng-
Und.
" The history of the diocese of Rochester was communi-
cated by Albinus and Nothelm. It is exceedingly barren of
particulars, and probably would have been even more so, had
it not been connected with the life of Paulinus of York, con-
cerning whom Bede appears to have obtained information
from other quarters.
" The early annals of East Abglia are equally scanty, as
we have little more than a short pedigree of its kings, an
account of its conversion to Christianity, the history of
Sigebert and Anna, and a few particulars regarding its
bishops, Felix, Thomas, Bertgils, and Bisi, which details
were communicated in part by Albinus and Nothelm.
" The history of the West Saxons was derived partly
from the same authorities, and partly from the information of
Daniel, bishop of Winchester. It relates to their conversion
by Birinus, the reigns of CsedwaUa and of Ina, and the pon-
tificate of Wini, Aldhelm, and Daniel. To this last named
bishop we are indebted for a portion of the little of what is
known as to the early history of the South Saxons and the
Isle of Wight, the last of the Saxon kingdoms which em-
braced the Christian faith. It relates to the conversion of
those districts by the agency of Wilfrid. A few unimport-
ant additions are afterwards made in a hurried and incidental
manner, evidently showing that Bede's information upon this
head was neither copious nor definite.
" The monks of Lastingham furnished materials relative
to the ministry of Cedd and Chad, by whose preaching the
Mercians were induced to renounce paganism. The history
of this kingdom is obscure, and consi8ljs^^|(3J) account of its
OF bede's ecclesiastical rasTOBT. xxvii
conversion, the succession of its sovereigns and its bishops.
The neighbouring state of Middle Anglia, which, if ever
independent of Merda, soon in«*ged in it, is similarly circum-
stanced, and we are perhaps indebted to its connexion with
the princes and bishops of Northumbria-^ what is known
of its early history.
* " lindsey, part of Lincolnshire, although situated so near
to the kingdom of Northumbria, was both poHticallj and
ecdesiasticallj independent of it, and Bede was as ignorant
of the transactions of that province as of those which w^e
much more r^note from Jarrow. He received some mate*
rials from bishop Cynebert, but they appear to have been
scanty, for the circumstances which relate to Lincoln-
shire are generally derived from the information of other
witnesses.
" The history of East Saxony is more copious, and is
derived partly frcmi the communications of AlMnus and
Nothelm, and partly from the monks of Lastingham. To
the first of these two sources we must probably refer the
account of the pontificate of Mellitus, and the apostasy of
the* sons of Sabert,— circumstances too intimately connected
with the see of Canterbury to be omitted in its umals.
To the latter we are indebted for the history of the recon
version of Saxony, — an event in which the monks of Last-
ingham were interested, as it was accomplished by their
founder Cedd. From them Bede also received an account of
the tiodnistry of Chad. Some further details respecting .its
civil and ecclesiastical afiairs, the life of Earconwald, bishop
of London, and the journey of Oflfe to Bome, conclude the
information which we have respecting this kingdom.
" In the history of Northumbria Bede, as a native, was
particulaiiy interested, and would probably exert himself to
jn*ocure the most copious and authentic iiidformation regard-
ing it. Although he gives no intimation of having had
access to previous historical documents, when speaking of his
sources of information, yet there seems reason to believe that
he has made use of such materials. We may infer frt)m
what he says of the mode in which Oswald's reign was gene-
rally calculated, that in this king's time there existed Ainals
or Chronological Tables, in which events were inserted as
they occurred, the regnal year of the monarch- whoj then
XZYIU PBEFACE.
filled the throne being at the time specified. These annals
appear to have extended beyond the period of the conversion
of Northumbria to Christianity, although it is difficult to
imagine how any chronological calculation or record of events
(sould be preserved before the use of letters had become
known. But the history of Edwin, with its interesting de*
tails, shows that Bede must have had access to highly valu
able materials which reached back to the very earliest era
of authentic history; and we need not be surprised at
finding information of a similar character throughout the re-
mainder of his history of Northumbria. Accordingly we have
minute accounts of the pedigrees of its kings, their acces-
sion, exploits, anecdotes of them, and sketches of their cha-
racter, their deaths, and the duration of their reigns, — details
too minute in themselves, and too accurately defined by
Bede, to have been derived by him from tradition. Similar
proofs might, if necessary, be drawn from the history of its
bishops.
"(3.) The Historia Ecclesiastica contains various tran-
^ scripts of important official documents. These are oi tw&
classes, either such as were sent from the Papal Court to the
princes and ecclesiastics of England, or were the production
of native writers. The first were transcribed from the Papal
Regesta by Nothelm of London, during a residence at Rome,
and were sent to Bede by the advice of his friend Albinus
of Canterbury. They relate to the history of the kingdoms
of Kent and Northumbria. The letters of archbishops Lau-
rentius and Honorius, concerning the proper time for cele-
brating Easter, were probably furnished by the same indi-
vidual. The proceedmgs of the councils of Herjtfof d and
Hatfield may have been derived from the archives of Bede's
own monastery, since it was customary in the early ages of
the church for each ecclesiastical establishment to have a
'tabularium' in which were deposited the synodal decrees by
which its members were governed.
" (n.) A considerable portion of the Historia Ecclesiastica,
especiaUy that part of it which relates to the kingdom (£
Northumberland, is founded upon local information which its
author derived from various individuals. On almost every
occasion Bede gives the name and designation of his inform-
, / ant, being anxious, apparently, to show that nothing is ia-
Digitized by VjOOQIC
OF BEDE S ECCLESLAJ5TICAL HISTORT. XXlX
serted for which he had not the testimony of some respect-
able witness. Some of these persons are credible from
having been present at the ievent which they related ; others,
from the high rank which they held in the church, such as
Acca, bishop of Hexham, Guthfrid, abbat of Lindisfarne,
Berthun, abbat of Beverley, and Pechthelm, bishop of Whit-
heme. The author received secondary evidence with caution,
for he distinguishes between the statements which he received
from eye-witnesses, and those which reached him through a
succession of informants. In the last of these instances, the
channel of information is always pointed out with scrupulous
exactness, whatever opinion we may entertain, as ih the case
of some visions and miracles, of the credibility of the facts
themselves."
V^X)f the value of this work we can have no better evidence
^raan the fact of its having been so often translated into the
vernacular tongue. King Alfred thought it not beneath his
dignity to render it familiar to his Anglo-Saxon subjects, by
translating it into their tongue.
The first version in modem English was that of Stapleton,
bearing the following title, " The History of the Church of
Englande, compiled by Venerable Bede, Englishman, trans-
lated out of Latin into English by Thomas Stapleton, Student
in IMvinity. Antw. by John Laet, 1565." The object of
the translator was to recall the affections of the people to the
theological forms and doctrines which in his time were being
exploded. In the dedication to queen Elizabeth occurs the
following passage : — " In t\as History Your Hignes shall see
in how many and weighty pointes the pretended reformers of
the Church in Your Graces dominions have departed from
the patem of that sounde and catholike faith planted first
among Englishmen by holy S. Augustin our Apostle, and his
^ virtuous company, described truly and sincerely by Venerable
Bede, so called in all Christendom for his passing vertues
and rare learning, the Author of this History. And to
thentent Your Highnes intention bent to weightier consider-
ations and affaires may spende no longe time in espying oute
the particulars, I have gathered out <)f the whole History
a number of diversities betwene the pretended religion
of Protestants, and the primitive faith of the English
Church,** Digitized by Google
XXX PBEFAGE.
The work was again translated into English by John Ste-
vens, Lond. 8vo. 1723 ; and a third time (with some omis-
sions) by W. Hurst, Lond. 8vo. 1814, and apparently with
the same object which influenced Stapleton,
In 1840, the editor of the present volume published a new
edition of Stevens's translation, altering it in many respects,
and correcting the orthography of proper names, according
to the modem and generally received standard. A second
edition of the same volume was published in 1842. In the
same year also it was introduced, to accompany the Latin
text, in the second volume of an edition of the complete
works of Venerable Bede, and is now a fourth time printed
with the other works contained in this volume. As the trans-
lation has on each occasion received certain corrections, it is
hoped that the English reader will now find it to convey a
tolerably accurate notion of the style and sense of the original
CHAP. IV.— OF THE SAXON CHRONICLE.
The work, which passes under the name of the Saxon Chroni-
cle, is a continued narrative written at different dates, and
in the Anglo-Saxon language, of the most important events of
English History from the earliest period to the year of our
Lord 1154. As it is evident^ both from the antiquity of the
very manuscripts of it now extant, as well as from certain
allusions and forms of speech which occur in it, that the
latter part of it at least was written by a person contempo-
rary with the events which he relates, it cannot but be an
object of interest and of great historical importance to ex-
amine so ancient a writing according to all the modes which
literary criticism can suggest ; and this inquiry becomes the
more imperative from the extreme probability that the earlier
part of the Chronicle is also of a contemporary character,
and therefore ascends to a very earlier period of Saxon his-
tory, even to the time of the Heptarchy itself. This opinion
rests upon the remarkable fact, that whilst the dialect of the
latter portion of the Chronicle approaches very nearly to our
modem English, the early part of it bears the impress of
times much more rude and ancient, and the language in
which it is written is absolutely unintelligible |t» the modem
Englishman, who has not made the Anglo-Saxon tongue a
serious object of his study. ^^^^^^ .,Google
SAXON CHRONICLE. XXXI
The first point wliich suggests itself to the inquirer, con-
cerns the form in which so valuable a national monument has
come down to us. I shall not deem it necessary to delay
the reader's attention by an account of the mode in which
our large public and private collections of manuscripts have
been formed. It is sufficient to observe that in all our col-
lections of MSS. there are now only six ancient copies of
the Saxon Chronicle known to be in existence. We will
proceed to enumerate and describe them in order.
L The first copy of this Chronicle is generally known by
the name of the Benet or Flegmund MS., so called because
it is preserved in Benet [now Corpus Christi] College, Cam-
bridge, and because Plegmund, archbishop of Canterbury, in
the reign of king Alfired, is thought to have had some hand
in compiling the first part of it.
" From internal evidence of an indirect nature," says Dr.
Ingram, "there is great reason to presume that archbishop
Plegmund transcribed or superintended this very copy of the
Saxon Annals to the year 891, the year in which he came to
the see. Wanley observes it is written in one and the same
hand to this year, and in hands equally ancient to the year
924, after which it is continued in different hands to the
end.
" At the end of the year 890 is added, in a neat but imita-
tive hand, the following interpolation, which is betrayed by
the faintness of the inj^ as well as by the Norman cast of
the dialect and orthography :
"Her waes Plegemund gecoron of gode and of eallen his
halechen.
" There are many other interpolations in this MS. ;* a par-
ticular account of which, however curious, would necessarily
become tedious. A few only are here selected, with a view
to illustrate the critical apparatus of this work, and the pro-
gressive accumulation of historical facts. They are generally
very short, except where an erasure has heea made to find
room for them. The notice of the birth of St. Dunstan, as
of every thing else relating to him, appears to be a monastic
interpolatiop. His death is mentioned in the margin, in a
very ndnute hand, in Latin. There seems to be nothing of
any great value in this MS. beyond the time of Alfiic, vJiose
- ♦ The death of Plegmund for instani^.^' by CrOOgle
XXXll PREFACE.
death is recorded, after a considerable chasm, in the year
1006. After this period the notices of events and transac-
tions are very scanty and defective. The royal donation of
the haven <^ Sandwich to Christ Church, Canterbury, is
placed to the year 1031, but evidently written after the con-
quest, and left unfinished. The Saxon part ends in the year
1070, with the words, - - bletsungan underfeng ; after de-
scribing at full length the dispute between the archbishops of
Canterbury and York."* .r
n. The second copy of the Saxon Chronicle is in the
British Museum. [MS. Cotton, Tiberius A. vi.] It is
^* written in the same hand with much neatness and accuracy,
from the beginning to the end," and " is of very high autho-
rity and antiquity. It was probably written c. 977, where
it terminates. The hand-writing resembles that ascribed to
St. Dunstan. It narrowly escaped destruction in the fire at
Westminster, previous to its removal to its present place of
custody, being one of Sir R. Cotton's MSS., formerly be-
longing to the monastery of St. Augustine's, Canterbury." f
UI. A third MS. is also in the British Museum. [Cott
Tib. B. i.]
" This MS., though frequently quoted by Somner in his
Dictionary under the title of * Chronica Abbendoniae,' or the
Abingdon Chronicle, and said to have been transcribed by
him, seems not to have been known to Gibson, though no-
ticed by Nicolson within a few years after the appearance
of his edition.:^ It contains many important additions to the
former Chronicles, some of which are confirmed by C.T.
B. iv. ; but many are not to be found in any other MS., par-
ticularly those in the latter part of it. These are now incor-
porated with the old materisds. Wanley considers the hand-
writing to be the same to the end of the year 1048. The
orthography, however, varies about the year 890 (889 of the
printed Chronicle). The writer seems to have been startled
at Offae for Oththan, t. e. Othoni, A.D. 925 ; for there is a
chasm from that place to the year 934, when a slight notice
is introduced of the expedition of Athelstan into Scotland. §
• Dr. Ingram's preface, p. xx. + Ibid.
J English Historical Library, Part I. p. 116.
$ Most of the MSS. are defective here ; and the thread of hi8t<»7,
during this turbulent period, appears to have been often disturbed. But
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THE ECCLESIASTICAl HISTORY
ENGLISH NATION.
BY VENEKABLE
BOOK I.
PREFACE,
To the most glorious king Ceolumlph,* Betle, the servt
Priest.
I FORMERLr, at your request, most readily transmitted to
you the Ecclesiastical History of the' English Nation, which
I had newly published, for you to read, and give it your
approbation ; and I now send it again to be transcribed, and
more fully considered at your leisure. And I cannot but
commend the sincerity and zeal, with which you not only
diligently give ear to hear the words of the Holy Scripture,
but also industriously take care to become acquainted with
the actions and sayings of former men of renown, especially
of our own nation. For if history relates good things of
good men, the attentive hearer is excited to imitate that
which is good ; or if it mentions evil things of wicked per-
sons, nevertheless the religious and pious hearer or reader,
shunning that which is hurtful and perverse, is the more
earnestly excited to perform those things which he knows to
be good, and worthy of God: Of which you also being
deeply sensible, are desirous that the said history should bft
more fully made familiar to yourself, and to those over whom
• Ceolwulph king of Northumberland, not the king of Wessex, who
reigned about ▲.»• 527 ; nor the king of Mercia, who reigned about a.d.
819.
B Digitized by VjOOQ IC
• 9t : •:•":•'•' • WDB^S JRCCLIjSIASTICAL HISTOET. Lb. t. nnr.
•V - •-' :>''-•"":: .: > •-•
the Divine Authority has appointed you governor^ from your
great regard to their general welfare. But to the end that
I may remove all occasion of doubting what I have written,
both from yourself and other readers or hearers of this his-
tory, I will take care briefly to intimate from what authors I
chiefly learned the same.
^ My principal authority and aid in this work was the learned
and reverend Abbot Albinus ; who, educated in the Church
of Canterbury by those venerable and learned men, Arch-
bishop Theodore of blessed memory, and the Abbot Adrian,
transmitted to me by Nothelm, the pious priest of the Church
of London,* either in writing, or by word of mouth of the
same Nothelm, all that he thought worthy of memory, that
had been done in the province of Kent, or the ad[jacent parts,
by the disciples of the blessed Pope Gregory, a^ he had
learned the same either from written records, or the traditions
of his ancestors. The same Nothelm, afterwards going to
Ro^e, having, with leave of the present Pope Gregory,f
searched into the archives of the holy Roman Church, found
there some epistles of the blessed Pope Gregory, and other
popes ; and returning home, by the advice of the aforesaid
most reverend father Albinus, brought them to me, to be in-
serted in my history. Thus, from the beginning of this
volume to the time when the English nation received the
faith of Christ, have we collected the writings of our prede-
cessors, and from them gathered matter for our history ; but
from that time till the present, what was transacted in the
Church of Canterbury, by the disciples of St. Gregory or
their successors, and under what kings the same happened,
has been conveyed to us by Notheim through the industry of
the aforesaid Abbot Albinus. They also partly informed
me by what bishops and under what kings the provinces of
the East and West Saxons, as also of the East Angles, and
of the Northumbrians, received the faith of Christ. In short
I was chiefly encouraged to undertake this work by the per-
. suasions of the same Albinus. In like manner, Daniel, the
most reverend Bishop of the West Saxons, who is still living,
communicated to me in writing some things relating to the
Ecclesiastical History of that province, and the next adjoin-
• Afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury, a.d. 736.
t Gregory the Third, who began to i^i^i A-ig^bgle
B. 1. pmnr.J OUNIfiBEBT — UUTUBERT. 3
ing to it of the South Saxons, as also of the Isle of Wight
But how, by the pious ministry of Cedd and Ceadda, the
province of the Mercians was brought to the faith of Christ,
which they knew not before, and how that of the East
Saxons recovered the same, after having expelled it, and
how those fathers lived and died, we learned from the brethren
of the monastery, which was built by them, and is called
Lastingham. What ecclesistical transactions took place in V
the province of the East Angles, was partly made known to
us from the writings and tradition of our ancestors, and
partly by relation of the most reverend Abbot Esius. What \
was done towards promoting the faith, and what was the
sacerdotal succession in the province of Lindsey, we had
either from the letters of the most reverend prelate Cunebert,*
or by word of mouth from other persons of good credit. But
i what was done in the Church throughout the province of the
Northumbrians, from the time when they received the faith
of Christ till this present, I received not from any particular
author, but by the faithful testimony of innumerable wit-
nesses, who might know or remember the same ; besides what
I had of my own knowledge. Wherein it is to be observed,
that what I have written concerning our most holy father,
Bishop Cuthbert, either in this volume, or in my treatise
^ on his life and actions, I partiy took, and faithfully copied from
what I found written of him by the brethren of the Church
of Lindisfame ;t but at the same time took care to add such
things as I could myself have knowledge of by the faithful
testimony of such as knew him. And I humbly entreat the
reader, that if he shall in this that we have written find
anything not delivered according to the truth, he wiU not
impute the same to me, who, as the true rule of history re-
quires, have laboured sincerely to commit to writing such
things as I could gather from common report, for the instruc-
tion of posterity.
Moreover, I breech all men who shall hear or read this
history of our nation, that for my manifold infirmities both
of mind and body, they will offer up frequent supplications
• Bishop of Sidnacester, the present see of Lincoln.
t LindisfEume, now called Holy Island, is situated on the north of North-
mnborland, in its southern extremity. Here stood a monastery in Bede^
time^ and it was for four centuries the seat of the present see of Durham.
B 2
4 bede's ecclesiastical history. Lb. '• c. 1.
to the throne of Grace. And I further pray, that in recom-
pense for the labour wherewith I have recorded in the seve-
ral countries and cities those events which were most worthy
of note, and most grateful to the ears of their inhabitants, I
may for my reward have the benefit of their pious prayers.
CHAP. L
Of the Situation of Britain and Ireland, and of their ancient inhabitants.
Britain, an island in the ocean,* formerly called Albion,
is situated between the north and west, facing, though at a
considerable distance, the coasts of Germany, France, and
Spain, which form the greatest part of Europe. It extends
800 miles in length towards the north, and is 200 miles in
breadth, except where several promontories extend further
in breadth, by which its cx)mpass is made to be 3675 miles-f
To the south, as you pass dong the nearest shore of the
Belgic Gaul, the first place in Britain which opens to the eye,
is the city of Rutubi Portus, by the English corrupted into
Reptacestir. J The distance from hence across the sea to Ges-
soriacum,§ the nearest shore of the Morini, is fifty miles, or as
some writers say, 450 furlongs. On the back of the island,
where it opens upon the boundless ocean, it has the islands
called Orcades.^/Britain excels for grain and trees, and is
well adapted for feeding cattle and beasts of burden. It
also produces vines in some places, and has plenty of land
and water-fowls of several sorts ; it is remarkable also for
rivers abounding in fish, and plentiful springs. It has the
greatest plenty of salmon and eels ; seals are also frequently
taken, and dolphins, as also whales ; besides many sorts of
shell-fish, such as muscles, in which are often found excellent
• The expression, ** an island in the ocean," seems to be used to dis-
tinguish Britain from the other islands known to the ancients, almost all of
which were in the Mediterranean sea.
t This total varies in different authors : some make it 4875. The fiwt
few pages of Bede are of not much value, being copied out of Pliny, Soli-
nus, and other Roman authors. See the Appendix to my History of the
Ancient Britons.
t Richborougb. Keat $ ^"JSXoogle
B. I. c T.J BRITAIN — ^ITS PRODUCTIONS. 5
pearls of all colours, red, purple, violet, and green, but
mostly 'w^hite. There is also a great abundance of cockles, of
which the scarlet dye is made ; a most beautiful colour, which
never fades with the heat of the sun or the washing of the
rain ; but the blder it is, the more beautiful it becomes. It
has both salt and hot springs, and from them flow rivers
which furnish hot baths, proper for all ages and sexes,
and arranged according. For water, as St. Basil says,
receives the heating quality, when it runs along certain
metals, and becomes not only hot but scalding. Britain
has also many veins of metals, as copper, iron, lead, and
silver ; it has much and excellent jet, which is black and
sparkling, glittering at the fire, and when heated, drives
away serpents ; being warmed with rubbing, it holds fast
whatever is applied to it, like amber. The island was for-
merly embellished with twenty-eight noble cities, besides in-
numerable castles, which were all strongly secured with walls,
towers, gates, and locks. And, from its lying almost under
the North Pole, the nights are light in summer, so that at
midnight the beholders are often in doubt whether the even-
ing twilight still continues, or that of the morning is coming
on ; for the sun, in the night, returns under the earth,
through the northern regions at no great distance from them.
For this reason the days are of a great length in summer, as,
on the contrary, the nights are in winter, for the sun then
withdraws into the southern parts, so that the nights are
eighteen hours long. Thus the nights are extraordinarily
short in summer, and the days in winter, that is, of only six
equinoctial hours. Whereas, in Armenia, Macedonia, Italy,
and other countries of the same latitude, the longest day or
night extends but to fifteen hours, and the shortest to nine.
This island at present, following the number of the books
in which the Divine law was written, contains five nations,
the English, Britons, Scots,* Picts,']' and Latins, each in its
• The Scots were the relatives of the Cymri, being another branch of the
great Celtic nation, who, at a period far beyond all authentic history,
had established themselves in Hibemia, Erin, or Ireland. Hence that
island, from its predominant population, was generally called Scotia, or
Insula Scotorum, by the writers of the sixth and seventh centuries. The
name of Scotia, or Scotland, as applied to the northern portion of Britain,
is comparatively of modem origin. ^
f The original of the Picts, has caused various opinionsi^^^^JirBoe-
6 BEDe's ecclesiastical mSTOKT. iB. I. c. 1.
own peculiar dialect cultivating tlie sublime study of Divine
truth. The Latin tongue is, by the study of the Scriptures,
become common to all the rest. At first this island had no
other inhabitants but the Britons, from whom it derived its
name, and who, coming over into Britain, as is reported,
firom Armorica, possessed themselves of the southern parts
thereof. When they, beginning at the south, had made
themselves masters of the greatest part of the island, it hap-
pened, that the nation of the Picts, from Scythia, as is re-
ported, putting to sea, in a few long ships, were driven by
the winds beyond the shores of Britain, and arrived on the
northern coasts of Ireland, where, finding the nation of the
Scots, they begged to be allowed to settie among them, but
could not succeed in obtaining their request. Ireland is the
greatest island next to Britain, and lies to the west of it ;
but as it is shorter than Britain to the north, so, on the other
hand, it runs out far beyond it to the south, opposite to the
northern parts of Spain, though a spacious sea lies between
thaoi. The Picts, as has been said, arriving in this island
by sea, desired to have a place granted them in which they
might settle. The Scots answered that the island could not
contain them both ; but " We can give you good advice,"
said they, " what to do ; we know there is another island,
not far from ours, to the eastward, which we often see at a
distance, when the days are clear. K you will go thither,
you will obtain settlements ; or, if they should oppose you,
you shall have our assistance." The Picts, accordingly, sail-
ing over into Britain, began to inhabit the northern parts
thereof, for the Britons were possessed of the southern.
Now the Picts had no wives, and asked them of the Scots ;
who would not consent to grant them upon any other terms,
than that when any difficulty should arise, they should choose
a king from the female royal race rather than from the male :
which custom, as is well known, has been observed among
the Picts to this day. In process of time, Britain, besides
the Britons and the Picts, received a third nation, the Scots,
thius derivea them from the Agathyrsi, others from the Germans, Bede from
Scythia, and the author of the Saxon Annals from the southern parts of
Scythia. Mr. Camden is of opinion that they were origmally Britons, who
fled into the northern parts of the island from the" Roman invasions, as the
Welsh into the western. But this is opposed by Bishop Stillingfleet, who
was of opinion that they came from Scandinavia, Ori& Brit p. 5.
gSdbyCiOOgre
A. D. 54.1 C^SAB's invasion OP BRITAIN. 7
who, migrating from Ireland under their leader, Renda,
either by fair means, or by force of arms, secured to them-
selves those settlements among the !Kcts which they still
possess. From the name oi Uieir commander, ^ej are to
this day called Dalreudins ; for, in their language, Dal
Bignifies a part*
Ireland, in breadth, and for wholesomeness and serenity of
climate, far surpasses Britain ; for the snow scarcely ever
Hes there above three days : no man makes hay in the
tsummer for winter's provision, or builds stables for his beasts
of burden. No reptUes are found there, and no snake can
live there ; for, though often carried thither out of Britain,
as soon as the ship comes near the shore, and the scent of the
air reaches them, they die. On the contrary, almost all
things in the island are good against poison. In short, we
have known that when some persons have been bitten by
serpents, the scrapings of leaves of books that were brought
out of Ireland, being put into water, and given them to
drink, have immediately expelled the spreading poison, and
assuaged the swelling. The island abounds in milk and
honej, nor is there any want of vines, fish, or fowl ; and it is
remarkable for deer and goats. It is properly the country
of the Scots, who, migrating from thence, as has been said,
added a third nation in Britain to the Britons and the Picts.
There is a very large gulf of the sea, which formerly di-
vided the nation of the Picts from the Britons ; which gulf
runs from the west very far into the land, where, to this day,
stands the strong city of the Britons, called Alcluith. The
Scots, arriving on the. north side of this bay,' settled them-
. selves there.
CHAP. n.
Caius Julius Cessar, the first Roman that came into Britain,
Britain had never been visited by the Eomans, and was,
indeed, entirely imknown to them before the time of Caius
Julius Caesar, who, in the year 693 after the building of
Rome, but the sixtieth t y®ar before the incarnation of our
^ * Hence Dalrieta, or Dalreuda may be explained Dal-Ri-Eta, the. por-
tion of Reuda or Riela, i.e. king Eta.
f This date, like many others in Bede, is not correct. Ceesar's invasion
Opened, b. a 64. Cc^c^ci\o
Digitized by VjOOQIc '
8 " BEDB's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. Lb. I. c. 3.
*
Lord, was consul with Lucius Bibulus, and afterwards while
he made war upon the Germans and the Gauls, which were
divided only by the river Rhine, came into the province of
the Morini, from whence is the nearest and shortest passage
into Britain. Here, having provided about eighty ships of
burden and vessels with oars, he sailed over into Britain ;
where, being first roughly handled in a battle, and then
meeting with a violent storm, he lost a considerable part of
his fleet, no small number of soldiers, and almost all his
horses. Betuming into Gaul, he put his legions into winter-
quarters, and gave orders for building six hundred sail of
both sorts. With these he again pass^ over early in spring
into Britain, but, whilst he was marching with a large army
towards the enemy, the ships, riding at anchor, were, by a
tempest either dashed one against another, or driven upon
the . sands and wrecked. Forty of them perished, the rest
were, with much difficulty, repaired. Caesar's cavalry was,
at the first charge, defeated by the Britons, and Labienus,
the tribime, slain. Li the second engagement, he, with
great hazard to his men, put the Britons to flight. Thence
he proceeded to the river Thames, where an immense multi-
tude of the enemy had posted themselves on the farthest side
of the river, under the command of Cassibellaun,* and fenced
the bank of the river and almost all the ford under water
vith sharp stakes : the remains of these are to be seen to this
day, apparently about the thickness of a man's thigh, and being
cased with lead, remain fixed inamovably in the bottom of the
river. This, being perceived and avoided by the Romans, the
barbarians, not able to stand the shock of the legions, hid
themselves in the woods, whence they grievously galled the
Romans with repeated sallies. Li the meantime, the strong
city of Trinovantum,f-with its commander Androgens, sur-
* Cassibellaun, or as he is sometimes called, Caasibelinus, seems to have
maintained an extent of power and territory superior to most of the British
kings. His own possessions originally comprised that portiob of the island
which is now divided into the counties of Hertford, Bedford, and Bucking-
ham, together, as Horsley supposes, with part of Huntingdonshire and
Northamptonshire. To these he added, by conquest, part of the territory
of the Trinobantes, who occupied that tract which now comprises the
counties of Essex, Middlesex, and part of Surrey.
♦ Supposed to be London, and erroneously interpreted " New-Troy,"
by Greoffery of Monmouth and his followers.
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
A.D. 44] Claudius' invasion of beitadc. 9
rendered to Caesar, giving him forty hostages. Many other
cities, following their example, made a treaty with the Ro-
mans. By their assistance, Caesar at length, with much
difficulty, took Cassibellaun's town,* situated between two
marshes, fortified by the adjacent woods, and plentifully fur-
nished with all necessaries. After this, Caesar returned into
Graul, but he had no sooner put his legions into winter-quar-
ters, than he was suddenly beset and distracted with wars
and tumults raised against him on every side.
CHAP. in.
Clandiusy the second of the Romans who came into Britain, brought the
islands Or cades into subjection to the Roman empire ; and Vespasian,
sent by him, reduced the Isle of Wight under their dominion.
In the year of Rome 798, f Claudius, fourth emperor from
Augustus, being desirous to approve himself a beneficial
prince to the republic, and eagerly bent upon war and con-
quest, undertook an expedition into Britain, which seemed
to be stirred up to rebellion by the refusal of the Romans to
give up certain deserters. He was the only one, either be-
fore or after Julius Caesar, who had dared to land upon the
island ; yet, within a very few days, without any fight or blood-
shed, the greatest part of the island was surrendered into his
hands. He also added to the Roman empire the Orcades,J
which lie in the ocean beyond Britain, and then, returning
to Rome the sixth month after his departure, he gave his son
the title of Britannicus. This war he concluded in the
fourth year of his empire, which is the forty-sixth from
the incarnation of our Lord. In which year there hap-
pened a most grievous famine in Syria, which, in the Acts
of the Apostles is recorded to have been foretold by the pro-
phet Agabus. Vespasian, who was emperor after Nero,
being sent into Britain by the same Claudius, brought also
under the Roman dominion the Isle of Wight, which is next
to Britain on the south, and is about thirty miles in length
from east to west, and twelve from north to south ; being six
miles distant from the southern coast of Britain at the east
• Supposed to be St Alban's. t Claudius came to Britain, a.d. 44.
t This also is a mistake ; it was probably Agricola wlm first subdued
the Orkneys. Digitized by Google
10 BEDE'8 ECCLBSUSTIOAL HI8TOBT. [r. s. c. 4, ff
end, and three only at the west Nero, succeeding Claudius
in the empire, attempted nothing in martial affairs ; and,
therefore, among other innumerable detriments brought iipCHi
the Roman state, he almost lost Britain ; for under himi two
most noble towns were there taken and destroyed.
CHAP. IV.
Luokitf king ajf Britain, wrUmg to Pope Eleuthertu, denret to he made e
Okrietian,
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 156, Marcus Antoninus
Yerus, the fourteenth from Augustus, was made emperor,
together with his brother, Aurelius Commodus.* In their
time, whilst Eleutherus, a holy man, presided over the Bo-
man church, Lucius, king of the Britons, sent a letter to
him, entreating that by his command he might be made a
Christian. He soon obtained his pious request, and the
Britons preserved the faith, which they had received, uncor-
rupted and entire, in peace and tranquillity until the time <rf
the Emperor Diocletian.
CHAP. V.
How the Emperor Severus divided that part of Britain^ w^ch he subdued
from the rest by a Rampart,
In the year of our Lord 189, Severus, an African, bom at
Leptis, in the province of Tripolis, received the imperial
purple. He was the seventeenth from Augustus, and
reigned seventeen years. Being naturally stem, and en-
gaged in many wars, he governed the state vigorously, but
with much trouble. Having been victorious in all the
grievous civil wars which happened in his time, he was
drawn into Britain by the revolt of almost all the confederate
tribes ; and, after many great and dangerous battles, he
thought fit to divide that part of the island, which he had
recovered from the other unconquered nations, not with a wall,
as some imagine, but with a rampart. For a wall is made of
* It 18 not to be wondered that Bede shows himself very confused on
subjects connected with Roman history. In this passage are several glar-
ing errors. No such emperors as the two mentioned ever reigned together,
nor is the date or the name of the Roman bishop more correct than the
names of the emperors. Eleutherus flourished between a.d. 176 and 190;
and Marcus Antoninus was made emperor iL.5).i,l36^|5 Google
A.0. 286.] CABAUSIUB AND AJLLBCTU8. 1 1
Stones, but a rampart, with which camps are fortified to
repel the assaults of enemies, is made of sods, cut out of the
eaj-th, and raised above the ground all round like a wall,
having in £ront of it the ditch whence the sods were taken,
and strong stakes of wood fixed upon its top. Thus Severus
drew a great ditch and strong rampart, fortified with several
towers, from sea to sea ; and was afterwards taken sick and
died at York, leaving two sons, Bassianus and 6eta ; of
whom Geta died, adjudged a public enemy; but Bassia-
nus, having taken the surname of Antoninus, obtained the
empire.
CHAP. VL
7%« reign of Diocletian^ and how he perseouied the Chriatiaru
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 286, Diocletian, the
thirty-third from Augustus, and chosen emperor by the
army, reigned twenty years, and created Maximian, sur-
name Herculius, his colleague in the empire. In their
time, one Carausius, of very mean birth, but an expert and
able soldier, being appointed to guard the sea-coasts, then
infested by tl e Pranks and Saxons, acted more to the pre-
judice than to the advantage of the commonwealth ; and from
his not restoring to its owners the booty taken from the
robbers, but keeping all to himself, it was suspected that by
intentional neglect he suffered the enemy to infest the frontiers.
Hearing, therefore, that an order was sent by Maximian that
he should be put to death, he took upon him the imperial
robes, and possessed himself of Britain, and having most
valiantly retained it for the space of seven years, he was at
length put to death by the treachery of his associate, Allectus.
The usurper, having thus got the island from Carausius,
held it three years, and was then vanquished by Asclepiodotus,
the captain of the Praetorian bands, who thus at the end of
ten years restored Britain to the Roman empire. Mean-
while, Diocletian in the east, and Maximian Herculius in the
west, commanded the churches to be destroyed, and the
Christians to be slain. This persecution was the tenth since
the reign of Nero, and was more lasting and bloody than aU
the others before it ; for it was carried on incessantly for the
space of ten years, with burning of churches, /outlawrmg of
12 bedb's ecclesiastical history. [b. t. c 7.
innocent persons, and the slaughter of martyrs. At length,
it reached Britain also, and manj persons, with the con-
stancy of martyrs, died in the confession of their faith.
CHAP. vn.
The Passion of St, Alban and his Companions^ who at that Hmeshed their
blood for our Lord, [a.d. 305.]
At that time suffered St Alban,* of whom the priest Fortu-
natus, in the Praise of Virgins, where he makes mention of
the blessed martyrs that came to the Lord from all parts of
the world, says —
In Britain's isle was holy Alban bom.
This Alban, being yet a pagan, at the time when the
cruelties of wicked princes were raging against Christians,
gave entertainment in his house to a certain clergyman,
flying from the persecutors. This man he observed to be
engaged in continual prayer and watching day and night ;
when on a sudden the Divine grace shining on him, be began
to imitate the example of faith and piety which was set
before him, and being gradually instructed by his wholesome
admonitions, he cast off the darkness of idolatry, and became
a Christian in all sincerity of heart. The aforesaid clergy-
man having been some days entertained by him, it came to
the ears of the wicked prince, that this holy confessor of
Christ, whose time of martyrdom had not yet come, was con-
cealed at Alban's house. Whereupon he sent some soldiers
to make a strict search after him. When they came to the
martyr's house, St. Alban immediately presented himself to the
soldiers, instead of his guest and master, in the habit or long
coat which he wore, and was led bound before the judge.
It happened that the judge, at the time when j^ban was
carried before him, was standing at the altar, and offering
sacrifice to devils. When he saw Alban, being much en-
raged that he should thus, of his own accord, put himself
into the hands of the soldiers, and incur such danger in be-
half of his guest, he commanded him to be dragged up to the
* There are great chronological difficulties in the story of the martyrdom
of St. Alban. Whilst the persecution lasted, Britain was first alienated from
the Roman empire by Carausius and AUectus, and was then under Con-
stantius and his son Constantino the Great. It is difficult to believe that
either of these would sanction a bloody persecution in their dominions.
Aj». 305.] ST. ALBAN MARTTRBD. IS
images of the devils, before which he stood, saying, " Because
70U have chosen to conceal a rebellious and sacrilegious
person, rather than to deliver him up to the soldiers, that his
oontempt of the gods might meet with the penalty due to
such blasphemy, you shall undergo all the punishment that was
due to him, if you abandon the worship of our religion." But
St. Alban, who had voluntarily declared himself a Christian
to the persecutors of the faith, was not at all daunted at the
prince's threats, but putting on the armour of spiritual war-
fare, publicly declared that he would not obey the command.
Then said the judge, " Of what family or race are you ?" —
" What does it concern you," answered Alban, " of what
stock I am ? If you desire to hear the truth of my religion,
be it known to you, that I am now a Christian, and bound
by Christian duties." — "I ask your name," said the judge ;
"tell me it immediately." — "I am called Alban by my
parents," replied he ; " and I worship and adore the true and
living God, who created all things." Then the judge, in-
flamed with anger, said, " If you will enjoy the happiness of
eternal life, do not delay to offer sacrifice to the great gods."
Alban rejoined, " These sacrifices, which by you are offered
to devils, neither can avail the subjects, nor answer the
wishes or desires of those that offer up their supplications to
them. On the contrary, whosoever shall offer sacrifice to
these images, shall receive the everlasting pains of hell for
his reward."
The judge, hearing these words, and being much incensed,
ordered this holy confessor of God to be scourged by the
executioners, befieving he might by stripes shake that con-
stancy of heart, on which he could not prevail by words.
He, being most cruelly tortured, bore the same patiently, or
rather joyfully, for our Lord's sake. When the judge per-
ceived that he was not to be overcome by tortures, or with-
drawn from the exercise of the Christian religion, he ordered
him to be put to death. Being led to execution, he came to
a river, which, with a most rapid course, ran between the
wall of the town and the arena where he was to be executed.*
• There is either a corruption or great obscurity in the text of this
passage. All the MSS. however agree, and yet it is impossible to translate
the passage grammatically. 1 believe the text above gives the intended
meaning. Digitized by Google
14 BEDE'6 ecclesiastical mSTORT. [B. I. C.7.
He there saw a multitude of persons of both sexes, and of
several ages and conditions, who were doubtlessly assembled
by Divine instinct, to attend the blessed confessor and martyr,
and had so taken up the bridge on the river, that he could
scarce pass over that evening. In short, almost aU had gone
out, so that the judge remained in the city without attendance.
St. Alban, therefore, urged by an ardent and devout wish to
arrive quickly at martyrdom, drew near to the stream, and
on lifting up his eyes to heaven, the channel was immediately
dried up, and he perceived that the water had departed and
made way for him to pass. Among the rest, the executioner,
who was to have put him to death, observed this, and moved
by Divine inspiration hastened to meet him at the place of
execution, and casting down the sword which he had carried
ready drawn, fell at his feet, praying that he might rather
suffer with the martyr, whom he was ordered to execute, or,
if possible, instead of him.
Whilst he thus from a persecutor was become a companion
in the faith, and the other executioners hesitated to take up
the sword which was lying on the ground, the reverend con-
fessor, accompanied by the multitude, ascended a hill, about
500 paces from the place, adorned, or rather clothed with afl
kinds of flowers, having its sides neither perpendicular, nor
even craggy, but sloping down into a most beautiful plain,
worthy from its lovely appearance to be the scene of a
martyr's sufferings. On the top of this hill, St. Alban prayed
that God would give him water, and immediately a living
spring broke out before his feel^ the course being confined,
so that all men perceived that the river also had been dried
up in consequence of the martyr's presence. Nor was it
likely that the martyr, who had left no water remaining in
the river, should want some on the top of the hill, unless he
thought it suitable to the occasion. The river having per-
formed the holy service, returned to its natural course, leaving
a testimony of its obedience. Here, therefore, the head of
our most courageous martyr was struck off, and here he re-
ceived the crown of life, which Grod has promised to those
who love him. But he who gave the wicked stroke, was not
permitted to rejoice over the deceased ; for his eyes dropped
upon the ground together with the blessed martyr's head.
At the same time was also beheaded the soldier, who
A 0.305]. ST. AJLBAN MABTYRED. 15
before, through the Divine admonition, refused to give the
stroke to the holy confessor. Of whom it is apparent, that
though he was not regenerated by baptism, yet he was
cleansed by the washing of his own blood, and rendered
worthy to enter the kingdom of heaven. Then the judge,
astonished at the novelty of so many heavenly miracles,
ordered the persecution to cease immediately, beginning to
honour the death of the saints, by which he before thought
they might have been diverted from the Christian faith. The
blessed Alban suffered death on the twenty-second day of
June, near the city of Verulam,* which is now by the Eng-
lish nation called Verlamacestir, or Varlingacestir, where
afterwards, when peaceable Christian times were restored, a
church of wonderful workmanship, and suitable to his
martyrdom, was erected.f In wldch place, there ceases not
to this day the cure of sick persons, and the frequent work-
ing of wonders.
At the same time suffered Aaron and Julius, citizens of
Chester,} and many more of both sexes in several places ;
who, when they had endured sundry torments, and their
limbs had been torn after an unheard-of manner^ yielded their
souls up, to enjoy in the heavenly city a reward for the suffer-
ings which they had passed through.
♦ Now St. Albans in Hertfordshire.
t The place where St. Alban suffered waa called Hojpihurst, in the
Saxon, signifying a woody place, near the city of Verulamium, or Verulam,
where Bede says there was a beautiful church in his time ; smce when,
Offi^ king of the Mercians, anno 793, foimded in this place the stately
monastery of St. Alban, and procured and granted it extraordinary privi-
leges, upon which arose the town of ^t. Albans, in Hertfordshire. As the
saint of this church was the first martyr in England, Pope Honorius granted
the-abbat a superiority over all others. In the tune of Henry VIII. it
fell with the rest, but the townsmen preserved the church from ruin, by a
purchase of ^400. The ruins of the ancient Verulam are even now to be
seen ; and the church is built out of them, being, as Bishop Gibson ob-
serves, of British bricks.
t Gildas says, that Aaron and Julius were citizens of Carlisle ; but others
znake them to have been inhabitants of the Roman city of Caerleon upon
Usk, where according to Walter, Geoffrey of Monmouth, as well as Giral-
dus Cambrensis, two or three illustrious churches were dedicated to their
niemory.
^ Digitized by VjOOQ IC
] 6 BEDE's ECCLESIASTIOAJL mSTOBT. [•. I. c. 8» 9.
CHAP. vnL
Hie persecution ceanng, the Church m Britain enjoys peace HO the time
of the Arian heresy, [a.d 307—337.]
When the storm of persecution ceased, the faithful Chris-
tians, who, during the time of danger, had hidden themselves
in woods and deserts, and secret caves, appearing in public,
rebuilt the churches which had been levelled with the ground ;
founded, erected, and finished the temples of the holy
martyrs, and, as it were, displayed their conquering ensigns
in all places ; they celebrated festivals, and performed their
sacred rites with dean hearts and mouths. This peace con-
{/ tinned in the churches of Britain until the time of the Arian
madness, which, having corrupted the whole world, infected
this island also, so far removed from the rest of the globe,
with the poison of its arrows ; and when the plague was
thus conveyed across the sea, all the venom of every heresy
inmiediately rushed into the island, ever fond of something
new, and never holding firm to any thing.
At this time, Constantius, who, whilst Diocletian was alive,
governed Gaul and Spain, a man of extraordinary meekness
and courtesy, died in Britain. This man left his son Con-
stantine, bom of Helen his concubine, emperor of the Gauls.
Eutropius writes, that Constantine, being created emperor
in Britain, succeeded his father in the sovereignity. In his
time the Arian heresy broke out, and although it was de-
tected and condemned in the Council of Nice, yet it never-
theless infected not only all the churches of the continent,
but even those of the islands, with its pestilent and fatal
doctrines.
CHAP. IX.
How during the reign of GratiaUy MaximuSt being created Emperor tn
Britain^ returned into Gaul with a mighty army* [a.d. 383.]
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 377, Gratian, the
fortieth from Augustus, held the empire six years after the
death of Valens ; though he had long before reigned with
his uncle Valens, and his brother Valentinian. Finding the
state of the commonwealth much impaired, and almost gone
to ruin, he looked around for some one whose abilities mit^ht
' Digitized b ^
A.D. 391.1 ABCADIUS EMPEBOS. 17
remedy the existing evils ; and his choice fell on Theodosius,
a Spaniard. Him he invested at Sirmium with the royal
robes, and made him emperor of Thrace and the Eastern
provinces. At which time, Maximus, a man of valour and
probity, and worthy to be an emperor, if he had not broken
the oath of allegiance which he had taken, was made empe-
ror by ihe army, passed over into Gaul, and there by
treachery slew th^ Emperor Gratian, who was in a con-
sternation at his sudden invasion, and attempting to escape
into Italy. His brother, Valentinian, expelled from Italy,
fled into the East, where he was entertained by Theodosius
with fatherly affection, and soon restored to the empire.
Maximus the tyrant, being shut up in Aquileia, was there
taken and put to death.
CHAP. X.
How, in the reign o/ArcadiuSy Felagius, a Briton^ intolently impugned
the Grttce cfGod,
In the year of our Lord 394, Arcadius, the son of Theodo-
sius, the forty-third from Augustus, taking the empire upon
him, with his brother Honorius, held it thirteen years. In
his time, Pelagius, a Briton,* spread far and near the infec-
tion of his perfidious doctrine against the assistance of the
Divine grace, being seconded therein by his associate Juli-
anus of Campania, whose anger was kindled by the loss of
his bishopric, of which he had been just deprived. St.
Augustine, and the other orthodox fathers, quoted many
thousand eathoKc authorities against them, yet they would
not correct their madness ; but, on the contrary, their folly
was rather increased by contradiction, and they refused to
embrace the truth ; which Prosper, the rhetorician, has
beautifully expressed thus in heroic verse : —
"A scribbler vile, inflamed with hellish spite,
Against the great Augustine dared to write ;
Presumptuous serpent I from what midnight den
Durst thou to crawl on earth and look at men \
Sure thou wast fed on Britain's sea-girt plains,
Or in thy breast Vesuvian sulphur reigns."
* Pelagius was a native of Wales ; his real name is supposed to have
been Morgan. He was a man of learning, and is said to have written the
following works : — *' A Commentary on the Epistles of St. Paul, attributed
C Digitized by CiOOQ IC
18 BEDE's XCOLESIiLSIICAI. HISTOBT. C>- <• c- U-
CHAP. XL
How during the reign cf Honor itUt OraHan and Constantine tffere created
tyrants in Britain ; and toon after the former was elain in Britain,
and the latter in Gaul,
In the year 407, Honorius, the younger son of Theodosius,
and the forty-fourth from Augustus, being emperor, two
years before the invasion of Rome by Alaric, king of the
Groths, when the nations of the Alani, Suevi, Vandals, and
many others with them, having defeated the Franks and
passed the Ehine, ravaged all Gaul, Gratianus Municeps
was set up as tyrant and killed. In his place, Constantine,
one of the meanest soldiers, only for his name's sake, and
without any worth to recommend him, was chosen emperor*
As soon as he had taken upon him the command, he passed
over into France, where being often imposed upon by the
barbarians with faithless treaties, he caused much injury to
the Conmionwealth. Whereupon Count Constantius by the
command of Honorious, marching into Gaul with an army,
besieged him in the city of Aries, and put him to death.
His son Constans, whom of a monk he had created CdBsar,
was also put to death by his own Count Gerontius, at
Vienne.
Rome was taken by the Goths, in the year from its foun-
dation, 1 164. Then the Romans ceased to rule in Britain,
almost 470 years after Caius Julius Caesar entered the island.
They resided within the rampart, which, as we have, men-
tioned, Severus made across the island, on the south side of
it, as the cities, temples, bridges, and paved roads there made,
testify to this day ; but they had a right of dominion ov^
the farther parts of Britain, as also over the islands that
are beyond Britain.
to St. Jerome ; a Letter to Demetria, and some others in the last Tolume
of St. Jerome ; A Confession of Faith to Pope Innocent ; Fragment of a
Treatise of the Power of Nature and Free Will, in St. Augustine ; these
are extant. He wrote likewise a Treatise of the Power of Nature, and
several hooks concerning Free Will, which are lost." — Collier*s Eccles.
Hist. vol. L p. 42, folio. For further particulars respecting PeLagiua^ see
Du Phi's Hist, of the Church, vol. ii, pp. 184—194, 12mo. 1724.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
*.D.400-4U.) PICT8 AND SCOTS. 19
CHAP. xn.
7%« Britom, being ravaged by the Scots and Picis, sought succour from the
Romans^ who^ coming a second time, built a wall across the island; but
the Britons being again invaded by the aforesaid enemies, were reduced
to greater distress than before.
From that time, the south part of Britain, destitute of armed
soldiers, of martial stores, and of all its active youth, which
had been led away by the rashness of the tyrants, never to
return, was wholly exposed to rapine, as being totally igno-
rant of the use of weapons. Whereupon they suffered many
years under two very savage foreign nations, the Scots from
the west, and the Picts from the north. We call these
foreign nations, not on account of their being seated out of
Britain, but because they were remote from that part of it
which was possessed^ by the Britons ; two inlets of the sea
lying between them, one of which runs in far and broad into
the land of Britain, from the Eastern Ocean, and the other
from the Western, though they do not reach so as touch one
another. The eastern has in the midst of it the city Giudi.
The western has on*it, that is, on the right hand thereof, the
city Alcluith,* which- in their language signifies the Rock
Cluith, for it is. close by the river of that name.
On account of the irruption of these nations, the Britons
sent messengers to Rome with letters in mournful manner,
praying for succours, and promising perpetual subjection, pro-
vided that the impending enemy should be driven away. An
armed legion was immediately sent them, which, arriving in
the island, and engaging the enemy, slew a great multitude
of them, drove the rest out of the territories of their allies,
and having delivered them from their cruel oppressors, ad-
vised them to build a wall between the two seas across the
the island, that it might secure them, and keep off the enemy ;
and thus they returned home with great triumph. ITie
islanders raising the wall, as they had been directed, not of
stone, as having no artist capable of such a work, but of
sods, made it of no use. However, they drew it for many
miles between the two bays or inlets of the seas, which we
have spoken of ; to the end that where the defence of the
.* Alcluith is the modem Dunbarton : the situation qf^GiudiTU not
known. DgtzedbyV^Ongle
02
20 BEDE's ecclesiastical mSTOBT. [B.I.C.12.
water was wanting, they might use the rampart to defend
their borders from the irruptions of the enemies. Of which
work there erected, that is, of a rampart of extraordinary
treadth and height, there are evident remains to be seen at
this day. It begins at about two miles' distance from the
monastery of Abercumig,* on the west, at a place called in
the Pictish language, P€^nfahel,f but in the £nglish tongue,
Penneltun, and running to the westward, ends near the city
Alcluith.
But the fonner enonies, when they perceived that tlie
Roman soldiers wer# gone, immediately coming by sea,
broke into the borders, trampled and overran all places, and
like men mowing ripe com, bore down all before them.
Hereupon messengers are again sent to Borne, imploring aid^
lest their wretched country should be utterly extirpated,
and the name of a Boman province, so long renowned
among them, overthrown by the cruelties of barbarous
foreigners, might become utterly ccmtemptible. A legion is
accordingly sent again, and, arriving unexpectedly in autumn,
made great slaughter of the enemy, obliging all those that
could escape, to flee beyond the sea ; whereas before, they
were wont yearly to carry off their booty without any oppo-
sition. Then the Eomans declared to the Britons, that they
could not for the future undertake such troublesome expedi-
tions for their sake, advising them rather to handle their
weapons, like men, and undertake themselves the charge of
engaging their enemies, who would not prove too powerful
for them, unless they were deterred by cowardice ; and,
thinking that it might be some help to the allies, whom they
were forced to abandon, they built a strong stone wall from
sea to sea, in a straight line between the towns that had been
there built for fear of the en«ny, and not far from the trench
of Severus. This famous wall, which is still to be seen, was
built at the pubKc and private expense, the Britons also
lending their assistance. It is eight feet in breadth, and
* Now called Abercom, a village on the south bank of the Frith of
Forth.
t Pean-fahel, or vahel, or wahel, [for f, v, w, are kindred consonants,]
evidently is to be interpreted in English, « wall-head," i. e- the " head," or
beginning of the wall. Pen meauB head in the Celtic dialect; thus, Pen-
dennis in Cornwall. 0^,^^^^ ^^ Google
A o. 416-446.] THEODOSIUS EMPEROR. 21
twelve in height, in a straight line from east to west, as is
still visible to beholders.* This being finished, thej gaye
that dispirited people good advice, with patterns to furnish
them with arms. Besides, they built towers on the sea-coast
to the southward, at proper distances, where their ships
were, because there also the irruptions of the barbarians
were apprehended, and so took leave of their friends, never
to return again.
After their departure, the Scots and Picts, understanding
that they had declared they would come no more, speedily
returned and growing more confident than they had been
before, occupied all the northern and farthest part of the
island, as far as the wall. Hereupon a timorous guard was
placed upon the wall, where they pined away day and night
in the utmost fear. On the other side, the enemy attacked
them with hooked weapons, by which the cowarAy defend-
ants were dragged from the wall, and dashed against the
ground. At last, the Britons, forsaking their cities and wall,
took to flight and were dispersed. The enemy pursued, and
the slaughter was greater than on any former occasion ; for
the wretched natives were torn in pieces by their enemies, as
lambs are torn by wild beasts. Thus, being expelled their
dwellings and possessions, they saved themselves from starv-
ation, by robbing and plundering one another, adding to the
calamities occasioned by foreigners, by their own domestic
broils, till the whole country was left destitute of food,
except such as could be procured in the chase.
CHAP. xm.
In the reiffn of Theodoshu the younger^ Paliadius was tent to the Scots
that believed in Christ ; the Britons begging assistance of Mtius, the
consul, could not obtain it. [a.d. 446.]
In the year of our Lord 423, Theodosius, the younger, next
to HonOTius, being the forty-fifth from Augustus, governed
the Roman empire twenty-six years. In the eighth year of
* This wbU. extended from Cousin's House, near the mouth of the river
Tyne, on the east, to Boulness on the Solway Filth on the west, and was
sixty-eight English miles in length. For an account of this wall consult
Horsley's Brit. Romana, b. i. c 8 pp. 121, 122, and Whit^^er's Manches-
ter» b. i. c. 12. Digitized by Google
22 BXDe's ECCLESIA8TICAJL HUTOBT. [bl i. c. U
his reign, Palladius was sent b^ Celestinus, the Boman pon-
tiff, to the Scots that believed in Christ, to be their first
bishop. In the twenty-third year of his reign, -^tius^ a re-
nowned person, being also a patrician, discharged his third
consulship with Symmachos for his colleague. To him the
wretched remains of the Britons, sent a letter, which began
thus : — " To ^tius, thrice Consul, the groans of the Bri-
tons." And in the sequel of the letter they thus expressed
their calamities : — " The barbarians drive us to the sea ; the
sea drives us back to the barbarians : between them we are
exposed to two sorts of death ; we are either slain ,or
drowned." Yet neither could all this procure any assistance
from him, as he was then engaged in most dangerous wars
with Bledla and Attila, kings of the Huns. And, though
the year before this, Bledla had been murdered by the trea-
chery of his brother Attila, yet Attila himself remained so
intolerable an enemy to the Republic, that he ravaged almost
all Europe, invading and destroying cities and castles. At
the same time there was a famine at Constantinople, and
shortly after, a plague followed, and a great part of the
walls of that city, with fifty-seven towers, fell to the
ground. Many cities also went to ruin, and the famine
and pestilential state' of the air destroyed thousands of men
and cattle.
CHAP. XIV.
The BriUmt, compelled by famine, drove the barbarians out of their terri-
tories ; soon after there ensued plenty of com, luxury, plague, and the
subversion of the nation, [a.d. 426 — 447.]
In the meantime, the aforesaid famine distressing the Bri-
tons more and more, and leaving to posterity lasting memo-
rials of its mischievous effects, obliged many of them to
submit themselves to the depredators ; though others still
held out, confiding in the Divine assistance, when none was
to be had from men. These continually made excursions
from the mountains, caves, and woods, and, at length, began
to inflict severe losses on their enemies, who had been for
so many years plundering the country. The Irish robbers
thereupon returned home, in order to come again soon after.
The Picts. both then and afterwards, remained quiet in the
A^ 450-45(11 ABBI7AJL OF THE SAXONS. 23
faiihest part of the island, save that sometimes they would
do some mischief, and carry off booty from the Britons.
When, however, the ravages of the enemy at length
ceased, the island began to abound with such plenty of grain
as had never been known in any age before ; with plenty,
luxury increased, and this was immediately attended with all
sorts of crimes ; in particular, cruelty, hatred of truth, and
love of falsehood ; insomuch, that if any one among them
happened to be milder than the rest, and inclined to truth, all
the rest abhorred and persecuted him, as if he had been the
enemy of his country. Nor were the laity only guilty of
these things, but even our Lord's own flock, and his pastors
also, addicting themselves to drunkenness, animosity, liti-
giousness, contention, envy, and other such like crimes, and
casting off the light yoke of Christ. In the meantime, on a
sudden, a severe plague fell upon that corrupt generation,
which soon destroyed such numbers of them, that the living
were scarcely sufficient to bury the dead : yet, those that
survived, coul^not be withdrawn from the spiritual death,
which their sins had incurred, either by the death of their
friends, or the fear of their own. Whereupon, not long
after, a more severe vengeance, for their horrid wickedness,
fell upon the sinful nation. They consulted what was to be
done, and where they should seek assistance to prevent or
repel the cruel and frequent incursions of the northern na-
tions ; and they all agreed with their King Vortigem to call
over to their aid, from the parts beyond the sea, the Saxon
nation ; which, as the event still more evidently showed, ap-
. pears to have been done by the appointment of our Lord him-
self, that evil might fall upon th^n for their wicked deeds.
CHAP. XV.
The AngleSf being invitedinto Britain, at first obliged the enemy to retire
to a distance; but not long after, joining in league with them,
turned their weapons upon their confederates, [a.d. 450-— 456.]
In the year of our Lord 449, Martian being made emperor
with Valentinian, and the forty-sixth from Augustus, ruled
the empire seven years. Then the nation of the Angles, or
Saxons,* being invited by the aforesaid king, arrived in
* It is now begmning to be generally undeistood tbat the Saxoni
24 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOKT. [b- I. c. IS,
Britain with three long ships, and had a place assigned them
to reside in by the same king, in the eastern part of the
island, that they might thus appear to be fighting for their
country, whilst their real intentions were to enslave it. Ac-
cordingly they engaged with the eneij^y, who were come
from the north to give battle, and obtained the victory;
which, being known at home in their own country, as also
the fertility of the country, and the cowardice of the Britons,
a more considerable fleet was quickly sent over, bringing a
stiU greater number of men,, which, being added to the for-
mer, made up an invincible army. The new comers received
of the Britons a place to inhabit, upon condition that
they should wage war against their enemies for the peace
and security of the country, whilst the Britons agreed to
furnish them ynth. payy Those who came over were of the
three most powerful n^ttions of Grermany-r-Saxons, Angles,
and Jutes. From the Jutes are descended the people of
Kent, and of the Isle of Wight, and those also in the pro-
vince of the West-Saxons who are to this day called Jutes,
seated opposite to the Isle of Wight. Frwn the Saxons^
that is, the country which is now called Old Saxony, came
the East- Saxons, the South- Saxons, and the West-SaxcMM.
From the Angles, that is, the country which is called Anglia,
and which is said, from that time, to remain desert to this
day, between the provinces of the Jutes and the Saxons, are
descended the East- Angles, the Midland- Angles, Mercians,
all the race of the Northumbrians, that is, of those nations
that dwell on the north side of the river Humber, and the
other nations of the English. The two first commandeirs are
said to have been Hengist and Horsa. Of whom Horsa, be-
ing afterwards slain in battle by the Britons,* was buried in
the eastern parts of Kent, where a monument, bearing his
name, is still in existence. They were the sons of Victgil-
sus, whose father was Vecta, son of Woden ; from whose
stock the royal race of many provinces deduce their originaL
In a short time, swarms of the aforesaid nations came over
acquired their settlement in Britain rather by a longc^course of predatory
inroads than in the rapid, and somewhat dramatic manner related by our
native historians.
• This battle was fought between Vortimer, the eldest son of Vortigem,
and Hengist, at Aylesford in Kent. Digitized by Google
A. c. 400.1 DEPRESSED STATE OF THE BRITONS. 25
into the island, and they began to increase so much, that
they became terrible to the natives themselves who had in-
vited them. Then, having on a sudden entered into league
with the Picts, whom they had by this time repelled by the
force of their arms, they began to turn their weapons against
their (JSftf<^rat^es. At first, they obliged them to furnish a
greater quantity of provisi(ms ; and, seeking an occasion to
quarrel, protested, that unless more plentiful supplies were
brought them, they would break the confederacy, and ravage
all the island ; nor were they backward in putting their
threats in execution. In short, the fire kindled by the hands
of these pagans, proved God's just revenge for the crimes of
the people ; not unlike that which, being once lighted by the
Chaldeans, consumed the walls and city of Jerusalem. For
the barbarous conquerors acting here in the same manner,
or rather the just Judge ordaining that they should so act,
they plundered all the neighbouring cities and country, spread
the conflagration from the eastern to the western sea, with-
out any opposition, and covered ahnost every part of the de-
voted island. Public as well as private structures were
overturned ; the priests were everywhere slain before the
altars ; the prelates and the people, without any respect of
persons, were destroyed with fire and sword ; nor was there
any to bury those who had been thus cruelly slaughtered.
Some of the miserable remainder, being taken in the moun-
tains, were butchered in heaps. Others, spent with hunger,
came forth and submitted themselves to the enemy for food,
being desthied to undergo perpetual servitude, if they were
not Idlled even upon the spot. Some, with sorrowful hearts, fled
beyond the seas. Others, continuing in their own country,
led a miserable life among the woods, rocks, and mountf\,ins,
with scarcely enough food to support life, and expecting
every moment to be their last
CHAP. XVI.
The Briiofu obtained their first victaiy over the Angles, under the com-
mand cf AmbrositUy a Roman,
When the victorious army, having destroyed and dispersed
the natives, had returned home to their own settlements, the
Britons began by degrees to take heart, and gather strength,
26 BBDE's ecclesiastical bistort. [b. I.e. 17.
" saUjing out of the larking places where they had concealed
themselves, and unanimously imploring the Divine assistance,
that they might not utterly be destroyed. They had at that
time for their leader, Ambrosius AureUus,* a modest man, who
alone, by chance, of the Roman nation had survived the
storm, in which his parents, who were of the royal race, bad
perished. Under him the Britons revived, and offering battle
• to the victors, by the help of Grod, came off victorious. From
that day, sometimes the natives, and sometimes their enemies,
prevailed, till the year of the siege of Baddesdown-hiU, when
they made no small slaughter of those invaders, about
forty-four years after their arrival in England. But of this
hereafter.
CHAP. xvn.
ffow Gertnanus the Bishop, sailing into Britain with Lupus, first quelled
the tempest of the sea, and afterwards thai of the Pelagians^ by Divine
power, [a.d. 429.]
Some few years before their arrival, the Pelagian heresy,
brought over by Agricola, the son of Severianus, a Pelagian
bishop, had sadly corrupted the faith of the Britons. But
whereas they absolutely refused to embrace that perverse
doctrine, so blasphemous against the grace of Chnst, and
were not able of themselves to confute its subtilty by force
of argument, they thought of an excellent plan, which was
to crave aid of the Gallican prelates in that spiritual war.
Hereupon having gathered a great synod, they consulted to-
gether what persons should be sent thither, and by unanimous
consent, choice was made of the apostolical priests, Germanus,
bishop of Auxerre,t and Lupus of Troyes,| to go into Britain
to confirm it in the faith. They readily complied with the
request and commands of the holy Church, and putting to
sea, sailed half way over from Gaul to Britain with a fair
wind. There on a sudden they were obstructed by the
• Ambrosius, according to Whitaker, was the hereditary sovereign of the
Damnonii, the mhabitants of Devon, Cornwall, and the west of Somerset.
Their capital was Isca Damnoniorum, supposed to be the present Exeter.
f The Life of St Germanus was written by Constantius, a priest of the
Gallican Church, whom Bede follows.
X Lupus was brother to Vincent of Lerins, author of an able treatise,
entitled, Commonitorium, for tlie Antiquity and Universality of the
Catholic Faith against the Profane Novelties of all Heretics.
a.i>.i2I».] OEKlfAKUS AND LUPUS. 27
maleyolence of demons, who were jealous that such men
should he sent to hring hack th^ Britons to the faith. They
raised storms, and darkened the sky with clouds. The saife
could not hear the fury of the winds, the sailors' skill was
forced to give way, the ship was sustained hy prayer, not hy
strength, and as it happened, their spiritual commander and
hishop, being spent with weariness, had fallen asleep. Then
the tempest, as if the person that opposed it had given way,
gathered strength, and the ship, overpowered hy the waves,
was ready to sink. Then the blessed Lupus and all the rest
awakened their elder, that he might oppose the raging ele-
ments. He, showing himself the more resolute in proportion
to the ^greatness of the danger, called upon Christ, and having,
in the name of the Holy Trinity, sprinkled a little water,
quelled the raging waves, admonished his- companion, en-
couraged all, and all unanimously fell to prayer. The Deity
heard their cry, the enemies were put to flight, a calm
ensued, the winds veering about applied themsdves to for-
ward their voyage, and having soon traversed the ocean, they
enjoyed the quiet of the wished-for shore. A multitude
flocking thither from all parts, received the priests, whose
coming had been foretold by the predictions even of their ad-
versaries. ' For the wicked spirits declared what they feared,
and when the priests afterwards expelled them from the
bodies they had taken possession of, they made known the
nature of the tempest, and the dangers they had occasioned,
and that they had b^en overcome by the merits and authority
of the saints.
In the meantime, the apostolical priests flUed the island
of Britain with the fame of their preaching and virtues ; and
the word of God was by them daily administered, not only
in the churches, but even in the streets and fields, so that
the Catholic^ were everywhere confirmed, and those who had
gone astr^, coio'ccted. Like the Apostles, they had honour
an^ authority through a good conscience, obedience to their
doctrine through their sound learning, whilst the reward of
virtue attendisd upon their numerous merits. Thus the
generality of the people readily embraced their opinions ;
the authors of the erroneous doctrines kept themselves in the
back-ground, and, like evil spirits, grieved for the loss of the
people that were rescued from tiiem. At length, after
28 BEDE's ECCLESLAJBTICAL HISTORT. [b. I.e. 18
mature deliberation, they liad the boldness to enter the lists,
and appeared for public disputation,* conspicuous for riches,
glittering in apparel, and supported by the flatteries of many ;
choosing rather to hazard the c(Hnbat, than to undergo the
dishonour among the people of having been silenced, lest they
should seem by saying nothing to condemn themselves. An
immense multitude was there assembled with their wives and
children. The people stood round as spectators and judges ;
but the parties present differed much in appearance ; on the
one side was Divine faith, on the other human presumption ;
on the one side piety, on the other pride ; on the one side
^ Pelagius, on the other Christ. The holy priests, Germanus
and Lupus, permitted their adversaries to speak first, who
long took up the time, and filled the ears with empty words.
Then the venerable prelates poured forth the torrent of their
apostolical and evangelical eloquence. Their discourse was
interspersed with scriptural sentences, and they supported
their most weighty assertions by reading the written testi-
monies of famous writers. Vanity was convinced, and per-
fidiousness confuted ; so, that at every objection made against
them, not being able to reply, they confessed their errors.
The people, who were judges, could scarcely refrain from
violence, but signified their judgment by their acclama-
tions.
CHAP. xvni.
The same holy man gave sight to the blind daughter of a Tribune^ and
then coming to St, Alton's, there received some of his relics, and left
others of the blessed Apostles, and other martyrs.
After this, a certain man, who had the quality of a tribune,
came forward with his wife, and presented his blind daughter,
ten years of age, for the priests to cure. They ordered her
to be set before their adversaries, who, being convinced by
guilt of conscience, joined their entreaties to those of the
child's parents, and besought the priests that she might be
cured. The priests, therefore, perceiving their adversaries
• Matthew Florilegus infonns us, that this conference was held at St.
Alban*8, where, says Camden, near the ruins of the old city, stands a
chapel dedicated to St. Germanus, built upon the spot where he held this
^^'®* Digitized by Google
A^42d.] LABOURS OF GERMAiaJS. 29
to yield, made a short prayer, and then Gennanus, full of
the Holy Ghost, invoked the Trinity, and taking into his
hands a casket with relics of saints, which hung about his
neck, applied it to the girl's eyes, which were immediately
delivered irom. darkness and filled with the light of truth.
The parents rejoiced, and the people were astonished at the
miracle ; aft^ which, the wicked opinions were so fully
obliterated from the minds of all, that they ardently embraced
the doctrine of the priests.
This damnable heresy being thus suppressed, and the authors
thereof confrited, and all the people's hearts settled in the
purity of the faith, the priests repaired to the tomb of the
martyr, St. Alban, to give thanks to God through him.
There G^rmanus, having with him relics of all the Apostles,
and of several martyrs, after offering up his prayers, com-
manded the tomb to be opened,* that he might lay up therein
some precious gifts ; judging it convenient, that the limbs of
saints brought togetiier from several countries, as their equal
merits had procured them admission into heaven, should be
preserved in one tomb. These being honourably deposited,
and laid together, he took up a parcel of dust from the place
where the martyr's blood had been shed, to carry away with
him, which dust having retained the blood, it appeared that
the slaughter of the martyrs had communicated a redness to
it, whilst the persecutor was struck pale. In consequence of
these things, an innumerable multitude of people was that
day converted to the Lord.
CHAP. xrx.
How the same holy man, being detained there by an indisposition, by his
prayers quenched afire that had broken out among the houses, and was
fumself cured of a distemper by a vision, [a.d. 429.]
As tiiey were returning from thence, Germanus fell and
broke his leg, by the contrivance of the Devil, who did not
know that, Hke Job, his merits would be enhanced by the
• Bede here follows Constantius, lib. i. cap. 25, who asserts the same.
In the year 1257, was dug up this old inscription in St. Alban's Church. —
♦* In this mausoleum was found the venerable corpse of St. Alban, the
protomartyr of Britain.^' It was in lead, and supposed to have been laid
in khig Offa*i time. Digitized by GoOglc
so BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. [B.I.C.9B.
affliction of his bodj. Whilst he was thus detained some
time in the same place by illness, a fire broke out in a cottage
neighbouring to that in which he ;was ; and having burned
down the other houses which were thatched with reed, was
carried on by the wind to the dwelling in which he lay. The
people all flocked to the prelate, entreating that they might
lift him in their arms, and save him from the impending danger.
He, however, rebuked them, and relying on faith, would not
suffer himself to be removed. The multitude, in despair, ran
to oppose the conflagration ; however, for the greater mani-
festation of the Divine power, whatsoever the crowd en-
deavoured to save, was destroyed ; but what he who was
disabled and motionless occupied, the flame avoided, sparing
the house that gave entertainment to the holy man, and
raging about on every side of it ; whilst the house in which
he lay appeared untouched, amid the general conflagration.
The multitude rejoiced at the miracle, and praised the supe-
rior power of Grod. An infinite number of the poorer sort
watched day and night before the cottage ; some to heal their
souls, and some their bodies. It is impossible to relate what
Christ wrought by his servant, what wonders the sick man
performed : for whilst he would suffer no medicines to be
applied to his distemper, he one night saw a person in gar-
ments as white as snow, standing by him, who reaching out
his hand, seemed to raise him up, and ordered him to stand
boldly upon his feet ; from which time his pain ceased, and
he was so perfectly restored, that when the day came on, he,
without any hesitation, set forth upon his journey. ^
CHAP. XX.
How the tame Bishops procured the Britons assistance from Heaven in a
battle, and then returned home. [a.d. 429.]
In the meantime, the Saxons and Picts, with their united
forces, made war upon the Britons, who, being thus by fear
and necessity compelled to take up arms, and thinking them-
selves unequal to their enemies, implored the assistance of
the holy bishops ; who, hastening to them as they had pro-
mised, inspired so much courage into these fearful people,
that one would have thought they had been joined by a
mighty army. Thus, by these holy apostolic men, Christ
a:d.4S9.] MnUCULOUS DEFEAT OF THE PICTS. 31
himself (bmmanded in their camp. The holy days of Lent
were als<> at hand, and were rendered more religious by the
presence of the priests, insomuch that the people being in-
structed by daily sermons, resorted in crowds to be baptized ;
for most of the army desired admission to the saving water ;
a church was prepared with boughs for the feast of the re-
surrection of our Lord, and so fitted up in that martial camp,
as if it were in a city. The army advanced, still wet with
the baptismal water ; the faith of the people was strength-
ened ; and whereas himian power had before been despaired
0^ the Divine assistance was now relied upon. The enemy
received advice of the state of the army, and not questioning
their success against an unarmed multitude, hastened for-
wards, but their approach was, by the scouts, made known
to the Britons ; the greater part of whose forces being just
come from the font, after the celebration of Easter, and pre-
paring to arm and carry on the war, Grermanus declared he
would be their leader. He picked out the most active,
viewed the country round about, and observed, in the way
by which the enemy was expected, a valley encompassed with
hiUs.* In that place he drew up his inexperienced troops,
himself acting as their general. A multitude of fierce ene-
mies appeared, whom as soon as those that lay in ambush
saw approaching, Germanus, bearing in his hands the
standard, instructed his men all in a loud voice to repeat his
words, and the enemy advancing securely, as thinking to take
them by surprise, the priests three times cried. Hallelujah.
A universal shout of the same word followed, and the hills
. resounding the echo on all sides, the enemy was struck with
dread, fearing, that not only the neighbouring rocks, but
even the very skies, were falling upon them ; and such was
their terror, that their feet were not swift enough to deliver
them from it. They fled in disorder, casting away their
arms, and well satisfied if, with their naked bodies, they could
escape the danger ; many of them, in their precipitate and
hasty flight, were swallowed up by the river which they were
passing. The Britons, without the loss of a man, beheld
• According to Usher, in Flintehire, near the village called Mold, or
Guid Cruo va. Welsh ; the name of the iield where the annies met still
retains the name of Mites Garmon, or the Field of Germanus. Llanarmon
Church now occupies the site of the wattled edifice, ^^^^ ^ GoOqIc
32 B£I>£'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. « [B.i.cfL
their vengeance complete, and became inactive specttators of
their victory.* The scattered spoils were gatherecl up, and
the pious soldiers rejoiced in the success which Heaven had
granted them. The prelates thus triumphed over the enemy
without bloodshed, and gained a victory by faiti, without
the aid of human force ; uid, having settled the affairs of the
island, and restored tranquillity by Sie defeat, as well as of
the invisible, as of the carnal enemies, prepared to return
home. Their own merits, and the intercession of the holy
martyr Alban, obtained them a safe passage, and the happy
vessel restored them in peace to their rejoicing people.
CHAP. XXL
The Pelagian heresy again reviving, Germanus, returning into Britain
with SevertiSf Jkst healed a lame pouth, then having condemned or
converted the Heretics, they restored spiritual health to the people qf
God. [a.d. 447.]
Not long after, advice was brought from the same island,
that certain persons were again attempting to set forth and
spread abroad the Pelagian heresy. The holy Germanus
was entreated by all the priests, that he would again defend
the cause of God, which he had before asserted. He speedily
complied with their request ; and taking with him Severus,
a man of singular sanctity, who was disciple to the most holy
father, Lupus, bishop of Troyes, and afterwards, as bishop of
Treves, preached the word of God in the adjacent parts of
Germany, put to sea, and was cabnly wafted over into
Britain, f
Li the meantime, the wicked spirits flying about the whole
island, foretold by constraint that Germanus was coming,
inosmuch, that one Elaflus, a chief of that region, hastened
to meet the holy men, without having received any certain
news, carrying with him his .son, who laboured under a weak-
ness of his limbs in the very flower of his youth ; for the
nerves being withered, his leg was so contracted that the
• The account of this miraculous victory is given by Constantius, and is
copied by Bede in nearly the same words. It does not appear that the
Welsh MSS. take any notice of it ; and the truth of it is doubted by
Whitakerin his Ancient Cathedral of Cornwall, (Appendix, No. III.)
t This second royage of St Germanus is supposedl^to h&v^ taken place
eighteen years after the first. Digitized by Goog le
A.o. 447.3 THE BISHOPS AGAIN DEPART. S3
Kmb was useless, and he could not walk. All the country
followed this Elafius. The priests arrived, and were met by
the ignorant multitude, whom they blessed, and preached the
WOTd of God to them. They found the people constant in the
faith as they had left them ; and learning that but few had gone
astray, they found out the authors, and condemned them. Then
Elafius cast himself at the feet of the priests, presenting his son,
whose distress was visible, and needed no words to express it.
All were grieved, but especially the priests, who put up their
prayers for him before the throne of mercy ; and Germanus,
causing the youth to sit down, gently passed his healing hand
over the leg which was contracted ; the limb recovered its
strength and soundness by the power of his touch, the withered
nerves were restored, and the youth was, in the presence of all
the people, delivered whole to his father. The multitude was
amazed at the miracle, and the Catholic faith was firmly
planted in the minds of all ; after which, they were, in a
sermon, warned and exhorted to make amends for their errors.
By the judgment of all, the spreaders of the heresy, who had
been expelled the island, were brought before the priests, to
be conveyed up into the continent, that the country might be
rid of them, and they corrected of their errors. Thus the
faith in those parts continued long after pure and untainted.
All things being settled, the blessed prelates returned home
as prosperously as they came.
But Germanus, after this, went to Ravenna to intercede
for the tranquillity of the Armoricans, where, being very
honourably received by Valentinian and his mother, Placidia,
he departed to Christ ; his body was conveyed to his own
city with a splendid retinue, and numberless deeds of charity
accompanied him to the grave. Not long after, Valentinian
was murdered by the followers of -^taus, the Patrician, whom
he had put to death, in the sixth year of the reign of Mar-
cianus, and with him ended the empire of the West.
CHAP. xxn.
^^ Britoru, being for a time delivered from foreign invasions^ wasted
themselves by civil wars^ and then gave themselves up to more heinous
crimes,
In the meantime, in Britain, there was some respite from
for^gHj i)ut not from civil war. There stiU remained the
_. gitized by VjOOQ IC
34 BEDSrV ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. fB-r-cSZ.
ruins of cities destrojed bj the enemy, and abandoned ; and
the natives, who had escaped the enemy, now fought against
each other. However, the kings, priests, private men, and the
nobility, still remembering the late calamities and slaughters,
in some measure kept within bounds ; but when these died, and
another generation succeeded, which knew nothing of those
times, and was only acquainted with the present peaceable
state of things, all the bonds of sincerity and justice were so
entirely broken, that there was not only no trace of them
remaining, but few persons seemed to be aware that such
virtues had ever existed. Among other most wicked actions,
not to be expressed, which their own historian, Gildas,*
mournfully takes notice of, they added this — ^that they never
preached the faith to the Saxons, or English, who dwelt
amongst them ; however, the goodness of God did not
forsake his people, whom he foreknew, but sent to the afore-
said nation much more worthy preachers, to bring it to the
faith.
CHAP. xxm.
How Pope Gregory tent Augustine, with other monks, to preach to the
English nation, and encouraged them by a letter of exhortation, not to
cease from their labour, [a.d. 596.]
In the year of our Lord 582, Maurice, the fifty-fourth from
Augustus, ascended the throne, and reigned twenty-one years.
In the tenth year of his reign, Gregory, a man renowned for
learning and behaviour, was promoted to the apostolical see
of Rome, and presided over it thirteen years, six months and
ten days. He, being moved by Divine inspiration, in the
fourteenth year of the same emperor, and about the one
hundred and fiftieth after the coming of the English into
Britain, sent the servant of God, Augustine,f and with him
several other monks, who feared the Lord, to preach the
word of God to the English nation. They having, in obe-
dience to the pope's commands, undertaken that wwk, were,
* Called Badonicus. He is supposed to have been bom in the year 520,
of a Bardic family and connexion, and to have studied at the College of
Lantwit Major, Glamorganshire. His querulous ** History of the Britons,"
is all we have of his works.
+ Augustine was prior of St. Gregory's Monastery dedicated to St. Andrew
in Rome.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Aj). 596.J GREGORY S LETTER. 35
on their journey, seized with a sudden fear, and began to
think of returning home, rather than proceed to a barbarous,
fierce, and unbelieving nation, to whose very language they
were strangers ; and this they unanimously agreed was the
safest course. In short, they sent back Augustine, who had
been appointed to be consecrated bishop in case they were
received by the English, that he might, by humble entreaty,
obtain of the holy Gregory, that they should not be com-
pelled to undertake so daiigerous, toilsome, and imcertain a
journey. The pope, in reply, sent them a hortatory epistle,
persuading them to proceed in the work of the Divine word,
and rely on the assistance of the Almighty. The purport of
which letter was as follows : —
" Gregory, the servant of the servants of God, to the ser^
vants of our Lord. Forasmuch as it had been better not to
begin a good work, than to think of desisting from that which
has been begun, it behoves you, my beloved sons, to fulfil
the good work, which, by the help of our Lord, you have
undertaken. Let not, therefore, the toil of the journey, nor
the tongues of evil speaking men, deter you ; but with all
possible earnestness and zeal perform that which, by God's
direction, you have undertaken ; being assured, that much
labour is followed by an eternal reward. When Augustine,
your chief, returns, whom we also constitute your abbat,
humbly obey him in all things ; knowing, that whatsoever
you shall do by his direction, w^ in all respects, be avail-
able to your souls. Almighty God protect you with his
grace, and- grant that I may, in the heavenly country, seethe
fruits of your labour. Liasmuch as, though I cannot labour
with you, I shall partake in the joy of the reward, because I
am willing to labour. God keep you in safety, my most
bdoved sons. Dated the 23rd of July, in the fourteenth
year of the reign of our pious and most august lord, Mauritius
Tiberius, the thirteenth year after the consulship of our said
lord. Tlie fourteenth indiction."
CHAP. XXIV.
Hw> he wrote to the bishop qf Aries to entertain them, [a.d. 596.]
The same venerable pope also sent a letter to -SItherius>
d2
36 BEDE's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b. i, c. 25.
bishop of Axles,* exhorting him to give favourable entertain-
ment to Augustine on his way to Britain ; which letter was
in these words : —
" To his most reverend and holy brother and fellow
bishop ^theritiSj Gregory , the servant of the servants of God.
Although religious men stand in need of no recommendation
with priests who have the charity which is pleasing to God ;
yet as a proper opportunity is offered to write, we have
thought fit to send you this our letter, to inform you, that we
have directed thither, for the good of souls, the bearer of
these presents, Augustine, the servant of God, of whose in-
dustry we are assured, with other servants of God, whom it
is requisite that your holiness assist with priestly affection,
and afford him all the comfort in your power. And to the
end that you may be the more ready in your assistance, we
have enjoined him particularly to inform you of the occasion
of his coming ; knowing, that when you are acquainted with
it, you will, as the matter requires, for the sake of God,
zealously afford him your relief. We also in all things
recommend to your charity, Candidus, the priest, our com-
mon son, whom we have transferred to the government of a
small patrimony in our church. God keep you- in safety,
most reverend brother. Dated the 23rd day of July, in the
fourteenth year of the reign of our most pious and august
lord, Mauritius Tiberius, the thirteenth year after the con-
sulship of our lord aforesaid. The fourteenth indiction." *
CHAP. XXV.
Augustine^ coming into Britain^ first preached in the Isle of Thanet to
King Ethelbert, and having obtained licence, entered the kingdom of
Kent, in order to preach therein, [a,d. 597.]
Augustine, thus strengthened by the confirmation of the
blessed Father Gregory, returned to the work of the word of
God, with the servants of Christ, and arrived in Britain.
The powerful E|;helbert was at that time king of Kent ;f
* This is a palpable eiror in Bede, as^|^pei«v irom the catalogues
of the Archbishops of Aries and Lyons, tlj^^BargiHus filled that see at this
time, and that ^therius was his contemfi^^^^rchbishop at Lyons. Dr.
Lingard attributes the origin of the erro^^^Ethelm, who was deputed
by Bede to search the papal archives, an^^Hftpy from them documents
for his work. The same error occurs in chd^kviL xzviii. pp. 401 Sd-
'I* Ethelbert was the third Bretwalda, or dSjKnt king.
AD. 597.] AUGUSTINE ABRIYES IN BRITAIN. 37
he had extended his dominions as far as the great nver Hum-
ber, by which the Southern Saxons are divided from the
Northern. On the east of Kent is the large Isle of Thanet
containing according to the English way of reckoning, 600
families, divided jfrom the other land by the river Wantsuin,*
which is about three furlongs over, and fordable only in two
places, for both ends of it run into the sea. In this island
landed the servant of our Lord, Augustine, and his companions,
being, as is reported, nearly forty men. They had, by order
of the blessed Pope Gregory, taken interpreters of the nation of
the Franks,! ^^^ sending to Ethelbert, signified that they were
come from Rome, and brought a joyful message, which most
undoubtedly assured to all that took advantage of it ever-
lasting joys in heaven, and a kingdom that would never end,
with the living and true God. The king having heard this,
ordered them to stay in that island where they had landed,
and that they should be furnished with aU necessaries, tiU
he "^flllltl por"'^"^"^^"^ *^ ^"^ Trifle fj^hftm.- For he had before
heard of the Christian religion, having a Christian wife of
the royal family of the Franks, called Bertha ;$ whom he had
received from her parents, upon condition that she should be
permitted to practise her religion with the Bkhop Luidhard,§
who was sent with her to preserve her faithJiSomedays after,
the king came into the island, and sitting in the open air,
ordered Augustine and his companions to be brought into
^ presence. For he had taken precaution that they should
not come to him in any house, lest, according to an ancient
superstition, if they practised any magical arts, they might
impose upon him, and so get the better of him. But they
Thanet is now divided from the rest of Kent by a narrow rill, crossed
by an arch of the smallest span. In Bede's time the two arms of the Stour
w»e a channel nearly a mile in width, which received several streams
oxides the Greater and Lesser Stour. This channel waa called the
Wantsum.
t The Pranks and English Saxons were equally German nations ; the
fonner came 130 years earlier from beyond tiie Rhine ; the latter from
the countries about the mouths of the BAane and the Elbe, and about Hol-
*^ on the continent of Denmark, still called Jutland. Hence the
'Jench and English both had the same language, as Bishop Godwin ob-
■erres from the circumstance. This is confirmed by other clear proofs by .
"le learned William Jlowel, in his Institution of General History. Jjfc
t Daughter of Charibert, kmg of Paris. "'Wll^
§ Bishop of Senlis. • D,g,,ed by Google
58 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. LB.T. c25.
came furnished with Divine, not with magic virtue, bearing
a silver cross for their banner, and the image of our Liord -
and Saviour painted on a board ; and singing the litany, they
offered up their prayers to the Lord for the eternal salvation
both of themselves and of those to whom they were conae.
When he had sat down, pursuant to the king's commands, and
preached to him and his attendants there present, the word
of life, the king answered thus : — " Your words and promises
are very fair, but as they are new to us, and of uncertain
import, I cannot approve of them so far as to forsake that
wluch I have so long followed with the whole English nation.
But because you are come from far into my kingdom, and,
as X conceive, are desirous to impart to us those things which
you believe to be true, and most beneficial, we will not molest
you, but give you favourable entertainment, and take care to
supply you with your necessary sustenance ; nor do we for-
bid you to preach and gain as many as you can to your
religion."* Accordingly he permitted them to reside in the
city of Canterbury, which was the metropolis of all his
dominions, and, pursuant to his promise, besides allowii^
them sustenance, did not refuse them liberty to preach. It
is reported that, as they drew near to the city, after their
manner, with the holy cross, and the image of our sovereign
Lord and King, Jesus Christ, they, in concert, sung this
litany : " We beseech thee, 0 Lord, in all thy mercy, that
thy anger and wrath be turned away from this city, and from
thy holy house, because we have sinned. Hallelujah."|
* It would appear, from the humanity and kindness with which St.
Augustine was received immediately on his arrival, that Bishop Luidhard
was his precursor, and opened a way for his success ; and that the piety and
prayers of Queen Bertha herself are not likely to have been without their
effect in causing Ethelbert to lend an attentive ear to the preaching of St.
Augustine.
t "With St. Augustine, it is recorded, that St. Gregory sent the following
books : — a Bible in two vols. ; a Psalter, and a book of the Gospels ; a
book of Martyrology ; Apocr3rphal Lives of the Apostles ; and expositions
of certain Epistles and Grospels. The Canterbury Book, m the libnwy of
Trinity Hall, Cambridge, closes the brief catalogue in these exprettiv«
words : ** These are the foundation, or beginning, of the library of the whole
English church, a.d. 601." See Wanley's Catalogue of Saxon mano- ^
scripts in vol. ii. of Dr. Hickes's Thesaurus, p. 172. ^
Digitized by V^jOOQ iC
A.D. 597] ST. AXJGUSTINE'6 y^.AT Off LIFE.. S9 "
CHAP. XXVI.
SU Augustine in Kent followed the doctrine and manner of lining
of the p^ imitive church, and settled his episcopal see in the royal city.
[a.d. 597J .
As soon as they entered the dwelling-place assigned them,
they began to imitate the course of life practised in the primi-
tive church ; applying themselves to frequent prayer, watch-
ing and fasting ; preaching the word di life to as many ag
they could ; despising all worldly things, as not belonging
to ^biem ; receiving only their necessary food from those they
taught ; living themselves in all respects conformably to
what they prescribed to others, and being always disposed to
suffer any adversity, and even to die for that truth which
they preached. In short, several believed and were baptized,
admiring the simplicity of their innocent life, and the sweet-
ness of their heavenly doctrine. There was on the east side
of the city, a church dedicated to the honour of St. Martin,*
built whilst the Romans were still in the island, wherein the
queen, who, as has been said before, was a Christian, iised
to pray. ' In this they first began to meet, to sing, to pray,
to say mass, to preach, and to baptize, till the king, being
converted to the faith, allowed them to preach opgily, and
build or repair churches in all places.
When he, among the rest, induced by the unspotted life of
these holy men, and their delightful promises, which, by
many miracles, they proved to be most certain, believed and
was baptized, greater numbers b^an daily to flock together
to hear the word, and, forsaking their heathen rites, to asso-
ciate themselves, by believing, to the unity of the church of
Christ. Their conversion the king so far encouraged, as
that he compelled none to embrace Christianity, but only
showed more affection to the believers, as to his fellow
-citizens in the heavenly kingdom. For he had learned from
his instructors and leaders to salvation, that the service of
Christ ought to be voluntary, not by compulsion. Nor was
* The present church of St. Martin near Canterbury is not the old one
•poken of bj Bede, as it is generally thought to be, but is a structure of
the thirteenth century, though it is probable that the materials of the origi-
C. taX church were worked up in the masonry on its re-construction, .the walls
beiqg rtill composed in part of Roman bricks. gtized by VjOOglc
40 BSDE'S ecclesiastical HISTOET. Lb. f. c. 27.
it long before he gave his teachers a settled residence in his
metropolis of Canterbury, with such possessions of different
kinds as were necessary for their subsistence.
CHAP. xxvn.
St, Augustine, being made bishop, sends to <scquaint Pope Chregory tvith
what had been done, and receives his answer to the doubts he had pro-
posed to him. [aj). 597.]
In the meantime, Augustine, the man of God, repaired to
Aries, and, pursuant to the orders received from the holy-
Father Gregory, was ordained archbishop of the English
nation,* by -^therius,f archbishop of that city. Then return-
ing into Britain, he sent. Laurentiul the priest, and Peter
the monk, to Rome, to acquaint Pope Gregory, that the
nation of the English had received the faith of Christ, and
that he was himself made their bishop. At the same time, he
desired his solution of some doubts that occurred to him.
He soon received proper answers to his questions, which we
have also thought fit to insert in this our history :-^
The First Question of Attfftistine, Bishop rf the Church
of Canterbury, — Concerning bishops, how they are to behave
themselves towards their clergy ? or into how many portions
the things given by the faithful to the altar are to be divided ?
and how the bishop is to act in the church ?
Gregory y Pope of the City of Romey answers,— Holj Writ,
which no doubt you are weU versed in, testifies, and parficu-
larly St. Paul's Epistle to Timothy, wherein he endeavours to
instruct him how he should behave himself in the house of
God ; but it is the custom of the apostoHc see to prescribe
* Augustine was not consecrated as archbishop either of London or Can-
terbury ; but by the general title of the " Bishop of the English," (Anglo-
rum Episcopus^) that he might be at liberty to fix his seat in whatev^ part
of the country he pleased. — Parker, Antiq. Britan, p. 18. The primacy of
Canterbury is owing to the fact of Kent being the first and chief of the
Saxon kingdoms, extending to the Hnmber.
t For iEtherius read Vergilius, see note at p. 36. Aries is situated in the
extreme south of France, not far £rom the Mediterranean. Early in the
fifth century, the emperor Honorius erected this city into a metropolis over
seven of the sixte^i provinces into which Gaul was at that time divided ;
the bishop of Rome, apprehensive that the archbishop of Aries might
elevate himself into a patriarch of the whole kingdom^ appointed him his
apostolic vicar in Gaul. Digitized by VjaOgTe
A.i>. 507.] Augustine's questions. 41
rules to bishops newly ordained, that all emoluments which
accrue, are to be divided into four portions ; — one for the
bishop and his family, because of hospitality and entertain-
ments ; another for the clergy ; a third for the poor ; and
the fourth for the repair of churches. But in regard that
you, my brother, being brought up under monastic rules, are
not to five apart from your clergy in the English church,
which, by God's assistance, has been lately brought to the
faith ; you are to follow that course of life which our fore-
fathers did in the time of the primitive church, when none
of them said anything that he possessed was his own, but all
things were in common among them.
But if there are any clerks not received into holy orders,
who cannot live continent, they are to take wives, and receive
their stipends abroad ; because we know it is written, that
out of the same portions above-mentioned a distribution was
made to each of them according to every one's wants. Care
is also to be taken of their stipends, and provision to be made,
and they are to be kept under ecclesiastical rules, that they
may live-orderly, and attend to singing of psalms, and, by the
help of God, preserve their hearts, and tongues, and bodies
from all that is unlawful. But as for those that live in com-
mon, why need we say anything of making portions, or keep-
ing hospitality and exhibiting mercy ? inasmuch as all that
can be spared is to be spent in pious and religious works,
according to the commands of Him who is the Lord and
Master of all, " Give alms of such things as you have, and
behold all things are clean unto you."
AagusUn^s Second Question, — Whereas the faith is one
and the same, why are there different customs in different
churches ? and why is one custom of masses observed in the
holy Roman church, and another in the Galilean church ?
Pope Gregory answers. — You know, my brother, the
custom of the Roman church in which you remember you
were bred up. But it pleases me, that if you have found
anything, either in the Roman, or the Galilean,* or any other
* It is presumed that Luidhard, bishop of Senlis, who accompanied
Bertha from Paris on her marriage with Etnelbert, would use the Gallican
rites in the church of St Marlin, at Canterbury, and that this must have
attracted the attention of St. Augustine on his kmding in our island. It is
not improbable too that St. Germanus effected a great change in the eccle-
42 BEDE'S ecclesiastical history. [b. 1. c. 27
churcli, wbich may be more acceptable to Abnighty Grod,
you carefully make cboice of the same, and sedulously teach
the church of the English, which as yet is new in the faith,
whatsoever you can gather from the several churches. For
things are not to be loved for the sake of places, but places
for the sake of good things. Choose, therefore, from every
church those things that are pious, religious, and upright,
and when you have, as it were, made them up into one body,
let the minds of the English be accustomed thereto.
Augustine^s Third Question, — ^I beseech you to inform me,
what punishment must be inflicted, if any one shall take any-
thing by stealth from the church ?
Gregory answers, — ^You may judge, my brother, by the
person of the thief, in what manner he is to be corrected.
For there are some, who, having substance, commit theft ;
and there are others, who transgress in this point through
want. Wherefore it is requisite, that some be punished in
their purses, others with stripes ; some with more severity,
and some more mildly. And when the severity is more, it
is to proceed from charity, not from passion ; because this is
done to him who is corrected, that he may not be delivered
up to hell-fire. For it behoves us to maintain discipline
among the faithful, as good parents do with their carnal chil-
dren, whom they punish with stripes for their faults, and yet
design to make those their heirs whom they chastise ; and
they preserve what they possess for those whom they seem in
anger to persecute. This dharity is, therefore, to be kept in
mind, and it dictates the measure of the punishment, so that the
mind may do nothing beyond the rule of reason. You may
add, that they are to restore those things which they have
stolen from the church. But, God forbid, that the church
should make profit from those earthly things which it seems
to lose, or seek gain out of such vanities.
Augustine^ s Fourth Question, — Whether two brothers
may marry two sisters, which are of a family far removed
from them ?
Crregory answers, — This may lawfully be done ; for no-
thing is found in holy writ that seems to contradict it.
edastical customs of the ancient British church, which he would naturally
wish to regulate after the model of the Gallican. For an accoimt of the
Galilean Liturgy, and its variations from that of the Roman, consult Pal-
mer's Origines Liturgicae, vol. i. page 144. Digitized by GoOgle
A.D. 5971 Gregory's answers to st. augustine. 43
Aagustin^s Fifth Question, — To what degree may the
faitliful many with their kindred ? and whether it is lawful
for men to marrj their stepmothers and relations ?
Gregory answers, — A certain worldly law in the Boman
commonwealth allows, that the son and daughter of a brother
and sister, or of two brothers, or two sisters, may be joined
in matrimony ; but we have found, by experience, that no
oflfepring can come of such wedlock ; and the Divine Law
forbids a man to "uncover the nakedness of his kindred.*'
Hence of necessity it must be the third or fourth generation
of the faithful, that can be lawfully joined in matrimony ;
for the second, which we have mentioned, must altogether
abstain from one another. To marry with one's stepmother
is a heinous crime, because it is written in the Law, " Thou
shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father :" now the
son, indeed, cannot uncover his father's nakedness ; but in
regard that it is written, " They shall be two in one flesh,"
he that presumes to uncover the nakedness of his stepmother,
who was one flesh with his father, certainly uncovers the
nakedness of his father. It is also prohibited to marry with
a sister-in-law, because by the former union she is become
the brother's flesh. For which thing also John the Baptist
was beheaded, and ended his life in holy martyrdom. For,
though he was not ordered to deny Christ, and indeed was
killed for confessing Christ, yet in regard that the same Jesus
Christ, our Lord, said, " I am the Truth," because John was
killed for the truth, he also shed his blood for Christ.
But forasmuch as there are many of the English, who,
whilst they were still in infidelity, are said to have been
joined in this execrable matrimony, when they come to the
faith they are to be admonished to abstain, and be made to
know that this is a grievous sin. Let them fear the dread-
ful judgment of God, lest, for the gratification of their carnal
appetites, they incur the torments of eternal punishment
Yet they are not on this account to be deprived of the com-
munion of the body and blood of Christ, lest they seem to
be punished for those things which they did through ignor-
ance before they had received baptism. For at this time the
Holy Church chastises some things through zeal, and tole-
rates some through meekness, and connives at some things
through discretion, that so she may often, by thi8fod|earanco
44 bede's ecclesiastical history. Lb. I. c 27^
and connivance, suppress the evil which she disapproves.
But all that come to the Mth are to be admonished not to
do such things. And if any shall be guilty of them, they
are to be excluded from the communion of the body and
blood of Christ. For as the offence is, in some measure, to
be tolerated, in those who did it through ignorance, so it is to
be strenuously prosecuted in those who do not fear to sin.
knowingly.
Augustin^s Sixth Question. — ^Whether a bishop may be
ordained without other bishops being present, in case there
be so great a distance between them, that they cannot easily
come together ?
Gregory answers, — As for the church of England, in
which you are as yet the only bishop, you can no otherwise
ordain a bishop than in the absence of other bishops ; unless
some bishops should come over from Graul, that they may be
present as witnesses to you in ordaining a bishop. But we
would have you, my brother, to ordain bishops in such a
manner, that the said bishops may not be far asunder, that
when a new bishop is to be ordained, there be no difficulty,
but that other bishops, and pastors also, whose presence
is necessary, may easily come together. Thus, when, by the
help of Grod, bishops shall be so constituted in places every-
where near to one another, no ordination of a bishop is to be
performed without assembling three or four bishops. For,
even in spiritual affairs, we may take example by the tem-
poral, that they may be wisely and discreetly conducted. It
is certain, that when marriages are celebrated in the world,
some married persons are assembled, that those who went
before in the way of matrimony, may also partake in the joy
of the succeeding couple. Why, then, at this spiritual ordi-
nation, wherein, by means of the sacred ministry, man is joined
to Grod, should not such persons be assembled, as may either
rejoice in the advancement of the new bishop, or jointly pour
forth their prayers to Almighty Grod for his preservation ?
Aiegustin^s Seventh Question, — How are we to deal with
the bishops of France and Britain ?
Gregory answers, — ^We give you no authority over the
bishops of France, because the bishop of Aries received the
pall* in ancient times from my predecessor, and we are not to
* The palliuin, or pall, consisted of a long strip of line woollen doth,
gitizedby VjOOQIC
M.n. 597.3 GKEG0RT*8 ANSWERS JTO ST. AUGUSTINE. 45
deprive him of the authority he has received. If it shall
therefore happen, my brother, that you go over into the pro-
vince of France, you are to concert with the said bishop of
Aries, how, if there be any faults among the bishops, they
may be amended. And if he shall be lukewarm in keeping
up discipHne, he is to be corrected by your zeal ; to whom
we have also written, that when your holiness shall be in
France, he may also use all his endeavours to assist you, and
put away from the behaviour of the bishops all that shall be
opposite to the command of our Creator. But you, of youi
own authority, shall not have power to judge the bishops of
France, but by persuading, soothing, and showing good works
for them to imitate ; you shall reform the minds of wicked
men to the pursuit of holiness ; for it is written in the Law,
" When thou comest into the standing com of thy neigh-
bours, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand ; but
thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbours' standing
com." For thou mayest not apply the sickle of judgment in
that harvest which seems to have been committed to an-
other ; but by the effect of good works thou shalt clear the
Lord's wheat of the chaff of their vices, and convert them
into the body of the Church, as it were, by eating. But
whatsoever is to be done by authority, must be transacted
with the aforesaid bishop of Aries, lest that should be
omitted, which the ancient institution of the fathers has ap-
pointed.* But as for all the bishops of Britain, we commit
them to your care, that the unlearned may be taught, the
weak strengthened by persuasion, and the perverse corrected
by authority.
Augustine^s Eighth Question, — ^Whether a woman .with
child ought to be baptized ? Or how long after she has
brought forth, may she come into the church ? As also, after
how many days the infant bom may be baptized, lest he be
prevented by death ? Or how long after her husband may
ornamented with crosses, the middle of which was formed into a loose col-
lar resting on the Moulders, while the extremities before and behind hung
down nearly to the feet. In the east it is called omopfiorion, the bishops
wearing it above the phenolion, or vestment, during the eucharist. It origi-
nally formed part of the imperial habit, of which Collier has given some
interesting particulars, m his Eccles. Hist. vol. i. 69, folio.
* St. Gregory probably alludes to the third oecumenical council, held at
EpheSUS, JUT), 431. Digitized by GoOglC
46 BEDE's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b. i.e. 27.
have carnal knowledge of her ? Or whether it is lawful for
her to come into the church when she has her courses ? Or
to receive the holy sacrament of communion ? Or whether
a man, under certain circumstances, may come into the
church before he has washed with water ? Or approach to
receive the mystery of the holy communion ? All which
things are requisite to be known by the rude nation of the
English.
Gregory answers, — ^I do not doubt but that these questions
have been put to you, my brother, and I think I have already
answered you therein. But I believe you would wish the
opinion which you yourself might give to be confirmed by
mine also. Why should not a woman with child be baptized,
since the fruitfulness of the flesh is no offence in the eyes of
Almighty God ? For when our first parents sinned in
Paradise, they forfeited the immortality which they had re-
ceived, by the just judgment of God. Because, therefore.
Almighty God would not for their fault wholly destroy the
human race, he both deprived man of immortality for his sin,
and, at the same time, of his great goodness, reserved to him
the power oi propagating his race after him. On what
account then can that which is preserved to the human race,
by the free gift of Almighty God, be excluded from the pri-
vilege of baptism ? For it is very foolish to imagine that
the gift of. grace opposes that mystery in which sUl 'jsin is
blotted out. When a woman is delivered, after how many
days she may come into the church, you have been informed
by reading the Old Testament, viz. that she is to abstain for
a male cMld thirty-three days, and sixty-six for a female.
Now you must know that this is to be taken in a mystery ;
for if she enters the church the very hour that she is deli-
vered, to return thanks, she is not guilty of any sin ; because
the pleasure of the flesh is in fault, and not the pain ; but
the pleasure is in the copulation of the flesh, whereas there
is pain in bringing forth the child. Wherefore it is said to
the first mother of aU, "In sorrow shalt thou bring forth
children.** If, therefore, we forbid a woman that has brought
forth, to enter the church, we make a crime of her very punish-
ment. To baptize either a woman who has brought forth, if
there be danger of death, even the very hour that she brings
forth, or that which she has brought forth /Ihe very hour it
^ Digitized by V30' •'
J.D.587.] GBEGOy^p ANSire^ TO ST. AUGUffriSE. 47
is bom, is do "wIIj prohibited, because, as the grace of the
holj mystery is to be with much discretion provided for the
living and understanding, so is it to be without any delay
offered to the dying ; lest, while a further time is sought to
confer the mystery of redemption, a small delay intervening,
the person that is to be redeemed is dead and gone.
Her husband is not to approach her, till the infant bom be
weaned. A bad custom is sprung up in the behaviour of
married people, that is, that women disdain to suckle the chil-
dren which they bring forth, and give them to other women to
suckle ; which seems to have been invented on no other account
but incontinency ; because, as they will not be continent, they
will not suckle the children which they bear. Those women,
therefore, who, from bad custom, give their children to others
to bring up, must not approach their husbands till the time
of purification is past. For even when there has been no
child-birth, women are forbidden to do so, whilst they have,
their monthly courses, insomuch that the Law condenms
to death any man that shall approach unto a woman during
her uncleanness. ' Yet the woman, nevertheless, must not be
forbidden to come into the church whilst she has her monthly
courses ; because the superfluity of nature cannot be im-
puted to her as a crime ; and it is not just that she should be
refused admittance into the church, for that which she suffers
against her will. For we know, that the woman who had
the issue of blood, humbly approaching behind our Lord's
back, touched the hem of his garment, and her distemper im-
mediately departed from her. K, therefore, she that had an
issue of blood might commendably touch the garment of our
Lord, why may not she, who has the monthly courses, law-
fully enter into the church of Grod ? But you may say. Her
distemper compelled her, whereas these we speak of are
bound by custom. Consider, then, most dear brother, that
all we suffer in this mortal flesh, through the infirmity of our
nature, is ordained by the just judgment of God after the
fall ; for to hunger, to thirst, to be hot, to be cold, to be
weary, is from the infirmity of our nature ; arid what else is
it to seek food against hunger, drink against thirst, air
against heat, clothes against cold, rest against weariness,
tlian to procure a remedy against distempers ? Thus to a
woman her monthly courses are a distemper. I^ therefore.
v/
48 bede's ecclesiastical histort. [b. I. c r.
it was a commendable boldness in her, who in her disease
touched our Lord's garment, why may not that which is
allowed to one infirm person, be granted to all women, who,
through the fault of their nature, are distempered ?
She must not, therefore, be forbidden to receive the mjrstery
of the holy communion during those days. But if any
one out of profound respect does not presume to do it, she is
to be commended ; yet if she receives it,, she is not to be
judged. For it is the part of noble minds in some manner
to acknowledge their faults, even where there is no offence ;
because very often that is done without a fault, which, never-
theless, proceeded from a fault. Therefore, when we are
hungry, it is no crime to eat ; yet our being hungry proceeds
from the sin of the first man. The monthly courses are no
crime in women, because they naturally happen ; however,
because our nature itself is so depraved, that it appears to be
so without the concurrence of the will, the fault proceeds
from sin, and thereby human nature may herself know what
she is become by judgment. And let man, who wilfully
J committed the offence, bear the guilt of that offence. And,
therefore, let women consider with themselves, and if they
do not presume, during their monthly courses, to approach
the sacrament of the body and blood of our Lord, they are to
be commended for their praiseworthy consideration ; but
when they are carried away with love of the same mystery
to receive it out of the usual custom of religious life, they are
not to be restrained, as we said before. For as in the Old
Testament the outward works are observed, so in ;the New
Testament, that which is outwardly done, is not so diligently
regarded as that which is inwardly thought, in order to
punish it by a discerning judgment. For whereas the Law
forbids the eating of many things as imclean, yet our Lord
says in the Gk)spel, " Not that which goeth into the mouth
defileth a man ; but that which cometh out of the mouth,
this defileth a man." And presently after he added, ex-
pdunding the same, "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts."
Where it is sufficiently shown, that that is declared by
Almighty God to be polluted in fact, wMch proceeds from
the root of a polluted thought. Whence also Paul the Apostle
says, " Unto the pure all things are pure, but unto them that
are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure." And pre-
A.a. 587-1 OREGOBT'S AlfSWERS TO ST. AUGUSTINE. 51
sucli as happens in a dream, anj man may receive the bodj
of our Lord, or if he be a priest, celebrate the Divine
mjsteries ?
Gregory answers, — ^The Testament of the Old Law, as has
been said already in the article above, calls such a man pol-
luted, and allows him not to enter into the church tiU the
evening after being washed with water. Which, neverthe- v/
less, spiritual people, taking in another sense, will understand
in the same manner as above ; because he is imposed upon
as it were in a dream, who, being tempted with filthiness, is
defiled by real representations in thought, and he is to be
washed with water, that he may cleanse away the sins of
thought with tears ; and imless the fire of temptation depart
before, may know himself to be guilty as it were until the
evening. But discretion is very necessary in that illusion,^
that one may seriously consider what causes it to happen in
the* mind of the person sleeping ; for sometimes it proceeds
from excess of eating or drinking ; sometimes from the
superfluity or infirmity of nature, and sometimes from the
thoughts. And when it happens, either through superfluity
or infirmity of nature, such an illusion is not to be feared,
because it is rather to be lamented, that the mind of the
person, who knew nothing of it, suffers the same, than that
he occasioned it. But when the appetite of gluttony commits
excess in food, and thereupon the receptacles of the humours
are oppressed, the mind &om thence contracts some guilt ;
yet not so much as to obstruct the receiving of the holy
mystery, or celebrating mass, when a holy day requires it, or
necessity obliges the sacrament to be administered, because
there is no other priest in the place ; for if there be others
who can perform the ministry, the illusion proceeding from
over-eating is not to exclude a man from receiving the sacred
mystery ; but I am of opinion he ought humbly to abstain
from offering the sacrifice of the mystery ; but not from
receiving it, imless the mind of the person sleeping has been
filled with some foul imagination. For there are some, who
for the most part so suffer the illusion, that their mind, even
daring the sleep of the body, is not defiled with filthy thoughts.
In which case, one thing is evident, that the mind is guilty
even in its own judgment ; for though it does not rememb^
to have seen any thing whilst the body was sleeping, yet it
e2
52 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. [a.i.c.27.
dills to mind that when waJdng it fell into bodily gluttony.
But if the sleeping illusion proceeds from evil thoughts when
waMng, then the guilt is manifest to the mind ; for the man
perceives from whence that filth sprung, because what he
had knowingly thought of, that he afterwards unwittingly
revealed. But it is to be considered, whether that thought
was no more than a suggestion, or proceeded to enjoyment,
or, which is still more criminal, consented to sin. For all
sin is fulfilled in three ways, viz., by suggestion, by delight,
and by consent. Suggestion is occasioned by the Devil,
delight is from the flesh, and consent from the mind. For
the serpent suggested the first offence, and Eve, as flesh, was
delighted with it, but Adam consented, as the spirit, or mind.
And much discretion is requisite for the mind to sit as judge
between suggestion and delight, and between delight and
consent. For if the evil spirit suggest a sin to the mind, if
there ensue no delight in the sin, the sin is in no way com-
mitted ; but when the flesh begins to be delighted, then sin
begins to grow. But if it deliberately consents, then the sin
is known to be perfected. The beginning, therefore, of sin
is in the suggestion, the nourishing of it in delight, but in
the consent is its perfection. And it often happens that
what the evil spirit sows in the thought, the flesh draws to
delight, and yet the soul does not consent to that delighu
And whereas the flesh cannot be delighted without the mind,
yet the mind struggling against the pleasures of the flesh
is somewhat imwilHngly tied down by the carnal delight, so
that through reason it contradicts, and does not consent, yet
being influenced by delight, it grievously laments its being
so bound. Wherefore that principal soldier of our Lord's
host, sighing, said, "I see another law in my members warring
against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity
to the law of sin, which is in my members." Now if he was
a captive, he did not fight ; but if he did fight, how was he
a captive ? he therefore fought against the law of the mind,
which the law that is in the members opposed ; if he fought
BO, he was no captive. Thus, then, man is, as I may say, a
captive and yet free. Free on account of justice, which he
loves, a captive by the delight which he unwillingly bears
within him.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
4.O.60L1 GBBGOEy's LETTER TO YEBGILIUS. 153
CHAP. XXYITL
Pope Gregory writes to the bishop of Aries to assist Augustine in the work
of God. [aj>. 601.]
Thus far the answers of the holy Pope Gregory, to the
questions of the most reverend prelate, Augustine. But the
epistle, which he says he had written to the bishop of Aries,
was directed to Vergilius, successor to ^therius, the copy
whereof follows : —
" To his most reverend and holy brother and fellow bishop,
Vergilitis; Gregory, servant of the servants of God, With
how much affection brethren, coming of their own accord,
are to be entertained, is well known, by their being for the
most part invited on account of charity. Therefore, if our
common brother. Bishop Augustine, shall happen to come to
you, I desire your love will, as is becoming, receive him
so kindly and affectionately, that he may be supported by
the honour of your consolation, and others be informed how
brotherly charity is to be cultivated. And, since it often
happens that those who are at a distance, sooner than others,
understand the things that need correction, if any crimes of
priests or others shall happen to be laid before you, you will,
in conjunction with him, sharply inquire into the same. And
do you both act so strictly and carefully against those things
which offend God, and provoke his wrath, that for the
amendment of others, the punishment may fall upon the
guilty, and the innocent may not suffer an iU name. God
keep you in safety, most reverend brother. Given the 22nd
day of June, in the nineteenth year of the reign of our pious
and august emperor, Mauritius Tiberius, and the eighteenth
year after the consulship of our said lord. The fourth
indiction."
CHAP. XXIX.
T%e same Pope sends Augustine the Pali, an Epistle, and several
Ministers of the word, [a.d. 601.]
MoBEOVER, the same Pope Gregory, hearing from Bishop
Augustine, that he had a great harvest^ and but few labourers,
sent to him, together with his aforesaid messengers, several
fellow labourers and ministers of the wordocofecwhom the first
ff4 BBDE'S ecclesiastical HISTOKT. [b.i.c.39.
and principal were* Mellitus, Justus, Paulinus, and Rufinianus,
and by them all things in general that were necessary for the
worslup and service of the church, viz., sacred vessels and
vestments for the altars, also ornaments for the churches, and
vestments for the priests and clerksj as likewise relics of the
holy apostles and martyrs ; besides many books. He atoo
sent letters, wherein he signified that he had transmitted the
pall to him, and at the same time directed how he should
constitute bishops in Britain. The letters were in these
words : —
" To his most reverend and holy brother and fellow bishop^
Atigusiine; Gregory y the servant of the servants of God.
Though it be certain, that the unspeakable rewards of liie
eternal kingdom are reserved for those who labour for Al-
mighty God, yet it is requisite that we bestow on them the
advantage of honours, to the end that they may by this re-
compence be enabled the more vigorously to apply themselves
to the care of their spiritual work. And, in r^ard that the
new church of the English is, through the goodness of the
Lord, and your labours, brought to the grace of God, we
grant you*the use of the pall in the same, only for the per-
f<Mining of the solemn service of the mass ; so that yoa in
several places ordain twelve bishops, who shall be subject to
your jurisdiction, so that the bishop of London shall, ftnr the
future, be always consecrated by his own synod, and that he
receive the honour of the pall from this holy and apostoUoal
see, which I, by the grace of God, now serve. But we will
have you send to the city of York such a loshop ais you shall
think fit to ordain ; yet so, that if that city, with the places
adjoining, shall receive the word of God, that bishop shall
also ordain twelve bishops, and enjoy the honour of a metro*
politan ; for we design, if we live, by the help of God, to
bestow on him also the pall ; and yet we wiU have him to be
subservient to your authority ; but after your decease, he
shall so preside over the bishops he shall ordain, as to be in
no way subject to the jurisdiction of the bishop of London.
But for the future let this distinction be between the bishops
* Mellitus was consecrated bishop of London, a.d. 604 ; and suceeeded
Laurentius in the see of Canterbuiy, a.d. 619 ; in 624 Justus was translated
from Rochester to the primacy. In the following yearPaulinus was made
Archbishop of York. Rufinianus was the third abbatof St. Augustine's dbbey.
A.».«i.] gregoky's lewer to mkllitus. 55
of the cities of London and York, that he may hare the pre-
cedence who shall be first ordained.* But let them unani-
mouslj dispose, hj common advice and uniform conduct,
whatsoever is to be done for the zeal of Christ ; let them
judge rightly, and perform what they judge convenient in a
uniform manner.
" But to you, my brother, shall, by the authority of our
Grod, and Lord Jesus Christ, be sulgect not only those bishops
you shall ordain, and those that shall be ordained by the
bishop of York, but also all the priests in Britain ; to the
end that fixMn the mouth and life of your holiness they may
learn the rule of believing rightly, and living well, and ful-
filling their office in faith and good manners, they may, when
it shall please the Lord, attain the heavenly kingdom. Grod
preserve you in safety, most reverend brother.
" Dated the 22nd of June, in the nineteenth year of the
reign of our most pious lord and emperor, Mauritius Tiberius,
the eighteenth year after the consulship of our said lord. The
fourth indiction.''
CHAP, XXX.
A copy qf the letter which Pope Gregory sent to the Abbot MelKttUy then
going into Britain, [a.d. 601.]
ThiJ aforesaid messengers being departed, the holy father,
Gregory, sent after them letters worthy to be preserved in
memory, wherein he plainly shows what care he took of the
salvation of our nation. The letter was as follows : —
" To his most beloved son, the Abbot Mellitus ; Gregory,
the servant of the servants of God. We have been much
concerned, since the departure of our congregation that is
with you, because we have received no account of the suc-
cess of your journey. When, therefore, Almighty God shall
bring you to the most reverend Bishop Augustine, our
brother, tell him what I have, upon mature deliberation on
the ftffkir of the English, determined upon, viz., that the
temples of the idols in that nation ought not to be destroyed ;
♦ York and London constituted the first metropolitan sees among tiie
andent Britons. On this account, probably, Gregory invested them with
ttetropotitical dignity on the re-establishment of Christianity in those places..
It ivat iwne time after the death of both Gregory and Augustine, how-
ewa^ that this project, as respects York, was carried into eflfect.
56 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. [ai.c.30t
but let the idols that are in them be destroyed; let
holy water be made and sprinkled in the said temples, let
altars be erected, and relics placed. For if those temples are
well built, it is requisite that they be converted from the
worship of devils to the service of the true God ; that the
nation, seeing that their temples are not destroyed,- may re-
move error from their hearts, and knowing and adoring the
true Grod, may the more familiarly resort to the places to
which they have been accustomed. And because they have
been used to slaughter many oxen in the sacrifices to devils,
some solemnity must be exchanged for them on this acx)ount,
as that on the day of the dedication, or the nativities of the
holy martyrs, whose relics are there deposited, they may
build themselves huts of the boughs of trees, about those
churches which have been turned to that use from temples,
and celebrate the solemnity with religious feasUng, and no
more offer beasts to the Devil, but kill cattle to the praise ci
Grod in their eating, and return thanks to the Giver of all
things for their sustenance ; to the end that, whilst some
gratifications are outwardly permitted them, they may the
more easily consent to the inward consolations of the grace
ot God. For there is no doubt that it is impossible to efface
every thing at once from their obdurate minds ; because he
who endeavours to ascend to the highest place, rises by de-
grees or steps, and not by leaps. Thus the Lord made
himself known to the people of Israel in Egypt ; and yet he
allowed them the use of the sacrifices which they were wont
to offer to the Devil, in his own worship ; so as to command
them in his sacrifice to kill beasts, to the end that, changing
their hearts, they might lay aside one part of the sacrifice^
whilst they retained another ; that whilst they offered the
same beasts which they were wont to offer, they should offer
"them to God, and not to idols ; and thus they would no
longer be the same sacrifices. This it behoves your affection
to communicate to our aforesaid brother, that he, being there
present, may consider how he is to order all things. God
preserve you in safety, most beloved son.
" Given the 17th of June, in the nineteenth year of the
reign of our lord, the most pious emperor, Idauritius Tiberius,
the eighteenth year after the consulship of our said lord.
The fourth indiction. " ,,,,,, ,, Google
A.1V601.] OREOOBT'S letter to AUGUSTINE. 57
CHAP. XXXL
Pope GregorVy by letter, exhorts Augustine not to glory in his miracles,
[A.D. 601.1
At whick time he also sent Augustine a letter concerning
the miracles that he had heard had been wrought by him ;
wherein he admonishes him not to incur the danger of being
puffed up by the number of them. The letter was in these
words : —
"I know, most loving brother, that Almighty God, by
means of your affection, shows great miracles in the nation
which he has chosen. Wherefore it is necessary that you
rejoice with fear, and tremble whilst you rejoice, on account
of the same heavenly gift ; viz., that you may rejoice because the
souls of the English are by outward miracles drawn to in-
ward grace ; but that you fear, lest, amidst the wonders that
are wrought, the weak mind may be puffed up in its own
presumption, and as it is externally raised to honour, it may
thence inwardly fall by vain-glory. For we must call to
mind, that when the disciples returned with joy after preach-
ing, and said to their heavenly Master, * Lord, in thy name,
even the devils are subject to us ; ' they were presently told,
'Do not rejoice on this account, but rather rejoice for that
your names are written in heaven.' For they placed their
thoughts on private and temporal joys, when they rejoiced in
miracles ; but they are recalled from the private to the
public, and from the temporal to the eternal joy, when it is
said to them, * Rejoice for this, because your names are writ-
ten in heaven.** For all the elect do hot work miracles, and
yet the names of all are written in heaven. For those who
are disciples of the truth ought not to rejoice, save for that
good thing which all men enjoy as well as they, and of which-
their enjoyment shall be without end.
^^It remains, therefore, most dear brother, that amidst
those things, which, through the working of our Lord, you
outwardly perform, you always inwardly strictly judge your-
self, and clearly und^stand both what you are yourself, and
how much grace is in that «ame nation, for the conversioln of
which you have also received the gift of working miracles.
And if you remember that you have al^^y time offended
5S BCDE'S ECCLESIASTICAL HI6T0BT. [s-Lcas,
our Creator, either by word or deed, that you always call it
to mind, to the end that the remembrance of your guilt may
crush the vanity which rises in your heart. And whatsoever
you shall receive, or have received, in relation to working
miracles, that you consider the same, not as conferred
on you, but on those for whose salvation it has been given
you."
CHAP. xxxn.
Pope Gregory sends letters and presents to King Ethelbert.
The same holy Pope Gregory, at the same time, sent a letter
to King Ethelbert, with many presents of several sorts ; be-
ing desirous to glorify the king with temporal honours, at
the same time that he rejoiced that through his labour and
zeal he had attained the knowledge of the heavenly glory.
The copy of the said letter is as follows :—
" To the most glorious Lord, and his most excellent son^
JSthelbert, king of the English, Bishop Gregory. Almighty
God advances all good men to the government of nations, that
he may by their means bestow the gifts of his mercy on
those over whom they are placed. This we know to have
been done in the English nation, over whom your glory was
therefore placed, that by means of the goods which are
granted to you, heavenly benefits might abo be conferred on
the nation that is subject to ypu. Therefore, my illustrious
son, do you carefuUy preserve the grace which you have re-
ceived from the Divine goodness, and hasten to promote the
Christian faith, which you have embraced, among the people
under your subjection ; mtiltiply the zeal of your upright-
ness in their conversion ; suppress the worship of idols ;
overthrow the structures of, the temples ; edify the manners
of your subjects by much cleanness of life, eaiorting, terri-
fying, soothing, correcting, and giving examples of good
works, that you may find him your rewarder in heaven,
whose name and knowledge you shall spread abroad upon
earth. For he also will render the fame of your honour
more glorious to posterity, whose honour you seek and main-
tain among the nations.
"For even so Constantine, our most pious emperor,
recovering the Boman commonwealth from the j perverse
AiKtfOL] GREGORY'g LBTTER TO KINO ETHELBERT. 59
worship rf idols, subjected the same with himself to our
Almighty God and Lord Jesus Christ, and was himself, with
the people under his subjection, entirely converted to him.
Whence it followed, that his praises transcended the fame of
former princes ; and he as much excelled his predecessors in
r^own as he did in good works. Now, therefore, let your
glory hasten to infuse into the kings and people that are sub-
ject to you, the knowledge of one God, Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost ; that you may both surpass the ancient kings
of your nation in praise imd merits and become by so mudi
the more secure against your own sins before the dreadful
judgment of Almighty God, as you shall wipe away the sins
of others in your subjects.
" Willingly hear, devoutly perform, and studiously retain
in your memory, whatsoever you shall be advised by our
most reverend brother. Bishop Augustine, who is instructed
in the monastical rule, full of the knowledge of the holy
Scripture, and, by the help of God, endued with good works ;
for if you give ear to him in what he speaks for Almighty
God, the same Almighty God will the sooner hear him pray-
ing for you. But if (which God avert !) you slight his
words, how shall Almighty God hear him in your behalf,
when you neglect to hear him for God ? Unite yourself,
therefore, to him with all your mind, in the fervour of faith,
and further his endeavours, through the assistance of that
virtue which the Divinity affords you, that He may make
you partaker of his kingdom, whose faith you cause to be
received and maintained in your own.
* Besides, we would have your, glory know, we find in the
holy Scripture, from the words of the Almighty Lord, that
the end of this present world, and the kingdom of the saints,
is about to come, which will never terminate. But as the
same end of the world approaches, many things fOre at
hand which were not before, viz. changes of air, and terrors
from heaven, and tempests out of the order of the seasons,
wars, famines, plagues, earthquakes in several places ; which
things will not, nevertheless, happen in our days, but will
all follow after our days. If you, therefore, find any of
these things to happen in your country, let not your mind be
in any way disturbed ; for these signs of the end of the
world are sent before, for, this reason, that we may be solicit-
60 BEDE*S ECCLESIASTICAL KISTORT. [b. r. c. 3».
ous for our souls, suspicious of the hour of death, and maj
l?e found prepared with good works to meet our Judge.
Thus much, my illustrious son, I have said in few words, to
the end that when the Christian fidth shall increase in your
kingdom, our discourse to you may also be more copious, and
we may be pleased to say the more, in proportion as joy for
the conversion of your nation is multiplied in our mind.
"I have sent you some small presents, which will not
appear small, when received by you with the blessing of the
holy apostle, Peter. May Almighty God, therefore, perfect
in you his grace which He has begun, and prolong your life
here through a course of many years, and after a time receive
you into the congregation of the heavenly country. May
heavenly grace preserve your excellency in safety.
" Given the 22nd day of June, in the nineteenth year of the
reign of the most pious emperor, Mauritius Tiberius, in the
eighteenth year after his consulship. Fourth indiction."
CHAP, xxxin.
Augustine repairs the church of our Saviour, and builds the monastery oj
St, Peter the apostle ; Peter the first abbat of the same, [a.d. 602.] ^
Augustine having his episcopal see granted him in the royal
city, as has been said, and being supported by the king, re-
covered therein a church, which he was informed had been
built by the ancient Roman Christians, and consecrated it in
the name of our holy Saviour, God and Lord, Jesus Christ,
and there established a residence for himself and his successors.*
He also built a monastery not far from the city to the east-
ward, in which, by his advice, Ethelbert erected from the
foundation the church of the blessed apostles, Peter and Paul,!
and enriched it with several donations ; wherein the bodies
of the same Augustine, and of all the bishops of Canter*
bury, and of the kings of Kent, might be buried. However,
Augustine himself did not consecrate that church, but Lau-
rentius, his successor.
The first abbat of that monastery was the priest Peter,
who, being sent ambassador into France, was drowned in a
• This church is now the cathednu of Canterbury ; but the present struc-
ture, although ancient, is of date long subsequent to the age of St. Augustine,
t Afterwards called St. Augustine's Abbey. Cooale
A.B.60S.] BATTLE OP DEGSASTAN. 61
bay of the sea, which is called Amfleat,* and privately
buried by the inhabitants of the place ; but Almighty God,
to show how deserving a man he was, caused a fight to be
seen over his grave every night ; till the neighbours who
saw it, perceiving that he had been a holy man that was buried
there, inquiring who, and from whence he was, carried away
the body, and interred it in the church, in the city of Bou-
logne, with the honour due to so great a person.
CHAP. XXXIV.
Bthelfridf Icing (^ Vie Northumbrians, having vanquished the nations of
the Scots, expels them from the territories qf the English, [a.d. 603.]
At this time, Ethelfrid, a most worthy king, and ambitious
of glory, governed the kingdom of the Northumbrians, and
ravaged the Britons more than all the great men of the
English, insomuch that he might be compared to Saul, once
king of the Israelites, excepting only this, that he was igno-
rant of the true religion. For he conquered more territories
from the Britons, either making them tributary, or driving the
inhabitants clean out, and planting English in their places,
than any other king or tribune. To him might justly be
applied the saying of the patriarch blessing his son in the
person of Satd, "Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf; in tile
morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall di-
vide the spoil." Hereupon, .S^dan, king of the Scots that
inhabit Britain, being concerned at his success, came against
him with an immense and mighty army, but. was beaten by
an inferior force, and put to flight ; for almost all his army
was slain at a famous place, called Degsastan, that is, Degsa-
stone-t ^ which battle also Theodbald, brother to Ethel-
frid, waa killed, with almost all the forces he commanded.
This war Ethelfrid put an end to in the year 603 after the
incarnation of our Lord, the eleventh of* his own reign,
which lasted twenty-four years, and the first year of the
reign of Phocas, who then governed the Roman empire.
From that time, no king of the Scots durst come into Britain
to make war on the English to this day.
* Now probably Ambleteuse, a small sea-port vaiage about two miles
to the north of Boulogne. j
t Perhaps Dalston, near Carlisle : or Dauston,near JedburghiS'^*"
62 bede's ecclesiastical bistort. r»- i« 0. V
BOOK II.
CHAPTER L
On the death tf the blessed Pope Gregory, [aj>. 605.]
At this time, that is, in the year of our Lord 605, the
blessed Pope Gregory, after having most gloriously governed
the Roman apostolic see thirteen years, six months, and ten
days, died, and was translated to the eternal see of the
heavenly kingdom. Of whom, in regard that he by his zeal
converted our nation, the English, from the power of Satan
to the faith of Christ, it behoves us to discourse more t^
large in our Ecclesiastical History, for we may and ought
rightly to call him our apostle ; because, whereas he bore
the pontifical power over all the world, and was plsiced over
the churches already reduced to the faith of truth, he made
our nation, till then given up to idols, the church of Christ,
so that we may be allowed thus to attribute to him the cha-
racter of an apostle ; for though he is not an apostle to
others, yet he is so to us ; for we are the seal of his apostle-
ship in our Lord.
He was by nation a Roman, son of Grordian, deducing his
race from ancestors that were not only noble, but religious.
And Felix, once bishop of the same apostolical see, a man
of great honour in Christ and his church, was his great-
grandfather.* Nor did he exercise the nobility of religion
with less virtue of devotion than his parents and kindred.
T^But that worldly nobility which he seemed to have, by the
help of the Divine Grace, he entirely used to gain the
honour of eternal dignity; for soon quitting his secular
habit, he repaired to a monastery, wherein he began to be-
have himself with so much grace of perfection that (as he
was afterwards wont with tears to testify) his mind was
above all transitory things ; that he despised all that is sub-
ject to change ; that he used to think of nothing but what,
was heavenly ; that whilst detained by the body, he by con-
templation broke through tl^e bonds of flesh ; and that he
Felix IV. was bishop of Roii5^,34,pQ^gle
A.D.597.3 Gregory's answers to st. augustine. 49
sentlj a^r, declaring the cause of that defilement, he adds,
" For even their mind and conscience is defiled." If, there-
fore, meat is not unclean to him who has a dean mind, why
shall that which a clean woman suffers according to nature,
be imputed to her as uncleanness ?
A man who has approached his own wife is not to enter
the church unless washed with water, nor is he to enter im-
mediatelj although washed. The Law prescribed to the
andent people, that a man in such cases should be washed
with water, and not enter into the church before the setting
of the sun. Which, nevertheless, may be understood spiritu-
ally, because a man acts so when the mind is led by the
imagination to unlawfiil concupiscence ; for unless the fire of
concupiscence be first driven from his mind, he is not to
think himself worthy of the congr^ation of the brethren,
whilst he thus indulges an unlawful passion. For though
several nations have different opinions concerning this affair,
and seem to observe different rules, it was always the custom
of the Romans, from ancient times, for such an one to be
cleansed by washing, and for some time respectfully to for-
bear entering the church. Nor do we, in so saying, assign
matrimony to be a fault ; but forasmuch as lawful inter-
course cannot be had without the pleasure of the flesh, it is
proper to forbear entering the holy place, because the plea-
sure itself cannot be without a fault For he was not bom
of adultery or fornication, but of lawful marriage, who said,
" Beholdl was conceived in iniquity, and in sin my mother
brought iSe forth.** For he who knew himself to have been
conceived in iniquity, lamented that he was bom fiom sin,
because the tree in its bough bears the moisture it drew from
the root. In which words, however, he does not call the
union of the married couple iniquity, but the pleasure of the
oopulati(Mi. For there are many things which are proved to
be lawful, and yet we are somewhat defiled in doing them.
As very often by being angry we correct faults, and at the
same time disturb our own peace of mind ; and though that
which we do is right, yet it is not to be approved that our
mind should be dbcomposed. For he who said, " My eye
was disturbed with anger," had been angry at the vices of
those who had offended. Now, in regard that only a sedate
minid can apply itself to contemplation, he ffriev^^gjajt his
60 bede's ecclesiastical HISTOST. f » I. c. Vi
eye waa disturbed with anger ; because, whilst he was cor-
recting evil actions below, he was obliged to be withdrawn
and disturbed from the contemplation of things above. Anger
against rice is, therefore, commendable, and yet painful to a
man, because he thinks that by his mind being agitated, he
has incurred s<Hne guilt. Lawful commerce, therefore, must
be for the sake of children, not of pleasure ; and must be to
procure offspring, not to satisfy vices. But if any man i»
led not by the desire of pleasure, but only for the sake of
getting children, such a man is certainly to be left to his own
judgment, either as to entering the church, or as to receiving
the mystery of the body and blood of our Lord, which he,
who being placed in the fire cannot bum, is not to be for-
bidden by us to receive. But when, not the love of getting
children, but of pleasure prevails, the pair have cause to
lament their deed. For this the holy preaching allows them,
and yet fills the mind with dread of the \ery allowance. For
when Paul the Apostle said, '^ Let him that cannot contain,
have his wife ;^ he presently took care to subjoin, "But this
I say by way of indulgence, not by way of command." Fop
that is not granted by way of indulgence which is lawful, be-
cause it is just ; and, therefore, ^t which he said he in-
dulged, he showed to be an offence.
It is seriously to be considered, that when Grod was to
speak to the people on Mount Sinai, he first commanded
them to abstain from women. And if so much cleanness of
body was there required, where God spoke to the people by
the means of a subject creature, that those who were to hear
the words of God should not do so 5 how much more ought
women, who receive the body of Almighty God, to preserve
themselves in cleanness of flesh, lest they be burdened wiih
the very greatness of that unutterable mystery ? For this
reason, it was said to David, concerning his men, by the
priest, that if they were clean in this particular, they should
receive the shewbread, which they would not have received
at all, had not David first declared them to be clean. Then
the man, who, afterwards, has been washed with water, is
also capable of receiving the mystery of the holy communion,
when it is lawful for him, according to what has been before
declared, to enter the church.
Avgustin^s Ninth Q{ie«/»oR.— Wliether after an illusion*
A-o. 005,] LITE OF FOPB OSEGOBT. 63
lov^ death, which is a terror to ahuost all meiiy as the
entrance into life, and the reward of hi^ labours. This he
said of himself, not to boast of his progress in virtue, but
rather to bewail the decay, which, as he was wont to declare,
he imagined he sustained through the pastoral care. In
short, when he was, one day, in private, discoursing with
Peter, his deacon, after having enumerated the former virtues
of his mind, he with grief added, " But now, on account ot
the pastoral care, it is entangled with the affairs of la3rmen,
and, after so beautiful an appearance of repose, is deiiled
with the dust of earthly action. And after having wasted
itself by condescending to many things that are without,
when it desires the inward things, it returns to them less
qaaMed to enjoy them. I therefore consider what I endure,
I consider what I have lost, and when I behold that loss,
what I bear appears the more grievous."
This the holy man said out of the excess of his humility.
But it becomes us to believe that he lost nothing of his
monastic perfection by his pastoral care, but rather that
he improved the more through the labour of converting
many, than by the former repose of his conversation, and
chiefly because, whilst exercising the pontifical function, he
provided to have his house made a monastery. And when
first drawn fix)m the monastery, ordained to the ministry of
the altar, and sent as respondent to Constantinople from the
apostolic see, though he now mixed with the people of the
palace, yet he intermitted not his former heavenly life ; for
some of the brethren of his monastery, having out of
brotherly charity followed him to the royal city, he kept
them for the better following of regular observances, viz.
that at all times, by their example, as he writes himself, he
might be held fast to the calm shore of prayer, as it were
with the cable of an anchor, whilst he should be tossed up
and down by the continual waves of worldly affairs 5
and daily among them, by the intercourse of studious read-
ing, strengthen his mind whilst it was shaken with temporal
.concerns. By their company he was not only guarded against
earthly assaults, but more and more inflamed in the exercises
of a heavenfy life.
For Hiey persuaded him to give a mystical exposition of
the book <rf holy Job^ which is involved in great obscurity ;
64 BEDB's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [B.n.r.1.
nor could he refuse to undertake that work, which brotherly
affection imposed on him for the future benefit of many ;
but in a wonderful manner, in five and thirty books of expo-
sition, taught how that same book is to be understood literally ;
how to be referred to the mysteries of Christ and the church ;
and in what sense it is to be adapted to every one of the
faithful. This work he began when legate in the royal city,
but finished it at Rome after being made pope. Whilst he
was still in the royal city, he, by the assistance of the Divine
grace of Catholic truth, crushed in its first rise a heresy
newly started, concerning the state of our resurrection.
For Eutychius, bishop of that city, taught, that our body, in
that glory of resurrection, would be impalpable, and more
subtile than the wind and air ; which he hearing, proved by
force of truth, and by the instance of the resurrection of our
Lord, that this doctrine was every way opposite to the
Christian faith. For the Catholic faith is that our body,
sublimed by the glory of immortality, is rendered subtile by
the effect of the spiritual power, but palpable by the reality
of nature ; accorcUng to the example of our Lord's body, of
which, when risen from the dead, he himself says to his dis-
ciples, " Touch me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and
bones, as ye see me have." Li asserting which faith, the
venerable Father Gregory so earnestly laboured against the
rising heresy, and by the assistance of the most pious empe-
ror, Tiberius Constantine, so fully suppressed it,- that none
has been since found to revive it.
He likewise composed another notable book, called "Liber
Pastoralis," wherein he manifestly showed what sort of per-
sons ought to be preferred to govern the church ; how such
rulers ought to live ; with how much discretion to instruct
every one of their hearers, and how seriously to reflect every
day on their own frailty. He also wrote forty homilies on
the Gospel, which he equally divided into two volumes ; and
composed four books of dialogues, into which, at the request
of Peter, his deacon, he collected the miracles of the saints whom
he either knew, or had heard to be most renowned in Italy,
for an example to posterity to lead their lives ; to the end thal^
as he taught in his books of Expositions, what virtues ought
to be laboured for, so by describing the miracles of saints,
he might make known the glory of jti^gig^firtues. He
*.».605O LIFE OF POPE GREGOBT. 65
further, in twenty-two homilies, discovered how much light
there is concealed in the first and last parts of the prophet
Ezekiel, which seemed the most obscure. Besides which,
he wrote the " Book of Answers," to the questions of Augus-
tine, the first bishop of the English nation, as we have shown
above, inserting the same book entire in this history ; besides
the useful little " Synodical Book,'* which he composed with
the bishops of Italy on the necessary affairs of the church i
and also familiar letters to certain persons. And it is the
more wonderful that he could write so many and such large
vdumes,* in r^ard that almost all the time of his youth, to
use his own words, he was often tormented with pains
in his bowels, and a weakness of his stomach, whilst he
was continually suffering from slow fever. But where-
as at the same time he carefully reflected that, as the Scrip-
ture testifies, " Every son that is received is scourged,"
the more he laboured and was depressed under those
present evils, the more he assured himself of his eternal
salvation.
Thus mudi may be said of his immortal genius, which
could not he restrained by such severe bodily pains ; for other
popes a^^lied themselves to building, or adorning of churches
with gold and silver, but Gregory was entirely intent upon
gaining souls. Whatsoever money he had, he diligently took
care to distribute and give to the poor, that his righteousness
might endure for ever, and his horn be exalted with honour ;
80 that what blessed Job said might be truly said of him,
" When the ear heard me, then it blessed me ; and when the
eye saw me, it gave witness to me : because I delivered the
poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to
help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish
tame upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for
joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me ; my judg-
ment was as a robe and diadem. I was the eye to the blind,
and feet was I to the lame. I was father to the poor ; and
ihe cause which I knew not, I searched out And I brake
the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his
teeth." And a little after : "If I have withheld," bays he,
• St. Crregory"B numerous works have been collected and publi^ed by
the Benedictines of St Maur, in 4 vols. foL Paris, 1707, and sdll more
«oiQpIete in the reprints of Venice and Verona.
■ If Digitized by VwjOOQIC
66 BEDE'S ecclesiastical HISTOBT. Cb.k. c1»
" the poor from their desire ; or have caused the eye of the
widow to fail ; or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and
the fatherless hath not eaten thereof. For of my youth com-
passion grew up with me, and from my mother's womb it
came forth with me."
To these works of piety and righteousness this also may
be added, that he saved our nation, by the preachers he sent
hither, from the teeth of the old enemy, and made it partaker
of eternal liberty ; in whose faith and salvation rejoicing,
and worthily commending the same, he in his exposition on
holy Job, says, " Behold, a tongue of Britain, which only
knew how to utter barbarous language, has long since begun
to resound the Hebrew Hallelujah ! Behold, the once swell-
ing ocean now serves prostrate at the feet of the saints ; and
its barbarous motions, which earthly princes could not sub-
due with the sword, are now, through the fear of Grod, bound
by the mouths of priests with words only ; and he that when
an infidel stood not in awe of fighting troops, now a believer,
fears the tongues of the humble ! For by reason that the
virtue of the Divine knowledge is infused into it by precepts,
heavenly words, and conspicuous miracles, it is curbed hy
the dread of the same Divinity, so as to fear to act wickedly,
and bends all its desires to arrive at eternal glory." In
which words holy Gregory declares this also, that St. Augus-
tine and his companions brought the English to receive the
truth, not only by the preaching of words, but also by show-
ing of heavenly signs. The holy Pope Gregory, among
other things, caused masses to be celebrated in the churches
of the apostles, Peter and Paul, over their bodies. And in
the celebration of masses, he added three phrases full of great
goodness and perfection : " And dispose our days in thy
peace, and preserve us from eternal danmation, and rank us
in the number of thy elect, through Christ our Lord."
He governed the church in the days of the Emperors
Mauritius and Phocas, but passing out of this life in the
second year of the same Phocas, he departed to the true life
which is in heaven. His body was buried in the church of
St. Peter the Apostle, before the sacristy, on the 4th day of
March, to rise one day in the same body in glory with the
rest of the holy pastors of the church. On his tomb was
written this epitaph :—r
'-; Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A.©. 605.] UFB or POPE GBBGOBT. 67
Earth ! take that body which at first you gare,
Till God again shall raise it from the grave.
His soul amidst the stars finds heavenly day ;
In vain the gates of darkness make essay
On him whose death but leads to life the way.
To the dark tomb, this prelate, though decreed,
Lives in all places by his pious deed.
Before his bounteous board pale Hunger fled ;
To warm the poor he fleecy garments spread ;
. And to secure their souls from Satan's power.
He taught by sacred precepts every hour.
Nor only taught ; but flrst th* example led.
Lived o'er his rules, and acted what he said.
To English Saxons Christian truth he taught.
And a believing flock to heaven he brought.
This was thy work and study, this thy care.
Offerings to thy Redeemer to prepare. \
For these to heavenly honours raised on high, ''
Where thy reward of labours ne'er shall die.
Nor is the account of St. Gregory, which has been handed
down to us by the tradition of our ancestors, to be passed by
in silence, in relation to his motives for taking such interest
in the salvation of our nation. It is reported, that some j
merchants, having just arrived at Rome on a certain day, !
exposed many things for sale in the market-place, and abun-
dance of people resorted thither to buy : Gregory himself
went with the rest, and, among other things, some boys were
set to sale, their bodies White, their countenances beautiful,
and their hair very fine. Having viewed them, he asked, as
is said, from what country or nation they were brought ? and
was told, from the island of Britain, whose inhabitants were
of such personal appearance. He again inquired whether
those islsmders were Christians, or still involved in the errors
of paganism ? and was informed that they were pagans.
Then fetching a deep sigh from the bottom of his heart,
" Alas ! what pity," said he, " that the author of darkness is
possessed of men of such fair countenances ; and that being
remarkable for such graceful aspects, their minds should l»
void of inward grace." He therefore again asked, what was
the name of that nation^ and was answered, that they were
called Angles. " Righ v said he " for they have an Angelic
face, and it becomes such to be co-heirs with the Angels in
heaven. What is the name," proceeded he, " of the province
from which they are brought ?" It waiigti^plied, that the
v2
68 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. CB.K.C1.
natives of that province were called Deiri. " Truly are they
De ira^ said he, " withdrawn from wrath, and called to the
mercy of Christ. How is the king of that province called T
They told him his name was JBlla ; and he, alluding to the
name, said, " Hallelujah, the praise of Grod the Creator must
be sung in those parts."
Then repairing to the bishop of the Roman apostolical see,*
(for he was not himself then made pope^) he entreated him to
send some ministers of the word into Britain to the nation of
the English, by whom it might be converted to Christ ; de-
claring himself ready to undertake that work, by the assist-
ance of God, if the apostolic pope should think fit to have it
so done. , Which not being then able to perform, because,
though the pope was willing to grant his request, yet the
citizens of Rome could not be brought to consent that so
noble, so renowned, and so learned a man should depart the
,CatyJ as soon as he was himself made pope, he perfected the
long-Hesired work,, sending other preachers, but himself Igr
his prayers and exhortations assisting the preaching, that it
might be successful^ . This account, as we have received it
from the ancients, we have thought fit to insert in our Eccle-
siastical History.
CHAP. n.
Augustine admonished the bishops of the Britons to Catholic peace and
unity f and to that effect wrought a heavenly miracle in their presence ;
and of the vengeance that pursued them for their contempt. [a.d. 603.]
In the meantime, Augustine, with the assistance of KingEthel-
bert, drew together to a conference the bishops, or doctors, d
the next province of the Britons, at a place which is to this
day called Augustine's Ac, that is, Augustine's Oak,f on the
borders of the Wiccii and West Saxons ; and began by brotherly
admonitions to persuade them, that preserving Catholic unity
with him, they should undertake the common labour of preach-
* Benedict I. Gregoiy was made bishop of Home, a.d. 590.
t The date of this synod is not accurately known : Florence of Wor-
cester gives A.D. 603 : Sigebert, a.d. 60*2 ; Spelman, a.d. 601 ; and Ran-
dolph of Chester, a.d. 599. It was held probably near Aust, formerly
called Austre Clive, Gloucestershire, near the site of the ancient VeeHe ii
the Romans. C^ r\r\ci\o
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A.D. 603.1 CONFEBSNCB AT AUGUSTINE'S OAK. 69
ing the Gospel to the Gentiles. For they did not keep Easter
Sunday at the proper time, but from the fourteenth to the
twentieth moon ; which computation is contained in a revo-
lulion of eighty-four years. Besides, they did several other
things which were against the unity of the church. When,
after a long disputation, they did not comply with the en-
treaties, exhortations, or rebukes of Augustine and his com-
panions, but preferred their own traditions before all the
churches in the world, which in Christ agree among them-
selves, the holy father, Augustine, put an end to this trouble-
some and tedious contention, saying, " Let us beg of God,
who causes those who are of one mind to live in his Father's
house, that he will vouchsafe, by his heavenly tokens, to de-
clare to us, which tradition is to be followed ; and by what
means we are to find our way to his heavenly kingdom. Let
jsome infirm person be brought, and let the faith and practice
of those, by whose prayers he shall be healed, be looked upon
as acceptable to God, and be adopted by aU.** The adverse
party imwillingly consenting, a blind man of the English
race was brought, who having been presented to the priests
of the Britons, found no benefit or cure from their ministry ;
at length, Augustine, compelled by real necessity, bowed his
kroes to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying that
the lost sight might be restored to the blind man, and by the
corporeal enlightening of one man, the light of spiritual grace
might be kindled in the hearts of many of the faithful. Im-
mediately the blind man received sight, and Augustine was
by all declared the preacher of the Divine truth. The
Britons then confessed, that it was the true way of righte-
ousness which Augustine taught ; but that they could not
depart from their ancient customs without the consent and
leave of their people. They therefore desired that a second
synod might be appointed, at which more of their number
would be present.
Thi3 being decreed, there came (as is asserted) seven*
Inshops of the Britons, and many most learned men, particu-
laily fr^m their most noble monastery, which, in the English
* Modem mii&n enumerate the seven sees, to which these hishops be-
longed : they are Worcester, Hereford, Chester, Bangor, St. Asaph's, Laa-
dim, mA Menem or St. David's, but there is not the slightest authority for
Digitized by V^OOQIC
70 BEDES SCCLESIA8TICAL HI8T0KT. [kilq.!.
tongue, is called Bancomborg,* over which the Abbat Dinooth
is said to hath presided at that time. Thej that were to go
to the aforesaid council, repaired first to a certain holy and
discreet man, who was wont to lead an eremitical life among
them, advising with him, whether they ought, at the preach-
ing of Augustine, to forsake their traditions. He answered,
"If he is a man of Grod, follow him." — " How shall we know
that T* said they. He replied, " Our Lord saith, Take my
yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in
heart ; if therefore, Augustine is meek and lowly of heart, it
is to be believed that he has taken upon him the yoke of
Christ, and offers the same to you to take upon you. But,
if he is stem and haughty, it appears that he is not of Grod,
nor are we to regard his words." They insisted again,
" And how shall we discern even this ?" — " Do you contrive,"
said the anchorite, " that he may first arrive with his com-
pany at the place where the synod is to be held ; and if at
your approach he shall rise up to you, hear him submissively,
being assured that he is the servant of Christ ; but if he
shall despise you, and not rise up to you, whereas you are
more in number, let him also be despis^ by you."
They did as he directed ; and it happened, that when they
came, Augustine was sitting on a chair, which they observing,
were in a passion, and charging him with pride, endeavoured
to contradict all he said. He said to them, ''You act in
many particulars contrary to our custom, or rather the
custom of the universal church, and yet, if you will comply
with me in these three points, viz. to keep Easter at the
due time; to administer baptism, by which we are again
bom to God, according to the custom of the holy Roman
Apostolic Church ; and jointly with us to preach the word of
Grod to the English nation, we will readily tolerate aU lie
other things you do, though contrary to our customs." They
answered they would do none of those things, nor receive
* This was the station Banchorium of Richard of Cirencester, and is
now called Bangor-Iscoed, Flintshire, to distmguish it from the city of
Bangor, in Camarvondiire. This monastery was one of the most emineqi
in Britain. William of Malmesbmy, who IdyeA shortly after the conquest,
says, there remained only in his time the footsteps of so great a p]ace,-«>
many ruinous churches, and such heaps of rubbish, as were haidly else-
where to be met with. See Gibson's Annotations to Camden'fe BritazudSy,
Flintshire. *'
Digitized by VjOOQIC
^».W^.] BAKOOBIAK SLAUGHTER. 71
him as their archbishop ; for they alleged among themselves,
that " if he would not now rise up to us, how much more
will he contemn us, as of no worth, if we shall begin to be
under his subjection ?" To whom the man of God, Augus-
tine, is said, in a threatening manner, to have foretold, that
in case they would not join in unity with their brethren,
they should be warred upon by their enemies ; and, if they
would not preach the way of life to the English nation, they
should at their hands undergo the vengeance of death. All
which, through the dispensation of the Divine judgment,
fell out exactly as he had predicted.
For afterwards the warlike king of the English, Ethelfrid,
of whom we have already spoken, having raised a mighty
army, made a very great slaughter of that perfidious nation,
at the City of Legi6ns, which by the English is called Lega-
cestir, but by the Britons more rightly Carlegion.* Being
about to give battle, he observed their priests, who were come
together to offer up their prayers to God for the soldiers,
standing apart in a place of more safety ; he inquired who
they were ? or what they came together to do in that place ?
Mo«t of them were of the monastery of Bangor, in which, it
is reported, there was so great a number of monks, that the
monastery being divided into seven parts, with a ruler over
each, none of those parts contained less than three hundred
men, who all lived by the labour of their hands. Many of
these, having observed a fast of three days, resorted among
others to pray at the aforesaid battle, having one Brocmail
appointed for their protector, to defend them whilst they
were intent upon their prayers, against the swords of the
barbarians. King Ethelfridf being informed of the occasion
of their coming, said, " If then they cry to their God against
us, in truth, though they do not bear arms, yet they fight
against us, because they oppose us by their prayers." He,
therefore, commanded them to be attacked first, and then
destroyed the rest of the impious army, not without consider-
able loss of his own forces. About twelve hundredf of those
* Chester, the Roman colony Deva, the work of the twentieth legion,
called Victrix.
t King of Northmnbria.
X The Saxon Chronicle (a.d. 607) mentions but two hundred. The
4eiiniction of the monastery of Bangor-Iscoed followed the massacre of its
72 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOKT^ lm.n.e.$.
that came to pray are said to have been killed, and only fifty
to have escaped by flight. ^ Brocmail turning his back with
his men, at the first approach of the enemy, left those whom
he ought to have ddended, unarmed and exposed to the
swords of the enemies. Thus was fulfilled the prediction of
the holy Bishop Augustine, though he himself had been long
before taken up into the heavenly kingdom ;* that those per-
fidious men should feel the vengeance of temporal death also,
because they had despised the ofier ot eternal salvation.
CHAP. m.
How Si. Augustine made Mellitus and Jtuttus bishops; and cf his death.
[A.D. 604.)
In the year of our Lord 604, Augustine, archbishop of Bri-
tain, ordained two bishops, viz. Mellitus and Justus ; Melli-
tus to preach to the province of the East-Saxons, who are
divided from Kent by the river Thames, and border on the
Eastern sea. Their metropolis is the city of London, which
is situated on the bank of the aforesaid river, and is the'
mart of many nations resorting to it by sea and land. At
that time, Sabert, nephew to Ethelbert by his sister Hicula,
reigned over the nation, though he was under subjection to
Ethelbert, who, as has been said above, had command over
all the nations of the English as far as the river Humber.
But when this province ^o received the word of truth, by
members, and the calamity must have caused a great diminution in the
number of the British clergy.
• Those who would throw the odium of this murder upon Augustine's
curse, make this passage to have been added to Bede some years after his
death, and it is certain the royal paraphraser has made no mention of his
death. Mr. Whelock and Dr. Smith assert it to be in all the ancient Latin
manuscripts they had seen. The time of this battle is placed by the Saxon
Annals in 607. Bishop Godwin asserts his seeing an instrument signed by
Augustine in 605, which Sir Henry Spelman proves spurious, no instru-
ments being used till 700. But the learned Mr. Wharton proves, beyond
dispute, St. Augustine's death to be in 604, which was long before this, if
we follow the Saxon Annals, which place it in 607 ; and very long before, if
we follow Archbishop Usher's and the Ulster Annals, which place it in
613; to this we may add Bede's authority, that Pope Gregory had obiits
said over him in the chinch at Canterbury; which plainly shows his death
to have been before that pope's. And though we find him in the next
chapter consecrating two bishops, this is frequent with Bede to go back-
wards for the series of every distinct part of his history, or to watk throiigh
• bujichofitatonce. D„zed.,Google
A.D e04.] DEATH OF ST. AUGU3TINB. 73
the preaching of Mellitus, King I^helbert built the church
of St. Paul, in the city of Londori, where he and his succes-
sors should have their episcopal see. As for Justus, Augus«
tine ordained him bishop in Kemt, at the city which the Eng-
lish nation named Rhofescestir/* from one that was formerly
the chief man of it, called R)i6f. It was almost twenty-four
miles distant from the city^f Canterbury to the westward,
and contains a church defeated to St. Aiidrew, the apostle.
King Ethelbert, who built it, bestowed many gifts on the
bishops of both those churches, as well as on that of Canter-
bury, adding lands and possessions for the use of those who
were with the bishops.
After this, the beloved of God, Father Augustine, died,
and his body was deposited without, close by the church of
the apostles, Peter and Paul, above spoken of, by reason that
the same was not yet finished, nor consecrated, but as soon
as it was dedicated,! the body was brought in, and decently
buried in the north porch thereof ; wherein also were in-
terred the bodies of all the succeeding archbishops, except
two only, Theodorus and Berthwald, whose bodies are with-
in that church, because the aforesaid porch could contain no
more. Almost in the midst of this church is an altar dedi-
cated in honour of the blessed Pope Gregory, at which every
Saturday their service is solemnly performed by the priest of
that place. On the tomb of the said Augustine is written
this epitaph : —
" Here rests the Lord Augustine, first archbishop of Can-
terbury, who, being formerly sent hither by the blessed Gre-
gory, bishop of the city of Rome, and by G^d*s assistance
supported with miracles, reduced King Ethelbert and his na-
• Now Rochester. A chapter of secular priests was first established
^ere, which was endowed by Ethelbert with a portion of land called Priest-
field, to the south of the city; he afterwards gave other parcels of land
within and without the walls of the city for its support — Dugdale's Mon-
tuHemy I 153.
t Which was in a.d. 613. The body of St. Augustine was afterwards
removed by Thomas Fyndon, the abbat, a.d. 1300, and placed near the
high altar in a sumptuous monument with this inscription :
Inclytus Anglorum Prsesul, plus, et decus altum.
Hie Augustinus requiescit corpore sanctus ;
Ad tumulum laudis Patris almi ductus amore
Abbas hunc tumulum Thomas dictavit honore.
Dugdale's Mimatt, i. 8U
■^ gitized byVljOOgle
74 BEDE's ECCLESIASTICAT. HISTORT. [b. n. a A.
lion from the worship of idols to the faith of Christ, and
having ended the days of his office in peace, died the 26th
daj of May, in the reign of the same long."
CHAP. IV.
LawefUitu and his bishops admonish the Scots to observe the unity qf the
Holy Churchy particularly in keeping of Easter ; Mellitus goes to
Rome, [A.D. 605.]
Laiirentius succeeded Augnstine in the hishopric, having
been ordained thereto by the latter, in his lifetime, lest, upon
his death, the state of the church, as yet unsettled, might
b^n to falter, if it should be destitute of a pastor, though
but for one hour. Wherein he also followed the example
of the first pastor of the church, that is, of the most blessed
prince of the apostles, Peter, who, having founded the
church of Christ at Rome, is said to have consecrated Cle-
ment his assistant in preaching the Grospel, and at the same
time his successor. Laurentius, being advanced to the de-
gree of an archbishop, laboured 'indefatigably, both by fre-
quent exhortations and examples of piety, to raise to perfec-
tion the foundations of the church, which had been so nobly
laid. In short, he not only took care of the new church
formed among the English, but endeavoured also to employ
his pastoral solicitude among the ancient inhabitants of Bri-
tain, as also the Scots, who inhabit the island of Ireland,
which is next to Britain. For when he understood that the
course of life and profession of the Scots in their aforesaid
country, as well as of the Britons in Britain, was not truly
ecclesiastical, especially that they did not celebrate the
solemnity of Easter at the due time, but thought that the
day of the resurrection of our Lord was, as has been said
above, to be celebrated between the 14th and 20th of the,
moon ; he wrote, jointly with his fellow bishops, an exhort-
atory epistle, entreating and conjuring them to observe unity
of peace, and conformity with the church of Christ spread
throughout the world. The beginning of which epistle is
as follows : —
" To our most dear brotherSy the lords bishops and abbots
throughout all Scotlandy* Laurentius, MelUtuSy and Justus^
* Ireland. See ante, page ^* ^ t
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A.©. 605-^10.] MELLirUS GOES TO HOME. 75
servants of the servants of God. When the apostolic see,
according to the universal custom which it has followed
elsewhere, sent us to these western parts to preach to pagan
nations, we came into this island, which is called Britain,
without possessing any previous knowledge of its inhabit-
ants. We held both the Britons and Scots in great esteem
for sanctity, believing that they had proceeded according to
the custom of the universal church ; but coming acquainted
with the errors of the Britons, we thought the Scots had
been better ; but we have been informed by Bishop Dagan,*
coming into this aforesaid island, and the Abbat Columbanus f
in France, that the Scots in no way differ from the Britons
in their behaviour ; for Bishop Dagan coming to us, not only
refused to eat with us, but even to take his repast in th^
same house where we were entertained."
The same Laurentius and his fellow bishops wrote a letter
to the priests of the Britons, suitable to his rank, by which
he endeavoured to confirm them in Catholic unity ; but
what he gained by so doing the present times still declare.
About this time, Mellitus, bishop of London, went to
Rome, to confer with Pope Boniface about the necessary
affairs of the English church. And the same most reverend
pope, assembling a synod of the bishops of Italy, to prescribe
orders for the life and peace of the monks, Mellitus also sat
among them, in the eighth year of the reign of the Emperor
Fhocas, the thirteenth indiction, on the 27th of February, to
the end that he also by his authority might confirm such
things as should be regularly decreed, and at his return into
Britain might carry the same to the churches of the English,
to be prescribed and observed ; together with letters which
the same pope sent to the beloved of God, Archbishop Lau-
rentius, and to all the clergy ; as likewise to King Ethelbert
and the English nation. This pope was Boniface, who came
fourth after Pope Gregory, and who obtained of the Empe-
ror Phocas that the temple called by the ancients Pantheon^
as representing all the gods, should be given to the Church
of Christ ; wherein he, having purified it from contamina-
* Dagan is said to have come fit)m the monasteiy of Banchor, Ireland,
and was bishop to the Scots. Bale says, he wrote a book on the British
cHurches.
f Colmnbanus was the founder of monasteries in France>aDd It^. • j
Digitized by VwjOOQIc
tf) BEDS*S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. [b. it. c 5.
tion, dedicated a church to the holy mother of Grod, and to
all Christ's martyrs, to the end that, the devils being ex-
cluded, the blessed company of the saints might have therein
a perpetual memorial
CHAP. V.
How^ after the death of the Icings Ethelbert and Sdbert, their successors
restored idolatry ; for which reason, both Meliitus and Justus departed
out of Britain, [a.d. 616.]
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 616, which is the
twenty-first year after Augustine and his companions were
sent to preach to the English nation, Ethelbert, king of Kent^
having most gloriously governed his temporal kingdom fi^y-
six years, entered into the eternal joys of the kingdom which
is heavenly. He was the third of the English kings that
had the sovereignty* of all the southern provinces that are
divided from the northern by the river Humber, and the
borders contiguous to the same ; but the first of the kings
that ascended to the heavenly kingdom. The first who had
the like sovereignty was Elli, king of the South- Saxons ;
the^ second, Celin, king of the West- Saxons, who, in their
own language, is called Ceaulin ; the third, as has been said,
was Ethelbert, king of Kent ; the fourth was Hedwald,king
of the East- Angles, who, whilst Ethelbert lived, had been
subservient to him. The fifth was Edwin, king of tlj^e na-
tion of the Northumbrians, that is, of those who live on the
north side of the river Humber, who, with great power,
commanded all the nations, as well of the English as of l^e
Britons who inhabit Britain, except only the people of Kent,
and he reduced also under the dominion of the English, the
Mevanian Islands f of the Britons, lying between Ireland and
Britain ; the sixth was Oswald, the most Christian king of
the Northumbrians, who also had the same extent under his
command ; the seventh, Oswy, brother to the former, held
the same dominions for some time, and for the most part
subdued and made tributary the nations of the Picts and
Scots, which possess the northern parts of Britain : but of
these hereafter.
King Ethelbert died on the 24th day of the month of
* As Bretwalda, or pAnunount sovereigiu t Anglesea and "ilUau
^ Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A.D. 616.] DEATH OF KING ETHBLBERT. 77
February, twenty-one years after he had received the faith,
and was buried in St. Martin's porch within the church of the
blessed apostles Peter and Paul, where also lies his queen,
Bertha. Among other benefits which he conferred upon the
nation, he also, by the advice of wise persons,* introduced
judicial decrees, after the Eoman model ; which, being writ-
ten in English, are still kept and observed by them. Among
which, he in the first place set down what satisfaction should
be given by those who should steal anything belonging to
the church, the bishop, or the other clergy, resolving to give
protection to those whose doctrine he had embraced.
This Ethelbert was the son of Irminric, whose father was
Octa, whose father was. Orric, surnamed Oisc, from whom
the kings of Kent are wont to be called Oiscings. His
father was Hengist, who, being invited by Vortigem, first
came into Britain, with his son Oisc, as has been said above.
But aft;er the death of Ethelbert, the accession of his son
Eadbald proved very prejudicial to the new church ; for he
not only refused to embrace the faith of Christ, but was also
defiled with such a sort of fornication, as the apostle testifies,
was not heard of, even among the Gentiles ; for he kept his
father's wife. By both which crimes he gave occasion to
those to return to their former uncleanness, who, under his
father, had, either for favour, or through fear of the king,
submitted to the laws of faith and chastity. Nor did the
perfidious king escape without Divine punishment and cor-
rection ; for he was troubled with frequent fits of madness,
and possessed by an evil spirit. This confusion was in-
creased by the death of Sabert, king of the East Saxons, who
departing to the heavenly kingdom, left three sons, still
pagans, to inherit his temporal crown. They immediately
began to profess idolatry, which, during their father's reign,
they had seemed a little to abandon, and they granted free
lib^y to the people under their government to serve idols.
And when they saw the bishop, whilst celebrating mass in
the church, give the eucharist to the people, they, puffed up
with barbarous foUy, were wont, as it is reported, to say to
him, " Why do you not give us also that white bread, which
you used to give to our fiither Saba, (for so they used to eall
* The Witena-Gemoty th6 legisIatiTe and supreme judidal assembly.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
78 bede's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. [b. n. c. 6.
him,) and which you still continue to give to the people in
the church ?" To whom he answered, " If you will be
washed in that laver of salvation, in which your father was
washed, you may also partake of the holy bread of which he
partook ; but if you despise the laver of life, you may not
receive the bread of life." They replied, " We will not enter
into that laver, because we do not know that we stand in
need* of it, and yet we will eat of that bread." And being
often earnestly admonished by him, that the same could not
be done, nor any one admitted to partake of the sacred obla-
tion without the holy cleansing, at last, they said in anger,
" If you will not comply with us in so small a matter as that
is which we require, you shall not stay in our province."
And accordingly they obliged him and his followers to de-
part from their kingdom. Being forced from thence, he came
into Kent, to advise with his fellow bishops, Laurentius and
Justus, what was to be done in that case ; and it was unani-
mously agreed, that it was better for them aU to return to their
own country, where they might serve God in freedom, than
to continue without any advantage among those barbarians,
who had revolted from the faith. Mellitus and Justus
accordingly went away first, and withdrew into France, de-
signing there to await the event of things. But the kings,
who had driven from them the preacher of the truth, did not
continue long unpunished in their heathenish worship. For
marching out to battle against the nation of the Gewissae,*
they were all slain with their army. However, the people,
having been once turned to wickedness, though the authors
of it were destroyed, would not be corrected, nor return to
the unity of faith and charity which is in Christ.
CHAP. VI.
Laurentius, being reproved by the aposiie, converts KingEadbaldto Christ;
Mellitus and Justus are recalled, [a.d. 616.]
Laurentius, being about to follow Mellitus and Justus, and
to quit Britain, ordered his bed to be laid the night before in
the church of the blessed apostles, Peter and Paul, which has
been often mentioned before ; wherein having laid himself to
• West Saxons.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A.D.610.J MELLITUS AND JUSTUS RECALLED. 79
take some rest, after he had poured out many prayers and
tears to God for the state of the church, he fell asleep ; in
the dead of night, the blessed prince of the apostles appeared
to hiTTij and scourging him a long time with apostoUcal^
severity, asked of him, "Why he would forsake the flock ^
which he had committed to him ? or to what shepherds he
would commit Christ's sheep that were in the midst of wolves ?
Have you," said he, " forgotten my example, who, for the
sake of those little ones, whom Christ recommended to me in
token of his affection, underwent at the hands of infldels and
enemies of Christ, bonds, stripes, imprisonment, afflictions,
and lastly, the death of the cross, that I might at last be
crowned with him ?" Laurentius, the servant of Christ,
being excited by these words and stripes, the very next morn-
ing repaired to the king, and taking off his garment, showed
the scars of the stripes which he had received. The king,
astonished, asked, ** Who had presumed to give such stripes
to so great a man ?" And was much frightened when he
heard that the bishop had suffered so much at the hands of
the apostle of Christ for his salvation. Then abjuring the
worship of idols, and renouncing his unlawful marriage, he
embraced the faith of Christ, and being baptized, promoted
the affairs of the church to the utmost of his power.
He also sent over into France, and recalled Mellitus and ^
Justus, and commanded them freely to return to govern their
churches, which they accordingly did, one year after their
departure. Justus, indeed, returned to the city of Rochester,
where he had before presided ; but the Londoners would not
receive Bishop Mellitus, choosing rather to be under their
idolatrous high priests ; for King Eadbald had not so much
authority in the kingdom as his father, nor was he able to
restore the bishop to his church against the will and consent
of the pagans. . But he and his nation, after his conversion
to our Lord, diligently followed the Divine precepts. Lastly,
he built the church of the holy Mother of God,* in the monas-
tery of the most blessed prince of the apostles, which was
afterwards consecrated by Archbishop Mellitus.
• Eadbald, besides building St. Mary's chapel, endowed it with the
manor of Northboume. This chapel was taken down by the abbat Scot-
laud in the time of Lanfianc, and a new and more splendid church erected
in its place. 7%om, col. 17^8 Digitized by Google
80 bede's ecclesiastical histobt. [B.ii.<jsr.
CHAP. vn.
BUhop Mellitua by prayer quenches afire in his city. [a.d. 619.]
In this king's reign, the holy Archbishop Laurentius wm
taken up to the heavenly kingdom : he was buried in the
church and monastery of the holy Apostle Peter, close by his
predecessor Augustine, on the 2nd day of the month of
February. Mellitus, who was bishop of London, was the
third archbishop of Canterbury from Augustine ; Justus, who
was still living, governed the church of Rochester. These
ruled the church of the English with much industry and
labour, and received letters of exhortation from Boni^ice,
bishop of the Eoman apostolic see, who presided over the
church after Deusdedit, in the year of our Lord 619. Melli-
tus laboured under an infirmity of body, that is, the gout ;
but his mind was sound, cheerfully passing over all earthly
things, and always aspiring to love, seek, and attain to those
which are celestial He was noble by birth, but much nobler
in mind.
In short, that I may give one testimony of his virtue, by
which the rest may be guessed at. it happened once that the
city of Canterbury, being by carelessness set on fire, was in
danger of being consumed by the spreading conflagration ;
water was thrown over the fire in vain ; a considerable part
of the city was already destroyed, and the fierce flame ad-
vancing towards the bishop, when he, confiding in the
Divine assistance, where human failed, ordered himself to be
carried towards the raging fire, that was spreading on every
side. The church of the four crowned Martyrs was in the
place where the fire raged most. The bishop being carried
thither by his servants, the sick man averted the danger by
prayer, which a number of strong men had not been able to
perform by much labour. Immediately, the wind, which
blowing from the south had spread the conflagration through-
out the city, turning to the north, prevented the destracti<ja
of those places that had lain in its way, and then ceasing
entirely, the flames were immediately extinguished. And
thus the man of God, whose mind was inflamed with the
fire of Divine charity, and who was wont to drive away the
powers of tiie air by his frequent prayersi from doing haim
Digitized by V^OOQlC
#A «M.^ Boniface's epistle to justus. 81
to himself, or his people, was deservedly allowed to prevail
over the worldly winds and flames, and to obtain that they
should not injure lum or his.
This archbishop also, having ruled the church five years,
departed to heaven in the reign of King Eadbald, and was
huried with his predecessors in the monastery and church,
which we have so often mentioned, of the most blessed prince
(rfthe apostles, in the year of our Lord's incarnation 624, on
the 24th day of April
CHAP. vnL
! Pope Boniface sends the Pall and an Epistle to JustuSy successor to
Mellitus. [LD. 624.]
Justus, bishop of Eochester, immediately succeeded Mellitus
in the archbishopric. He consecrated Romanus bishop of
liat see in his own stead, having obtained leave of ordaining
bishops from Pope Boniface, whom we mentioned above to
have been successor to Deusdedit : of which licence this is
, the form :
" Bonifctcey to his most beloved brother Justus, Not only
the contents of your letter, but the perfection which your
work has obtamed, has informed us how devoutly and
diligently you have laboured, my brother, for the Gospel of
Christ ; for Almighty God has not forsaken either the
mystery of his name, or the fruit of your labours, having
hizDself faithfully promised to the preachers of the Gospel,
*Lo ! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world ;'
which promise his mercy has particularly manifested in this
ministry of yours, opening the hearts of nations to receive
the mystery of your preaching. For he has enlightened the
acceptable course of your endeavours, by the approbation of
his grace ; granting a plentiful increase to your faithful
management of the talents committed to you, and which you
may secure for many generations. This is by that reward
oonferred on you, who, constantly adhering to the ministry
enjoined you, with laudable patience await the redemption of
that nation, whose salvation is set on foot that they may
profit by your merits, our Lord himself saying, * He that
perseveres to the end shall be saved.' You are, therefore,
saved by the hope of patience, and the virtue of endurance^
82 BEDE'S ecclesiastical HISTOBT. [B.ii.c.fL
to the end that the hearts of infidels, being cleansed from
their natural and superstitious disease, might obtain the
mercy of their Redeemer : for having received the letters of
our son Ethelwald, we perceive with how much knowledge
of the sacred word your mind, my brother, has brought over
his mind to the belief in real conversion and the true fait^
Therefore, firmly confiding in the long-suffering of the
Divine clemency, we believe there will, through the ministry
of your preachu]^, ensue most full salvation not <mly of the
nations subject to him, but also of those that neighbour round
about ; to the end, that as it is written, the reward of a perfect
work may be conferred on you by our Lord, the giver of all
good things ; and that the universal confession of all nations,
having received the mystery of the Christian faith, may
declare, that their * Sound went into all the earth, and their
words unto the ends of the world.'
" We have also, my brother, encouraged by zeal for what
is good, sent you by the bearer of these, the pall, which we
have only given leave to use in the celebration of the sacred
mysteries ; granting you likewise to ordain bishops when ,
thare shall be occasion, through the mercy of our Lord ; that
so the Grospel of Christ, by the preaching of many, may be
spread abroad in all the nations that are not yet converted.
You must, therefore, endeavour, my brother, to preserve with
unblemished sincerity of mind that which you have received
through the favour of the Apostolic See, as an emblem
whereof you have obtained so principal an ornament to be
borne on your shoulders. And make it your business, im-
ploring the Divine goodness, so to behave yourself^ that you
may present before the tribunal of the Supreme Judge that
is to come, the rewards of the favour granted you, not with
guiltiness, but with the benefit of souls.
" Gk)d preserve you in safety, most dear brother P
CHAP. IX.
The reign of King Edwin^ and how Paulinus, coming to preach the goepei,
first converted his daughter and others to the faith of Christ, [a.d. 625.]
At this time the nation of the Northumbrians, that is, the
nation of the Angles that live on the north side of the river
Humber, with their king, Edwin, received the faith through
Digitized by VjOOQIC
A. s. 62ff.] IfAKBIAGE OF EDWIK AKD BTHELBSBGA. 88
the preacliing of Panlintis, abovementioned. This Edwin,
as a reward of his receiving the faith, and as an earnest of
his share in the heavenly kingdom, received an increase of
that which he enjoyed an. earth, for he reduced under his
dominion all the borders of Britain that were provinces
eitiier of the aforesaid nation, or of the Britons, a thing
which no British king had ever done before ; and he in like
manner subjected to the English the Mevanian islands, as
has been said above. The first whereof, which is to the
southward, is the largest in extent, and most fruitful, con-
taining nine hundred and ^ixty families, according to the
English computation ; the other above three hundred.
The occasion of this nation's embracing the faith was,
their aforesaid king, being allied to the kings of Kent, hav-
ing taken to wife Ethelberga, otherwise called Tate, daughter
to £ing Ethelbert. He having by his ambassadors asked
her in marriage of her brother- Eadbald, who then reigned
in Kent, was answered, " That it was not lawful to marry a
CHristian virgin to a pagan husband, lest the faith and the
mysteries of the heavenly King should be profaned by her
cohabiting with a king that was altogether a stranger to the
worship of the true Grod." This answer being brought to
Edwin by his messengers, he promised in no manner to act
in opposition to the Christian faith, which the virgin pro-
fessed ; but would give leave to her, and aU that went with
her, men or women, priests or ministers, to follow their faith
and worship after the custom of the Christians. Nor did he
deny, but liiat he would embrace the same religion, if, being
examined by wise persons, it should be found more holy
and more worthy of Grod.
Hereupon the virgin was promised, and sent to Edwin,
and pursuant to what had been agreed on, Faulinus, a man
beloved of God, was ordained bishop, to go with her, and by
daily exhortations, and celebrating the heavenly mysteries, to
confirm her and her company, lest they should be corrupted
by the company of the pagans. Faulinus was ordained bishop
by the Archbishop Justus, on the 21st day of July, in the
year of our Lord 625y and so he came to King Edwin with
the aforiesaid virgin as a companion of their union in the fiesh.
But his mind was wholly bent upon reducing the nation to
which he was sent to the knowledge of tnithggecording
g2
S4 BEDE's ecclesiastical mSTORT. • lB.tLC,9.
to the words of the apostle, " To espouse her to one husband,
that he might present her as a chaste virgin to Christ."
Being come into that province, he laboured much, not only
to retain those that went with him, by the help of Grod, that
they should not revolt from the faith, but, if he could, to
convert some of the pagans to a state of grace by his preach-
ing. But, as the apostle ^ys, though he laboured long in
the word, "The god of this world blinded the minds of
them that believed not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel
of Christ should shine unto them."
The next year there came into the province a certain
assassin, called Eumer, sent by the king of the West-Saxons,
whose name was Cuichelm, in hopes at once to deprive King
Edwin of his kingdom and his life. He had a two-edged
dagger, dipped in poison, to the end, that if the wound were
not sufficient to kill the king, it might be performed by the
venom. He came to the king on ^e first day of Easter, at
the river Derwent, where then stood the regal city,* and be-
ing admitted as if to deliver a message from his master, whilst
he was in an artful manner delivering his pretended em-
bassy, he started on a sudden, and drawing the dagger from
under his garment, assaulted the king ; which Lilla, the
king's beloved minister, observing, having no buckler at hand
to secure the king from death, interposed his own body to
receive the stroke ; but the wretch struck so home, that he
wounded the king through the knight's body. Being then
attacked on aU sides with swords, he in that confusion also
dew another soldier, whose name was Forthhere.
On that same holy night of Easter Sunday, the queen had
|)rought forth to the king a daughter, called Eanfled. The
king, in the presence of Bishop Paulinus, gave thanks to his
gods for the birth of his daughter ; and the bishop, on the
other hand, returned thanks to Christ, and endeavoured to
persuade the king, that by his prayers to him he had obtained
that the queen should bring forth the child in safety, and
without much pain. The king, delighted with his words,
promised, that in case God would grant him life and yicUxrj
* Supposed to be near the Roman city Derrentione, on the Derwent,
near Stamford Bridge, between seven and eight miles from York. It ii
now a village called Alby, u e. the old habitation, and near it are the mini
4f£ an ancient caade. „g,,,, ,^ Google
A.D.fl25.] LETTER OP POPE BOKIFACE IV. 86
over the king by whom the assassin had been sent, he would
cast off his idols, and serve Christ ; and as a pledge that he
would perform his promise, he delivered up that same daugh-
ter to Paulinus, to be consecrated to Christ She was the
first baptized of the nation of the Northumbrians, on Whit-
sunday, with twelve others of her family.* At that time, the
king, being recovered of the wound wbach he had received,
marched with his army against the nation of the West-
Saxons ; and having begun the war, either slew or subdued
all those that he had been informed had conspired to murder
him. Returning thus victorious into his own country, he would
not immediately and unadvisedly embrace the mysteries of
the Christian faith, though he no longer worshipped idols,
ever since he made the promise that he would serve Christ ;
but thought fit first at leisure to be instructed, by the vener-
able Paidinus, in the knowledge of faith, and to confer with
such as he knew to be the wisest of his prime men, to ad-
vise what they thought was fittest to be done in that case.
And being a man of extraordinary sagacity, he often sat
alone by hinoiself a long time, silent as to his tongue, but de-
liberating in his heart how he should proceed, and which
religion he should adhere to.
CHAP. X.t
Pope Boniface, by letter , exhorts the same king to embrace the faith,
[A.D. 625.]
At this time he received letters from Pope Boniface [IV.] ex-
horting him to embrace the faith, which were as follows : —
COPY OP THE LETTER OF THE HOLT AND APOSTOLIC POPE OP
THE CHUBCH OP BOME, BONIFACE, TO THE GLOBIOUS EDWIN,
KING OF THE ENGLISH.
'^ To the iUustrious Echmn^ king of the Englishy Bishop
Bonifacey the servant of the servants of God. Although the
power of the Supreme Deity cannot be expressed by human
speech, as consisting in its own greatness, and in invisible
* The Saxon Chronicle mentions no number. Matthew Paiis sajs
thirty ; but several manuscripts of Bede have twelve.
t This and the following chapter should have been placed before the for-
mer^which takes in the year 626 ; for Pope Boni&ce died on October 22,625.
86 BSDB's BOCLESUfinCAI. mSTOBY. [B.ILC.10L
and nBsearciiable etermtj, so that no sharpness of wit can
comprehend or express it ; jet in r^ard that the goodness
of God, to give some noticm of itsdii^ having <^peaed the
doors of the heart, has merdfuUj, hj secret inspiration, in-
fused into the minds of men such tilings as he is willing
shall be declared concerning hims^, we have thought fit to
extend our priestlj care to make known to jou llie fulness of
the Christian faith ; to the end that, informing you of the
Gospel of Christ, which our Saviour commanded should be
preached to all nadons, thej might <^er to you the cup of
life and salvation.
** Thus the goodness of the Supreme Mi^ty, whi<^ by
the word of his command, made and created all things, the
heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, disposing
the order by which they should subsist, hath, with the coun-
sel of his co*«temal Word, and the unity of the Holy Spirit^
formed man aft^ his own lik^iess, out <^ the slime of the
eartii ; and granted him «ich siqpereminent prerogative^ ae
to place him above all others ; so that, observing tiie com-
mand which was given him, his continuance should be to
eternity. This Grod, — ^Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, which
is an undivided Trinity, — mankind, from the east unto the
west, by confession of faith to the saving of .their souls, do
worship and adore, as the Creator of aU things, and their
pwn Maker ; to whom also the heights of empire, and the
powers of the world, are subject, because the bestowal of all
kingdoms is granted by his disposition. It hath pleased
^jm, ther^ore, of his great mercy, and for the greater bene*
fit of all his creatures, by his Holy Spirit wonderfully to
kindle the cold hearts also of the nations seated at the extre-
mities of the earth in the knowledge of himself.
*'For we suppose your excellency has, from the country
fying so near, fully understood what the clemency of our
Kedeemer has effected in the enlightening of our glcnious
son, Eing Eadbald, and the nations under his suligeetion ;
we tiierefore trust, with assured confidence of celestuil ho^e,
that his wonderful gift will be also conferred on yon ; since
we understand that your illustrious consort, which is known
to be a part of your body, is illuminated with the reward of
eternity, through the regeneraticm of holy baptism. We
have, tiierefore, taken care by these presently with all po»»
Digitized by V^jOOQIC
AA.m.1 XJDTTSB OF POPE BONIFACE IV. 87
sible auction, to exhort your illuBtrious selves, that, abhor-
ring idols and their worship, and contemning the follies of
temples, and the deceitful flatteries of auguries, 70U believe
in God the Father Almighty, and his Son Jesus Christ, and
the Holy Ghost, to the end that, being discharged from the
bonds of captivity to the Devil, by believing you may,
^ough the co-operating power of tiie holy and undivided
Trinity, be partaker of the eternal life.
" How great guilt they lie under, who adhere to the per-
nidous superstitions and worship of idolatry, appears by ^e
examples of the perdition of those whom they worship.
Wherefore it is said g£ them by the Psalmist, ^ Ail the gods
of the Gentiles are devils, but the Lord made the heavens.*
And again, they have eyes and do not see^ they have ears
and do not hear, they have noses and do not smell, they
have hands and do not feel, they have feet and do not walk.
Therefore they are like those that confide in them.' For
how can they have any power to yield assistance, that are
made for you out of corruptible matter, by the hands of
your inferiors and subjects, to wit, on whom you have by
human art bestowed an inanimate similitude of members ?
Who, unless they be moved by you, will not be able to walk ;
but, like a stone fixed in one place, being so formed, and
having no understanding, but absorbed in insensibility, have
no power of doing harm or good. We cannot, therefore,
upon mature deliberation, find out how you come to be so
deceived as to follow and worship those gods, to whom you
yourselv^have given the likeness of a body.
" It behoves you, therefore, by taking upon you the sign
of the holy cross, by which the human race is redeemed, to
root out of your hearts aU those arts and cunning of the
I>evil, who is ever jealous of the works of the divine good-
ness, and to lay hold and break in pieces those which you
have hitherto made your material gods. For the very de-
struction and abolition of these, which could never receive
life or sense from their makers, may plainly demonstrate to
you how worthless they were which you till then had
worshipped, when you yourselves, who have received life
fi^<Mn the Lord, are certainly better than they, as Almighty
God has appointed you to be descended, after many ages and
tinrough many generations^ from the first ma^^hom he
88 BM>£'S ECCLESIASTIGAX HISTOBT. [b. n. o. II.
formed. Draw near, then, to the knowledge of Him who
created you, who breathed the breath of life into you, who
sent his only-b^otten Son for your redemption, to cleanse
you from original sin, that being delivered from the power
of the Devil's wickedness. He might bestow on you a
heavenly reward.
" Hear the words of the preachers, and the Grospel of
God, which they declare to you, to the end that, believing,
as has been said, in God the Father Almighty, and in Jesus
Christ his Son, and the Holy Ghost, and the indivisible
Trinity, having put to flight the sensualities of devils, and
driven from you the suggestions of the venomous and deceit-
ful enemy, and being bom again by water and the Holy
Ghost, you may, through his assistance and bounty, dwell
in the brightness of eternal glory with Him in whom you shall
believe. We have, moreover, sent you the blessing of your
protector, the blessed Peter, prince of the apostles, that is,
a shirt, with one gold ornament, and one garment of Ancyra,
which we pray your highness to accept with the same good-
will as it is friendly intended by us."
CHAP. XL
Pope Boniface advises Queen Ethelberga to use her best endeavours for
the salvation of her consort^ King Edwin, [a.d. 625.]
The same pope also wrote to King Edwin's consort, Ethel-
berga, to this effect : —
THE COPT OP THE LETTEB OF THE MOST BLESSED AND APOS-
TOLIC BONIFACE, POPE OF THE CITY OF BOME, TO ETHEt-
BERGA, KING EDWIN's QUEEN.
" To the illustrious lady his daughter. Queen Ethelberga,
Boniface, bishop, servant of the servants of God: The
goodness of our Bedeemer has with much providence
offered the means of salvation to the human race, which he
rescued, by the shedding of his precious blood, from the
bonds of captivity to the Devil ; so that making his name
known in divers ways to the Gentiles, they might acknow-
ledge their Creator by embracing the mystery of the Chris-
tian faith, which thing, the mystical purification of your
regeneration plainly shows to have been bestowed upon the
A.D.625.: L£TTEB OF BOKIFACE TO ETHELBEBGA. 89
tnind of your highness by Grod's bounty. Our mind, there-
fore, has been much rejoiced in the benefit of our Lord's
goodness, for that he has vouchsafed, in your conversion, to
kindle a spark of the orthodox religion, by which he might
the more easily inflame in his love the imAerstanding, not
only of your glorious consort, but also of all the nation that
is subject to you.
"For we have been informed by those, who came to
acquaint us with the laudable conversion of our illustrious
son. King Eadbald, that your highness, also, having received
th^ wonderful sacrament of the Christian faith, continually
excels in the performance of works pious and acceptable to
God. That you likewise carefully refrain from the worship
of idols, and the deceits of temples and auguries, and having
changed your devotion, are so wholly taken up with the love
of your Redeemer, as never to cease lending your assistance
for the propagation of the Christian faith. And our fatherly
charity having earnestly inquired concerning your illustrious
husband, we were given to understand, that he still served
abominable idols, and would not yield obedience or give ear
to the voice of the preachers. This occasioned us no small
grief, for that part of your body still remained a stranger to
the knowledge of the supreme and undivided Tnnity.
Whereupon we, in our fatherly care, did not delay to ad-
monish your Christian highness, exhorting you, that, with
the help of the Divine inspiration, you will not defer to do
that which, both in season and out of season, is required of
us ; that with the co-operating power of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, your husband also may be added to
the number of Christians ; to the end that you may
thereby enjoy the rights of marriage in the bond of a holy
and unblemished union. For it is written, * They two shall
be in one flesh.' How can it be said, that there is unity
between you, if he continues a stranger to the brightness
of your feith, by the interposition of dark and detestable
error ?
" Wherefore, applying yourself continually to prayer, do not
cease to beg of the Divine Mercy the benefit of his illumina-
tion ; to the end, that those whom the union of carnal aflec-
tion has made in a manner but one body, may, after death,
continue in perpetual union, by the bond of fakh. P^ist,
90 KU>£'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. tB.ii.cl2.
therefore, illustrious daughter, and to the utmost of your .
povrer endeavour to soften the hardness of his heart by in-
sinuating the Divine precepts ; making him sensible how
noble the mystery is which you have received by believing,
and how wonderful is the reward which, by the new birti,
you have merited to obtain. Inflame the coldness of his
heart by the knowledge of the Holy Ghost, that by the
abolition of the cold and pernicious worship of paganism, the
heat of Divine faith may enlighten his understanding through
your frequent exhortations ; that the testimony of the holy
Scripture may appear the more conspicuous, fulfilled by you,
* The unbelieving husband shall be saved by the believing
wife.' For to this effect you have obtained the mercy of our
Lord's goodness, that you may return with increase the fruit
oi faitl^ and the benefits entrusted in your hands ; for
through the assistance of His mercy we do not cease with
frequent prayers to beg that you may be able to p^orm the
same.
" Having premised thus much, in pursuance of the duty
of our fatherly affection, we exhort you, that when the
opportunity of a bearer shall offer, you will as soon as possible
acquaint us with the success which the Divine Power shall
grant by your means in the conversion of your consort, and
of the nation subject to you ; to the end, that our solicitude,
which earnestly expects what appertains to the salvation of
you and yours, may, by hearing from you, be set at rest ; and
that we, discerning more fully the brightness of the Divine
propitiation diffused in you, may with a joyful confession
abundantly return due thanks to Grod, the Giver of all good
things, and to St. Peter, the prince of .apostles. We have,
moreover, sent you the blessing of your protector, St. Peter,
the prince of the apostles, that is, a silver looking-glass, and
a gilt ivory comb, which we entreat your glory wOl receive
with the same kind affection as it is known to be sent by ns."
^ CHAP. xn.
Kinff Edwin is persuaded to believe by a vision which he had seen when
he was in exile, [BEFoas a.d. 625.]
Thus the aforesaid Pope Boniface wrote for the salvation, of
King Edwin and his nation. But a heavenlv vision, which
Digitized by CjOOQ It
AJ>.«e.l V VISION OP KING ICDWIN. 91
the Divine Mercy was pleased once to reveal to this king,
when he was in banishment at the court of Redwald, king of
the Angles,* was of no little use in urging liim to embrace
and understand the doctrines of salvation. Paulinas, there-
fore, perceiving that it was a very difficult task to incline the
king's lofty mind to the humility of the way of salvation,
«nd to embrace the mystery of the cross of Hfe, and at the
same time using both eiiiortation with men, and prayer to
God, for his and his subjects' salvation ; at length, as we may^
suppose, it was shown him in spirit what was the vision that
had been formerly revealed to the king. Nor did he lose
any time, but immediatdy admonished the king to perform
the vow which he made, when he received the oracle, pro-
mising to put &e same in execution, if he was delivered
fix>m the trouble he was at that time under, and should be
advanced to the throne.
The vision was this. When EthelMd, his predecessor,
was persecuting him, he for many years wandei^ in a pri-
vate manner through several places and kingdoms, and at
last came to Redwald, beseeching liim to give Mm protection
against the snares of his powerful persecutor. Bedwald
willingly admitted him, and promised to perform what he
reque^^d. But whai Ethelfrid understood that he had
appeared in that province, and that he and his companions
were hoi^itably entertained by Bedwald, he sent messengers
to off^ that king a great sum of money to murder him, but
without e£fect He sent a second and a third time, bidding
more and more eaeh time, and threatening to make war on
him if he refused. Redwald, either terrified by his threats,
or gained by his gifts^ complied with his request, and promised
either to kill Edwin, or to deliv^ him up to the ambassadors.
This being observed by a trusty friend of his, be went into
his chamber, whare he was going to bed, lor it was the
first hour of the night ; and calling him out, Uncovered what
the king had promised to do with him, adding, ^ K, there-
fore, you think fit, I will this very hour conduct you out of
Ibis province^ and lead you to a place where neither Bedwald
* Redwald, was king of East Anglia, which included Norfolk, Suffolk,
Cambridge, and part of BedfordBhire. He was the fourth Bietwaida, and
raigned a.d. 617—638. Digitized by Google
92 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. [B.n.clt.
nor Ethelfrid shall ever find you." He answered, " I tbank
you for your good will, yet I cannot do what you propose,
or be guilty of breaking the compact I have made with so
great a king, when he has done me no harm, nor offered me
any injury ; but, on the contrary, if I must die, let it rather
be by his hand than by that of any meaner person. For
whither shall I now fly, when I have for so many years
been a vagabond through all the provinces of Britain, to
escape the hands of my enemies ?" His Mend being gone;,
Edwin remained alone without, and sitting with a heavy
heart before the palace, began to be overwhelmed with many
thoughts, not knowing what to do, or which way to turn
himself.
When he had remained a long time in sil^ce, brooding
over his misfortunes in anguish of mind, he, on a sudden, in
the dead of night, saw approaching a person, whose face and
habit were equally strange, at which unexpected sight he
was not a little frightened. The stranger coming close up^
saluted him, and asked him, '' Why he sat there alone and
melancholy on a stone at that time, when aU others were
taking their rest, and were fast asleep T Edwin, in his turn,
askcfd, "What it was to him, whether he spent the night
within doors or abroad T The stranger, in reply, said,
" Do not think that I am ignorant of the cause of your grief,
your watching, aud sitting alone without. For I know who
you are, and why you grieve, and the evils which you fear
will fall upon you. But teU me, what reward you will give
the man that shall deliver you out of this anguish, and per-
suade Redwald neither to do you any harm himself nor to
deliver you up to be murdered by your enemies." Edwin
replied, " That he would give that person all that he was
able for so singular a favour." The other further added,
" What if I also assure you, that you shall overcome your
enemies, and surpass in power, not only all your own pro-
genitors, but even all that have reigned before you over the
English nation ?" Edwin, encouraged by these questions, did
not hesitate to promise that he would make a suitable return
to him who should so highly oblige him. Then said the
other, "But if he who foretells so mudh good as is to befall you,
can also give you better advice for your life anf salvation
than any of your progenitors or kindi'j^d^ gign^ heard of^ do
)
A.».(J2«.] { (. VISION OP KING EDWIN. 93
you consent to submit to him, and to follow his wholesome
counsel ?" Edwin did not hesitate to promise that he would
in all things follow the directions of that man who should
deliyer him from so many calamities, and raise him to a
— '^iSaving received this answer, the person that talked to him
laid his hand on his head saying, " When this sign shall be
given you, remember this present discourse that has passed
between us, and do not delay the performance of what you
now promise.** Having uttered these words, he is said to
have immediately vanished, that the king might understand
it was not a man, but a spirit, that had appeared to him.
Whilst the royal youth still sat there alone, glad of the
comfOTt he had received, but seriously considering who he
was, or whence he came, that had so talked to him, his above-
mentioned friend came to him, and saluting him with a
pleasant countenance, " Bise," said he, " go in and compose
yourself to sleep without fear ; for the king's resolution is
altered, and he designs to do you no harm, but rather to per-
form the promise which he made you ; for when he had
privately acquainted the queen with his intention of doing
what I told you before, she dissuaded him from it, declaring
it was unworthy of so great a king to sell his good friend in
such distress for gold, and to sacrifice his honour, which is
more valuable than all other ornaments, for the lucre of
money." In short, the king did as he was advised, and not
only refused to deliver up the banished man to his enemy's
messengers, but assisted him to recover his kingdom. For
as soon as the ambassadors were returned home, he raised a
mighty army to make war on Ethelfrid ; who, meeting him
with much inferior forces, (for Redwald had not given him
time to gather all his power,) was slain on the borders of the
kingdom of Mercia, on the east side of the river that is called
Idle.* In this battle, Redwald's son, called Eegnhere, was
killed ; and thus Edwin, pursuant to the oracle he had re-
ceived, not only escaped the danger from the king his enemy,
but, by his death, succeeded him in the throne.
King Edwin, therefore, delaying to receive the word of
God at the preaching of Paulinus, and using for some time,
* Near Retford in tlie southern part of Nottinghaitishir&Tp
94 BEDE'S ecclesiastical bistort. [b. n. c. 19.
as lias been said, to sit several hours alone, and seriously to
ponder with himself what he was to do, and what religion he
was to follow, the man of God came to him^ laid his right
hand on his head, and asked, " Whether he knew tiiat sign ?"
The king in a trembling condition, was readj to faU down at
his feet, but he raised him up, and in a familiar manner said
to him, " Behold, by the help of God you have escaped the
hands of the enemies whom you feared. >^Behold you have <rf
his gift obtained the kingdom which you jiesired.^ Take
heed not to delay that which you promised to performl ; em-
brace the faith, and keep the precepts of Him who, delivering
you from temporal adversity, has raised you to the honour of
a temporal kingdom ( and if^ from this time forward, you shall
be obedient to his will, which through me he signifies to joa,
he will not only deliver you from the everlasting torments of
the wicked, but also make you partaker with"l3m~^Tii8
eternal kingdom in heaven." ^
CHAP. XIEL ^
Of the Council he held loUh his chief men about embracing the faith qf
Christy and how the high priest profaned Ms own altars, [a.d. 627.]
The king, hearing these words, answered, that he was both
willing and bound to receive the faith which he taught.; but
that he would coiifer about it with his principal friends and
counsellors, to the end that if they also were of his opinion,
they might all together be cleansed in Christ the Fountain of
Life. Paulinus consenting, the king did as he said ; for,
holding a council with the wise men, he asked of every one
in particular what he thought of the new doctrine, and the
new worship that was preached ? To which the chief of his
own priests, Coifi, inunediately answered, " O king, consider
what this is which is now preached to us ; for I verily de-^
clare to you, that the religion which we have hitherto pix>-
fessed has, as far as I can learn, no virtue ^Ji^ S'ot none
of your people has applied hiinself more diligently to the
worship of our gods than I ; and yet there are many who
receive greater favours from you, and are more preferred
than I, and are more prosperous in all their undertakings.
Now if the gods were good for any thing, they would rather
forward me, who have been more careful to serve them. It
Digitized by VjOOQIC
i
A.D.C27.3 ( feOUireiL OF EDlVro's NOBLES. 95
remams, therefore, that if upon examination yon find those
new doctrines, which are now preached to us, better and
more efficacious, we immediately receive them without any
dday."
Mother of the king's chief men, approving of his words
and exhortations, presently added : " The present life of man,
O king, seems to me, in comparison of that time which is
unknown to us, like to the swift flight of a sparrow through
the room wherein you sit at supper in winter, with yoUr
cSinlnanders and ministers, and a good fire in the midst,
whilst the storms of rain and snow prevail abroad ; the spar-
row, I say, flying in at one door, and immediately out at
another, whilst he is within, is safe from the wintry storm ;
but after a short space of fair weather, he immediately
vanishes out of your sight, into the dark winter from which
he had emerged. So this life of man appears for a short
space, but of what went before, or what is to follow, we are
utterly ignorant. If, therefore, this new doctrine contains
something more certain, it seems justly to deserve to be fol-
lowed." The other elders and king's counsellors, by Divine
inspiration, spoke to the same efiect.
But Coifi added, that he wished more attentively to hear
Paulinus discourse concerning the God whom he preached ;
which he having by the king's command performed, Coifi,
hearing his words, cried out, "I have long since been sensible
that there was nothing in that which we worshipped ; because
the more diligently I sought after truth in that worship, the
less I found it. But now I freely confess, that such truth
evidently appears in this preaching as can confer on us the
gifts of life, of salvation, and of eternal happiness. For
which reason I advise, O king, that we instantly abjure and
set fire to those temples an^ altars which we have conse-
crated without reaping any benefit from them." In short,
the king publicly gave his licence to Paulinus to preach the
Grospel, and renouncing idolatry, declared that he received
the ffdth of Christ :, and when he inquired of the high priest
who should first profane the altars and temples of their idols,
with the enclosures that were about them, he answered, " I ;
for who can more properly than myself destroy these things
which I worshipped through ignorance, for an example to all
others^ thjrofigh the wisdom wSich has been g^'^^P^gifey *^®
96 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. [B.n.c.U.
true God ?y^IhGn. immediately, in contempt of his former
superstitions, he desired the king to furnish him with arms
and a stallion ; and mounting the same, he set out to destroy
the idols ; for it was not lawful before for the high priest
either to carry arms, or to ride on any but a mare. Having,
therefore, girt a sword about him, with a spear in his hand,
he mounted the king's stallion and proceeded to the idols.
The multitude, beholding it, concluded he was distracted ; but
he lost no time, for as soon as he drew near the temple he
profaned the same, casting into it the spear which he held ;
and rejoicing in the knowledge of the worship of the true
Grod, he commanded his companions to destroy the temple,
with all its enclosures, by fire. This place where the idols
were is still shown, not far fix)m Yor^ to the eiistward, be-
yond the river Derwent, and is now called Godmundingham,*
where the high priest, by the inspiration of the true God,
profaned and destroyed the altars which he had himself con-
secrated.
CHAP. XIY.
King Edwin and his nation become C^ristiane ; PattUnus baptiMes thenu
[A.D. 627.]
King Edwin, therefore, with aU the nobility of the nation,
and a large number of the common sort, received the feith,
and the washing of regeneration, in the eleventh year of his
reign, which is the year of the incarnation of our Lord 627,
and about one hundred and eighty after the coming of the
English into Britain. He was baptized at York, on the holy
day of Easter, being the 12th of April, in the church of St.
Peter the Apostle, which he himself had built of timber,
whilst he was catechising and instructing in order to receive
baptism. In that city also he appointed the see of the
bishopric of his instructor and bishop, Paulinus. But as
soon as he was baptized, he took care, by the direction of the
same Paulinus, to. build in the same place a larger and nobler
church of stone, in the midst whereof that same oratory which
♦ Or, **The home of the protection of the gods." Its modem name it
Goodmanham, in Harthill wapentake, East Riding of York. Stukdey
says, ^ The Apostle Paulinus built the parish church of Godmundham,
where is the faai in which he baptized the heathen piiest Ck)iiL"
Digitized by VjOOQIC
AD. 627] KING EDWWS FAMILY BAPWZBD. 97
he had first erected should be enclosed.* Having, therefore,
laid the foundation, he began to build the church square, en-
compassing the former oratory. But before the whole waa
raised to the proper height, the wicked assassination of the
king left that wwk to be finished by Oswald his successor.
Paulinus, for the space of six years from that time, that is,
till the end of the reign of that king, by his consent and
favour, preached the word of God in that country, and all
that were preordained to eternal life believed and were bap-
tized. Among whom were Osfrid and EadMd, King Edwin's
sons, who were both born to him, whilst he was in banishment,
of Quenberga, tlie daughter of Cearl, king of the Mercians.
Afterwards other children of his by Queen Ethelberga
were baptized, viz. Ethelhun and his daughter Etheldrith,
and another, Wuscfrea, a son ; the first two of which were
snatched out of this life whilst they were still in their white
garments, ajid buried in the church at York. Iffi, the son of
Osfrid, was also baptized, and many more noble and illustri-
ous persons. So great was then the fervour of the faith, as
is reported, and the desire of the washing of salvation among
the nation of the Northumbrians, that Paulinus at a certain
time coming with the king and queen to the royal country-
seat, which is called Adgefrin,*!" stayed there with them thirty-
six days, fully occupied in catechising and baptizing ; during
J^hich days, from morning till night, he did nothing else but
instruct the people resorting from all villages and places, in
Christ's sawig word ; and when instructed^ he washed them
^th the water of absolution in the river Glen,J which is
close by. This town, under the following kings, was aban-
^ned, and another was built instead of it, at the place called
* Parts of this fabric were discovered beneath the choir of the present
^^edral during the repairs rendered necessary by the mad act of the in-
^diary Jonathan Martin. In the first number of Brown's History of tha
Edifice of the Metropolitan Church of St. Peter, York, m plate III. is
given a plan of Paulinus* second edifice ; where the probable position of
fte wooden baptistery, enclo&dng a spring still remaining, is pointed out, and,
fhoBgh obscured by several successive subsequent erections, this discoTCiy
18 Toy valuable to the ecclesiastical antiquary; — Rev. A, Poole*s Leetur9$
^C^weheM,
t Yeverin in Glendale, near Wooler in Northumberland.
t The River Bowent. 5 Milfield, P ooaIr>
' Digitized by VjOOQIC
£8 BEDE'S ecclesiastical mSTORT. , [B.n.cI5.
These things happened in the province of the Bemicians ;
but in that of the Deiri also, where he was wont often to be
with the king, he baptized in the river Swale, which runs by
the village of Cataract ;♦ for as yet oratories, or fonts, could
not be made in the eariy infancy of the church in those parts.
But he built a church in Campodonum,*!" which afterwards
the pagans, by whom King Edwin was slain, burnt, together
with all the town. In the place of which the later kings
built themselves a country-seat in the country called Loidis4
But the altar, being of stone, escaped the fire and is stiU pre-
served in the monastery of the most reverend abbat and
priest, Thridwulf, which is in Elmete wood.§ %
CHAP. XV.
The province of the East Angles receives the faith of Christ, [a. d. 627.]
Edwin was so zealous for the worship of truth, that he
likewise persuaded Eorpwald, king of the East Saxons, and
son of Redwald, to abandon his idolatrous superstitions, and
with his whole province to receive the faith and sacraments
of Christ. And indeed his father Redwald had long before
been admitted to the sacrament of the Christian faith in
Kent, but in vain ; for on his return home, he was seduced
) by his wife and certain perverse teachers, and turned back
/ from the sincerity of the faith ; and thus his latter state was
' worse than the former ; so that, like the ancient Samaritans,
: he seemed at the same time to serve Christ and the gods
whom he had served before ; and in the same temple he had
an altar to sacrifice to Christ, and another small one to oflfer
victims to devils ; which temple, Aldwulf, king of that same
province, who lived in our time, testifies had stood until his
time, and that he had seen it when he was a boy. The
• Or Catterick, in Gilling-Eaat wapentake, North Riding of York. This
is a place of great antiquity, having been the site of a Roman station called
Oataractonium, where the Ermin Street branches off in two directions.
f Either Doncaster, or Castle-hill near Almondburj. (Archool. i. p.
224 — 6.) In the Saxon paraphrase it is called Donafelda, which Dr. Galo
thinks to be Tanfield, near Ripon. $ Leeds.
§ Probably Barwick-in-Elmett, in Skyrack wapentake, West Riding of
York. Here was anciently a castle of considerable extent and importancet,
supposed to have been the residence of some of the Northumbrian monardia.
▲J>. 628.1 THB EAST ANGLES CONYEBTED. 99
aforesaid King Redwald was noble by birth, tbougli ignoble
in his actions, being the son of T3rtilus, whose father was
XJuffa, from whom the kings of the East Angles are called
Uuffings. *
Eorpwald was, not long after he had embraced the
Christian faith, slain bj one Bichbert, a pagan ; and from
that time the province was under error for three years, till
the crown came into the possession of Sigebert, brother to
the same Eorpwald, a most Christian and learned man, who
was banished, and went to live in France during his
brother's life, and was there admitted to the sacraments of
tiie faith, whereof he made it his business to cause all his
province to partake as soon as he came to the throne. His
exertions were much promoted by the Bishop j^elix, who,
coming to Honorius, the archbishop, from Burgundy, where
he had been bom and ordained, and having told Imn what
he desired, he sent him to preach the word of life to the
aforesaid nation of the Angles. Nor were his good wishes
in vain ; for the pious husbandman reaped therein a large
harvest of believers, delivering all that province (according
to the signification of his name, Felix) from long iniquity
and infelicity, and bringing it to the faith and works of
righteousness, and the gifts of everlasting happiness. He
had the see of his bishopric appointed him in the city
Dommoc,f and having presided over the same province with
pontifical authority seventeen years, he ended his days there
in peace.
CHAP. XVL
Hew Paviinux preached in the province of Lindsey ; and of the retgri of
Edwin, [a.d. 628.]
Pauunus also preached the word to the province of
Lindsey,^ which is the first on the south side of the river
* As the kings of Kent were known as .£scingas, so were the soyereigns
of East AngHa distinguished \xj the patronymic of Uffingas, or sons of
Uffiu But their annals have blaen almost wholly lost ; and the history of
East Anglia is nearly a blank in the Chronicles of England. — Palgrave,
+ Afterwards Dunwich, but now no longer in existence, having been
overwhelmed by the sea. The name of this bishop appears to be still
preserved by the vUlage of Felixstow, *< the dwelling of Felix," on the
Suffolk eoast.
it: Lindsey is by Camden computed to be the third part of Lincolnshire^
and appears to have beeoi a subordinate state dependent upon M^cia*
H 2
100 BEDE'S ecclesiastical mSTORT. tB.n.c.16.
Humber, stretching out as far as the sea ; and he first
converted the governor of the city of Lincoln, whose name
was Blecca, with his whole family. He liketvise built, in
that city, a stone church of beautiful workmanship ; the roof
of which having cither fallen through age, or been thrown
down by enemies, the walls are stiU to be seen standing
and every year some miraculous cures are wrought in
that place, for the benefit of those who have faith to seek
the same. In that church, Justus having departed to Christ,
Paulinus consecrated Honorius bishop in his stead, as will
be hereafter mentioned in its proper place. A certain abbat
and priest of the monastery of Peartaneu,* a man of
singular veracity, whose name was Deda, in relation to the
faith of this province told me that one of the oldest persons
had informed him, that he himself had been baptized at
noon-day, by the Bishop Paulinus, in the presence of King
Edwin, with a great number of the people, in the river
Trent, near the city, which in the English tongue is called
Tiovulfingacestir 5 f and he was also wont to describe the
person of the same Paulinus, that he was tall of stature, a little
stooping, his hair black, his visage meagre, his nose slender
and aquiline, his aspect both venerable and m^estic He
had also with him in the ministry, James, the deacon, a man
of zeal and great fame in Christ's church, who lived even to
our days.
It is reported that there was then such perfect peace in
Britain, wheresoever the dominion of King Edwin extended,
that, as is still proverbially said, a woman with her new-
bom babe might walk throughout the island, from sea to sea>
without receiving any harm. That king took such care for
the good of his nation, that in several places where he had
seen clear springs near the highways, he caused stakes to be
fixed, with brass dishes hanging at them, for the conveniency
of travellers ; nor durst any man touch them for any other
purpose than that for which they were designed, either
through the dread they had of the king, or for the affectioD
which they boie him. His dignity was so great throughont
his dominions, that his banners were not only borne before
' • OrPartef!iey,acelltoBardneyAbbey. Deda was the first abbaL j
t Southwell, Nottmghamshiro. ^ j
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
AJ>.634.1 • LBTTBB OF jgONO^JS Id'EpV?^* / 10^
him in battle, but even in time of peace, when he rode about
his cities, towns, or provinces, with his officers, the standard-
bearer was wont to go before him. Also, when he walked
along the streets, that sort of banner which the Romans call
Tufe,* and the English, Tuuf, was in like manner borne
before hinu
CHAP. xvn.
Edwin reeeiiret Utters of exhortation from Pope Honorius, who also sends -
Faulinus the Pall. [a.d. 634.]
At that time Honorius, successor to Boniface, was prelate of
the apostolic see, who, when he imderstood that the nation of
the Northumbrians, with their king, had been, by the
preaching of Paulinus, converted to the faith and confession
of Christ, sent the pall to the said Paulinus, and with it
letters of exhortation to King Edwin, exciting him, with
fktherly charity, that his people should persist in the faith of
truth, which they had received. The contents of which
letter were as follow : —
" To his most noble son, and excellent lord, Edwin king of
the Angles, Bishop Honorius, servant of the servants of God,
greeting : The integrity of your Christian character, in the
worship of your Creator, is so much inflamed with the fire
of faith, that it shines out far and near, and, being reported
throughout the world, brings forth plentiful fruits of your
labours. For your conduct as a Ismg is based upon the
knowledge which by orthodox preaching you have obtained
of your God and Creator, whereby you believe and worship
him, and as far as man is able, pay him the sincere devotion
of your mind. For what else are we able to offisr to our
God, but in endeavouring to worship, and to pay him our
vows, persisting in good actions, and confessing him the
Creator of mankind ? And, therefore, most excellent son,
we exhort you with such fatherly charity as is requisite, that
you with careful mind, and constant prayers, every way
labour to preserve this gift, that the Divine Mercy has
vouchsafed to call you to his grace ; to the end, that He,
who has been pleased to deliver you from all errors, and
bring you to tiie knowledge of his name, may likewise
•A
globe, or a tufl of. feathers fixed <^^J^^^c>^
102 ^ \ . ' !|ici>E!i9 koqLE^iAffriCAL msTosr. [b. m. c is.
prepare you mansions in the heavenly country. Employing
yourselves, therefore, in reading the works of my Jjord
Gregory, your preacher, of apostolical memory, represent
before yourself the tenderness of his doctrine, which he
zealously employed for the sake of your souls ; that his
prayers may increase your kingdom and people, and present
you blameless before Almighty God. We are preparing with
a willing mind immediately to grant those things which you
hoped would be by us ordained for your priests, which we
do on account of the sincerity of your faith, which has been
often made known to us in terms of praise by the bearers of
these presents. We have sent two palls to the two
metropolitans, Honorius and Paulinus ; to the intent, that
when either of them shall be called out of this world to his
Creator, the other may, by this authority of ours, substitute
another bishop in his place ; which privHege we are induced
to grant, as well in regard to your charitable affection, as of
the large and extensive provinces which lie between us and
you ; that we may in all things afford our concurrence to
your devotion, according to your desires. May God's grace
preserve your excellency in safety ! ^
CHAP. xvnL
Honorius, who succeeded Justus in the bishopric of Canterbury ^ reeevses
the pail and letters from Pope Honorius. [a.d. 634*J
In the meantime. Archbishop Justus was taken up to the
heavenly kingdom, on the 10th of November,* and Honorius,
who was elected to the see in his stead, came to Paulinus to
be ordained, and meeting him at Lincoln was there conse-
crated the fifth prelate of the church of Canterbury from
Augustine. To him also the aforesaid Pope Honorius sent
the pall, and a letter, wherein he ordains the same that he
had before established in his epistle to King Edwin, viz. that
when either of the bishops of Canterbury or of York shall
depart this life, the survivor of the same degree shall have
power to ordain a priest in the room qf him that is departed ;
that it might not be necessary always to travel to Rome, at
00 great a distance by sea and land, to ordain an archbishop.
* Bede does not mention the year of bis death. The Saxon Chronicle
places it in 627, and Dr. Smith in 680. ^ _ CoooIp
Digitized by VJWvJ VIC
A^ 634. THE pope's LETTEB TO HONOBIUS. 103
Which letter we have also thought fit to insert in this onr
history: —
" Honoritu to his most beloved brother Honorius : Among
tfie many good gifts which the mercy of our Redeemer is
pleased to bestow on his servants, the munificent bounty of
love is never more conspicuous than when he permits us by
brotherly intercourse, as it were face to face, to exhibit our
mutual love. For which gift we continualljf return thanks
to his majesty ; and we humbly beseech him, that he will
ever confirm your piety in preaching the Gospel, and bring-
ing forth fruit, and following the rule of your master and
h^ad, his holy servant, St. Gregory ; and that, for the ad-
vancement of his church, he may by your means add further
increase ; to the end, that the souls already won by you and
your predecessors, beginning with our Lord Gregory, may
grow strong and be further extended by faith and works in
tibe fear of God and charity; that so the promises of the
word of God may hereafter be brought to pass in you ; and
that this voice may call you away to the everlasting happi-
ness. *Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.' And again, * Well done,
thou good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over
a few things, I wiQ make thee ruler over many things ;
enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' And we, most be-
loved brothers, offering you these words of exhortation, out
of our abundant charity, do not hesitate further to grant
those things which we perceive may be suitable for the
privileges of your churches.
" Wherefore, pursuant to your request, and to that of the
kings our sons, we do by these presents, in the name of St
Peter, prince of the apostles, grant you authority, that when
the Divine Grace slmll call either of you to himself, the
survivor shall ordain a bishop in the room of him that is
deceased. To which effect also we have sent a pall to each
of you, for celebrating the said ordination ; that by the
authority of our precept, you may make an ordination accept-
able to God ; because the long distance of sea and land that
lies between us and you, has obliged us to grant you this,
that no loss may happen to your church in any way, on
aooount of any prfetence whatever, but that the devotion of
the people committed to you may be more f|gv extended.
104 BEDB's ECCLBSIASnCiX mSTOBT. [B. n. c 19.
Grod preserve you in safety, most dear brother ! Given the
1 1th day of June, in the twenty-fourth year of the reign of
our most pious emperor, Heradius, and the twenty-third
after his consulship ; and in the twenty-third of his son-
Constantine, and the third after his consulship; and in
the third year of the most illustrious Caesar, his son Hera-
clius, the seventh indiction ; that is, in the year of the in-
carnation of our Lord, 634.**
CHAP. XIX.
How the aforesaid Honorius firtt, and qflerwards John, torote letters to
the nation of the Scots, concerning the observance of Easter, and the
Pelagian heresy. [a.d. 634.]
The same Pope Honorius also wrote to the Scots [Irish],
whom he had found to err in the observance of Easter, as
has been shown above, earnestly exhorting them not to think
their small number, placed in the utmost borders of the earth,
wiser than all the ancient and modem churches of Christ,
throughout the world; and not to celebrate a different
Easter, contrary to the Paschal calculation, and the synodical
decrees of all the bishops upon earth. Likewise John,* who
succeeded Severinus,t successor to the same Honorius, being
yet but pope elect, sent to them letters of great authority and
erudition for correcting the same error ; evidently showing,
that Easter Sunday is to be found between the fifteenth
moon and the twenty-first, as was proved in the Coundl of
Nice. X He also in th6 same epistle admonished them to be
• John IV. • * + Who was Pope for a few months only.
X It has been erroneously supposed that the dispute between the British
and Saxon clergy respecting the Easter festival was the same as that which
disturbed the peace of the church in the time of Polycarp; and consequently
it has been assiuned that the former were Quartodecimans, who observed
it at the Jewish passover, the fourteenth day of Nisan. But this was
never the case, except when that day happened to fall on a Sunday. It
was owing to the disturbed state of Britain in the fifth century that the
Irish and British clergy were unacquainted with the improved cycle of
nineteen years observed at Rome in the time of Pope Hilarius, (a.d.
463); but continued to use the ancient but incorrect cycle of eighty-
four years. Dr. Smith, in his Appendix to Bede (No. IX.), obserret,
** that it ought to be particularly borne in mind, that those who think
that the Britons were taught the paschal rite by the Orientals, or
Eastern church, and not by &e Roman or Western church, give way to a
Twy great error.** ^ ,
Digitized by V^OOQIC
A-D. 6S4.] THIS pope's LETTER TO THE SCOTS. 105
careful to crash the Pelagian heresy, which he had been in-
formed was reviving among them. The beginning of the
epistle was as follows : —
** To our most beloved and most holy Tomianus, Columha-
nusy* Cromanus, Dimanus, and Baithanus, bishops; to Cro*
mantes, HemianuSy LaistranuSy Scellanus, and Segenus,
priests; to Saranus and the rest of the Scottish doctors, or
abbats, health from HUarius, the arch-priest, and keeper of
the place of the holy Apostolic See ; John, the deacon, and
elect in the name of Cfod; from John, the chief secretary
and keeper of the place of the holy Apostolic See, and from
John, the servant of God, and counsellor of the same ApoS"
toUc See. The writings which were brought by the bearers
to Pope Severinus, of holy memory, were left, at his death,
without an answer to the things contained in them. Lest
such intricate questions should remain unresolved, we opened
the same, and found that some in your province, endeavour-
ing to revive a new heresy out of an old one, contrary to the
orthodox faith, do through ignorance reject our Easter, when
Christ was sacrificed ; and contend that the same should be
kept on the fourteenth moon with the Hebrews."
By this beginning of the epistle it evidently appears that
this heresy sprang up among them of very late times, and
that not all their nation, but only some of them, had fallen
into the same.
After having laid down the manner of keeping Easter,
they add this concerning the Pelagians in the same epistle.
" And we. have also understood that the poison of the Pe-
lagian hetesy again springs up among you ; we, therefore,
e^ort you, that you put away from your thoughts all^ such
venomous and superstitious wickedness. For you cannot be
ignorant how that execrable heresy has been condemned ;
for it has not only been abolished these two hundred years,
but it is also daily anathematized for ever by us ; and we
exhort you, now that the weapons of their controversy have
been burnt, not to rake up the ashes. For who will not de-
test that insolent and impious proposition, * That man can
live without sin of his own free will, and not through God's
grace V And in the first place, it is the folly of blasphemy
• This Columbaniu, most likely, was bishop of CluniTard, who died
A J>« 652. ^ T
Digitized by VjOOQlC
106 BEDB'S E0CLBSIA8TI0AL HISTOBT. LB-t(-c.2a
to say that man is without sin, which iione can be, but only
the Mediator of God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who
was conceived and bom without sin ; for all other men, be-
ing bom in original sin, are known to bear the mark of
Adam's prevarication, even whilst they are without actual
sin, according to the saying of the prophet, * For behold,
I was shapen in iniquity ; and in sin did my mother con-
CHAP. XX.
JBklwin being slain, Paulintu returns into Kent, and has the bishopric ^
qf Rochester conferred upon him. [a d. 633.]
Edwin reigned most gloriously seventeen years over the na-
tions of the English and the Britons, six whereof^ as has been
said, he also was a servant in the kingdom of Christ. Cad-
walla, king of the Britons, rebelled against him, being sup-
ported by Penda, a most warlike man of the royal race of
the Mercians, and who from that time governed that nation
twenty-two years with various success. A great battle being
fought in the plain that is called Heathfield,* Edwin was
killed on the 12th of October,f in the year of our Lord 633,
being then forty-seven years of age, and all his army was
either slain or <Uspersed. In the same war also, before him,
fell Osfrid, one of his sons, a warlike youth ; Eanfrid, an-
other of them, compelled by necessity, went over to King
Penda, and was by him afterwards, in the reign of Oswald,
slain, contrary to his oath. At this time a great slaughter
was made in the church or nation of the Northumbrians ;
and the more so because one of the commanders, by whom
it was made, was a pagan, and the other a barbarian, more
cruel than a pagan ; for Penda, with aU the nation of the
Mercians, was an idolater, and a stranger to the name of
Christ ; but Cadwalla,} though he bore the name and pro-
fessed himself a Christian, was so barbarous in his disposi-
* Hatfield, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, about seven miles to the
north-east of Doncaster.
t In the Saxon Chronicle, the date is the second before the' Ides of
October, [Oct. 14.]
t King of the Western Britons. For an account of Cadwalla's victories,
see Llewarch Hen, as quoted m Turner's Histoiy of the Anglo-Saxomi^
i* 867» r^ T
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A.9. 633.] PAUUNUS MADE BISHOP OP EOOHESTER. 107
tion and behaviour, that he neither spared the female sex,
nor the innocent age of children, but with savage cruelty
put them to tormenting deaths, ravaging all their country for
a long time, and resolving to cut off all the race of the
English within the borders of Britain. Nor did he pay any
respect to the Christian religion which had newly taken
root among them ; it being to this day the custom of the
Britons not to pay any respect to the faith and religion of
the English, nor to correspond with them any more than
with pagans. King Edwin's head was brought to York, and
afterwards into the church of St. Peter the Apostle, which
he had begun, but which his successor Oswald finished, as
has been said before. It was deposited in the porch of St.
Gr^ory, Pope, from whose disciples he had received the
word of life.
The affairs of the Northumbrians being in confusion, by
reason of this disaster, without any prospect of safety except
in flight, Paulinus, taking with him Queen Ethelberga,
whom he had before brought thither, returned into Kent by
sea, and was honourably received by the Archbishop Hono-
rius and King Eadbald. He came thither under the conduct
of Bassus, a most valiant soldier of King Edwin, having
with him Eanfleda, the daughter, and Wuscfrea, the son of •
Edwin, as also Iffi, the son of Osfrid, his son, whom after-
wards the mother, for fear of Eadbald and Oswald, sent over
into France to be bred up by King Dagobert, who was her
friend; and there they both died in infancy, and were
buried in the church with the honour due to royal children
and to innocents of Christ. He also brought with him
niany rich goods of King Edwin, among which were a large
gold cross, and a golden chalice, dedicated to the use of the
altar, which are still preserved, and shown in the church of
Canterbury.
At that time the church of Rochester had no bishop, for
Romanus, the prelate thereof, being sent to Pope Honorius,
l)y Archbishop Justus, as his legate, was drowned in the
Italian Sea 5 and thereupon, Paulinus, at the request of
Archbishop Honorius, and King Eadbald, took upon him the
charge of the same, and held it until he departed to heaven,
with the glorious fruits of his labours ; and, dying in that
church, he left there the pall which he had recei^^ed from the
108 BSDB's £CCLESIAi(TIGAL HISTOBT. [b. m. c 1.
pope of Rome. He had left behind him in his church at
York, James, the deacon, a holj ecclesiastic, who continuing
long after in that church, by teaching and baptizing, rescued
much prey firom the power of the old enemy of mankind ;
from whom the village,* where he mostly resided, near
Cataract, has its name to this day. He was extraordinarily
skilful in singing, and when the province was afterwards
restored to peace, and the number of the faithful increased^
he began to teach many of the church to sing, according to
the custom of the Romans, or of the Cantuarians. And being
old and full of days, as the Scripture says, he went the way
of his forefathers.
BOOK III.
CHAPTER I.
How King Edwin* s next successors lost both the faith of their nation and
the kingdom; but the most Christian King Oswald retrieved both.
[a.d. 666.]
Edwin being slain in battle, the kingdom of the Deira, to
which province his family belonged, and where he first be-
gan to reign, devolved on Osric, the son of his uncle Elfric,
who, through the preaching of Paulinus, had also received the
faith. But the kingdom of the Bernicians — ^for into these
two provinces the nation of the Northumbrians was formerly
dividedf — ^was possessed by Eanfrid, the son of Ethelfrid,
who derived his origin from the royal family of that province.
For all the time that Edwin reigned, the sons of the afore-
said Ethelfrid, who had reigned before him, with many of
the nobility, lived in banishment among the Scots or Picts,
and were there instructed according to the doctrine of the
* Now called Akeburgh, neax Richmond.
i* The kingdom of the Northumbrians was divided into two proyinces,
Ddra and Bemicia. Deiia reached from the Humber to the Tyne ; Bct-
nida from the T3me to the Tweed. Though not united into one commu-
nity, the two states were generally governed by one monarch, and becami^
«t fuch times, the most powerful of the Anglo-Saxon J-'—'*
gitized by V
4j> 835.] Oswald's victort at denis's-brook. 109
Scots, aQd received the grace of baptism. Upon the death
of the king, their enemy, they returned home, and Eanfrid,
as the eldest of them, mentioned above, became king of the
Bernidans. Both those kings, as soon as they obtained the
government of their earthly kingdoms, renounced and lost
the faith of the heavenly kingdom, and again delivered them-
selves up to be defiled by the abominations of their former
idols.
But soon after, the king of the Britons, Cadwalla, slew
them both, through the rightful vengeance of Heaven, though
the act was base in him. He first slew Osric, the next sum-
mer; for, being besieged by him in a strong town, he sallied
out on a sudden with all his forces, by surprise, and destroyed
bim and all his army. After this, for the space of a year, he
rdgned over the provinces of the Northumbrians, not like a
victorious king, but like a rapacious and bloody tyrant, and
at length brought to the same end Eanfrid, who unadvisedly
came to him with only twelve chosen soldiers, to sue for
peace. To. this day, that year is looked upon as unhappy,
and hateful to aU good men ; as well on account of the apos-
tacy of the English kings, who had renounced the faith, as of
the outrageous tyranny of the British king. Hence it has
been agreed by all who have written about the reigns of the ,
kings, to abolish the memory of those perfidious monarchs,
and to assign that year to the reign* of the following king,
Oswald, a man beloved by God. This last king, after the
death of his brother Eanfrid, advanced with an army, small,
indeed, in number, but strengthened with the faith of Christ ;
and the impious commander of the Britons was slain, though
he had most numerous forces, which he boasted nothing could
withstand, at a place in the English tongue called Denises-
bam, that is, Denis'ia-brook.*
CHAP. n.
Hmo, among innumerable other miraculotts cures wrought by the orosSf
Vfhieh King Oswald^ being ready to engage against the barbarians^
erected, a certain youth had his lame arm healed, [a.d. 635.]
The place is shown to this day, and held in much veneration,
where Oswald, being about to engage, erected the sign of the
* BilsUm 18 identified with the ancient Denisesbum, but onno aathozity.
Venniaa lays the battle took place at CatscauU C"r^r^r(]o
^ ^ Digitized by VjOOQIC
1 10 BBDE's ECCLESIASTICAI. mSTOBT. [B. m. o. s.
holy cross, and on his knees prayed to God that he would
assist his worshippers in their great distress. It is further
reported, that the cross being made in haste, and th«». hole dug
in which it was to be fixed, the king himself, full of faith, laid
hold of it and held it with both his hands, till it was set fast by
throwing in the earth ; and this . done, raising his voice, he
cried to his army, " Let us all kneel, and jointly beseech the
true and living God Almighty, in his mercy, to defend us
from the haughty and fierce enemy ; for He knows that we
have undertaken a just war for the safety of our nation." ATI
did as he had commanded, and accordingly advancing towards
the enemy with the first dawn of day, they obtained the
victory, as their faith deserved. In that place of prayer
very many miraculous cures are known to have been per-
formed, as a token and memorial of the king's faith ; for even
to this day, many are wont to cut ofl^ small chips from the
wood of the holy cross, which being put into water, men or
cattle drinking thereof, or sprinkled with that water, are
immediately restored to health.
The place in the English tongue is called Heavenfield, or
the Heavenly Field,* which name it formerly received as a
presage of what was afterwards to happen, denoting, that
there the heavenly trophy would be erected, the heavenly
victory begun, and heavenly miracles be wrought to this day.
The same place is near the wall with which the Romans
formerly enclosed the island from sea to sea, to restrain the
fury of the barbarous nations, as has been said before.
Hither also the brothers of the church of Hagulstad,f which
is not far from thence, repair yearly on the day before that
on which King Oswald was afterwards slain, to watch there
for the health of his soul, and having sung many psalms, to
oflfer for him in the morning the sacrifice of the holy oblation.
And since tliat good custom has spread, they luive lately
* Dr. Smith (App. to Bede, p. 730) 'says, that about a nule beyond
Bingfield to the north is Hallington, anciently Havenfelth, or Heavenfield ;
though prohahly the whole country for two miles from Hallington through
Bhigfield to the wall was called Havenfelth. On the place where Oswald
erected a cross a church was afterwards huilt.
t Hexham. About 673, Wllfiid, archbishop of York, founded 8
monastery and erected a church at this place, which, according to Richard
of Hexham, was the most beautiful and magnificent ecclesiastical edifice i»
the kingdom. The ancient name is also written Hagustald0;Q[^
A^63s.] Oswald's cboss. Ill
built and consecrated a church there, which has attached
additional sanctity and honour to that place : and this with
good reason ; for it appears that there was no sign of the
Christian faith, no church, no altar erected throughout all the
nation of the Bemicians, before that new commander of the
army, prompted by the devotion of his faith, set up the cross
as he was going to give battle to his barbarous enemy.
Nor is it foreign to our purpose to relate one of the many
miracles that have been wrought at this cross. One of the
brothers of the same church of Hagulstad, whose name is
Bothelm, and who is still hving, a few years since, walking
carelessly on the ice at night, suddenly fell and broke his
ann ; a most raging pain conunenced in the broken part, so
that he could not lift his arm to his mouth for the violence
of the anguish. Hearing one morning that one of the
brothers designed to go to the place of the holy cross, he
desired him, at his return, to bring him a bit of that vener-^
able wood, saying, he believed that with the help of Grod
he might thereby be healed. The brother did as he was
desired ; and returning in the evening, when the brothers
were sitting at table, gave him some of the old moss which
grew on the surface of the wood. As he sat at table,
having no place to lay up that which was brought him,
he put the same into his bosom ; and forgetting when he
went to bed to put it by, left it in his bosom. Awaking in
the middle of the night, he felt scmiething cold lying by his
ride, and putting his hand to feel what it was, he found his
arm and hand as sound as if he had never felt any such-
pain.
CHAP. nL
The same king Oswald, aiking a bishop of the Scottish nation, had Aidan
tent him, and granted him an episcopal see in the Isle of Lindi^farn^
[A.D. 635.] ' ^
The same Oswald, as soon as he ascended the throne, beingl
desirous that all his nation should receive the Christian;
fidth, whereof he had found happy experience in vanquish- ;
ing the barbarians, sent to the elders of the Scots, among j
whom himself and his followers, when in banishment, had j
received the sacrament of baptism, desiring they/wopld send \
112 BEDE's ecclesiastical BISTOBT. [B.in.c.8.
him a bishop, hj whose instruction and ministry the English
nation, which he governed, might be taught the advantages,
and receive the sacraments of the Christian faith. Nor
were they slow in granting his request ; but sent him Bishop
Aidan, a man of singular meekness, piety, and moderation ;
zealous in the cause of God, though not altogether according
to knowledge ; for he was wont to keep Easter Sunday ac-
cording to the custom of his country, which we have before
so often mentioned, from the fourteenth to the twentieth
moon ; the northern province of the Scots, and aU the
nation of the Picts, celebrating Easter then after that man-
ner, and believing that they therein followed the writings of
the holy and prabeworthy Father Anatolius ; the truth of
which every skilful person can discern. But the Scots
which dwelt in the South of Ireland had long since, by
the admonition of the bishop of the Apostolic See, learned
to observe Easter according to the canonical custom.
On the arrival of the bishop, the king appointed him
his episcopal see in the isle of Lindisfarne,* as he desired.
Which place, as the tide flows and ebbs twice a day, is en-
closed by the waves of the sea like an island ; and again,
twice in the day, when the shore is left dry, becomes con-
tiguous to the land. The king also humbly and willingly in
all cases giving ear to his admonitions, industriously applied
himself to bmld and extend the church of Christ in his
kingdom ; wherein, when the bishop, who was not skilful
in the English tongue, preached the gospel, it was most
delightful to see the king himself interpreting the word of
Gt)d to his commanders and ministers, for he had perfectly
learned the language of the Scots during his long banish-
ment From that time many of the Scots came daily into
* From the monaatcry of Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, all the churches
of Bemicia, from the Tyne to the Tweed, had their heginning; as had also
some of those of the Deira, from the Tyne to the Humber. The prospect
£rom the island is beautiful; to the northwaid you command the town of
Berwick, oyer an arm of the sea, about seven miles in breadth. At near the
same distance, to the south you view Bambrough Castle, on a bold pro-
montory. On the one hand you have a view of the open sea, which at the
time of our observation, was calm and resplendent, scattered over with vessels;
and on the other hand a narrow channel, by which this land is insulated,
about two miles in width. The distant shore exhibits a beautiful banging
landscape of cultivated country, graced with a multitude of hamlets^ tiI-
lagesy and woodJiaad8« ^ rn^n^n\o
-• Digitized by VjOOQIC
A.Bta8S.J COKVERSION OP THE PICTS, 113
Britain, and with great devotion preached the word to those
provinces of the English, over which King Oswald reigned,
and those among them that had received priest's orders, ad-
ministered to l£em the grace of baptism. Churches were
built in several j^Utces ; the people joyfully flocked together
to hear the word ; money and lands were given of the king's
bounty to build monasteries ; the English, great and small,
were, by their Scottish masters, instructed in the rules and
observance of regular discipline ; for most of them tha*
came to preach were monks. Bishop Aldan was himself a
monk of the island called Hii,* whose monastery was for a
long time the chief of almost all those of the northern Scots,
and aU those of the Picts, and had the direction of their
pet^le. That island belongs to Britain, being divided from
it by a small arm of the sea, but had been long since given
bjr the Picts, who inhabit those parts of Britain, to the
Scottish monks, because they had received the faith oi
Christ through their preaching.
CHAR IV,
When the nation of the Plots received the faith, [a^ d. 565.]
In the year of our Lord 565^ when Justin, the younger, the
successor of Justinian, had the government of the Eoman ^
empire, there came into Britain a famous priest and abbat, ^
a monk by habit and life, whose name was Columba, to
preach the word of God to the provinces of the .northern
Hc;ts, who are s^arated fiom the southern parts by steep
and rugged mountains ; for the southa^n Picts, who dwell on
this side of those mountains, had long before, as is reported,
forsaken the errors. rf idolatry, and embraced the truth, by
the preaching of Ninias,f a most reveraid bishop and holy
* The ancbnt name of lona was I, or Hi, or Aoi, vhich was Latinized
into Hyana, or lona. The common name of it now is, I>coIun^kill, the
Uand of Colum of the Celts. It is one of the most fertile and most
nmiantic of the Scottish islands, separated from the west point of Ross bj
a nanow channel, ctdled the Sound of I; and is about three miles long,
md nearly a mile in breadth. A chart of the island may be seen in Pin-
Icerton's Collection of the Lives of the Ancient Saints in Scotland.
t St. Nmias was a native of North Wales, where the British church
was then flomisluQg. His faith was rewarded by the coiiTerBio& of the
I
114 BEDB's ecclesiastical SISTOET. [B.trt.c.4.
man of the British nation, who had been regularlj in-»
structed at Rome, in the faith and mysteries of the truth ;
whose episcopal see, named after St. Martin the bishop, and
iamous for a stately church, (wherein he and many other
saints rest in the body,) is still in existence among the
English nation. The place belongs to the province of the
Bernicians, and is generally called the White House,* be-
cause he there built a church of stone, which was not usual
among the Britons.
Columba came into Britain in the ninth year of the reign
of Bridius, who was the son of Meilochon,f and the powerful
king of the Pictish nation, and he converted that nation to
the faith of Christ, by his preaching and example, whereupon
he also received 6f them the aforesaid island for a monastery,
for it is not very large, but contains about five families,
according to the English computation. His successors hold
the island to this day ; he was also buried therein, having
died at the age of seventy-seven, about thirty-two years after
he came into Britain to preach. Before he passed over into
Britain, he had built a noble monastery in Ireland, which,
from the great number of oaks, is in the Scottish tongue
called Dearm-ach — The Field of Oaks.J From both which
monasteries, many others had their beginning through his
disciples, both in Britain and Ireland ; but the monastery
in the Island where his body lies, is the principal of
them all.
That island has for its ruler an abbat, who is a priest, to
whose direction all the province, and even the bishops,
contrary to the usual method, are subject, according to the
example of their first teacher, who was not a bishop, but a
southern Picts. He maintained the catholic faith when the teaching of
Pelagius, his contemporary and countryman, was making great adyances.
St. Ninias wrote a comment on the Psahns, and he visited and corre-
sponded with St. Martin, bishop of Tours.
* Whitheme, or Candida Casa, Gralloway. Usher supposes that St
Ninias's diocese extended from the modem Glasgow to Stanmore Cross,
on the borders of Westmoreland; Bishop Nicolson, however, is of opinion,
that the bishops of Scotland had anciently no fixed sees; but that every
prelate exercised his episcopal office indiscriminately, in whatever part of
the kmgdom he resided. (Scottish Hist. Lib. p. 74.)
t Elsewhere callc^ Mailcuin.
$ Now Derry. - ogtzedbyGoOglc
*J»-565.] EASTEB CONTROVERSY. 115
priest and monk ; * of whose life and discourses some
writings are said to be preserved bj his disciples. But
whatsoever he was himself, this we know for certain, that
he left successors renowned for their continency, their love
of God, and observance of monastic rules. It is true they
followed uncertain rules in their observance of the great
festival, as having none to bring them the synodal decrees
for the observance of Easter, by reason of their being so far
away from the rest of the world ; wherefore they only
practised such works of piety and chastity as they could
learn from the prophetical, evangelical, and apostolical
writings. This manner of keeping Easter continued among
them for the space of 150 years, till the year of our Lord's
incarnation 715.
But then the most reverend and holy father and priest,
Egbert, of the English nation, who had long lived m
bMiishment in Ireland for the sake of Christ, and was most
learned in the Scriptures, and renowned for long perfection
of Hfe, came among them, corrected their error, and reduced
them to the true and canonical day of Easter ; the which
they nevertheless did not always keep on the fourteenth
moon with the Jews, as some imagined, but on Sunday,
although not in the proper week, f For, as Christians, they
knew that the resurrection of our Lord, which happened on
the first day after the Sabbath, was always to be celebrated
on the first day after the Sabbath; but being rude and
barbarous, they had not learned when that same first day
after the Sabbath, which is now called the Lord's day, should
come. But because they had not laid aside the fervent grace
of charity, they were worthy to be informed in the true
knowledge of this particular, according to the promise of
the apostle, saying, " And if in any thing ye be otherwise
minded, Grod shall reveal even this unto you." Of which
we shall speak more fully in its proper place.
* This statement of Bede gave rise to a keen controversj on Church
government at the close of the seventeenth century. The reader may con-
salt Mr. GoodalPs Preface to Keith's Catalogue of Scottish Bishops, and
Bishop Lloyd's Historical Account of Church Government
t See note, at page 104.
I 2
d by Google
116 BBDR's ecclesiastical HISTOET, ln.uuo,$.
CHAP. V.
Of the life cf Bishop Aidan, [a.d. 635.]
Fkom the aforesaid island, and college of monks, was Aidaa
Rent to instruct the English nation in Christ, having received
the dignity of a bishop at the time when Segenius,* abbat
and priest, presided over that monastery; whence, among
other instructions for life, he leffc the clergy a most salutary
example of abstinence or continence ; it was the highest
commendation of his doctrine, with all men, that he taught
no otherwise than he and his followers had lived ; for he
neither sought nor loved any thing of this world, but
delighted in distributing immediately among the poor
whatsoever was given him by the kings or rich men of the
world. He was wont to traverse both town and country on
foot, never on horseback, unless compelled by some urgent
necessity ; and wherever in his way he saw any, either
rich or poor, he invited them, if infidels, to embrace the
mystery of the faith ; or if they were believers, to strengthen
them in the faith, and to stir them up by words and actions
to alms and good works.
His course of life was so different from the slothfulness of
our times, that all those who bore him company, whether
they were shorn monks or laymen, were employed in
meditation, that is, either in reading the Scriptures, or
learning psalms. This was the daily employment of himself
and all that were with him, wheresoever they went ; and if
it happened, which was but seldom, that he was invited to
eat with the king, he went with one or two clerks, and
having taken a small repast, made haste to be gone with
them, either to read or write. At that time, many religious
men and women, stirred up by his example, adopted the
custom of fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays, till ttie ninth
hour, throughout the year, except during the fifty days after
Easter. He never gave money to the powerftil men of the
world, but only meat, if he happened to entertain them ; and,
on the contrary, whatsoever gifts of money he received ftx)m
the rich, he either distributed them, as has been said, to the
use of the poor, or bestowed them in ransoming such as had
• The fourth abbat from St.^Colum]^.QQg[^
Aj).635.i Oswald's piett. 117
been wrongfully sold for slaves. Moreover, he afterwards
made many of those he had ransomed his disciples, and after
having taught and instructed them, advanced them to the
order of priesthood.
It is reported, that when King Oswald had asked a bishop
of the Scots to administer the word of faith to him and his
nation, there was first sent to him another man of more
aostere disposition, who, meeting with no success, and being
unregarded by the EngHsh people, returned home, and in an
assembly of the elders reported, that he had not been able to
do any good to the nation he had been sent to preach to,
because they were uncivilized men, and of a stubborn and
barbarous disposition. They, as is testified, in a great
council seriously debated what was to be done, being desirous
^t the nation should receive the salvation it demanded, and
grieving that they had not received the preacher sent to
5iem. Then said Aidan, who was also present in the
council, to the priest then spoken of, "I am of opinion,
brother, that you were more severe to your unlearned
hearers than you ought to have been, and did not at first,
conformably to the apostolic rule, give them the milk of more
easy doctrine, till being by degrees nourished with the word
of God, they should be capable of greater perfection, and be
able to practise Grod's sublimer precepts.** Having heard
these words, all present began^ diligently to weigh what he
had said, and presently concluded, that he deserved to be
made a bishop, and ought to be sent to instruct the
incredulous and unlearned ; since he was found to be endued
with singular discretion, which is the mother of other virtues,
and accordingly being ordained, they sent him to their friend^
King Oswal(5 to preach ; and he, as time proved, afterwards
appeared to possess aU other virtues, as well as the discretion
for which he was before remarkable.
CHAP. VI.
Of King OiwakTa wonderful piety. [a.d. 635.]
KiNa Oswald, with the nation of the English which he
governed being instructed by the teaching of this most
reverend prelate, not only learned to hope for a heavenly
kingdom unknown to his progenitors, but also obtained of
118 BEDE's ecclesiastical filSTOBT. [B.ni. c7.
the same one Almighty God, who made heaven and earth,
larger earthly kingdoms than any of his ancestors. In short,
he brought under his dominion all the nations and provinces
of Britain, which are divided into four languages, viz. the
Britons, the Picts, the Scots, and the English. When raised
to that height of dominion, wonderful to relate, he always con-
tinued humble, affable, and generous to the poor and strangers.
In short, it is reported, that when he was once sitting at
dinner, on the holy day of Easter, with the aforesaid bishop,
and a silver dish fuU of dainties before him, and they were
just ready to bless the bread, the servant, whom he had
appointed to relieve the poor, came in on a sudden, and told
the king, that a great multitude of needy persons from all
parts were sitting in the streets begging some alms of the
king ; he inmiediately ordered the meat set before him to be
carried to the poor, and the dish to be cut in pieces and
divided among them. At which sight, the bishop who sat
by him, much taken with such an act of piety, laid hold of
his right hand, and said, "May this hand never perish."
Which fell out according to his prayer, for his arm and hand,
being cut off from his body, when he was slain in battle,
remain entire and uncorrupted to this day, and are kept in a
silver case, as revered relics, in St. Peter's church in the
royal city,* which has taken its name from Bebba, one of its
former queens. Through this king's management the
provinces of the Deiri and the Bemicians, which till then
had been at variance, were peacefully united and moulded
into one people. He was nephew to King Edwin by his
sister Acha ; and it was fit that so great a predecessor should
have in his own family so great a person to succeed him in
his religion and sovereignty.
CHAP. vn.
How the West Saxons received the word of God by the preaching of
Birinus ; and of his successors, Agilbert and Eleutherius, [a..d. 635.]
At that time, the West Saxons, formerly called GewissaB,t
♦ Bambrough, where the remains of a noble castle now stand on a bold
promontory called Bambrough Head.
t Smith observes, in his edition of Bede*B Ecclesiastical History, that
Gewissae is the Saxon word for ^ West" or **Occidtffltaies :"The instances
Visigoths as a word of similar signification. ^'i^^^ ^y v^OOg IC
4.0.635.] COINWALCH SUCCEEDS CTNEGILS. 119
m. the reign of Cynegils, embraced the faith of Christ, at the
preaching of Bishop Birinus, who came into Britain by the
advice of Pope Honorius ; having promised in his presence
that he would sow the seed of the holy faith in the inner
parts beyond the dominions of the EngHsh, where no other
teacher had been before him. Hereupon he received epis-
copal consecration from Asterius, bishop of Genoa ; but on
his arrival in Britain, he first entered the nation of the
Gewissae, and finding all there most confirmed pagans, he
thought it better to preach the word of God there, than to
proceed further to seek for others to preach to.
Now, as he preached in the aforesaid province, it happened
that the king himself, having been catechised, was baptized
together with his people, and Oswald, the most holy and
victorious king of the Northumbrians, being present, received
him as he came forth from baptism,* and by an alliance most
pleasing and acceptable to God, first adopted him, thus rege-
nerated, for his son, and then took his daughter in marriage.
The two kings gave to the bishop the city called Dorcic,!
there to settle his episcopal see; where having built and con-
secrated churches, and by his labour called many to the Lord,
he departed this life, and was buried in the same city ; buf
inany years after, when Hedda was bishop,^ he was translated
thence to the city of Winchester, and laid in the church of
the blessed apostles, Peter and Paul.
The king also dying, his son Coinwalch succeeded him in
the throne, but refused to embrace the mysteries of the faith,
and of the heavenly kingdom ; and not long after also he
k)st the dominion of his earthly kingdom ; for he put away
the sister of Penda, king of the Mercians, whom he had
niarried, and took another wife ; whereupon a war ensuing,
he was by him expelled his kingdom, and withdrew to Anna,
king of the- East Saxons, where living three years in banish-
ment, he found and received the true faith, and was baptized ;
for the king, with whom he lived in his banishment, was a
good man, and happy in a good and pious offspring, as we
shall show hereafter.
• The baptism of Cynegils, or Kin^, by Bishop Birinus, is still repre-
■ented on an old font in Winchester Cathedral. ,
+ Dorchester, SJ miles from Oxford. From this see arose the bishoprie
•f Lineob, A.D. 1088. t See bc^k^iiQ^o^lg
120 BEDlfs ECCLESIASTICAL mSTOSr. , LB.ni.c7^
But vrhen Comwalch was restored to his kingdom, there
came into that province out of Ireland, a certain bishop
called Agilbert, by nation a Frenchman, but who had then
lived a long time in Ireland, for the purpose of reading the
Scriptures. This bishop came of his own accord to serve
this king, and preach to him the word of life. The king,
observing his erudition and industry, desired hm to accept
an episcopal see, and stay there as his bishop. AgHbert
complied with the prince's request, and presided over those
people mcmy years. At length the king, who understood
none but the language of the Saxons, grown weary of that
bishop's barbarous tongue, brought into the province another
bishop of his own nation, whose name was Wini, who had
been ordained in France ; and dividing his province into two
dioceses, appointed this last his episcopal see in the city of
Winchester, by the Saxons called Wintancestir. Agilbert,
being highly offended, that the king should do this without
his advice, returned into France, and being made bishop
of the city of Paris, died there, aged and full of days. Not
many years after his departure out of Britain, Wini was also
expelled from his bishopric, and took refuge with Wulfhere,
king of the Mercians, of whom he purchased for money the
see of the city of London, and remained bishop thereof till
his death. Thus the province of the West Saxons continued
no small time without a bishop.
During which time, the lung of that nation, sustaining
very great losses in his kingdom from his enemies, at length
bethought himself, that as he had been before expelled from
the throne for his infidelity, and had been restored when
he received the faith of Christ, his kingdom, being destitute
of a bishop, was justly deprived of the Divine protection.
He, therefore, sent messengers into France to Agilbert,
humbly entreating him to return to the Inshopric of his nation.
But he excused himself, and affirmed that he could not go,
because he was bound to the iHshopric of his own city ; how-
ever, that he might not seem to refuse him assistance, he sent
in his stead thither the priest Eleutherius, his nephew, who,
if he thought fit, might be ordained his bishop^ saying, " He
thought him worthy of a bishopric." The king and the
people received him honourably, and entreated Theodore,
then archbishop of Canterbury, to consecrate him their bishopw
-•J). 640.] EASCOHNBEBT, KING OF KENT, 221
He was accordinglj consecrated in the same citj, and many
jears zealously governed the whole bishopric of the West
Saxons by synodical authority.
CHAP. vm.
How Earconheri, King of Kent^ ordered the idols to be deetroyed ; and of
his daughter Earcongota, and his kinswoman Ethelberga, virgins conse*
crated to God. [a.d. 640.]
In the year of our Lord 640, Eadbald, king of Kent, de-
parted this life, and left his kingdom to his son Earconbert,
which he most nobly governed twenty-four years and some
months. He was the first of the English kings that of his
supreme authority commanded the idol^ throughout his whole
kingdom, to be forsaken and destroyed, and the fast of forty
days before Easter to be observed ; and that the same might
not be neglected, he appointed proper and condign punish-
ments for the offenders. His daughter Earcongota, as became
the offspring of such a parent, was a most virtuous virgin,
always serving Grod in a monastery in France, built by a
most noble abbess, called Fara,* at a place called Brie ; for at
that time but few monasteries being built in the country of
the Angles, many were wont, for the sake of monastic con-
versation, to repair to the monasteries of the Franks or Glauls ;
and they also sent their daughters there to be instructed, and
delivered to their heavenly bridegroom, especially in the
monasteries of Brie, of Chelles,f and Andelys. Among
whom was also Sethrid, daughter of the wife of Anna, king
of the East Angles, above mentioned; and Ethelberga, J
natural daughter of the same king ; both of whom, though
strangers, were for their virtuennade abbesses of the monas-
tery of Brie. Sexberga, that king's eldest daughter, wife to
♦ Or Faremoutier monaBterj, foundel a> out a.d. 616, by St. Fara, Bome-
times called Buigundofara. When first established it followed the rule of
St. Columban.
f Chelles, four leagues from Paris. This monastery was founded by St.
Clotilda. St. Bathildes so much enlarged it, as to be considered the prin-
cipal foundress*
t Called by the French St. Aubierge. Bede styles her the natural
daughter of Anna, which in his time did not mean illegitimate ; but was used
m oppodtion to »! adopted child. ^^^ ^ ,,GoOgle
19.2 BSDE's ecclesiastical history. [b. in. c 8.
Earconbert, king of Kent, had a daughter called Earccmgota,
of whom we are about to speak.
Many wonderful works and miracles of this virgin, dedi-
cated to God, are to this day related by the inhabitants of
that place ; but it shall suffice us to say something briefl j of
her passage out of this world to the heavenly kingdom. The
day of her departure drawing near, she visited the cells of
the infirm servants of Christ, and particularly those that
were of a great age, or most noted for probity of life, and
humbly recommending herself to their prayers, let them
know that her death was at hand, as she knew by revelation,
which she said she had received in this manner. She had
seen a number of men, aU in white, come into the monastery,
jind being asked by her, " What they wanted, and what they
did there ?" they answered, " They had been sent thither to
carry away with them the gold medal that had been brought
thither from Kent.'* That same night, at the dawn of morn-
ing, leaving the darkness of this world, she departed to the
light of heaven. Many of the brethren of that monastery
that were in other houses, declared they had then plainly
heard concerts of angels singing, and the noise as it were of
a multitude entering the monastery. Whereupon going out
immediately to see what it might be, they saw an extraordi-
nary great light coming down from heaven, which conducted
that holy soul, set loose from the bonds of the flesh, to the
eternal joys of the celestial country. They add other mira-
cles that were wrought the same night in the same monastery;
but as we must proceed to other matters, we leave them to
be related by those to whom such things belong. The body
of this venerable virgin and bride of Christ was buried in
the church of the blessed protomartyr, Stephen. It was
thought fit, three days after, to take up the stone that covered
the grave, find to raise it higher in the same place, which
whilst they were doing, so great a fragrancy of perfume rose
from below, thai it seemed to all the brothers and sisters
there present, as if a store of the richest balsams had been
opened.
Her aunt also, Ethelberga above mentioned, preserved the
glory so pleasing to God, of perpetual virginity, in great
continency of body, but the e.^tent of her virtue became
more conspicuous after her death. Whilst she was abbess,
4.D.6420 1>EATH OF KING OSWALD. 123
she began to build in her monastery a church, in honour of
all the apostles, wherein she desired her body might be
buried ; but when that work was advanced half way, she
was prevented by death from finishing it, and buried in the
very place of the church where she had desired. After her
death, the brothers occupied themselves with other things,
and this structure was intermitted for seven years, at the
expiration whereof they resolved, by reason of the greatness
of the work, wholly to lay aside the building of the church,
but to remove the abbess's bones from thence to some other
church that was finished and consecrated ; but, on opening
her tomb, they found the body as free from decay as it had
been from the corruption of carnal concupiscence, and hav-
ing washed it again and put on it other clothes, they re-
moved the same to the church of St. Stephen, Martyr, whose
nativity (or commemoration-day) is celebrated with much
magnificence on the 7th of July.
CHAP. IX.
Uow miraculotts cures have been freqitently done in the place where King
Oswald was killed; and how, first, a traveller's horse was restored and
afterwards a young girl cured of the palsy, [a.d. 642. J
Oswald, the most Christian kmg of the Northumbrians,
reigned nine years, including that year. which is to be held
accursed for the brutal impiety of the king of the Britons,
and the apostacy of the English kings ; for, as was said
above, it is agreed by the unanimous consent of all, that the
names of the apostates should be erased from the catalogue
of the Christian kings, and no date ascribed to their reign.
After which period, Oswald was killed in a great battle, by
the same pagan nation and pagan king of the Mercians, who
had slain his predecessor Edwin, at a place called in the
English tongue Maserfield,* in the thirty-eighth year of his
age, on the fifth day of the month of August.
How great his faith was towards God, and how remark-
• Some difference of opinion exists respecting Maserfield! Camden,
Capgrave, and others, place it at Oswestry, in Shropshire, and the name
certainly favours their opinion. Alban Butler, Powell, and Dr. Cowper
place it at Winwick in Lancashire, and to support this their view there is
an inscription on the outside of the south wall of the parish church.
124 BEDE'S ecclesiastical HISTOET. [B.zn.c.ft.
able Ills devotion, has been made evident by miracles since
his death ; for, in the place where he was killed bj the
pagans, fighting for his country, infirm men and cattle are
healed to this day. Whereujwn many took up the very dust
of the place where his body fell, and putting it into water,
did much good with it to their friends who were sick. ThiB
custom came so much into use, that the earth being carried
away by degrees, there remained a hole as deep as the height
of a man. Nor is it to be wondered that the sick should be
healed in the place where he died ; for, whilst he lived, he
never ceased to provide for the poor and infirm, and to be-
stow alms on them, and assist them, ^any miracles are
said to have been wrought in that place, or with the earth
carried from thence ; but we have thought it sufficient to
mention two, which we heard from our ancestors. /
It happened, not long after his death, that a man was tra-
velling near that place, when his horse on a sudden began to
tire, to stand stock still, hang down his head, and foam at
the mouth, and, at length, as his pain increased, he fell to
the ground ; the rider dismounted, and throwing some straw
under him, waited to see whether the beast would recover or
die. At length, after much rolling about in extreme an-
guish, the horse happened to come to the very place where
the aforesaid king died. Immediately the pain ceased, the
beast gave over his struggles, and, as is usual with tired
cattle, turned gently from side to side, and then starting up,
perfectly recovered, began to graze on the green herbage :
which the ^an observing, being an ingenious person, he
concluded there must be some wonderful sanctity in the
place where the horse had been healed, and left a mark
there, that he might know the spot again. After which he
again mounted his horse, and repaired to the inn where he
intended to stop. On his arrival he found a girl, niece to
the landlord, who had long languished under the palsy ; and
when the friends of the family, in his presence, lamented the
girl's calamity, he gave them an account of the place where
his horse had been cured. In short, she was put into a cart
and carried and laid down at the place. At first she slept
awhile, and when she awaked found herself healed of her
infirmity. Upon which she called for water, washed her
face, put up her hair, and dressed her head« and returned
A.D. 642.] MIRACLES AT THE PLACE OF OSWALD'S DEATH. 125
home on foot, in good health, with those who had brought
her.
CHAP. X.
The power of the earth of that place against fire. [a..d. 642.]
About the same time, another person of the British nation,
as is reported, happened to travel by the same place, where
the aforesaid battile was fought, and observing one particular
spot of ground greener and more beautiful than any other
part of the field, he judiciously concluded with himself that
there could be no other cause for that unusual greenness,
but that some person of more holiness than any other in the
army had been killed there. He therefore took along with
him som6 of that earth, tying it up in a linen cloth, suppos-
ing it would some time or other be of use for curing sick
people, and proceeding on his journey, came at night to a
certain village, and entered a house where the neighbours
were feasting at supper ; being received by the owners of
the house, he sat down with them at the entertainment,
hanging the cloth, in which he had brought the earth, on a
post against the wall. They sat long at supper and drank
hard, with a great fire in the middle of the room ; it hap-
p^ied that the sparks fiew up and caught the top of the
house, which being made of wattles and thatch, was pre-
sently in a flame ; the guests ran out in a fright, without
being able to put a stop to the fire. The house was conse-
quently burnt down, only that post on which the earth hung
•remained entire and untouched. On observing this, they
were all amazed, and inquiring into it diligently, understood
that the earth had been taken from the place where the
blood of King Oswald had been shed. These miracles being
made known and reported abroad, many began daily to fre-
quent that place, and received health to themselves and
^eirs.
CHAP. XL
Of the heavenly light that appeared all the night over the hones of King
Oswald, and how persona possessed with devils were delivered hg his
Umes, [▲.D. 697.]
Among- the rest, I think we ought nc^ to {)a^^p[er, In
1 26 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTORT. [b. ur. r. 11.
silence, the heavenly fayours and miracles that were shown
when King Oswald's bones were found, and translated into
the church where they are now preserved. This was done
by the zealous care of Osthrida, queen of the Mercians, the
daughter of his brother Oswy, who reigned after him, as
shall be said hereafter.
There is a noble monastery in the province of Lindsey,
called Beardeneu,* which that queen and her husband Ethels
red much loved, and conferred upon it many honours and
ornaments. It was here that she was desirous to lay the
venerable bones of her uncle. When the wagon in which
those bones were carried arrived towards evening at the
aforesaid monastery, they that were in it refused to admit
them, because, though they knew him to be a holy man, yet,
as he was originally of another province, and had reigned
over them as a foreign king, they retained their ancient aver-
sion to him even after death. Thus it came to pass that the
relics were left in the open air all that night, with only a
large tent spread over them ; but the appearance of a hea-
venly miracle showed with how much reverence they ought
to be received by aU the faithful ; for during that whole
night, a pillar of light, reaching from the wagon up to
heaven, was seen by almost all the inhabitants of the pro-
vince of Lindsey. Hereupon, in the morning, the brethren
who had refused it the day before, began themselves earn-
estly to pray that those holy relics,- so beloved by God, might
be deposited among them. Accordingly, the bones, being
washed, were put into a shrine which they had made for that
purpose, and placed in the church, with due honour; and
that there might be a perpetual memorial of the royal per*-
son of this holy man, they hung up over the monument bis
banner made of gold and purple ; and poured out the water
in which they had washed the bones, in a comer of the
sacred place. From that time, the very earth which re-
ceived that holy water, had the virtue of expelling devils
from the bodies of persons possessed.
Lastly, when the aforesaid queen afterwards made some
• Bardney in Lincolnshire. The foundation of Bardney Abbey ia fixed
by Bishop Tanner before the year 697, because Oflhrida, or Osthiyda, queen
m Mercia, who caused Oswald's bones to be brought to it, was murdered
in that year. Digi,,^^ by GoOglc
A.D.642.] ST. Oswald's kelics. 127
stay in tliat monastery, there came to visit her a certain vener-
able abbess, who is still living, called Ethelhilda, the sister of the
holy men, Ethelwin and Aldwin, the first of whom was bishop
in the province of lindsey,* the other abbat of the monastery of
Peartaneu ; | not far from which was the monastery of Ethel-
hilda. When this lady was come, in a conversation between
her and the queen, the discourse, among other things, turn-
ing upon Oswald, she said, that she also had that night seen
a light reaching from the relics up to heaven. The queen
thereupon added, that the very dust of the pavement on
which the water that washed the bones had been spilt,
had already healed many sick persons. T%b abbess
thereupon desired that some of the said dust might be
given her, which she tied up in a cloth, and, putting it
into a casket, returned home. Some time after, when she
was in her monastery, there came to it a guest, who was
wont often in the night to be on a sudden grievously tormented
with an evil spirit ; he being hospitably entertained, and gone
to bed after supper, was on a sudden seized by the Devil, and
began to cry out, to gnash his teeth, to foam at the mouth, and
to distort his limbs in a most strange manner. None being
able to hold or bind him, the servant ran, and knocking at the
door, acquainted the abbess. She, opening the monastery
door, went out herself with one of the nuns to the men's
apartment, and calling a priest, desired he would go with
her to the sufferer. Being come thither, and seeing many
more present, who had not been able, though they endea-
voured it, to hold the tormented person and prevent his con-
vulsive motions, the priest used exorcisms, and did all he
could to assuage the madness of the unfortunate man, but,
though he took much pains, could not prevail. When no
hopes appeared of easing him, the abbess bethought herself
of the dust, and immediately ordered her servant to go and
fetch her the casket in which it was. As soon as she came
with what she had been sent for into the porch of the house, in
the inner part whereof the possessed person was tormented,
he was presently silent, and laid down his head, as if he had
been falling asleep, stretching out all his limbs to rest. All
* Bishop of Sidnacester, afterwards removed to Lincoln.
+ Pearteneu, or Parteney, was a cell to Bardney, Deda (see p. 100),
was the first abbat, and Aldwm the second. — WUlis*s Mitred Abbeys, i. 29.
128 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTORT. .IB.11I.C.U.
present were silent, and stood attentive to»see the end of the
afiair. After some time, the man that had been tormented
sat up, and fetching a deep sigh, said, " Now I am like
a sound man, for I am restored to my senses." They earn-
estly inquired how that came to pass, and he answered, " As
soon as that virgin drew near the porch of this house, with
the casket she brought^ aU the evil spirits that vexed me de-
parted, and were no more to be seen." Then the abbess
gave him a little of that dust, and the priest having prayed,
he had a very quiet night ; nor did he, from that time for-
ward, receive the least disturbance from his old enemy.
CHAP. xn.
Of a boy cured of an ague at Si. Oswald's tomb, [a.d. 642.]
Some time after, there was a certain little boy in the said
monastery, who had been long troubled with an ague ; he
was one day anxiously expecting the hour that his fit
was to come on, when one of the brothers, coming in to him,
said, " Shall I tell you, child, how you may be cured of this
distemper ? Rise, go into the church, and get cldse to St,
Oswald's tomb ; stay there quiet, and do not leave it ; do
not come away, or stir from the place, till the time that your
fit is to go off: then I will go in and fetch you afvay."
The boy did as he was advised, and the disease durst not
affect him as he sat by the saint's tomb ; but fled so abso-
lutely, that he felt it no more, either the second or third day,
or ever after. The brother that came from thence, and told
me this, added, that at the time when he was talking with
me, the young man was then still living in the monastery, on
whom, when a boy, that miraculous cure had been wrought.
Nor is it to be wondered that the prayers of that king who
was then reigning with our Lord, should be very efficacious
with him, since he, whilst yet governing his temporal king-
dom, was also wont to pray and take more pains for that
which is eternal. In short, it is reported, that he often con-
tinued in prayer from the hour of morning thanksgiving till
it was day ; and that by reason of his constant custom of
praying or giving thanks to Grod, he was wont always,
wherever he sat^ to hold his hands tamed no oti Ms knee9.
A.0.642.] OSWALD'S RELICS IN IBELAND. 129
It is also given oat, and becwne a proverb^ " That he ended
his life in prayer ;" for when he was beset with weapons
and enemies, he perceived he must immediately be killed,
and prayed to Grod for the souls of his army. Whence it is
proverbially said, "Lord have mercy on their souls, said
Oswald, as he fell to the ground." His bones, therefore,
were translated to the monastery which we have menticmed,
and buried therein : but the king that slew him commanded
his head, hands, and arms to be cut off from the body, and
set upon stakes. But his successor in the throne, Oswy,
coming thither the next year with his army, took them down,
and buried his head in the church of Lindisfame, and the
hands and arms in his royal city.*
CHAP. xnL
€if a ^riam person in Ireland that was recovered^ when at the pomi qf
death, by the bones qf King Oswald. [a.d. 642.]
Nor was the feme of the renowned Oswald confined to Bri-
tain, but, spreading the rays of his healing brightness even
beyond the sea,, reached also to Germany and Ireland. In
short, the most reverend prelate, Acca,f is wont to relate,
that when, in his journey to Borne, he and his bishoplWilMd
stayed some time with Wilbrord, now the holy bishop of the
Fresons, he had often heard him talk of the wonders which
had been wrought in that province at the relics of that most
reverend king. And that in Ireland, when, being yet (ffily
a priest, he led a pilgrim's life therein for love of the eternal
country, the fame of that king's sanctity was already spread
far and near. One of the miracles, among the rest, which
l^e related, we have thought fit to insert in our history.
"At the time," said he, "of the mortality which made
such great havoc in Britain and Ireland, among others^
die infection reached a certain scholar of the Scottish race,
a man indeed learned in worldly literature, but in no way
solicitous or studious of his eternal salvation ; who, seeing
• Of the translation of these relics from Bardney to St. Oswald's, GloU'
cestershiie, a.d. 910, by Ethelred, earl of Mercia, and Elfleda, the daughter
of King Alfred, see Sim. Diinelm, col. 152, Script, x. Twysden. See
also Leland, Collectanea, London^ 1770, toU ii. p. 367; and iii. p. 299.
t Bidkop of Hexham. ^^^ .,Google
130 EEDE's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORT.. rB.iu.cU.
his death near at hand, began to fear, lest, as soon as he was
dead he should be hurried awaj to hell for his sins. He
sent for me, who was in that neighbourhood, and whilst he
was trembling and sighing, with a mournful voice made his
complaint to me, in this manner : * You see that my distem-
per increases, and that I am now reduced to the point of
death. Nor do I question but that after the death of my
body, I shall be immediately snatched away to the perpetual
death of my soul, and cast into the torments of hell, since
for a long time, amidst all my reading of divine .books, I
have rather addicted myself to vice, than to keep the com-,
mandments of God. But it is my resolution, if the Divine
Mercy shall grant me a new term of life, to correct my
vicious habits, and totally to reform my mind and course
of life in obedience to the Divine will. But I am sensible,
that T have no merits of my own to obtain a prolongation
of life, nor can I confide in it, unless it shall please God to
forgive me, through the assistance of those who have faith-
fully served him. We have heard, and the report is uni-
versal, that there was in your nation a king, of wonderful
sanctity, called Oswald, the excellency of whose faith and
virtue is become renowned even after his death by the
"forking of miracles. I beseech you, if you have any relics
of his in your custody, that you will bring the same to me ;
in case the Lord shall be pleased, through his merits, to have
mercy on me.' I answered, *I have indeed some of the
stake on which his head was set up by the pagans, when
he was killed, and if you believe, with a sincere hearty the
Divine Goodness may, through the merit of so great a man,
both grant you a longer term of life here, and render you
worthy of admittance into eternal life.' He answered im-
mediately, *That he had entire faith therein.' Then I
blessed some water, and put into it a chip of the aforesaid
oak, and gave it the sick man to drink. He presently found
ease, and, recovering of his sickness, lived a long time after ;
and, being entirely converted to God in heart and actions,
wherever he came, he spoke of the goodness of his merciful
Creator, and the honour of his faithful servant"
Digitized by VjOOQIC
▲.0.643.1 ITHAMAB, BISHOP OF ROCHESTER. 131
CHAP. XIV.
On the death of PaulintUf Ithamar was made bishop of- Rochester in hie
stead. Of the wonderful humility of King Oswin, who was cruelly slain
by Oswy, [a. d. 642.]
Oswald being translated to the heavenly kingdom, his
brother Oswy, a young man of about thirty years of age,
succeeded him on the throne of his earthly kingdom, and
held it twenty-eight years with much trouble, being harassed
by the pagan king, Fenda, and by the pagan nation of the
Mercians, that had slain his brother, as also by his son
Alfred, and by his cousin-german Ethelwald, the son of his
brother who reigned before him. In his second year, that
is, in the year of our Lord 644, the most reverend Father
Paulinus, formerly bishop of York, but then of the city of
Rochester, departed to our Lord, on the 10th day of October,
having held the bishopric nineteen years, two months, and
twenty-one days ; and was buried in the sacristy of the
blessed Apostle Andrew, which King Ethelbert had built
from the foundation, in the same city of Rochester. In his
place, Archbishop Honorius ordained Ithamar, of the Kent-
bh nation, but not inferior to his predecessors for learning
and conduct of life.
Oswy, during the first part of his reign, had a partner in
the royal dignity called Oswin, of the race of King Edwin,
and son to Osric, of whom we have spoken above, a man of
wonderful piety and devotion, who governed the province of
the Deiri seven years in very great prosperity, and was him-
self beloved by all men. But Oswy, who governed aU the
other northern part of the nationbeyond the Humber, that
is, the province of the Bemicians, could not live at peace
with him ; but on the contrary, the causes of their disagree-
ment being heightened, he murdered him most cruelly. For
when they had rabed armies against one another, Oswin
perceived that he could not maintain a war against one who
had more auxiliaries than himself, and he thought it better
at that time to lay aside all thoughts of engaging, and to
preserve himself for better times. He therefore dismissed
the army which he had assembled, and ordered all his men
to return to their own homes, from the place that is called
^ O Digitized by VjOOQ IC
132 BEDE'S ECCLESIASTICAL HIS TORT. CB.m.c.14.
Wilfares-dun,* that is, Wilfar's Hill, which is almost ten
miles distant from the village called Cataract, towards the
north-west. He himself, with only one trusty soldier, whose
name was Tondhere, withdrew and lay concealed in ike
house of Earl Hunwald, whom he imagined to be his most
assured friend. But, alas I it was otherwise ; for the earl
betrayed him, and Oswy, in a detestable manner, by the
hands of his commander, Ethilwin, slew him and the soldier
aforesaid. This happened on the 20th of August, in tiie
ninth year of his reign, at a place called Ing«thlingum,|
where afterwards, to atone for his crime, a mopastery was
built, wherein prayers were to be daily offered up to God
for the souls of both kings, that is, of him that was mur-
dered, and of him that commanded him to be killed.
King Oswin was of a graceful aspect, and tall of statoFe^
affable in discourse, and courteous in behaviour ; and most
bountiful, as well to the ignoble as the noble ; so that he was
beloved by all men for his qualities of body and mind, and
persons of the first rank came from almost all provinces to
serve him. Among other virtues and rare endowments, if I
may so express it, humility is said to have been the greatest,
which it will suffice to prove by one example.
He had given an extraordmarily fine horse to Bishc^
Aidan, which he might either use in crossing rivers, or in
performing a journey upon any urgent necessity, though he
was wont to travel ordinarily on foot. Some short time afteri
a poor man meeting him, and asking alms, he immediately
dismounted, and ordered the horse, with all his royal
furniture, to be given to the beggar ; for he was very
compassionate, a great friend to the poor, and, as it were, the
father of the wretched. This being told to the king, when
they were going in to dinner, he said to the bishops " Why
would you, my lord bishop, give the poor man that royal
horse^ which was necessary for your use? Had not we
many other horses of less value, and of other sorts, wbidi
would have been good enough to give to the poor, a^d not to
give that horse, which I had particularly chosen fer
# Though the distance of this pUice from Catterick is so accmatelj hfni
doim by Bede, Smith was unable to find any modem name of a plaoe #
all answering to it, at the requued distance fiom Catterick.
t Gilling, in the North Ridbg of Yorkshire. nr^^r(\o
gitized by VjOvJV Ik^
oswin's death. 133
yourself ?" To whom the bishop instantly answered, " What
is it yon say, O king ? Is that foal of a mare more dear to
Jim than the Son of God ? ** Upon this they went in to
dinner, and the bishop sat in his place ; but the king, who
was come from hunting, stood warming himself^ with his
attendants, at the fire. Then, on a sudden, whilst he was
warming himself^ calling to mind what the bishop had said
to him, he ungirt his sword, and gave it to a servant, and in
a hasty manner feU down at the bishop's feet, beseeching him
to forgiye him ; " For from this time forward," said he, " I
will never speak any more of this, nor will I judge of what,
or how much of our money you shall give to the sons of
God." The bishop was much moved at this sight, and
starting up, raised him, saying, " He was entirely reconciled
to bim, if he would sit down to his meat, and lay aside all
sorrow." The king, at the bishop's command and request,
beginning to be merry, the bishop, on the other hand, grew
so melanchdy as to shed tears. His priest then asking him,
in the language of his country, which the king and his
servants did not understand, why he wept, " I know," said
he, " that the king will not live long ; for I never before saw
so humble a king ; whence I conclude that he will soon be
snatched out of this life, because this nation is not worthy of
such a ruler." Not long after, the bishop's prediction was
fulfilled by the king's death, as has been said above. But
Bishop Aldan himself was also taken out of this world,
twelve days after the king he loved, on the 31st of August,
to receive the eternal reward of his labours from our Lord.
CHAP. XV.
ffow Bkhop Aidan fotttold to certain seamen a storm that would happen^
and gaiAe them some holp oil to lay it, [a.d. 651.]
How great the merits of Aidan were, was made manifest by
liie all-seeing Judge, with the testimony of miracles, whereof
it will suffice to mention three as a memorial A certain
priest, whose name was Utta, a man of great gravity and
sincerity, and on that account honoured by all men, even the
princes of the world, being ordered to Kent, to bring from
thence, as wife for King Oswy, Eanfleda, the daughter of
King Edwin, who had been carried thither when her fiEtther
r
134 BEDe's ecclesiastical history. [B.in.^aff.'
was killed ; and intending to go thither by land, but to
return with the virgin by sea, repaired to Bishop Aidaiiy
entreating him to offer up his prayers to our Lord for him
and his company, who were then to set out on their journey.
He, blessing and recommending them to our Lord, at the
same time gave them some holy oil, saying, " I know that
wlien you go abroad, you will meet with a storm and
contrary wind ; but do you remember to cast this oil I give
you into the sea, and the wind shall cease immediately ;
you will have pleasant calm weather, and return home
safe."
All which fell out as the bishop had predicted. For in
the first place, the winds raging, the sailors endeavoured to
ride it out at anchor, but all to no purpose ; for the sea
breaking in on all sides, and the ship beginning to be filled
with water, they all concluded that certain death was at
hand ; the priest at last, remembering the bishop's words,
laid hold of the phial and cast some of the oil into the sea,
which, as had been foretold, became presently calm. Thus
it came to pass that the man of God, by the spirit of
prophecy, foretold the storm that was to happen, and by
virtue of the same spirit, though absent, appeased the
same. Which miracle was not told me by a person of little
credit, but by Cynemund, a most faithful priest of our
church, who declared that it was related to him by Utta, the
priest, on and by whom the same was wrought
CHAP. XVI.
How the same Aidan, hy his prayersy saved the royal city when fired by
the enemy, [a.d. 651.]
Another notable miracle of the same father is related by
many such as were likely to have knowledge thereof ; for
during the time that he was bishop, the hostile army of the
Mercians, under the command of Penda, cruelly ravaged the
country of the Northumbrians far and near, even to the
royal city ; * which has its name from Bebba, formerly its
queen. Not being able to enter it by force, or by a long
siege, he endeavoured to bum it ; and having destroyed all
the villages in the neighbourhood of the city, he brought to it
♦Bambrough. ^..^..^GoOgle
.] AIDAN'S DEATH. 135
an immense quantity of planks, beams, wattles and thatcli,
^vherewith he encompassed the place to a great height on
the land side, and when the wind set upon it, he fired the mass,
designing to bum the town.
At that time, the most reverend Bishop Aidan resided in
the isle of Fame,* which is nearly two miles from the city ;
for thither he was wont often to retire to pray in private,
that he might be undisturbed. Indeed, this solitary residence
of his is to this day shown in that island. When he saw the
flames of fire and the smoke carried by the boisterous wind
above the city walls, he is reported, with eyes and hands
lifted up to heaven, to have said, " behold. Lord, how great
mischief Penda does ! " Which words were hardly uttered,
when the wind immediately turning from the city, drove
back the flames upon those who had kindled them, so that
some being hurt, and all frightened, they forbore any further
attempts against the city, which they perceived was protected
hj the hand of Grod.
CHAP. xvn.
Hofv the post of the church on which Bishop Aidan was leaning when he
died, could not be burnt when the rest of the Church was consumed by
fire ; and of his inward life, [a.d. 661.]
Aidan was in the king's country-house, not far from the city
of which we have spoken above, at the time when death
separated him from his body, after he had been bishop six-
teen years ; for having a church and a chamber there, he was
wont often to go and stay there, and to make excursions to
preach in the country round about, which he likewise did at
other of the king's country-seats, having nothing of his own
besides his church and a few fields about it. When he was
sick they set up a tent for him close to the wall at the west
end of the church, by which means it happened that he gave
up the ghost, leaning against a post that was on the outside
to strengthen the wjS. He died in the seventeenth year of
his episcopacy, the last day of the month of August. His
body was thence translated to the isle of lindisfame, and
♦ A small idand in the parish of*Holy Island, Durham, ahout two miles
eastward of Bambrongh castle ; it is remarkable as the spot where St.
by Google
Cathbert passed a few of the latter years of his life.
* • gitized
136 bsde's ecclesiastical histobt. [BLiiLcir.
buried in the churchyard belonging to the brethren. Some
time after, when a larger church was built there and dedi-
cated in honour of the blessed prince of the i^postles, his
bonbs were translated thither, and deposited on the right
hand of the altar, with the respect due to so great a prela^.
Finan, who had likewise come from the same monastery
of Hii in the Scottish island, succeeded him, and continued
a considerable time in the bishopric It happened some years
after, that Fenda, king of the Mercians, coming into these
parts with a hostile army, destroyed all^ he coul^with fire
and sword, and burned down the village and church above
meationed, where the bishop died ; but it fell out in a wonder-
ful manner that the post, which he had leaned upon when
he died, could not be consumed by the fire which consumed
all about it. This miracle being taken notice o^ the church
was soon rebuilt in the same place, and that very post was
set up on the outside, as it had been before, to strengthen
the wall. It happened again, some time after, that the. same
village and church were burned down the second tim^ and
even then the fire could not touch that post ; and when in a
most miraculous manner the fire broke through the very holes
in it wherewith it was fixed to the building, and destroyed
•the church, yet it could do no hurt to the said post The
church being therefore built there the third time, they did
not, as before, place that post on the outside as a support, but
within, as a memorial of the miracle ; and the people coming
in were wont to kneel thereu /and implore the Divine mercy.
And it is manifest that sinc^then many have been healed in
that same place, as also that chips being cut off from that
post, and put into water, have healed many from their dis-
tempers, if
I have written thus much concerning the person and works
of the aforesaid Aidan, in no way commending or approving
what he imperfectly understood in relation to the observance
of Easter ; nay, very much detesting the same, as I have most
manifestly proved in the book I have written, "De Tempori-
bus ;** but, like an impartial historian, relating what was done
by or with him, and commending such things as are praise-
worthy in his actions, and preserving the memory thereof for
the benefit of the readers ; viz. his jove of peace and charity ;
his continence and humility; his mind superior to anger and
A.D. 635.1 8IGEBEBT, KING OF EAST AKGLIA. 137
ayarice, and despising pride and vainglorj ; his industrj^ in
keeping and teaching the heavenly commandments ; his dili-
gence in reading and watching ; his authority becoming a
priest in reproving the haughty and powerful, and at the
same time his tenderness in comforting the afflicted, and
relieving or defending the poor. To say all in a few words,
as near as I could be informed by those that knew him, he
took care to omit none of those things which he found in the
apostolical or prophetical writings, but to the utmost of his
power endeavoured to perform them alL
Hiese things I much love and admire in the aforesaid
bishop ; because I do not doubt that they were pleasing to
Grod ; but I do not praise or approve his not observing Easter
at the proper time, either through ignorance of the canonical
time appointed, or, if he knew it, being prevailed on by the
aothority of his nation, not to follow the same. Yet this I
throve in him, that in the celebration of his Easter, the
object which he had in view in all he said, did, or preached,
was the same as ours, that is, the redemption of mankind,
through the passion, resurrection and ascension into heaven
of the man Jesus Christ, who is the mediator betwixt God
and man. And therefore he always celebrated the same, not
as some falsely imagine, on the fourteenth moon, like the
Jews, whatsoever the day was, but on the Lord's day, from
the fourteenth to the twentieth moon ; and this he did from
his belief of the resurrection of our Lord happening on the
day aiW the Sabbath, and for the hope of our resurrection,
which also he, with the holy Church, believed would happen
on the same day after the Sabbath, now called the Lord's
day.
CHAP. XVHL
Of ihe life and death of the religUnu King Sigehert, [a.d. 635.]
At this time, the kingdom of the East Angles, after the
death of Earpwald, the successor of Eedwald, was subject to
his brother Sigebert, a good and religious man, who long
before had been baptized in France, whilst he lived in banish-
ment, flying from the enmity of Redwald; and returning
home, as soon as he ascended the throne, beins. desirous to
Digitized by CjOOQIC
138 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. [b.ui.c.19.
imitate the good institutions which he had seen in France, he
set up a school for youth* to be instructed in literature, and
was assisted therein by Bishop Felix, who came to him from
Kent, and who furnished him with masters and teachers after
the manner of that country.
This king became so great a lover of the heavenly kingdom,
that quitting the affairs of his crown, and committing the
same to his kinsman Ecgric, who before held a part of that
kingdom, he went himself into a monastery, which he had
built, and having received the tonsure, applied himself rather
to gain a heaveidy throne. Some time after this, it happened
that the nation of the Mercians, under Bang Penda, made
war on the East Angles ; who, finding themselves inferior in
martial affairs to their enemy, entreated Sigebert to go with
them to battle, to encourage the soldiers. He refused, upon
which they drew him against his will out of the monastery,
and carried him to the army, hoping that the soldiers would
be less disposed to flee in the presence of him, who had once
been a notable and a brave commander. But he, still keep-
ing in mind his* profession, whilst in the midst of a royal
army, would carry nothing in his hand but a wand, and was
killed with King Ecgric; and the pagans pressing on, all
their army was either slaughtered or dispersed.
Anna, the son of Eni, of the blood royal, a good man, and
father of an excellent family of children, succeeded them in
the kingdom. Of whom we shall speak hereafter ; he being
also slain by the same pagan conunander as his predecessor
had been.
CHAP. XIX.
How Fursey huilt a monastery among the East Angles, and of his visions
and sanctity, of which, his flesh remaining uncorrupted after death, bore
testimony, [a.d. 633.]
Whilst Sigebert still governed the kingdom, there came out
of Ireland a holy man called Fursey renowned both for his
words and actions, and remarkable for singular virtues, being
desirous to live a stranger for our Lord, wherever an oppor-
tunity should offer. On coining into the province of the
East Saxons, he was honourably received by the aforesaid
• Either at Seaham or Dunwich, according to Later writers.
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
A.©. e33.] ST. PXJB8BY ARRIVES PROM IRELAND. 139
king, and performing his usual employment of preaching the
Grospel, by the example of his virtue and the efficacy of his
discourse, converted many unbelievers to Christ, and con-
firmed in his faith and love those that already believed.
Here he fell into some infirmity of body, and was thought
worthy to see a vision from God ; in which he was admonished
diligently to proceed in the ministry of the word which he
had undertaken, and indefatigably to continue his usual
watching and prayers ; inasmuch as his end was certain, but the
hour g£ it would be uncertain, according to the saying of our
Lord, " Watch ye therefore, because ye know not the day nor
the hour." Being confirmed by this vision, he applied him-
self with all speed to build a monastery on the ground which
had been given him by King Sigebert, and to establish r^u-
lar discipline therein. This monastery was pleasantly situated
in the woods, and with the sea not far off; it was built
within the area of a castle, which in the English language is
called Cnobheresburg, that is, Cnobher's Town ;* afterwards,
Aona, king of that province, and the nobility, embellished it
with more stately buildings and donations. This man was
of noble Scottish blood, but much more noble in mind than
in birth. From his boyish years, he had particularly applied
himself to reading sacred books, and following monastic dis»
eipline, and, as is most becoming to holy men, he carefully
practised all that he learned was to be done.
In short, he built himself the monastery, wherein he might
with more freedom indulge his heavenly studies. There,
fJEdling sick, as the book about his life informs us, he fell into
a trance, and quitting his body from the evening till the cock
crew, he was found worthy to behold the choirs of angels,
and to hear the praises wluich are sung in heaven. He was
wont to declare, that among other things he distinctly heard
this : " The saints shall advance from one virtue to another."
And again, " The Grod of gods shall be seen in Sion." Being
restored to his body at that time, and again taken from it
three days after, he not only saw the greater joys of the
blessed, but also extraordinary combats of evil spirits, who
by frequent accusations wickedly endeavoured to obstruct his
journey to heaven ; but the angels protecting him, all their
» Burghcastle in Suffolk. Djgnj.ed by GoOglc.
140 BEDe's ecclesiastical bistort. [r. in. c 19.
endeavours were in vain. Concerning which particulars, if
any one desires to be more fully informed, that is, with what
subtle fraud the devils represented both his actions and super-
fluous words, and even his thoughts, as if they had been
written down in a book ; and what pleasing or disagreeable
things he was informed of by the angels and saints, or just
men who appeared to him among the angels ; let him read
the little book of his life which I have mentioned, and I be-
lieve he will thereby reap much spiritual profit.
But there is one thing among the rest, which we have
thought may be beneficial to many if inserted in this his-
tory. When he had been lifted up on high, he was ordered
by the angels that conducted him to look back upon the
world. Upon which, casting his eyes downward, he saw,
as it were, a dark and obscure valley underneath him. He
also saw four fires in the air, not far distant from each
other. Then asking the angeb, what fires those were ? he
was told, they were the fires which would kindle and con-
sume the world. One of them was of falsehood, when we
do not fulfil that which we promised in baptism, to renounce
the Devil and all his works. The next of covetousness,
when we prefer the riches of the world to the love of hea-
venly things. The third of discord, when we make no
difficulty to offend the minds of our neighbours even in
needless things. The fourth of iniquity, when we look
upon it as no crime to rob and to defraud the weak. These
fires, increasing by degrees, extended so as to meet one
another, and being joined, became an inmiense flame. When
it drew near, fearing for himself^ he said to the angel, " Lord,
behold the fire draws near me." The angel answere4 " That
which you did not kindle shall not bum you } for though
this appears to be a terrible and great fire, yet it tries eveir
man according to the merits of his works ; for every man^
concupiscence shall bum in the fire ; for as every one bums
in the body through imlawful pleasure, so when discharged
of the body, he shall bum in the punishment which he has
deserved."
Then he saw one of the three angels, who had been his
conductors throughout both visions, go before and divide
the flame of fire, whilst the other two, flying about on both
sides, defended him from the danger of that fire. He also
A.O.C33.] rtJBSET'S TISI0N9. HI
saw devils flying through the fire, raising conflagrations ot*
wars against the just. Then followed accusations of the
wicked spirits against him, the defence of the good angels
in his fevour, and a BEM)re extended view of the heavenly
tow^ ; as also of holy men of his own nation, who, as he
had long since been informed, had been deservedly ad-
vaaced to the degree of priesthood, from whom he heard
many things that might be very salutary to himself, or to
all others that would listen to them. When they had ended
their discourse, and returned to heaven with the angelic
spirits, the three angels remained with the blessed Fursey,
of wh^m we have spoken before, and who were to bring
lam back to his body. And when they approached the
ftfiH*6s«id immense fire, the angel divided the flame, as he
had doae before ; but when the man of God came to the
I»Mage so opened amidst the flames, the unclean spirits,
hiying hold of one of those whom they tormented in the
fire, threw him at him, and, touching his shoulder and jaw,
bamed th^n. He knew the man, and called to mind that
he had received his gannent when he died ; and the angel,
hnmediately laying hold, threw him back into the fire, and
tiie malignant en^ay said, "Do not reject him whom you
hrfore received ; for as you accepted the goods of him who
^•8 a sinner, so yoti must partake of his punishment" The
M^ replying, said, " He did not receive the same through
avarice, but in order to save his soul." The fire ceased, and
tile angel, turning to him, added, " That which you kindled
homed in you j £<yt had you not received the money of this
Person that died in his sins, his punishment would not bum
^ you." And proceeding in his discourse, he gave him
wholesome advice for what ought to be done towards the
salvation of such as repented.
Bdng aft^n^ards restored to his body, throughout tto
^^le course of his life he bore the mark of the fire which
h« had felt in his soul, visible to all men on his shoulder and
jaw ; ajad ti^ flesh publicly showed, in a wonderful manner,
^hat the soul had suffered in jwivate. He always took care,
w he had done before, to persuade all men to the practice of
^rtue, as well by his example, as by preaching. But as for
w matter of his visions, he would only relate them to thoso
^^l from holy zeal and desire of reformati<m, wished to
142 BEDe's ecclesiastical HISTOET. [B.m.c.I9L
learn the same. An ancient brother of our monastery is
still living, who is wont to declare that a very sincere and
religious man told him, that he had seen Fursey himself in
the province of the East Angles, and heard those visions
fi:om his mouth ; adding, that though it was in most sharp
winter weather, and a hard frost, and the man was sitting in
a thin garment when he related it, yet he sweated as if it
had been in the greatest heat of simuner, eiiher through
excessive fear, or spiritual consolation.
To return to what we were saying before, when, after
preaching the word of Grod many years in Scotland, [Ireland]
he could no longer bear the crowds that resorted to him,
leaving all that he seemed to possess, he departed from his
native island, and came with a few brothers through the
Britons into the province of the English, and preaching the
word of God there, as has been said, built a noble monastery.
These things being rightly performed, he became desirous to
rid himself of all business of this world, and even of the
monastery itself, and forthwith lefb the same, and the care
of souls, to his brother Fullan, and the priests Gobban and
Dicull, and being himself free from all that was worldly,
resolved to end his life as a hermit. He had another brother
galled Ultan, who, after a long monastical probation, had also
adopted the life of an anchorite. Eepairing all alone to him,
he lived a whole year with him in continence and prayer,
and laboured daily with his hands.
Afterwards seeing the province in confusion by the irrup-
tions of the pagans, and presaging that the monasteries
would be also in danger, he left all things in order, and
sailed over into France, and being there honourably enter-
tained by Clovis, king of the Franks, or by the patrician
Erconwald, he built a monastery in the place called Latinia-
cum,* and falling sick not long after, departed this life. The
same Erconwald took his body, and deposited it in the
porch of a church he was building in his town of Perrone,
till the church itself should be dedicated. This happened
twenty-seven days after, and the body being taken from the
porch, to be re-buried near the altar, was found as entire
as if he had just then died. And again, four years after, a
more decent tabernacle or chapel being built for the same
• Lagny, about six miles to the north of.(.P|i^iQ:g,sthe Mame.
A.B.653.] mCATH OF HONOmUS. 143
body to the eastward of the altar, it was still found free from
cerruption, and translated thither with due honour ; where
it is well known that his merits, through the divine opera-
tion, have been declared by many miracles. These things
and the incorruption of his body we have taken notice o^
that the sublimeness of this man may be the better known to
the readers. All which, whosoever will read it, will find
more fully described, as also about his fellow-labourers, in
the book of his life before mentioned.
CHAP. XX.
Hcnorius dying^ Deusdedit is gJuuen archbishop of Canterbury, of those
who were at that time bishops of the East Angles, and of the church of
Rochester, [a.d. 653.]
hf the meantime, Felix, bishop of the East Angles, dying,
when he had held that see seventeen years, Honorius or-
dained Thomas his deacon, of the province of the Girvii,* in
his place; and he departing this life when he had been
bishop five years, Bertgils, sumamed Boniface, of the pro-
vince of Kent, was appointed in his stead. Honorius him-
self also, having run his course, departed this life in the year
of our Lord 653, on the 30th of September ; and when the
see had been vacant a year and six months, Deusdedit, of
the nation of the South Saxons, was chosen the sixth arch-
bishop of Canterbury. To ordain whom, Ithamar, bishop
of Rochester, came thither. His ordination was on the 26th
of March, and he ruled nine years, four months, and two
days ; when he also died. Ithamar consecrated in his place
Damian,f who was of the race of the South Saxons.
CHAP. XXI.
How the province of the Midland Angles became Christian under King
Peada, [a.d. 653.]
At this time, the Middle Angles, J under their Prince Peada,
the son of King Penda, received the faith and sacraments of
• The Girvii inhabited the counties of Rutland, Northampton, and
Huntingdon, with part of Lincohishire, and had their own princes, depend-
ent on the Idngs of Mercia.
t The see of Canterbury was vacant four years between the death of
Deusdedit and the consecration of Damian.
t The Southern Mercians, or Middle Angles, whom he governed as king
during the life of his father. . Dgt.edbyGoOglc
144 BEDB*S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. [b. in. c 21.
the truth. Being an excellent youth, and most worthy of
the title and person of a king, he was by his father elevated
to the throne of that nation, and came to Oswy, king of the
Northumbrians, requesting to have his daughter Elfleda given
him to wife ; but could not obtain his desires unless he
would embrace the faith of Christ, and be baptized, with the
nation which he governed. When he heard the preaching
of truth, the promise of the heavenly kingdom, and the hope
of resurrection and future immortality, he declared that he
would willingly become a Christian, even though he should
be refused the virgin ; being chiefly prevailed on to receive
the faith by King Osw/s son Alfrid, who was his relation
and friend, and had married his sister Cyneberga, the daugh-
ter of King Penda.
Accordingly he was baptized by Bishop Finan, with all
his earls and soldiers, and their servants, that came along
with him, at a noted village belonging to the king, called
At the Wall.* And having received four priests, who for
their erudition and good life were deemed proper to instruct
and baptize his nation, he returned home with much joy.
These priests were Cedd and Adda, and Betti and Diuma ;
the last of whom was by nation a Scot, the others English.
Adda was brother to Utta, whom we have mentioned before,
a renowned priest, and abbat of the monastery of Gkteshead.f
The aforesaid priests, arriving in the province with the
prince, preached the word, and were willingly listened to ;
and many, as well of the nobility as the common sort, re-
nouncing the abominations of idolatry, were baptized daily.
Nor did King Penda obstruct the preaching of the word
among his people, the Mw^ians, if any were willing to hear
it ; but, on the contrary, he hated and despised those whom
he perceived not to perform the works of faith, when they
had once received the faith, saying, " They were con-
temptible and wretched who did not obey their God, in
♦ Generally supposed to be Walton, but Smith thinks it is Waubottle,
near Newcastle. The expression, ** At the wall," ia a corruption not un-
usual in the case of towns whose names are imperfectly understood by new
comers. Thus Constantinople is called by the Turks, Stamboul, which i»
only a coiroption of es tan polin.
t Gateshead is supposed to have been a Roman station caUed Gabrosen-
htm, which signifies Goat's Head. It is situated on the southern bank of
tht Tyne, opposite to Mewcasue. Digitized by Google
AD. 653.] IffiCOVERT OF THE EAST SAXONS. 145
whom they believed.** This was begun two years before the
death of King Penda.
But when he was slain, and Oswy, the most Christian
king, succeeded him in the throne, Diuma, one of the aforesaid
four priests, was made bishop of the Midland Angles, as also
of the Mercians,* being ordained by Bishop Finan ;' for the
scarcity of priests was the occasion that one prelate was set
over two nations. Having in a short time gained nuuiy
people to our Lord, he died among the Midland Angles^ in
the country called Feppingum ; and Ceollach, of the Scot-
tish nation, succeeded him in the bishopric This prelate,
not long after, left his bishopric, and returned to the island
of Hii, which, among the Scots, was the chief and head of
many monasteries. His successor in the bishopric waa
Trumhere, a religious man, and educated in. the monastic
life of the English nation, but ordained bishop by the Scots,
which happened in the days of King Wulfhere, of whom we
shall spe^ hereafter.
CHAP. xxn.
' How the East Saxons again received the faith, which they had before cast
off under King Sigehert, through the preaching of Cedd, [a.d. 663.]
At that time, abo, the East Saxons, at the instance of King
Oswy, again received the faith, which they had formerly cast
off when they expelled Mellitus, their bishop. For Sigehert^
who reigned next to Sigehert sumamed The Little, was
then king of that nation, and a friend to King Oswy, who,
' when he often came to him into the province of the North-
umbrians, used to endeavour to persuade him that those
could not be gods that had been made by the hands of men ;
that a stock or a stone could not be proper matter to form a
god, the remains whereof were either burned in the fire, or
framed into any vessds for the use of men, or else were cast
out as refuse, trampled on and bruised to dust. That God
is rather to be understood as of incomprehensible majesty
and invisible to human eyes, almighty, eternal, the Creator
of heaven and earth, and of mankind ; who governs and
* This see was fixed at Repton, fonnerly called Repington, in Derbj*
>^iie, the capital of the kingdom of Mercia, and was probably the see of
tbe fint four bishops of Mercia. It was afterwards, when St. Chad was
feiihop, removed to Lichfield where it has continued to this da^. See p. 174.
L
146 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. Lb. m. c. 22.
will judge the world in righteousness ; whose everlasting
seat is in heaven, and not in vile and fading matter ; and
that it ought in reason to be concluded, that all those wrho
have learned and obeyed the will of Him by whom they
were created, will receive from Him eternal rewards. King
Oswy having often, in a friendly and brotherly manner, said
this and much more to the like effect, at length, with the
consent of his friends, he believed, and after consulting with
those about him, and exhorting them, they all agreed and
gave their approbation, and were baptized with him by
Bishop Finan, in the king's village above spoken of, whidh
is called At the Wall, because it is close by the wall with
which the Romans formerly divided the island of Britain, at
the distance of twelve miles from the eastern sea.
King Sigebert, being now become a citizen of the eternal
kingdom, returned to the seat of his temporal kingdom, re-
questing of Oswy that he would give him some teachers,
who might convert his nation to the faith of Christ, and
baptize them. Oswy, accordingly, sending into the province
of the Midland Angles, invited to him the man of Grod,
Cedd,* and, giving him another priest for his companion,
sent them to preach to the East Saxons. When these two,
travelling to all parts of that country, had gathered a nume-
rous church to our Lord, it happened that Cedd returned
home, and came to the church of lindisfame to confer with
Bishop Finan ; who, finding how successful he had been in
the work of the Gospel, made him bishop of the church or
the East Saxons, calling to him two other bishops to assist
at the ordination. Cedd, having received the episcopal dig-
nity, returned to his province, and pursuing the work he had
begun with more ample authority, built churches f in several
places, ordaining priests and deacons to assist him in the
work of faith, and the ministry of baptizing, especially in
the city which, in the language of the Saxons, is called
♦ Brother to St. Chad, bishop of Lichfield.
f These churches did not at all resemble the parish churches which, in
after times, the lords of the soil appear to have built for the use of them-
selves and their tenantry ; on the contrary, there is much show of proba-
bility that they were chapels or oratories dependent upon the two larger
churches which Cedd built at Ithancestir and at Tilbury, in both which
places he collected together a number of persons, and taught them to ob-
serve, if not a strictly monastic, yet a regular di^|^U@ooQle
AD. 653.1 DEATH OP KING SIGEBEBT. 147
Ithancestir,* as also in that which is named Tilaburg ;f the
first of which places is on the bank of the Pante, the other
on the bank of the Thames, where, gathering a flock of
servants of Christ, he taught them to observe the discipline
of regular Hfe, as far as those rude people were then
capable.
Whilst the doctrine of everlasting life was thus, for a
considerable time, making progress, to the joy of the king
and of aU the people, it happened that the king, at the
instigation of the enemy of aU good men, was murdered by
his own kindred. They were two brothers who did this
wicked deed ; and being asked what had moved them to it,
had nothing else to answer, but that they had been incensed
against the king, and hated him, because he was too apt to
spare his enemies, and easily to forgive the wrongs they had
done him, upon their entreaty. Such was the crime for
which the king was killed, because he observed the precepts
of the Gospel with a devout heart ; in which innocent death,
however, las real offence was also punished, according to the
prediction of the man of Grod. For one of those earls that
murdered him was unlawfully married, which the bishop not
heing able to prevent or correct, he excommunicated him, and
commanded all that would give ear to him not to enter within
his house, nor to eat of his meat The king made slight of
this inhibition, and being invited by the earl, went to an
entertainment at his house, and when he was going thence,
the bishop met him. The king, beholding him, inunediately
dismounted from his horse, trembling, and fell down at his
feet, begging pardon for his offence ; for the bishop, who was
likewise on horseback, had also alighted. Being much
incensed, he touched the king, lying in that humble posture,
with the rod he held in his hand, and using his pontifical
authority, spoke thus : " I say to you, forasmuch as you
would not refrain from the house of that wicked and
condemned person, you shall die in that very house." Yet it
is to be believed, that such a death of a religious man not
only blotted out his offence, but also added to his merit ;
* On the river Pante, now called Blackwater river, near Maldon,
Kaex. There are now no remains of the city.
t Tilbury, near the Thames, opposite to Gravescnd. St. Cedd resided
here when engaged in baptizing the East Saxons. Digitized by GoOglc
148 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. [b.iii.c.23.
because it happened on account of his pious observance of
the commands of Christ.
Sigebert was succeeded in the kingdom by Suidhelm, the
son of Sexbald, who was baptized by the same Cedd, in the
province of the East Angles, at the king's country-seat,
called Rendlesham,* that is, Rendil's Mansion ; and Ethel-
wald, king of the East Angles, brother to Anna, king of the
same people, was his godfather.
CHAP. xxrcL
Bithop Cedd, futving a place given him by King Ethelwaldy eonseorates the
same to our Lord with prayer and fasting. Of his death, [aj). 659.]
The same man of God, whilst he was bishop among the
East Saxons, was also wont several times to visit his own
country, Northumberland, to make exhortations. Ethelwald,
the son of King Oswald, who reigned among the Deiri,
finding him a holy, wise, and good man, desired him to
accept some land to build a monastery, to which the king
himself might frequently resort, to offer his prayers and heakr
the word, and be buried in it when he died ; for he believed
that he should receive much benefit by the prayers of those
who were to serve God in that place. The king had before
with him a brother of the same bishop, called Celin, a man
no less devoted to God, who, being a priest, was wont to
administer to him the word and the sacraments of the faith ;
by whose means he chiefly came to know and love the bishop.
That prelate, therefore, complying with the king's desires,
chose himself a place to build a monastery among craggy and
distant mountains, which looked more like lurking-places for
robbers and retreats for wild beasts, than habitations for
men ; to the end that, according to the prophecy of Isaiah,
<<In the habitations where before dragons dwelt, might be
grass with reeds and rushes ;" that is, that the fruits of good
works should spring up, where before beasts were wont to
dwell, or men to live after the manner of beasts.
The man of God, desiring first to cleanse the place f<^
the monastery from former crimes, by prayer and fasting,
that it might become acceptable to our Lord, and so to lay
the foundations, requested of the king that he would give
• Rendlesham, in SoS^ by Google
A.o.««.] MONASTERY OF LESTINGUA. 149
him leave to reside there all the approaching time of Lent,
to pray. All which days, except Sundays, he fasted till the
evening, according to custom, and then took no other
SQstenance than a Httle bread, one hen's egg, and a little milk
mixed with water. This, he said, was the custom of those
of whom he had learned the rule of regular discipline ; first,
to consecrate to our Lord, by prayer and fasting, the places
which they had newly received for building a monastery or a
church. When there were ten days of X«ent still remaining,
there came a messenger to call him to the king ; and he, that
the religious work might not be intermitted, on account of
the king's affairs, entreated his priest, Cynebil, who was also
his own brother, to complete that which had been so piously
h^un. Cynebn readily complied, and when the time of
festmg and prayer was over, he there built the monastery,
which is now cdled Lestingau,* and established therein the
religious customs of Lindisfame, where they had been
edncated.
Cedd for many years having charge of the bishopric in
the aforesaid province, and of this monastery, over which he
had placed superiors, it happened that he came thither at a
time when there was a mortality, and fell sick and died. He
was first buried in the open air ; but in the process of time a
church was built of stone in the monastery, in honour of the
Mother of God, and his body interred in the same, on the
right hand of the altar.
The bishop left the monastery to be governed after him
by his brother Chad, who was afterwards made bishop,f as
shall be said in its place. For the four brothers we have
mentioned, Cedd and Cynebil, Celin and Ceadda, [Chad,]
which is a rare thing to be met with, were all celebrated
priests of our Lord, and two of them also came to be bishops.
When the brethren who were in his monastery, in the
* It has been supposed that this monastery was situated at Lastingham,
deaveland, Yorksh^. Dugdale (i. 342) says, it was situated, in the
deanery of Kydale and archdeaconry of Cleaveland, at no great distance
from Whitby. John of Tinemouth places the foundation in the year 648 ;
Bede in 660. It was completely ruined in the Danish wars, about 870. — ^The
beautiful old Saxon church at Lastingham, remarks Mr. Stevenson, if not
the original buildmg of Cedd or his brother Chad, is one of the oldest
dmrches in the kingdom.
t Fin* bishop of York, and then of Lichteld.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
150 BEDE'S ecclesiastical HISTOBT. {b, in. c. 14.
province of the East Saxons, heard that the bishop was dead
m the province of the Northumbrians, about thirty men of
that monastery came thither, being desirous either to live
near the body of their father, if it should please Grod,
or to die there and be buried. Being lovingly received by
their brethren and fellow soldiers in Christ, aJl of them died
there by the aforesaid pestilence, except one little boy, who
was delivered from death by his fathe]?s prayers. For when
he had lived there a long time after, and applied himself to
the reading of sacred writ, he was informed that he had not
been regenerated by the water of baptism, and being then
washed in the laver of salvation, he was afterwards promoted
to the order of priesthood, and proved very useful to many
in the church. I do not doubt that he was delivered at the
point of death, as I have said, by the intercession of his
father, whilst he was embracing his beloved corpse, that so
he might himself avoid eternal death, and by teaching,
exhibit the ministry of life and salvation to others of the
brethren.
CHAP. XXIV.
King Penda being slain, the Mercians received the faith of Christ, and
Oswy gave possessions and territories to God, for building monasteries,
in acknowledgment for the victory obtained, [a.d. 655.]
At this time. Bong Oswy was exposed to the fierce and intoler-
able irruptions of Penda, king of the Mercians, whom we have
80 often mentioned, and who had slain his brother ; at length,
necessity compelling him, he promised to give him greater
gifts that can be imagined, to purchase peace ; provided that
ih^ king would return home, and cease to destroy the pro-
vinces of his kingdom. That perfidious king refused to
grant his request, and resolved to extirpate all his nation,
from the highest to the lowest ; whereupon he had recourse
to the protection of the Divine goodness for deliverance frt>m
his barbarous and impious foe, and binding himself by a vow,
said, *^ K the pagan will not accept of our gift;s, let us ofiTer
them to him that will, the Lord our God.** He then vowed,
that if he should come off victorious, he would dedicate his
daughter to our Lord in holy virginity, and give twelve farms
to build monasteries. After this he gave Iraittle with a very
Digitized by VjOOQIC
A.D.597.] PENDA DEFEATED AND SLAIN BY OSWT. 151
small army against superior forces : indeed, it is reported
that the pagans had three times the number of men ; for they
had thirty legions, led on by most noted commanders. King
Oswy and his son Alfrid met them with a very small army,
as has been said, but confiding in the conduct of Christ ; has
other son, Egfrid, was then kept an hostage at the court of
Queen Cynwise, in the province of the Mercians. King
Oswald's son Ethelwald, who ought to have assisted them,
was on the enemy's side, and led them on to fight against his
country and uncle ; though, during the battle, he withdrew,
and waited the event in a place of safety. The engagement
beginning, the pagans were defeated, the thirty commanders,
and those who bad come to his assistance, were put to flight,
and almost all of them ^lain ; among whom was Ethelhere,
brother and successor to Anna, king of the East Angles, who
had been the occasion of the war, and who was now killed,
with all his soldiers. The battle was fought near the river
Vinwed,* which then, with the great rains, had not only filled
its channel, but overflowed its banks, so that many more
were drowned in the flight than destroyed by the sword.
Then King Oswy, pursuant to the vow he had made to
our Lord, returned thanks to Grod for the victory, and gave
his daughter Elfleda, who was scarce a year old, to be con-
secrated to him in perpetual virginity ; delivering also twelve
small portions of land, wherein earthly warfare should cease,
and in which there should be a perpetual residence and sub-
sistence for monks to follow the warfare which is spiritual,
and pray diligently for the peace of his nation. Of those pos-
sessions six were in the province of the Deiri, and the other
six in that of the Bemicians. Each of the said possessions
contained ten families, that is, a hundred and twenty in alL
The aforesaid daughter of King Oswy, thus dedicated to
God, was put into the monastery, called Heruteu,f or, " The
Island of the Hart," where, at that time, the Abbess HildaJ
presided, and, two years after, having acquired a possession
of ten &inilies, at the place called Streaneshalch,§ she built a
monastery there, in which the aforesaid king's daughter ^
* Wmwidfidd, near Leeds. + Now Hartlepool.
t Grrandnieco of Edwin, king of Northumbria.
I Whitbf , in the North Badkg of Yorkshire.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
152 BBDB's ecclesiastical history. [£. in. C84.
first a learner, and afterwards a teacher of the monastic life ;
till, being sixty years of age, the blessed virgin departed to
the nuptials and embraces of her heavenly bridegroom. In
that same monastery, she and her father, Oswy, her mother,
Eanfleda, her mother's father, Edwin, and many other noble
persons, are buried in the church of the holy Apostle Peter.
Bang Oswy concluded the aforesaid war in the country of
Loidis,* in the thirteenth year of his reign, on the 15th of
November, to the great benefit of both nations ; for he both
delivered his own people from the hostile depredations of the
pagans, and, having cut off the wicked king's head, converted
the Mercians and the adjacent provinces to the grace of the
Christian faith.
Diuma was made the first bishop of the Mercians, as also
of Lindisfame and the Midland Angles, as has been said
above, and he died and was buried among the Midland
Angles. The second was Ceollach, who, quitting the episco-
pal office whilst still alive, returned into Scotland, to which
nation he belonged as well as Bishop Diuma. The third was
Trumhere, an Englishman, but taught and ordained by the
Scots, being abbat in the monastery that is called Ingeth-
lingum,t and is the place where Bang Oswin was killed, as has
been said above; for Queen Eanfleda, his kinswoman, in
satisfaction for his unjust death, begged of King Oswy that
he would give the aforesaid servant of God a place there to
build a monastery, becau$e he also was kimman to the
slaughtered king; in which monastery continual prayers
should be offered up for the eternal health of the kings, both
of him that had been slain, and of him that caused it to be
done. The same King Oswy governed the Mercians, as also
the people of the other southern provinces, three years after he
had slain King Penda ; and he likewise subdued the greater
part of the Picts to the dominion of the English.
At which time he gave to the above-ment'-^Tied Peada, son
to King Pendi, who was his kinsman, the kingdom of the
Southern Mercians, consisting, as is reported, of 5,000 fami-
lies, divided by the river Trent from the Northern Mercians,
whose land contained 7,000 families; but that Peada was
the next spring very wickedly killed, by the treachery, as is
* Leeds, fGilUng Yorkshiise.
Digitized by V^jOOQIC
A^e58-J BISHOP FUTAK. 153
said, of his wife, during the very time of celebrating Easter.
Three years after the death of King Penda, Immin, and
Eafa, and Eadbert, generals of the Mercians, rebelled against
Eng Oswy, setting up for their king, Wulf here, son to the
said Penda, a youth, whom they had kept concealed; and
expelling the officers of the foreign king, they at once
recovered their liberty and their land^ ; and being thus free,
together with their king, they rejoiced to serve Christ the
true Bang, that they might obtain the everlasting kingdom
which is in heaven. Tins king governed the Mercians seven-
teen years, and had for his first bishop Trumhere, above
spoken of; the second Jaruman; the third Chad;* the
the fourth Winfrid. All these, succeeding each other
regularly under King Wulf here, discharged the episcopal
duties to the Mercian nation.
CHAP. XXV.
Hwo the ccntrowns arose about the due time qf keeping Easier, with those
OuU came out qf Scotland* '[a.d. 652.]
Ik the meantime. Bishop Aidan being dead, Finan, who was
ordained and sent by the Scots, succeeded him in the bishop-
ric, and built a church in the Isle of lindisfarne, the episco-
pal see ; nevertheless, after the manner of the Scots, he made
it, not of stone, but of hewn oak, and covered it with reeds ;
and the same was afterwards dedicated in honour of St.
Peter the Apostle, by the reverend Archbishop Theodore.
B)adbert,t also bishop of that place, took ofi^he thatch, and
covered it, both roof and walls, with plate« of lead.
At this time, a great and frequent controversy happened
about the observance of Easter ; J those that ea^aae from Kent
or France affirming, that the Scots kept Easter Sunday con- '
trary to the custom of the universal church. Among them
was a most zealous defender of the true Easter, whose name
was Ronan, a Scot by nation, but instructed in ecclesiastical
truth, either in France or Italy, who, disputing with Finan,
convinced many, or at least induced them to make a more
* St. Chad removed the see isom Repton (see p. 145) to Lichfield, aa
related in book iv. c. 3.
t Eadbert was consecrated bishop of Lindisfame, a.d. 688. See book
if. c. 29. X See ante, page 104.
Digitized by V^OOQIC
164 BEDe's ecclesiastical HISTORT. [b. ni. c. 25.
Strict inquiry after the truth ; yet he could not prevail upon
Finan, but, on the contrary, made him the more inveterate
by reproof and a professed opposer of the truth, being of a
hot and violent temper. James, formerly the deacon of the
venerable Archbishop Faulinus, as has been said above, kept
the true and Catholic Easter, with all those that he could
persuade to adopt the right way. Queen Eanfleda and her
followers also observed the same as she had seen practised in
Kent, having with her a Kentish priest that followed the
Catholic mode, whose name was Eomanus. Thus it is said
to have happened in those times that Easter was twice kept
in one year ; and that when the king having ended the time of
fasting, kept his Easter, the queen and her followers were
still fasting, and celebrating Palm Sunday. This difference
~ about the observance of Easter, whilst Aidan lived, was
patiently tolerated by aU men, as being sensible, that though
he could not keep Easter contrary to the custom of those who
had sent him, yet he industriously laboured to practise all
works of faith, piety, and love, according to the custom of all
holy men ; for which reason he was deservedly beloved by
all, even by those who differed in opinion concerning Easter,
and was held in veneration, not oidy by indifferent persons,
but even by the bishops, Honorius of Canterbury, and Felix
of the East Angles.
But after the death of Finan, who succeeded him, when
Colman, who was also sent out of Scotland, came to be bishop,
a greater controversy arose about the observance of Easter,
and the rules of ecclesiastical life. Whereupon this dispute
began naturally to influence the thoughts and hearts of many,
who feared, lest having received the name of Christians,
they might happen to run, or to have run, in vain. This
reached the ears of King Oswy and his son Alfrid ; for Oswy,
having been instructed and baptized by the Scots, and being
very perfectly skilled in their language, thought nothing
better than what they taught. But Alfrid, having been in-
structed in Christianity by Wilfrid, a most learned man, who
had first gone to Rome to learn the ecclesiastical doctrine,
and spent much time at Lyons with Dalfln, archbishop of
France, from whom also he had received the ecclesiastical
tonsure, rightly thought this man's doctrine ought, to be pre-
ferred before ail the traditions of the Scots. J'or this reason
Digitized by V^OOQIC
A.D.e64.] CONTKOVEBST BESPECTING EASTER. 155
he liad also given him a monastery of forty families, at a
place called Rhypum ;* which place, not long before, he had
given to those that followed the system of the Scots for a
monastery ; but forasmuch as they afterwards, being left to
their choice, prepared to quit the place rather than alter their
opinion, he gave the place to him, whose life and doctrine
were worthy of it.
Agilbert, bishop of the West Saxons,t above-mentioned, a
fiiend to King Alfrid and to Abbat Wilfrid, had at that time
come into the province of the Northumbrians, and was making
some stay among them ; at the request of Alfrid, made
Wilfrid a priest in his monastery. He had in his company a
priest, whose name was Agatho. The controversy being
there started, concerning Easter, or the tonsure, or other
ecclesiastical affairs, it was agreed, that a synod should be
held in the monastery of Streanebhalch,J which signifies the
Bay of the Lighthouse, where the Abbess Hilda, a woman/
devoted to God, then presided ; and that there this contro- ^
▼ersy should be decided. The kings, both father and son,
came tluther, bishop Colman§ with his Scottish clerks,
and Agilbert with the priests Agatho and Wilfrid, James
and Romanus were on their side; but the Abbess Hilda
and her followers were for the Scots, as was abo the vene-
rable Bishop Cedd,|| long before ordained by the Scots, as
has been said above, and he was in that council a most care-
ful interpreter for both parties.
King Oswy first observed, that it behoved those who served
one G^ to observe the same rule of life ; and as they all
expected the same kingdom in heaven, so they ought not to
differ in the celebration of the Divine mysteries ; but rather
to inquire which was the truest tradition, that the same might
be foUowed by all ; he then commanded his bishop, Colinan,
first to declare what the custom was which he observed, and
whence it derived its origin. Then Colman said, " The
Easter which I keep, I received from my elders, who sent
me bishop hither ; all our forefathers, men beloved of God,
ftre known to have kept it after the same manner ; and that
* Blpon. i* His see was at Dorchester, near Oxford.
X Afterwards called Whitby. § Third bishop of Lindisfame.
I Bishop of London, or East Saxons. ^
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
156 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. lB.uue.25.
the same may not seem to any contemptible or worthy to be
rejected, it is the same which St. John the Evangelist, the
disciple beloved of our Lord, with all the churches over
which he presided, is recorded to have observed." Having
said thus much, and more to the like effect, the king com-
manded Agilbert to show whence his custom of keeping
Easter was derived, or on what authority it was grounded.
Agilbert ajiswered, " I desire that my disciple, the priest
Wilfrid, may speak in my stead ; because we both concur
with the other followers of the ecclesiastical traditicto that
are here present, and he can better explain our opinion in the
English language, than I can by an interpreter."
Then Wilfrid, being ordered by the king to speak,
delivered himself thus: — "The Easter which we observe,
we saw celebrated by all at Rome, where the blessed apostles,
Peter and Paul, lived, taught, suffered, and were buried ; we
saw the same done in Italy and in France, when we travelled
through those countries for pilgrimage and prayer. We
found the same practised in Africa, Asia, Egypt, Greece, and
eSi^ike world, wherever the church of Christ is spread abroad,
, through several nations and tongues, at one and the same
fime ; except only these and their accomplices in obstinacy,
I mean the Picts and the Britons, who foolishly, in these two
remote islands of the world, and only in part even of them,
oppose all the rest of the universe." When he had so said,
Colman answered, "It is strange that you will call our
labours foolish, wherein we follow the example of so great
an apostle, who was thought worthy to lay his head on our
Lord's bosom, when all the world knows him to have lived
most wisely." Wilfrid replied, " Far be it from us to charge
John with folly, for he literally observed the precepts of the
Jewish law, whilst the church still Judaized in many points,
and the apostles were not able at once to cast off all the
observances of the law which had been instituted by God.
In which way it is necessary that all who come to the faith
should forsake the idols which were invented by devils, that
they might not give scandal to the Jews that were among
the Gentiles. For this reason it was, that Paul circumcised
Timothy, that he offered sacrifice in the temple, that he
shaved his head with Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth ; for
no other advantage than to avoid giving scandal to the Jews.
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AJ) W4.] CONTROVERSY RESPECTINa EASTER. 157
Hence it was, that James said, to the same Paul, * You see,
brother, how many thousands of the Jews have believed ; and
they are aU zealous for the law. And yet, at this time, the
Gospel spreading throughout the world, it is needless, nay, it
is not lawful, for the faithful either to be circumcised, or to
offer up to God sacrifices of flesh.' So John, pursuant to
the custom of the law, began the celebration of the feast of
Easter, on the fourteenth day of the first month, in the
evening, not regarding whether the same happened on a
Saturday, or any other day. But when Peter preached at
Bome, being mindful that our Lord arose from the dead, and
gave the world the hopes of resurrection, on the first day
after the Sabbath, he understood that Easter^ght to be
observed, so as always to stay tiU the rising o^Bie moon on
the fourteenth day of the first moon, in the evening, according
to the custom and precepts of the law, even as John did.
And when that came, if the Lord's day, then called the first
day after the Sabbath, was the next day, he began^Bk very
evening to keep Easter, as we all do at this day.* But if the
Lord's day did not fall the next morning after the fourteenth
moon, but on the sixteenth, or the seventeenth, or any other
moon till the twenty-first, he waited for that, and on the
Saturday before, in the evening, began to observe the holy
solenmity of Easter. Thus it came to pass, that Easter
Sunday was only kept from the fifteenth moon to the twenty-
first. Nor does this evangelical and apostolic tradition
abolish the law, but rather ftilfil it ; the conamand being to
keep the passover from the fourteenth moon of the first month
in the evening to the twenty-first moon of the same month in
the evening ; which observance all the successors of St. John
in Asia, since his death, and all the church throughout the
world, have since followed ; and that this is the true Easter,
•nd the only one to be kept by the faithful, was not newly
decreed by the council of Nice, but only confirmed afresh ;
as the Church History informs us.
"Thus it appears, that you, Ck>lman, neither follow the
example of John, as you imagine, nor that of Peter, whose
traditions you knowingly contradict ; and that you neither
* A complete and rather diffuse explanation of the controversy con- .
Jjnung Easter has been lately written by Professor De Moigan, of
Umrersity CoUege, London. ogtzedbyGoOglc
158 BSDE'S BCCLESLkSTIOAL HISTOBT. [&iii.c.25.
agree with the law nor the Grospel in the keeping of your
Easter. For John, keeping the Paschal time according to
the decree of the Mosaic law, had no regard to the first daj
after the Sabbath, which you do not practise, who celebrate
Easter only on the first day after the Sabbath. Peter kept
Easter Sunday between the fifteenth and the twenty-first
moon, which you do not, but keep Easter Sunday from the
fourteenth to the twentieth moon ; so that you often begin
Easter on the thirteenth moon in the evening, whereof neither
the law made any mention, nor did our Lord, the Author and
Giver of the Giospel, on that day, but on the fourteenth,
either eat the old passover in the evening, or deliver the
sacraments of the New Testament, to be celebrated by the
church, in memory of his passion. Besides, in your
celebration of Easter, you utterly exclude the twenty-first
moon, which the law ordered to be principally observed.
Thus, as I said before, you agree neither with John nor
Peter, nor with the law, nor the Gospel, in the celebration
of the greatest festival."
To this Colman rejoined: "Did AnatoKus, a holy man,
and much commended in church history, act contrary to the
law and the Gt)spel, when he wrote, that Easter was to be
celebrated from the fourteenth to the twentieth ? Is it to be
believed that our most reverend Father Columba and his
successors, men beiov6d by God, who kept Easter after the
same mannei*, thoiight or acted contrary to the Divine
writings ? Whereas there were many among them, whose
sanctity is testified by heavenly signs and the working of
miracles, whose life, customs, and discipline I never cease to
follow, not questioning their being saints in heaven."
" It is evident," said Wilfrid, " that AnatoUus was a most
holy, learned, and commendable man ; but what have you to
do with him, since you do not observe his decrees ? For he,
following the rule of truth in his Easter, appointed a revolu-
tion of nineteen years, which either you are ignorant oi, or
if you know it, though it is kept by the whole church of
Christ, yet you despise it. He so computed the fourteenth
moon in the Easter of our Lord, that according to the
custom of the Egyptians, he acknowledged it to be the
fifteenth moon in the evening ; so in like manner he assigned
the twentieth to Easter- Sunday, as believing, that to be the
Digitized by GfOOQlt
A-D. 664.] CONTKOVERST RESPECTING EASTEB. 159
twenty-first moon, when the sun had set, which rule and
distinction of his it appears you are ignorant of, in that you
sometimes keep Easter before the full of the moon, that is,
on the thirteenth day. Concerning your Father Columba
and his followers, whose sanctity you say you imitate, and
whose rules and precepts you observe, which have been con-
firmed by signs from heaven, I may answer, that when many;
on the day of judgment, shall say to our Lord, * That in lus
name they prophesied, and cast out devils, and wrought
many wonders,' our Lord will reply, ' That he never knew
them.' But far be it jfrom me, that I say so of your fathers,
because it is much more just to believe what is good, than
what is evil, of persons whom one does not know. Where-
fore I do not deny those to have been God's servants, and
beloved by him, who with rustic simplicity, but pious inten-
tions, have themselves loved him. Nor do I think that such
keeping of Easter was very prejudicial to them, as long as
none came to show them a more perfect rule ; and yet I do
believe that they, if any catholic adviser had come among
them, would have as readily followed his admonitions, as
they are known to have kept those commandments of God,
which they had learned and knew.
" But as for you and your companions, you certainly sin,
if, having heard the decrees of the Apostolic See, and of the
universal church, and that the same is confirmed by holy
writ, you refuse to follow them ; for, though your fathers
were holy, do you think that their small number, in a comer
of the remotest island, is to be preferred before the universal
church of Christ throughout the world ? And if that Co-
lumba of yours, (and, I may say, ours also, if he was
Christ's servant,) was a holy man and powerful in miracles,
yet could he be preferred before the most blessed prince of
the apostles, to whom our Lord said, * Thou art Peter, and
upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell
shall not prevail against it, and to thee I will give the keys
of the kingdom of heaven ?' "
When Wilfrid had spoken thus, the king said, " Is it true,
Colman, that these words were spoken to Peter by our
Lord?" He answered, "It is true, O king!" Then says
he, " Can you show any such power given to your Co- *
lumba?" Colman answered, "None." ^'IJ^i^nQ^ded the
160 BEDE's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. [&ni.c.M.
king, " Do you both agree that these words were prin-
cipaJly directed to Peter, and that the keys of heaven were
given to him by our Lord?" They both answered, "We
do." Then the king concluded, " And I also say unto you,
that he is the door-keeper, whom I will not contradict, but
will, as far as I know and am able, in all things obey his
decrees, lest, when I come to the gates of the kingdom of
heaven, there should be none to open them, he being my
adversary who is proved to have the keys." The king
having said this, fdl present, both great and small, gave
their assent, and renouncing the more imperfect institution,
resolved to conform to that which they foimd to be better.
" CHAP. XXVL
Colmarif being toorstedy returned home ; Tuda succeeded him in the bishop-
ric; the state of the church under those teachers, [a.d. 664.]
The disputation being ended, and the company broken up,
Agilbert returned home. Colman, perceiving that his doc-
trine was rejected, and his sect despised, took with him such
as would not comply with the Catholic Easter and the ton-
sure,* (for there was much controversy about that also,) and
went back into Scotland, to consult with his people what
was to be done in this case. Cedd, forsaking the practices
of the Scots, returned to his bishopric, having submitted to
the Catholic observance of Easter. This disputations hap-
pened in the year of our Lord's incarnation 664, which was
the twenty-second year of the reign of King Oswy, and the
thirtieth of the episcopacy of the Scots among the English ;
foi^ Aidan was bishop seventeen years, Finan ten, and Col-
man three. '
* The tonsure, properly so called, does not appear to have been adopted
for the first three centuries of the church; but originated with the earliest
professors of the monastic institutions as a distinctive token of thdr renun-
ciation of the pleasures of the world. Towards the close of the fifth cen-
tury it began to be considered, both in the Greek and Latin churches, as
a necessary rite for admission into the clerical office; but who were the
originators of the circular and semicircular modes is not known. The
Roman clergy shaved the crown of the head, which was surrounded by a
circle of hair, supposed to represent the wreath of thorns forced by the
cruelty of his persecutors on the temples of the Messiah, and which tbej
pleaded had descended to them from St Peter. The Scottish priests per-
mitted the hair to grow on the back, and shaved the forepart of the head
from ear to ear in the form of a crescent, which their opponents called in
derision, the tonsure of Simon Magus. . ^ j
Digitized by V^OOQIC
A.c.6(J4.] TUDA, BISHOP OF L1NDI8FARNB. 161
When Colman was gone back into his own country, God's
servant, Tuda, was made bishop of the Northumbrians* in
bis place, having been instructed and ordained bishop among
the Southern Scots, having also the ecclesiastical tonsure of
his crown, according to the custom of that province, and
observing the Catholic time of Easter. He was a good and
religious man, but governed his church a very short time ;
be came out of Scotland whilst Colman was yet bishop, and,
both by word and example, diligently taught all persons
tbose things that appertain to the faith and truth. But
Eata, who was abbat of the monastery of Melrose,f a most
reverend and meek man, was appointed abbat over the
brethren that stayed in the church of Lindisfame, when
the Scots went away ; they say, Colman, upon his departure,
requested and obtained this of King Oswy, because Eata was
one of Aidan's twelve boys of the English nation, whom he
received when first made bishop there, to be instructed in
Christ ; for the king much loved Bishop Colman on account
of his singular discretion. This is the same Eata, who, not
long after, was made bishop of the same church of Liudis-
fame. Colman carried home with him part of the bones of
tbe most reverend Father Aidan, and left part of them in
the church where he had presided, ordering them to be in-
terred in the sacristy.
The place which he governed shows how fingal he and
bis predecessors were, for there were very few houses be-
sides the church found at their departure ; indeed, no more
than were barely sufficient for their daily residence ; they
bad also no money, but cattle ; for if they "received any
money from rich persons, they immediately gave it to the
poor; there being no need to gather money, or provide
bouses for the entertainment of the great men of the world ;
for such never resorted to the church, except to pray and
bear the word of God. The king himself, when opportunity
offered, came only with five or six servants, and having per-
formed his devotions in the church, departed. But if they
happened to take a repast there, they were satisfied with
only the plain and daily food of the brethren, and* required
* Fourth bishop of Lindis&rne. He was the last of the Scottish bishops,
•» they aie tenned, who had the govemment of this see.
t Near Jedburgh, Roxburghshire. ^^^^^^^ ^^ Google
162 BSDB's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. [B.IILC.S7
no more ; for the whole care of those teachers was to senre
God, not the world — to feed the soul, and not the belly.
For this reason the religious habit was at that time in
great veneration ; so that wheresoever any clergyman cr
monk happened to come, he was joyfully received by all
persons, as God's servant ; and if they chanced to meet bim
upon the way, they ran to him, and bowing, were glad to
be signed with his hand, or blessed with his mouths Great
attention was also paid to their exhortations ; and on Sun-
days they flocked eagerly to the church, or the monastenes,
not to feed their bodies, but to hear the word of God ; and
if any priest happened to come into a village, the inhabitants
flocked together to hear from him the word of life ; for the
priests and clergymen went into the village on no oth^
account than to preach, baptize^ visit the sick, and, in few
words, to take care o£ souls ; and they were so free from
worldly avarice, that none of them received lands and pos-
sessions for building monasteries, unless they were compiled
to do so by the temporal authorities ; which custom was
for some time after observed in all the churches of the
Northumbrians. But enough has now been said on this
subject.
CHAP. xxvn.
Egbert, a holy man of the English nationy led a moniutie Jif^ in IrtlamL
[A.D. 664.J
In the same year of our Lord's incarnation, 664, there hi^
pened an eclipse of the sun, on the third of May, about ten
o'clock in the morning. In the same year, a sudden pestilence*
also depopulated the southern coasts of Britain, and afterwards
extending into the province of the Northumbriuis, ravaged
the country far and near, and destroyed a great multitude of
men. To which plague the aforesaid priest Tuda fell a vic-
tim, and was honourably buried in the monastery of P^aa-
leth.f This pestilence did no less harm in the island of
Ireland. Many of the nobility, and of the lower ranks of
• Called the Yellow Plague.
t In the Saxon Chronicle, it is called Wagele. Probably Finchale, in
Uie pariah of St. Oswald's, on the Western bank of the Wear, nsar
Durham. r^ \
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A^WL] EGBEBT's P&A.TEB Am> VOWS. 168
the English nation, were there at that time, who, in the days
of the Bishops Finan and Cohnan, forsaking their native
island, retired thither, either for the sake of l3ivine studies^
or of a more continent life ; and some of them presently de-
voted themselves to a monastical life, others chose rather to
af^lj themselves to studj, going about from one master's
cell to another. The Scots willi igly received them all, and
took care to supply them with fool, a^ also to furnish them
with books to read, and their teaching, gratis. *
Among these were Ethelhun and Egbei*t, two youths o£
great capacity, of the English nobility. The former of
whom was brother to Ethelwin, a man no less beloved by
God, who also afterwards went over into Ireland to study^
ind having been well instructed, returned into his own
country, and being made bishop in the province of Lindsey,f
hag governed that church worthily and creditably. These
two b^g in the monastery which in the language of the
Scots is called Rathmelsigi,:( and having lost aU their com-
panions, who were either cut off by the mortality, or dis-
persed into other places, fell both desperately sick of the
same distemper, and were grievously afflicted. Of these,
£gbert,§ (as I was informed by a priest venerable for his
•ge, and of great veracity, who declared he had heard those
things from his own mouth,) concluding that he was at the
point of death, went out of his chamber, where the sick lay,
in the morning, and sitting alone in a convenient place, be-
gan seriously to reflect upon his past actions, and, being full
of compunction at the remembrance of his sins, bedewed his
fiwse with tears, and prayed fervently to God that he might
not die yet, before he could make amends for the offences,
which he had committed in his infancy and younger years,
or might further exercise himself in good works. He also
made a vow that he would, for the sake of God, live in a
strange place, so as never to return into the island of Bi-itaih,
where he was bom ; that besides the canonical times of sing-
ing psalms, he would, unless prevented by corporeal infirmity,
* The reader, who has heard much of the early civilization of Ireland,
will remember that the description given in the text applies to a jnaiod no
«»lier than the seventh century.
t Sidnacester, probably between Lincoln and Grainsbonmgh. See
I 99 and 1J7. t Now Melfont, Ireland.
§ Appointed abbat of lona, a.d. 716. See book v. c 2^^^^]^
164 BEDE*S ECCLESIASTICAL HI8T0BT. [B.in.c.S8.
saj the whole Psalter daily to the praise of God ; and
that he would every week fast one whole day and a night.
Returning home, after his tears, prayers, and vows, he
found his companion asleep, and going to bed himself, b^an
to compose himself to rest. When he had lain quiet awhile,
his comrade awaking, looked on him, and said, ^* Alas !
Brother Egbert, what have you done ? I was in hopes that
we should have entered together into life everlasting ; bat
know that what you prayed for is granted." For he had
learned in a vision what the other had requested, and that
his prayer was granted.
In short, Ethelhun died the next night; but Egbert,
shaking off his distemper, recovered and lived a long time
after to grace the priestly office, which he had received, by
his worthy behaviour ; and after much increase of virtue,
according to his desire, he at length, in the year of our
Lord's incarnation 729, being ninety years of age, departed
to the heavenly kingdom. He led his life in great perfection
of humility, meekness, continence, simplicity, and justice.
Thus he was a great benefactor, both to his own nation, and
to those of the Scots and Picts among whom he lived a
stranger, by his example of life, his industry in teaching,
his authority in reproving, and his piety in giving away
much of what he received from the bounty of the rich. He
also added this to his vow above-mentioned ; during Lent,
he would eat but one meal a day, allowing himself nothing
but bread and thin milk, and even that by measure. That
milk, new the day before, he k^t in a vessel, and the next
day skimming off the cream, drank the rest, as has been said,
with a little bread. Which sort of abstinence he likewise
always observed forty days before the nativity of our Lord,
and as many after the solemnity of Pentecost, that is, of tho
Quinquagesima.
CHAP. xxvm.
7\tda being dead, Wilfrid was ordained^ in France, and Chad, in the
province of the Wat Saxcns, to be bithope of the Northumbrimnt,
[A.D. 665.]
In the meantime, King Alfrid* sent the priest, Wilfrid, to
the king of France,! to be consecrated bishop over him and
• King of Deira. f Cloitaire, king of Neustiia.
A.O. 665.] COKSECRA.TION OF ST. CHAD. 165
his people. That prince sent him to be ordained by Agil--
ber^ who, as was said above, having left Britain, was made
bishop of the city of Paris, and by him Wilfrid was honour-
ably consecrated, several bishops meeting together for that
purpose in a village belonging to the king, called Com-
pi^ne.* He made some stay in the parts beyond the sea,
afta* his consecration, and Oswy, following the example of
the king his son, sent a holy man, of modest behaviour, well
read in the Scripture, and diligently practising those things
which he had learned therein, to be ordained bishop of the
church of York. This was a priest called Ceadda [Chad],
bother to the reverend prelate Cedd, of whom mention has
been often made, and abbat of the monastery of Lestingau.f
With him the king also sent his priest Eadhed, who was
afterwards, in the reign of Egfrid, made bishop of the
church of Ripon. On arriving in Kent, they found that
Archbishop Deusdedit was departed this life, and no other
prelate as yet appointed in his place ; whereupon they pro-
ceeded to the province of the West Saxons, where Wini
was bishop, and by him the person above-mentioned was
consecrated bishop ; two bishops of the British nation, who
kept Easter Sunday according to the canonical manner, from
the fourteenth to the twentieth day of the moon, as has been
said, being taken to assist at the ordination ; for at that time
there was no other bishop in all Britain canonically ordained,
besides that WinLf
Chad, being thus consecrated bishop, began immediately
to devote himself to ecclesiastical truth and to chastity ; to
^ply himself to humility, continence, and study ; to travel
about, not on horseback, but after the manner of the apos-
tles, on foot, to preach the Gospel in towns, the open coun-
t'T, cottages, villages, and castles ; for he was one of the
disciples of Aidan, and endeavoured to instruct his people,
by the same actions and behaviour, according to his and his
• A royal villa. Accordmg to the ceremonial of the Gallican church,
^ftid was carried in a golden chair by his brother bishops, singing hymns
<^ joy; none but biflhops being allowed to touch the chair.
t Lastingham. See book iii. c. 23, page 149.
i Theodore, archbishop of Canterbury, expressing some doubts of the
validity of St Chad's consecration, subsequently completed it, when he wat '
appointed to the see of Lichfield. See book ir. c 2, page 173.^^^t^
Digitized by VjOOQ Ic
166 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. tB.iii.ai9.
brother Cedd's example. Wilfrid also being made a bishx^
came into Britain, and in like manner by his doc^ne
brought into the English Church many rules of Catholic
obser\ance. Whence it followed, that the Catholic instita-
tlons daily gained strength, and all the Scots that dwelt in
England either conformed to these, or returned into their
own country.
CHAP. xxrx.
H9W the priett Wighard was sent from Britain to Romey to he corueeraied
archbishop, of his death there, and of the letters <if the Apostolic Pope
giving an account thereof [a.d. 665. J
At this time the most noble King Oswy, of the province of
the Northumbrians, and Egbert of Kent, having consulted
together about the state of the English Church, (for Oswy,
though educated by the Scots, perfectly understood that the
Roman was the Catholic and ApostoHc Church,) with the
consent of the holy church of the English nation, accepted
of a good man, and fit priest, to be made a bishop, called
Wighard, one of Bishop Deusdedit's clergy, and sent him to
Home to be ordained bishop, to the end that he, having
received the degree of an archbishop, might ordain Catholk
prelates for the churches of the English nation throughout
all Britain. But Wighard, arriving at Rome, was cut <rff
by death, before he could be consecrated bishop, and the
following letter was sent back into Britain to King
Oswy: —
** To the most excellent Lord, our son, Oswy, king cf the
Saxons, Vitalian, bishop, servant of the servants of Chd.
We have received your excellency's pleasing letters ; by
reading whereof we understand your most pious devotion and
fervent love to obtain everlasting life ; and that by the jm>-
tecting hand of God you have been converted to the true
and apostolic faith, hoping that as you reign in your nation,
80 you will hereafter reign in Christ. Blessed be the nation,
therefore, that has been found worthy to have such a wise
king and worshipper of God ; forasmuch as he is not himself
alone a worshipper of God, but also studies day and night the
conversion of all his subjects to the Catholic and apostolic
fiiith, to the redemption of his own souL r-Whoj will not
Digitized by VjOOQIC
A4>.eCS.] LETTER OF POPE VITALIAN. 167
rgoiee at liearing such pleasant things ? Who will not be
delighted at such good works ? Because your nation has
bdieved in Christ the Almighty God, according to the words
of the Divine prophets, as it is written in Isaiah, * In that
day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an
ensign of the people 5 to him shall the Gentiles seek.' And
agdn, * Listen, O isles, unto me, and hearken ye people from
afar.' And a little after, * It is a light thing that thou
shonldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and
to restore the preserved of IsraeL I will also give thee for
a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation to
the ends of the earth.* And again, * Kings shiill see, princes
afao shall arise and worship.' And presently after, * I have
given thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the
earth, and possess the desolate heritages ; that thou mayest
«ay to the prisoners. Go forth ; to them that are in darkness.
Show yourselves.' And again, * I the Lord have called thee
in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep
thee, and give thee for a light of the Gentiles, and for a
covenant of the people ; to open the blind eyes, to bring out
the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness
from the prison-house.'
** Behold^ most excellent son, how plain it is, not only of
you, but also of all the nations of the prophets, that th^
shall believe in Christ, the Creator of dl things. Where-
fore it behoves your highness, as being a mraiber of Christ,
in all things, continufdly to follow the pious rule of the
prince of the apostles, in celebrating Easter, and in all
things delivered by the blessed apostles, Peter and Paul,
whose doctrine daily enlightens the hearts of believers, even
as the two heavenly lights, the sun and moon, daily illumine
all the earth."
And after some lines, wherein he speaks of celebrating
Easter uniformly throughout all the world, he adds, —
" We have not been able now to find, considering the length
of the journey, a man, docile, and qualified in all respects to
he a bishop, according to the tenor of your letters. But as
soon as such a proper person shall be found, we wiH send
him well instructed to your country, that he may, by word
of mouth, and through the Divine oracles, with the assist-
ance of God, root out all the enemy's tares thijmw^hmj^ your
168 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. [B.ni.c.SSi
island. We have received the presents sent by your high-
ness to the blessed prince of the apostles, for an eternal me-
morial, and return you thanks, and always pray for your
safety with the clergy of Christ. But he that brought
these presents has been removed out of this world, and is
buried at the church of the apostles, for whom we have been
much concerned, because he. died here. However, we have
ordered the blessed gifts of the holy martyrs, that is, the
relics of the blessed apostles, Peter and Paul, and of the holy
martyrs, Laurentius, John, and Paul, and Gregory, and Pan-
cratius,* to be delivered to the bearers of these our letters,
to be by them delivered to you. And to your consort also,
our spiritual daughter, we have by the aforesaid bearers sent
a cross, with a gold key to it, made out of the most holy
chains of the apostles, Peter and Paul ; at whose pious
endeavours all the Apostolic See rejoices with us, as much as
her pious works shine and blossom before Grod.
" We therefore desire your highness will hasten, according
to our wish, to dedicate all your island to Christ our Grod ;
for you certainly have for your protector, the Redeemer of
nyankind, our Lord Jesus Christ, who will prosper you in aU
things, that you may bring together a new people of Christ ;
establishing there the Catholic and apostolic faith. For it is
written, * Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteous-
ness, and all these things shall be added to you.' Truly
your highness seeks, and shall no doubt obtain, that all your
islands shall be made subject to you, as is our wish and
desire. Saluting your excellency with fatherly affection, we
always pray to the Divine Goodness, that it will vouchsafe
to assist you and yours in all good works, that you may reign
with Chnst in the world to come. May the Heavenly Grace
preserve your excellency in safety ! "
In the next book we shall have a more suitable occasion
to show who was found out and consecrated in Wighard's
place.
* St. Pancrafl, who fuffered martyrdom during the Diocletian persecu-
tion, A.D. 304.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
KAST SAXONS BELAPAE. . 169 /
CHAP. XXxi^ / ^ ,
•' "^ * • tt^^'
TV East Saxons, during a pestilence, retuminp^Jo idol^^tvy, itre^mmi^
dkately brought back from their error by the Mihon VJjriBwffti .
[A.D. 665.]
At the same time, the Kings Sighere and Sebbi, though
subject to Wulfhere, king of the Mercians, governed the
province of the East Saxons* after Suidhehn, of whom we
have spoken above. That province labouring under the
aforesaid mortality, Sighere, with that part of the people that
was under his dominion, forsook the mysteries of the Chris-
tian faith, and turned apostate. For the king himself, and
many of the commons and great men, being fond of this life,
and not seeking after another, or rather not believing that
there was any other, began to restore the temples that had
been abandoned, and to adore idols, as if they might by those
means be protected against the mortality. But Sebbi, his
companion and co-heir in the kingdom, with his people, very
devoutly preserved the faith which he had embraced, and, as
we shall show hereafter, ended his faithful life with much
felicity.
King Wulfhere, understanding that the faith of the pro-
vince was partly profaned, sent Bishop Jaruman,']' who was
successor to Trumhere, to correct that error, and restore the
province to the truth. He proceeded with much discretion,
(as I was informed by a priest who bore him company in
timt journey, and had been his fellow labourer in the word )
for he was a religious and good man, and travelling through
all the country, far and near, reduced both the aforesaid king
and people to the way of righteousness, so that, either for-
saking or destroying the temples and altars which they had
erected, they opened the churches, and rejoiced in confessing
the name of Christ, which they had opposed, being more
desirous t<f die in him with the faith of the resurrection, than
to live in the filth of apostacy among their idols. These
things being performed, the priests and teachers returned
home with joy.
* Each ruled over a separate part of the East Saxons, under the supre-
macy of Mercia. f Bishop of Lichfield. See page 153.
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
170 BEDE's ECCLBSIASnCAL HISTORY. Lb. !▼. c 1.
BOOK IV.
CHAPTER L
DeuideStf archbishop of Canterbury, dying, Wighard was sent to Rome
to succeed hint m that dignity; but he dying theie, Thfothnry ufos
ordained archbishop, and sent into Britain with the Abbot lladrian.
[A.D. 664] ^
In the above-mentioned year of the aforesaid eclipse, whieh
was presently followed by the pestilence, in which also Bishop
Cohnan, being overcome by the nnanimous consent of the
Catholics, returned home, Deusdedit, the sixth bishop of the
diurch of Canterbury, died on the 14th of July. Erconbert,
also, king of Kent, departed this life the same month and
day ; leaving his kingdom to his son Egbert, which he held
nine years. The see then beciime vacant for some consider-
able time, until, the priest Wighard, a man skilled in eccle-
siastical discipline, of the English race, was sent to Rome
by the said King Egbert, and Oswy, king of the Northum-
brians, as was briefly mentioned in the foregoing book, with
a request that he might be ordained bishop of the church of
England ; sending at the same time presents to the apostolic
pope, and many vessels of gold and silver. Arriving at
Rome, where Vitalian presided at that time over the Apos-
tolic See, and having made known to the aforesaid pope the
occasion of his journey, he was not long after snatched away,
with almost all his companions that went with him, by a pes-
tilence which happened at that time.
But the apostolic pope having consulted about that affair,
made diligent inquiry for some one to send to be archbishop
of the English churches. There was then in the Niridian
monastery, which is not far from the city of Naples in Cam-
pania, an abbat, called Hadi4an, by nation an Afiican, well
versed in holy writ, experienced in monastical and ecclesias-
tical discipline, and excellently skilled both in the Greek and
and Latin tongues. The pope, sending for him, conamanded
him to accept of the bishopric, and repair into Britain ; he
answered, that he was unworthy of so great a dignity, but
said he could name another, whose learning and age were
fitter for the episcopal oflice. And ha\'ing nropoaed to the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
A.D.W8.1 THEODORE ORDAINED. 171
pope a ea*tain monk, belonging to a neighbouring roonasterj
of virgins, whose name was Andrew, he was by idl that knew
him judged worthy of a bishopric; but bodily infirmity pre-
vented his being advanced to the episcopal station. Tli^i
again Hadrian was pressed to accept of the bishopric ; but he
desired a respite for a time, to see whether he could find
anoth^ fit to be ordained bishop.
There was at that time in Eome, a monk, called Theodore,
well known to Hadrian, bom at Tarsus in Cilicia, a man well
instructed in worldly and Divine literature, as also in Greek
and Latin ;* of known probity of life, and venerable for age,
being sixty-six years old. Hadrian offered him to the pope j
to be ordained bishop, and prevailed ; but upon these con- -
ditions, that he should conduct him into Britain, because he
kad abready travelled through France twice upon several
occasions, and was, therefore, better acquainted with the way,
and was, moreover, sufficiently provided with men of his
own ; as also that being liis fellow labourer in doctrine, he
might take special care that Theodore should not, according
to the custom of the Greeks, introduce any thing contrary to
the true faith into the church where he presided. Hadrian,
being ordained subdeacon, waited four months for his hair to
grow, that it might be shorn into the shape of a crown ; for
he had before the tonsure of St Paul,f the apostle, after the
manner of the eastern people. He was ordained by Pope
Vitalian, in the year of our Lord 668, on Sunday, the 26th
of March, and on the 27 th of May was sent with Hadrian
into Britain.
They proceeded by sea to Marseilles, and thence by land
to Aries, and having there delivered to John, archbishop of
that city. Pope Vitalian's letters of recommendation, were
by him detained till Ebrin, the king's mayor of the palace,
sent them a pass to go where they pleased. Having received
the same, Theodore repaired to Agilbert, bishop of Paris, of
whom we have spoken above, and was by him kindly r&-
Cttved, and lon^ entertained. But Hadrian went first to
Bnme, and then to Faro, bishops of Sens and Meaux, and
^^ed with them a considerable time ; for the hard winter
* Hadrian is tenned bj William of Malmsbuiy, ** a fountain of letters
~" - .• - "igt^e whole!
by Google
ttd a lifer of arts.'^ t This tonsure conflosted in shaving ^e whole head,
172 BEDE S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. f i. it. c. 1
had obliged them to rest wherever they could. Eong Eg-
bert, being informed by messengers that the bishop they had
asked of the Roman prelate was in the kingdom of France,
sent thither his praefect, Redfrid, to conduct him ; who, being
arrived there, with Ebrin's leave, conveyed him to the port
of Quentavic ;* where, being indispose<^ he made some stay,
and as soon as he began to recover, sailed over into Britain.
But Ebrin detained Hadria^ suspecting that he went on
some message from the emperor to the kings of Britain, to
the prejudice of the kingdom, of which he at that time took
especial care ; however, when he found that he really had no
such commission, he discharged him, and permitted him to
follow Theodore. As soon as he came, he received from
him the monastery of St. Peter the apostle,f where the
archbishops of Canterbury are usually buried, as I have said
before ; for at his departure, the apostolic lord had ordered
that he should provide for him in his diocese, and give him
a suitable place to live in with his followers.
CHAP. n.
Theodore visits all places; the churches of the English begin to be instrueU '
ed in holy literature^ and in the Catholic truth ; Putta is made bishop
if the church of Rochester in the room of Damianus, [a.d. 669.]
Theodore arrived at his church the second year^'aS^r his
consecration, on Sunday, the 27th of May, and held the
same twenty-one years, three months, and twenty-six days.
Soon after, he visited all the island, wherever the tribes of
the Angles inhabited, for he was willingly entertained and
heard by all persons ; and everywhere attended and assisted
by Hadrian, he taught the right rule of life, and the canoni-
cal custom of celebrating Easter. This was the first arch-
bishop whom all the English church obeyed. And forasmuch
as both of them were, as has been said before, well read both
in sacred and in secular literature, they gathered a crowd of
disciples, and there daily flowed from them rivers of know-
ledge to water the hearts of their hearers ; and, together
with the books of holy writ, they also taught them the arts
of ecclesiastical poetry, astronomy, and arithmetic A testi-
• St. Quentin, province of Picardy.
f Afterwards called St. Augustine's. This was, for soii^e time after, the
most distinguished seat of leaniing in the south of En^i^. See p. ^.
Digitized by VjOOQlt
AD.609.J SACRBD MUSIC INTRODUCED. 173
monj of which is, that there are still living at this daj some
of their scholars, who are as well versed in the Greek and
Latin tongues as in their own, in which they were bom.
Nor were there ever happier times since the English came
into Britain ; for their kings, being brave men and good
Christians, they were a terror to all barbarous nations, and
the minds of all men were bent upon the joys of the heavenly
kingdom of which they had just heard ; and all who desired
to be instructed in sacred reading had masters at hand to
teach them. .
From that time also they began in all the churches of the /
English to learn sacred music, which till then had been
only known in Kent And, excepting James above-men-
tioned, the first singing-master in the churches of the Nor-
thumbrians was Eddi, surqamed Stephen,* invited from
Kent by the most reverend Wilfrid, who was the first of the
bishops of the English nation that taught the churches of
the English the Catholic mode of life.
Theodore, visiting all parts, ordained bishops in proper
places, and with their assistance corrected such things as he
found faulty. Among the rest, when he upbraided Bishop
Chad that he had not been duly consecrated, he, with great
humility, answered, " K you know I have not duly received
episcopal ordination, I willingly resign the office, for I never
thought myself worthy of it ; but, though unworthy, in
obedience submitted to undertake it." Theodore, hearing
Wfl humble answer, said that he should not resign the bishop-
ric, and he himself completed his ordination after the Catho-
Bc manner. But at the time when Deusdedit died, and a
bishop for the church of Canterbury was by request ordained
*nd sent, Wilfrid was also sent out of Britain into France to
be ordained ; and because he returned before Theodore, he
ordtuned priests and deacons in Kent till the archbishop
should come to his see. Being arrived in the city of Ro-
cbester, where the see had been long vacant f by the death
of Damianus, he ordained a person better skilled in ecclesi-
•stical discipline, and more addicted to simplicity of life than
active m worldly affairs. His name was Putta, and he was
extraordinarily skilful in the Roman style of church music,
* Author of the Life of Wilfrid, published in Gale's collection of Scrip-
**«, voU L p. 40. t It had been vacant five years. /-^ j
174 BEDe's BCCLESIABTICAL HISTOBT. 1&IV.0.I.
which 'he had learned from the disciples of the holy Pope
Gr^orj.
CHAP. in.
How Chad, above-mentionedf was made Bishop qf the Mercians, Of Us
itfe, deaih, and burial. [a.d. 669.]
At that time, the Mercians were governed bj King Wulf-
here, who, on the death of Jaruman, desired of Theodore to
supply him and his people with a bishop ; but Theodore
would not obtain a new one for them, but requested of King
Oarwy that Chad might be their bishop. He then lived
retired at his monastery, which is at Lestingau, Wilfrid
filling the bishopric of York, and of all the Northumbrianfl^
and likewise of the Picts, as far as the dominions of King
Oswy extended. And, seeing that it was the custom of that
most reverend prelate to go about the work of the Grospel to
several places rather on foot than on horseback, Theodore
commanded him to ride whenever he had a long joum^ to
undertake ; and finding him very unwilliug to omit Ids for-
mer pious labour, he himself, with his hands, lifted kim on
the horse ; for he thought him a holy man, and therefore
obliged him to ride wherever he had need to go. Chad
having received the bishc^ric of the Mercians and Lindis-
fame,* took care to administer the same with great rectitude
of life, according to the example of the ancients. Elng
Wulfhere also gave him land of fifty families, to build a
monastery, at the place called Ad Barve,f or "At the
Wood," in the. province of Lindsey, wherein marks of the
regular life instituted by him continue to this day.
He had his episcopal see in the place called Lichfield,}
* A diocese not much less in extent than the Northumbrian kingdom,
having all the counties which compose the midland dicuit, and SkiSford-
shire, with part of Shropshire and Cheshire bendea.
t Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire, where there is still standing aTciy
ancient Saxon Church, dedicated to St. Peter.
t This place is called by Ingulphua aid Heniy of Huntingdon, JAeltfeU,
which means ** the field of the dead,** from, the traditionary martyrdom of
1000 Christians here during the Diocletian persecution. In the reign of
Ofia, this see not only obtained the precedence of all the Mercian bidiop-
rics, but, thmugh the interest of Offa with Pope Adrian, was made fiwra
short time the archi-episcopal see, [a.d. 789,] and invested with the gmUff
P«t of the jurbdiction of (Smterbmy. ^^^^^^ ,,GoOgle
A.i».OeS.J DKATH OF ST. GHiuD. 175
in which he also died, and waa buried, and where the see oS
the succeeding bishops of that province still continues. He
had built himself a habitation not far from the church,
wherein he was wont to praj and read with seven or eight
of the brethren, as often as he had any spare time from the
labour and ministry of the word. When he had most glo*
riously governed the church in that province two years and
a hal^ the Divine Providence so ordaining, there came round
a season like that of which Ecclesiastes says, '* That there is
a time to cast stones, and a time to gather them ; " for there
happened a mortality sent from heaven, which, by means of
the death of 1^ flesh, translated the stones of the church
&Qm their earthly places to the heavenly building. And
when, after many of the church of that most reverend pre-
late had been taken out of the flesh, his hour also drew near
wherein he was to pass out of this world to our Lord, it
happened one day that he was in the aforesaid dwelling with
only one brother, called Owini, his other companions being
upon some reasonable occasion returned to the church. Now
Owini was a monk of great merit, having forsaken the world
with the pure intention of obtaining the heavenly reward ;
worthy in all respects to have the secrets of our Lord re-
vealed to him, and worthy to have credit given by his hearers
to what he said, for he came with Queen Etheldrid from the
province of the East Angles, and was her prime minister,
and governor of her family. As the fervour of his faith
increased, resolving to renounce the world, he did not go
about it slothfuUy, but so fully forsook the things of iMs
world, that, quitting all he had, clad in a plain gaiment, and
carrying an axe and hatchet in his hand, he came to the
monastery of that most reverend prelate, called Lestingau ;*
denoting, that he did not go to the monastery to live idle, as
some do, but to labour, which he also confirmed by practice ;
for as he was less capable of meditating on the Holy Scrip-
tures, he the more earnestly applied himself to the labour of
lus hands. In short, he was received by the bishop into the
bouse aforesaid, and there entertained with the brethren, and
whilst they were engaged within in reading, he was without,
'doing such things as were necessary.
One day when he was thus employed abroad, and his com:*
* Laitiiigham. See p. 149.gitizedbyGoogle
176 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOET. [B.IT.C.*.
panions were gone to the church, as I began to state, the
bishop was alone reading or praying in the oratory of that
place, when on a sudden, as he silterwards said, he heard the
voice of persons singing most sweetly and rejoicing, and
appearing to descend from heaven. Which voice he said he
&:st heard coming from the south-east, and that afterwards
it drew near him, till it came to the roof of the oratory where
the bishop was, and entering therein, filled the same and all
about it. He listened attentively to what he heard, and
after about half an hour, perceived the same song of joy to
ascend from the roof of the said oratory, and to return to
heaven the same way it came, with inexpressible sweetness.
When he had stood some time astonished^ and seriously re-
volving in his mind what it might be, the bishop opened the
window of the oratory, and making a noise with his hand, as
he was often wont to do, ordered lum to come in to him. He
accordingly went hastily in, and the bishop said to him,
** Make haste te the church, and cause the seven brothers to
oome hither, and do you come with them." When they were
oome, he first admonished them to preserve the virtue of
peace among themselves, and towards all others ; and inde-
fatigably to practise the rules of regular discipline, which
they had either been taught by him, or seen him observe, or
had noticed in the words or actions of the former fathers.
Then he added, that the day of his death was at hand ; for,
said he, "that amiable guest, who was wont to visit our
brethren, has vouchsafed also to come to me this day, and to
call me out of this world. Return, therefore, to the church,
and speak to the brethren, that they in their prayers recom-
mend my passage to our Lord, and that they be careful to
provide for their own, the hour whereof is uncertain, by
watching, prayer, and good works."
When he had spoken thus much and more, and they,
having received his blessing, had gone away in sorrow, he
who had heard the heavenly song returned alone, and pros-
trating himself on the ground, said, " I beseech you, father,
may I be permitted to ask a question ?" — " Ask what you
will," answered the bishop. Then he added, "I entreat you
to tell me what song of joy was that which I heard coming
upon this oratory, and al*ter some time returning to heaven ?"
The bishop answered. " If you heard the singing, and know
Aj».«e9L] ^ ST. cbad's piety. 177
of the coming of the heavenly company, I conmiand you, in the
name of our Lord, that you do not teU the same to any before
my death. They were angelic spirits, who came to call me
to my heavenly reward, which I have always longed after, and
they promised they would return seven days hence, and take
me away with them." Which was accordingly fulfilled, as
had been said to him ; for being presently seized with
a languishing distemper, and the same daily increasing, on
the seventh day, as had been promised to him, when he had
prepared for death by receiving the body and blood of our
Lord, his soul being delivered from the prison of the body,
the angels, as may justly be believed, attending him, he
depart^ to the joys of heaven.
It is no wonder that he joyfully beheld the day of his
death, or rather the day of our Lord, which he had always
carefully expected till it came ; for notwithstanding his many
merits of continence, humility, teaching, prayer, voluntary
poverty, and oiher virtues, he was so full of the fear of God,
80 mindful of his last end in all his actions, that, as I was
informed by one of the brothers who instructed me in
Divinity, and who had been bred in his monastery, and under
his direction, whose name was Trumhere, if it happened that
there blew a strong gust of wind when he was reading or
dmng any other thing, he immediately called upon God for
mercy, ai)d begged it might be extended to all mankind. If
the wind grew stronger, he closed his book, and prostrating
himself on tlie ground, prayed still more earnestly. But, if
it proved a violent storm of wind or rain, or else that the
earth and air were fiUed with thunder and lightning, he would
repair to the church, and devote himself to prayers and
repeating of psalms till the weatlier became calm. Being
a^ed by his followers why he did so, he anpwered, " Have
not you read — 'The Lord also thundered in the heavens,
and the Highest gave forth his voice. Yea, he sent out his
arrows and scattered them ; and be shot out lightnings, and
discomfited them.' For the Lord moves the air, raises the
winds, darts lightning, and thunders from heaven, to excite
the inhabitants of the earth to fear him ; to put them in
mind of the future judgment ; to dispel their pride, and
vanquish their boldness, by bringing into their thoughts that
drea^lful time, when the heavens and the earth being in a
V
178 bede's ISCCLBSIASTICAL HISTOBT. 1b. it. c s.
flame, he will come in the douds, with great power and
migeaty, to judge the quick and the dead. Wherefore," said
he, '^ it behoves us to answer his heavenly admonition witibi
due fear and love ; that, as often as he lifts his hand through
the trembling sky, as it were to strike, but does not yet let
it fall, we may immediately implore his mercy ; and searching
the recesses of our hearts, and cleansing the filth of our
yices, we may carefully behave ourselves so as never to be
struck.'* ♦
With this revelation and account of the aforesaid brother,
concerning the death of this prelate, agrees the discourse of
the most reverend Father Egbert, above spoken o^ who long
led a monastic life with the same Chad, when both were
youths, in Ireland, prajring, observing continency, and
meditating on the Holy Scriptures. But when he afterwards
returned into his own country, the other continued in a
strange country for our Lord's sake till the end of his life.
A long time after, Hygbald, a most holy and continent man,
who was an abbat in the province of lindsey, came out of
Britain to visit him, and whilst these holy men were
discoursing of the life of the former fathers, and rejoicing to
imitate the same, mention was made of the most reverend
prelate, Chad, whereupon Egbert, said, " I know a man in this
island, still in the flesh, who, when that prelate passed out of
this world, saw the soul of his brother Cedd, with a company
of angels, descending from heaven, who, having taken his
soul sdong with them, returned thither again." Whether he
said this of himself, or some other, we do not certainly
know ; but the same .being said by so great a man, there can
be no doubt of the truth thereof.
Chad died on the 2nd of Maroji, and was first buried by
St. Mary's Church, but afterwards^ when the church of the
most holy prince of the apostles, Peter, was built, his bones
were translated into it.t In both which places, as a
testimony of his virtue, frequent miraculous cures are wont
to be wrought. And of late, a certain distracted person,
who had hem wandering abo\it everywhere, arrived there in
the evening, unknown or unregarded by the keepers of the
* Jeremy Taylor has some excellent remarki on this pious custom of
St. Chad, in his Life of Christ, Discourse xviii.
t In 1148 they were removed to the present Cathejhsd of Lichfield.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
I^n. M911 COLMAN GOES TO IREI.AND. 17^
{dice, and having rested there all the night, went out in his
perfect senses the next morning, to the surprise and delight
ni bSH ;.thas showing that a cure had been performed on him
through the goodness of God. The place of the sepulchre
18^ a wooden monument, made like a little house, covered,
luiving a hole in the wall, through which those that go
t^tiier for devotion usually put in their hand and take out
some of the dust, which they put into water and give to side
cattle or men to drink, upon which they are presently eased
of tiieir infirmity, and restored to health. In his place»
Theodore ordained Winfrid, a good and modest man, to
preside, as his predecessors had done, over the bishoprics of
tiie M^xaans, the Midland Angles, and the Lindisfarnes,* df
all which, Wulf here, who was still living, was king. Win-
fiid was one of the clergy of the prelate he had succeeded,
and had for a considerable time filled the office of deacon
under niyriA
CHAP. IV.
Bithap Oolmmn^ having left Britain, built two moruuteriet in Scotland^ '
the one for the Scots, the other for the English he had taken aien^ teiik
hitn. [A.D.667.]
In the meantime, Colma% the Scottish bishop, departing
from Britain, took alpng with him all the Scots he had
assembled in the isle of Lindisfame, and also about thirty of
the English nation, who had been all instructed in the
monastic life ; and leaving some brothers in his church, he
repaired first to the isle of Hii (lona), whence he had beeii^
sent to preach the word of God to the English nation.
Afterwards he retired to a small island, which is to the west
<^ Ireland, and at some distance from its coast, called in the
language of the Scots, Inisbofinde,*!' the Island of the White
Heifer. Arriving there, he built a monastery, and placed in
it the monks he had brought of both nations ; who not
agreeing among themselves, by reason that the Scots, in the
summer season, when the harvest was to be brought in,
•
* On the death of Peada, Wulf here sncceeded to the united kingdoms '
of the Mercians and Middle Angles (.see p. 143), which were considered as
two distinct kingdoms. The bishopric of the Mercians was fixed at Repton,
afterwards removed to Lichfield. See note at page 145.
•f A small island on the Irish coast still retaining its ancient name.
180 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. [B.IT. C.&
leaving the monastery, wandered about through places with
which they were acquainted ; but returned again the ne3:t
winter, and would have what the English had provided to be
in common ; Cohnan sought to put an end to this dissensioii)
and travelling about far and near, he found a place in the
island of Ireland fit to build a monastery, which, in the
language of the Scots, is called Mageo,* and bought a small
part of it of the earl to whom it belonged, to build his
monastery thereon ; upon condition, that the monks residing
there should pray to our Lord for him who let them have the
place. Then building a monastery, with the assistance of
the earl and all the neighbours, he placed the English there,
leaving the Scots in the aforesaid island. This monastery is
to this day possessed by English inhabitants ; being the same
that, grown up from a small beginning to be very large, is
genei^y called Mageo ; and as all things have long since
been brought under a better method, it contains an exemplary
society of monks, who are gathered there from the province
of the English, and live by the labour of their hands, after
the example of the venerable fathers, under a rule and a
canonical abbat, in much continency and singleness of life.
< CHAP. V.
Of the death of the kings Ostey and Egbert, and ef the eynod held at
Hertford, in which Archbishop Theodore presided, [a. d. 670.]
In the year of the incarnation of our Lord 670, being the
second year after Theodore arrived in England, Oswy, king
of the Northumbrians, fell sick, and died, in the fifty-eigh^
year of his age.f He at that time bore so great affection to
the Eoman apostolical institution, that had he recovered of
his sickness, he had designed to go to Eome, and there to
end his days at the Holy Places, having entreated Bishop Wil-
frid, by the promise of a considerable donation in money, to
conduct him, on his journey. He died on the 15th of Feb-
ruary, leaving his son Egfrid his successor in the kingdom.
In Ihe third year of his reign, Theodore assembled a synod
of bishops, and many other teachers of the church, who
loved and were acquainted with the canonical statutes of the
♦ Now annexed to the archbithopric of Tuam.
- t With Oswy expired the title and the authority of,
gitized by
A.D.C73.1 SYNOD OF HERTFORD. 181
fii&ers. When they were met together, he began, as became
a prelate, to enjoin the observance of such things as were
agreeable to the unity and the peace of the church. The
purport of which synodical proceedings is as follows : —
''In the name of our Lord Grod and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who reigns for ever and for ever, and governs his church, it
was thought meet that we should assemble, according to the
custom of the venerable canons, to treat about the necessary
afeirs of the church. We met on the 24th day of Septem- ^
ber, the first indiction,* at a place called Heiiford, myself,
Theodore, the unworthy bishop of the see of Canterbury,
appointed by the Apostolic See, our fellow priest and most
reverend brother, Bisi, bishop of the East Angles ; abo by
his proxies, our brother and fellow priest, Wilfrid, bishop €i
the nation of the Northumbrians, as also our brothers and
feUow priests, Putta, bishop of the Kentish castle, called
Bochester ; Eleutherius, bishop of the West Saxons, and
Winfrid, bishop of the province of the Mercians. When
we were all met together, and were sat down in order, I
said, * I beseech you, most dear brothers, for the love and
fear of our Redeemer, that we may all treat in comnion for
our faith ; to the end that whatsoever has been decreed and
defined by the holy and reverend fathers, may be inviolably
observed by all.' This and much more I spoke tending to
the preservation of the cliarity and unity of the church ; and
when I had ended my discourse, I asked every one of them
in order, whether they consented to observe the things that
had been formerly canonically decreed by the fathers ? To
which all our fellow priests answered, ' It so pleases us, and
we will all most willingly observe with a cheerful mind what-
ever is laid down in the canons of the holy fathers.' I then
produced the said book of canons, and publicly showed them
ten chapters in the same, which I had marked in several
places, because I knew them to be of the most importance
to us, and entreated liiat they might be most particularly
received by them all.
* We learn from Bede'to work, De Temporum Ratione, c. 46, that th«
Eoglish indiction began on the 24th of September. Now the year .673, or
nther from the 24th of Sept. a.d. 672 to the 24th of Sept 673, was the
iint indiction. It appears therefore that the Synod of Hertford fell on
the last day of the indiction. Perhaps, as Professor Htuney remarks, the
24th of Septembcip imght be reckoned as belonging to either indiction.
;1^ BEDE'S BCCXESIASTICAL history. 1b.it«c«.
^< Chapter L That we all in common ke^ tke hol^ dajr
of .Eaater on the Sunday after the fourteenth moon of (the
f^bret month.
" U. That no bidh(^ in1a*ude into the diocese of saiathiu^
but be satisfied with the goyemment of the people committed
to him.
" III. That it shall not be lawful for any bishop to trouAde
jnonasteries dedicated to Grod, nor to take anything fbrdldy
from them.
".rV. That monks do not remove from one place 4o
another, that is, from mcmastery to monastery, unless wiHi
the consent of their own abbat ; but that they continue m
the obedience which they promised at the time of itfaeir
ponvcrsion*
" V. That no clergyman, forsaking his owai bishop, shuii
vander about, or be anywhere entertained without letters «f
irecommendation from his own prelate. But if he shall Ik
pnce received, and will not return when invited, both tke
yeoeiver, and the person received, be under excommumestioiL
^* VI. That bishops and clergymen, when travelliiig, dbafl
^ content with the hospitality that is afforded thorn ; imd
lihat it be not lawful for them to exercise any priestly funo-
ifum without leave of the bishop in whose diocese they «re.
" VII. That a synod be assemJjled twice a year ; but m
l^ard that several causes obstruct the same, it was.approT«d
by all, that we should meet on the 1st of August oiiae «
ysear, at the place called Clofeahoeh.*
^^Vlfl. That no bishop, throng ambition, shall set hinir
3elf before anoth^ ; but that th^ «haJi all observe the time
and order of their consecration.
" IX. It was generally set forth, that more bishops should
be made, as the number of believers increased; but this
ixiatter for the present was passed over.
*^ X. Of marriages ; that nothing be allowed but lawful
wedlock ; that none commit incest ; no man quit his true
wife, unless, as the gospel teaches, on account of fornicatiotu
And if any man shall put away his own wife, lawfully joined
to him in matrimony, that he take no otiier, if he wishes to
be a good Christian, but continue as he is, or else be recon-
ciled to his pwn wife.
* Cliff, in Koity or Abii^on, B0A£oOQle
*^W4.1 6BXWULF HADE BISHOP. 183
^ These cluapters being thus treated of and defitied t)^ all,
to the end, that for the future, no scandal of contention
nngbt arise from any of us, or that things be falsely set
forth, it was thought fit that every one of us should, fcy
^st^cribing his hand, confirm all the particulars so laid
down. Which definitive judgment of ours, I dictated to
be written by Titillus our notary. Done in the month and
indiction aforesaid. Whosoever, therefore, shall presume in
any way to oppose or infringe this decision, confirmed by
our consent, and by the subscription of our hands, according
to the decree of the canons, must take notice, that he is
excluded from aU sacerdotal functions, and from our society.
May the Divine Grace preserve us in safety, living in the
mni^ of his holy church."
Tliis synod was bdd in the year from the incarnation of
our Lord 673. In which year, Egbert, king of Kent, died
in the month of July ; his brother Lothere succeeded him
on the timme, which he ^ad held eleven years and seven
months. Bisi, the bishop of the East Angles,* who is said
to have been in the aforesaid synod, was successor to Boni-
fiioe, before spoken of, a man of much sanctity and religion ;
for when Bonifkce died, after having been bishop seventeen
years, he was by Theodore substituted in his place. Whilst
ne was stiB alive, but hindered by much sickness from ad-
ministering his episcopal functions, two bishops, Ecci and
Badwin were elected and consecrated in his place ; fraia
which time to the present, that province has had two
bishops.
CHAP. VL
Wmfrid being deposed, Sexumtf was put into hit See, and Eareonwatd
made bishop of the East Saxons, £a.d. 674.]
Not l<mg after, Theodore, the archbishop, taking offence at
some disobedience of Winfrid, bishop of the Mercians,f de-
posed him from his bishopric when he had been possessed ef
It bat a few years, and in his place made Sexwulf bishop,
* His see was at Dunwich, Suffolk, (see p. 99), and during his life this
diocese was difided. Bishop Badwin being placed at North Ehnham, and
Bishop Ecci at Dunwich. In 955 the two sees were reunited; in 1075 it
was remoTed to Thetford, and finally in 1094 to Norwich.
t Bishop of Lichfield, „g„^^, .^ Google
184 BBDE's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. LB.ir.c6L
who was founder and abbat of the monasteiy of Medesham-
Btead,* in the country of the Girvii. Winfrid, thus deposed,
returned to his monastery of Ad Barve,f and there ended his
life in holy conversation.
He then also appointed Earconwald bishop of the £ast
Saxons, in the city of London, over whom at that time pre-
sided Sebbi and Sighere, of whom mention has been made
above. This Earconwald's life and conversation, as well
when he was bishop as before his advancement to that dign^,
is reported to have been most holy, as is even at this time
testified by heavenly miracles ; for to this day, his horse-
litter, in which he was wont to be carried when sick, is kept
by hla disciples, and continues to cure many of agues and
other distempers ; and not only sick persons who ore laid in
that litter, or close by it, are cured ; but the very chips of it,
when carried to the sick, are wont immediately to restore
them to health.
This man, before he was made bishop, had built two
famous monasteries, the one for himself, and the other for his
sister Ethelberga, and established them both in regular dis-
cipline of the best kind. That for himself was in the county
of Surrey, by the river Thames, at a place called Ceortesei, J
that is, the Island of Ceorot ; that for his sister in the pro-
vince of the East Saxons, at the place called Bercinguni9§
wherein she might be a mother and nurse of devout women.
Being put into the government of that monastery, she be-
haved herself in all respects as became the sister of such a
brother, living herself regularly, and piously, and orderly,
providing for those under her, as was also manifested by
heavenly miracles.
* The monastery of Medeshamstead, ^^ the home in the meadow," after-
wards Burgh St. Peter, now Peterborough, was one of the numerous eccle-
siastical foundations scattered over the wide extent of the Fen land, which
served as a natural barrier between the kingdoms of East Anglia and Mer-
cia. Peada, king of Mercia, is agreed to have been the first founder about
A.D. 650, and which was completed by Wulfhere. See Saxon Chion. a.d*
657, and Chronicon Angliss Petribuigense, 8vo. Londini, 1845, pa$nm,
t See book iv. ch. 3, page 174. % Chertsey. $ Barking in Essei;.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
A. 0 676.1 1IIRA.CLB AT BABKING. 185
CHAP. vn.
Haw %i was ifuUoated hy a heavenly light where the bodies of the Nuns
should be buried m the monastery cf Barking, [ld. 676.]
In this monasteiT' many miracles were wrought, which have
been committed to writfaig^ hy many, from those who knew
them, that their memory might be preserved, and following
generations edified ; some whereof we have also taken care to
insert in our Ecclesiastical History. When the mortality,
which we have already so often mentioned, ravaging all
around, had also seized on that part of this monastery where
the men resided, and they were daily hurried away to meet
their Grod, the careful mother of the society began often to
inquire in the convent, of the sisters, where they would have
their bodies buried, and where a church-yard should be made
when the same pestilence should fall upon that part of the
monastery in which God's female servants were divided from
the men, and they should be snatched away out of this world
by the same destruction. Receiving no certain answer,
though she often put the question to the sisters, she and all
of them received a most certain answer from heaven. For
one night, when the morning psalm was ended, and those
servants of Christ were gone out of their oratory to the
tombs of the brothers who had departed this life before them,
and were singing the usual prabes to our Lord, on a sudden
alight from heaven, like a great sheet, came down upon
them all, and struck them with so much terror, that they, in
consternation, left off singing. But that resplendent hght,
which seemed to exceed the sun at noon-day, soon after
rising from that place, removed to the south side of the
monastery, that is, to the westward of the oratory, and having
continued there some time, and covered those parts in the
sight of them all, withdrew itself up again to heaven, leaving
conviction in the minds of all, that the same light, whi(^
was to lead or to receive the souls of those servants of God
into heaven, was intended to show the place in which their
bodies were to rest, and await the day of the resurrection.
This light was so great, that one of the eldest of the brothers,
who at the same time was in their oratory with another
younger than himself, related in the morning, that the rays
186 BKDE^ ECCLEtilASTlCAL HISTORY. fi.iT.C.8.
of light which came in at the crannies of the doors and
windows, seemed to exceed the utmost brightness of day-
light itself.
CHAP. vm.
A lUtie boffy djfing m (he same monastery^ eaUed^pon a virgin HuU wot tb
follow him ; another at the point of leaving her body, saw some mnaU
part of the future glory, [ad. 676.]
These was, in the same monastery, a boy, not above tiimse
years old, odled Esica ; who, by reason of his infant age,
was bred np among the virgins dedicated to God, and di^
to pursue his studies. This child being seized 1^ the afone-
said pestilence, when he was at the last gasp, called tbree
times upon one of the virgins consecrated to God, directing
his words to her by her own name, as if she had beea
present, Eadgith; Eadgith! Eadgith! and thus ending his
temporal life, entered into that which is etemaL The vii^in,
whom he called, was immediately seized, where she was, wi1&
the same distemper, and departing this Hfe the same day <m
which she had been called, fdlowed him tiiat called her into
the heavenly country.
Likewise, one of those same servants of God, being ill of
the same disease, and reduced to extremity, began on a sud-
den, about midnight, to cry put to them diat attended her,
desiring they would put out the candle that was lighted
there ; which, when she had often repeated, and yet no one
did it, at last she said, '^ I know you think I 9p^ tins in
a raving fit, but let me inform you it is not so ; for I tett yon,
that I see this house filled with so much light, that your
candle there seans to me to be dark.** And when still no
one regarded what she said, or returned any answer, she
added, '^ Let that candle bum as long as you will ; but take
notice, that it is not my Hght, for my U^t will come to me
at the dawn of the day." Then she b^an to tell, that a
certain man of Grod, who had died tiiat same year, had
appeared to her, telHng her that at the break of day she
should dt^mrt to tiie heavenly light. The truth of which
vision was made out by tiie virgin's dying as soon as the day
i^fipeared.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
>• «?«.] MXBACLB^ AT ETHELBBBGA'B DEATH. 187
CHAP. DC
Of the signs lohieh were shown from heaven when the mother of that con-
greffoHon departed this Hfe. [a. d. 676 ]
When Ethelberga, the pions mother of that holy congrega-
tioQ, was about to be taken out of this world, a wonde^ul
vision appeared to one of the sisters, called Tortgilh ; who,
having lived many jears in that monastery, always en-
deavoured, in all humility and sinceri^, to serve God, and
took care to assist the same mother in keeping up regular
discipline, by instructing and reproving the younger ones.
Now, in order that her virtue might be perfected in affliction,
according to the apostle, she was suddenly seized with a most
grievous distemper, under which, through the good provi-
dence of our Redeemer, she suffered very much for the space
of nine years ; to the end, that whatever stain of vice re-
mained amidst her virtues, either through ignorance or
neglect, might all be eradicated by the fire of long tribula-
tion. This person, going out of her chamber one night, just
at the first dawn of the day, plainly saw as it were a human
body, which was brighter than the pun, wrapped up in a
sheets and lifted up on high, bbing taken out of the house in
whidL the sisters used to reside. Then looking earnestly to
see what it was that drew up the glorious body which she
beheld, she perceived it was drawn up as it were by cords
brighter than gold, until, entering into the open heavens, it
could no longer be seen by her. Reflecting on this vision,
she made no doubt that some one of the society would soon
die, and her soul be lifted up to heaven by her good works'
as it were by golden cocrds, which accordingly happened ; for
a few days after, the beloved of God, Ethelberga, mother of
that society, was delivered out of the prison of the flesh ; and
her life is kaown to have been such that no person who knew
her ought to question but that the heavenly kingdom was
open to her, when she departed from this world.
There was also, in the same monastery, a certain nun, of
noble worldly origin, and much nobler in the love of the
world to come ; who had, {or many years, been so disabled
in all her body, that she could not move a single limb. Be-
ing infcMrmed that the veoierable abbess's bodjpwas oaiTied
• 188 BED£*S ECCLESIASTICAL HI8T0BT. In. lv;o. M,
into the church, till it could be buried, she desired to be
carried thither, and to be bowed down towards it, after the
manner of one praying ; which being done, she spoke to her
as if she had been living, and entreated her that she would
obtain of the mercy of our compassionate Creator, that she
might be delivered from such great and lasting pains ; nor
was it long before her prayer was heard : for being taken
out of the flesh twelve days after, she exchanged her tempo-
ral afflictions for an eternal reward. Three years after the
death of this lady, the above-mentioned servant of Christ,
Tortgith, was so far spent with the distemper before men-
tioned, that her bones would scarcely hang together ; and,
at last^ when the time of her dissolution was at hand, she
not only lost the use of her other limbs, but also of her
tongue ; which having continued three days and as many
nights, she was, on a sudden, relieved by a spiritual vision,
opened her mouth and eyes, and looking up to heaven, b^an
thus to direct her discourse to the vision which she saw :
" Your coming is very acceptable to me, and you are wel-
come ! " Having so said, she was silent awhile, as it were,
waiting for the answer of the person she saw and spoke to ;
then, as if displeased, she said, " I am not pleased with this ;"
then pausing awhile, she said again, " If it cannot be to-
day, I beg the delay may not be long ;" and again holding
her peace a short while, she concluded thus ; " If it is posi-
tively so decreed, and the resolution cannot be altered, I beg
that it may be no longer deferred than this next night"
Having so said, and being asked by those about her to whom
she ta&ed, she said, " With my most dear mother, Ethel-
berga ;" by which they understood, that she was come to
acquaint her that the time of her departure was at hand ;
for, as she had desired, after one day and night, she was de-
livered from the bonds and infirmity of the flesh, and entered
the joys of eternal salvation.
CHAP. X.
A blind woman, prdymg m the buriahplaee of that monaitgrp, was re-
stored to her sight, [a.d. 676.]
HiLDBLiTH, a devout servant of Grod, succeeded Ethelberga
in the office of abbess, and presided overrth^ monastery
A^. 894.] SEBBI, KING OF TH£ £A8T 8AX0NS. 189
many years, till she was of an extreme old age, with exem-
plary conduct, in the observance of regular discipline, and
in the care of providing all things for the public use. The
narrowness of the place" where the monastery is built, led
her to think that the bones of the male and female servants
of Christ, which had been there buried, should be taken up,
and translated into the church of the blessed mother of Gk)d,
and interred in one place : whoever wishes to read it, may
find in the book from which we have gathered these things,
how often a brightness of heavenly light was seen there, and
a fragrancy of wonderful odour smelled, and what other
miracles were wrought.
However, I think it by no means fit to pass over the
miraculous cure, which the same book informs us was
wrought in the church-jurd of the said religious house.
There lived in that neighbourhood a certain earl, whose wife
was seized with a dinmess in her eyes, which at length be-
came so bad, that she could not see the least glimpse of
light : having continued some time in total darkness, on a
sudden she bethought herself that she might recover her
lost sight, if she were carried to the monastery of the nuns,
and there pray for the same, at the relics of the saints. Nor
did she lose any time in performing what she had thought
of: for being conducted by her maids to the monastery,
which was very near, and professing that she had perfect
fidth that she should be there healed, she was led into the
burial-place, and having long prayed there on her knees, she
did not foil to be heard, for as she rose from prayer, before
she went out of the place, she received the gift of sight
which she had desired ; and whereas she had been led thither
by her servants, she now returned home joyfully without
help : as if she had lost her sight to no other end than that
she might make it appear how great light the saints en-
joyed in heaven, and how great was the power of their
virtue.
CHAP. XL
8el>bif king of the Mime provinoe, ende 1m l\fe in a fMmattery* [i.D. 694.]
At that time, as the same little book informs us, Sebbi, a
devout man, of whom mention has l^n i^g^ji^ve,
190 BSDE'S ecclesiastical mSTOBT. [B. IT. c 11.
governed the kingdom of tbe East Saxons. He was much
addicted to religious actions, almsgivings, and frequent
prayer ; preferring a private and monastic life to all the
wealth and honours of his kingdom, which sort of life he
would also long before have undertaken, had not his wi^
positively refused to be divorced from him ; for which rea-
son many were of opinion, and often said so, that a person
of such a disposition ought rather to have been a bi^op
than a king. When he had been thirty years a king^ and a -
soldier of the heavenly kingdom, he fell into a violent sidsL-
ness, of which he died, and admonished his wife, that they
should then at least jointly devote themselves to the service of,
God, since they could no longer enjoy, or rather serve, the
#orld. Having with much difficulty obtained this of her, he
repaired to Waldhere, bishop of London, who had succeeded
Earconwald, and with his blessing received the religious
habit, which he had long desired. He also carried ta him 9h
considerable sum of money, to be given to the poor, reserv*
ing nothing to himself, but rather coveting to remain poor in .
spirit for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.
When the aforesaid distemper increased upon him, and he
perceived the day of his death to be drawing near,, being a-
man of a royal disposition, he began to apprehend lest^ wh«i
under pain, and at the approach of death, he might be guilty
of anything unworthy of his person, eitW in words, or any
modon of his limbs. Wherefore, calling to him the aforesaid
bishop of London, in which city he then was, he entreated
him that none might be present at his deatib, besides the
bishop himself, and two of his attendants. The bishop
having prcmiised that he would most willingly perform tbae,
same, not long after the man of Grod composed himself t^
sleep, and saw a c(»nforting vision, which took from him all
anxiety for the aforesaid uneasiness ; and, moreover, showed
him on what day he was to depart this life. For, as he
afterwards related, he saw three men in bright garments
come to him ; one of whom sat down before his bed, whilst
his companions stood and inquired about the state of the sick
man they came to see : he who was sitting in front of the
bed said, that his soul should depart his body without any
pain, and with a great splendour of light ; and declared that
he should die the third day after; both which particulars
*^m^2 HSDDA SUCCEEDS ELEUTHEBIUS. 191
happened, as he had been informed bj the yision ; for on the
thutl day after, he suddenly fell, as it were, into a slumber^
and breathed out his soul without any sense or pain.
A stone coffin having been provided for burying his body,
wkea they came to lay it in the same, they found his body f^
^NUi longer than ihe coffin. Hereupon they hewed away the
stone, and made the coffin about two fingers longer ; but
neither would it then contain the body. Under this difficulty
of entombing him, they had thoughts either to get another
ooffin, or else to shorten the body, by bending \t at the knees,
if they could. But a wonderful event, caused by Providence,
prevented the execution of either of those designs ; for on a
sudden, in the presence of the bishop, and Sighard, the son
of the king who had turned monk, and who reigned after
him jointly with* his brotJier Suefred, and of a considerable
number of men, that same coffin was found to answer the
length of the body, insomuch l^t a pillow might also be put
in at the head ; and at the feet the coffin was four fingers
longer than the body. He was buried in the church of tiie
bleeeed Apostle of the Grentiles,* by whose instructions he
had learned to hope,for heavenly things,
CHAP. xn.
Hedda succeeds Eleuiheritis in the bisJiopric of the West Saxons;
Cuichelm succeeds Putta in that of Rochester, and is himself succeeded
hjf Oebmund; and who were then bishops of the Northumbrians.
[A.D. 673.]
Eleutherius was the fourth bishop of the West Saxons ; f
for Birinus was the first, Agilbert the second, and Wini the
third. When Kenwalk, in whose reign the said Eleutherius
was made bishop, died, his under-rulers took upon them the
kingdom of the people, and dividing it among themselves,
held it ten years ; and during their rule he died, and Hedda
succeeded him in the bishopric, having been consecrated by
Tlieodbre, in the city of London ; during whose prelacy,
G^walla,:^ having subdued and removed those rulers, took
upon him the government. When he had reigned two years,
and whilst the same bishop still governed the church, he
(Quitted his sovereignty for the love of the heavenly kingdom,
* St. Paul's, London. f Winchester bishopric t King of Weasoc
Digitized by V^jOOQ IC
152 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. r^-i^'Clfc
and, going away to Kome, ended his days there, as shall be
said more fuUj hereafter.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 676, when Ethelred,
king of the Mercians, ravaged Kent with a powerful army^
and profaned churches and monasteries, without regard to
religion, or the fear of God, he among the rest destroyed the
dty of Rochester ; Putta^ who was bishop, was absent at
that time, but when he understood that his church was
ravaged, and all things taken away, he went to Sexwolf,
bishop of the Mercians,* and having received of him a
certain church, and a small spot of lan(^ ended his days there
in peace ; in no way endeavouring to restore his bishopric,
because (as has been said above) he was more industrious in
spiritual than in worldly affairs 5 serving Grod only in -that
church, and going wherever he was desired, to teach church
music. Theodore consecrated Cuichelm bishop of Rochester
in his stead ; but he, not lon^ after, departing from his
bishopric for want of necessaries, and withdrawing to other
parts, Grebmund was substituted in his place.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation, 678, which is the
eighth of the reign of Egfrid, in the month of August, ap-
peared a star, called a comet, which continued for three months,
rising in the morning, and darting out, as it were, a pillar of
radiant flame. The same year a dissensionf broke out between
King Egfrid and the most reverend prelate, Wilfrid, who
was driven from his see, and two bishops substituted in his
stead, to preside over the nation of the Northumbrians, namely,
Bosa, 4o preside over the nation of the Deiri ; and Eata over
that of the Bemicians ; the former having his see in the city
of York, the latter in the church of Hagulstad, or else
Ldndisfieime ; both of them promoted to the episcopal dignity
from a society of monks. With them also was Edhed
ordained bishop in the province of Lindsey,^ which King
Egfrid had but newly subdued, having overcome and van-
quished Wulf here ; and this was the first bishop of its own
which that province had ; the second was Ethelwin ; the
• Lichfield.
f It appears that this dissension was caused by Ermenbuiiga, £gfrid*t
queen, who was jealous lest the splendour of Wilfrid's monasteries and his
stately buildings should dunmish the legBii honours of her husband.
Z Sidnacester. See page 127. ^ 1
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
A.D.e81.J CONVEBSION OF THE SOUTH SAXONS. 193
third Edgar ; the fourth Cynebert, who is there at present.
Before Edhed, Sexwulf was bishop as well of that province
as of the Mercians and Midland Angles ; so that^ when ex-
pelled from Lindsej, he continued in the goyemment of
those provinces. Edhed, Bosa, and Eata, were ordained at
York by archbishop Theodore ; who also, three years after
the departure of Wilfrid, added two bishops to their number ;
Tumbert, in the church of Hagulstad, Eata still continuing
in that of Lindisfame ; and Trumwine in the province of
the Picts, which at that time was subject to the English.*
Edhed returning from Lindsey, because Ethelred had re-
covered that province, was placed by him over the church of
Ripon.
CHAP. ^TTT,
BUhop Wi^rid converts the province of the South Stucons to Christ, \/^
[A.D. 681.]
Being expelled from his bishopric, and having travelled in
several paits, Wilfrid went to Rome. He afterwards re-
turned to Britain ; and though he could not, by reason of
the enmity of the aforesaid king, be received into his own
country or diocese, yet he could not be restrained from
preaching the Gospel ; for, taking his way into the province
of the South Saxons, which extends from Kent on the west
and south, as far as the West Saxons, and contains land of
7000 families, who at that time, were still pagans, he admin-
istered to them the word of faith, and the baptism of salva-
tion. Ethelwalch, king of that nation, had been, not long
• There is some difficulty connected with the above statement of the
Tcnerable historian, respecting the division of Wilfrid's diocese. Some
maintain (Wharton, Anglia Sacra, i 693,) that the diocese of Lindisfame,
with Hexham severed from it, was left to Wilfrid ; while others make Uex-
ham and Lindisfame to have been one diocese conferred on Eata. It
seems more probable that Theodore di\ided the diocese into four bishoprics,
giving York to Bosa, Hexham and Lindisfame to Eata, (which were
again divided in 684, when Tumbert was appointed to Hexham,) Lindsej
to Edhed (whose see was at Sidnacester), and Abercom, or Whitherae, in
the Pictish territoiy, to Trumwine.
t The South Saxons were converted to Christianity much later than the
other Saxon kingdoms in Britain, probably because they were cut off by
downs and manhes from communication with the rest o#> the island.
^ gitizedbyOOOgTe
194 BBD£*S EGGLBSIAATICAL HI8T0BT. [b. it. c It
before, baptized in the province of the Mercians, by the pwr-
suasion of King Wulf here, who was present, and was also
his godfather, and as such gave him two provinces, viz. the
Isle of Wight, and the province of Meanwara,* in the nation
of the West Saxons. The bishop, therefore, with the king's
consent, or rather to his great satisfaction, baptized the prin-
cipal generals and soldiers of that country ; and the priests,
Eappa, and Padda, and Burghelm, and Eadda, either then,
or afterwards, baptized the rest of the people. The queen,
whose name was Ebba, had been christened in her own
island, the province of the Wiccii.f She was the daughter
of Emifrid, the brother of Eanher, who were both Chris-
tians, as were their people ; but all the province of the
South Saxons were strangers to the name and faith of Grod.
There was among them a certain monk of the Scottish na-
j / tion, whose name was Dicul, J who had a very small monas-
^ tery, at the place called Bosanham,§ encompassed with the
sea and woods, and in it five or six brothers, who served our
Lord in poverty and humility ; but none of the natives
cared either to follow their course of life, or hear their
preaching.
'But Bishop Wilfrid, by preaching to them, not only de-
livered them from the misery of perpetual damnation, but
also from an inexpressible calamity of temporal death, for no
rain had fallen in that province in three years before his
arrival, whereupon a dreadful famine ensued, which cruelly
destroyed the people. In short, it is reported, that very
often, forty or fifty men, being spent with want, would go
together to some precipice, or to the sea-shore, and there,
hand in hand, perish by the fall, or be swallowed up by the
waves. But on the very day on which the nation received
the baptism of faith, there fell a soft but plentiful rain ; the
earth revived again, and the verdure being restored to the
There are strong appearances of the sea having fonneriy run up into the
land on both the east and west of this county ; and in many districts of the
county primaeval manners still are found.
• A district comprehending almost the eastern moiety of Hampshire.
t Inhabitants of Gloucester, Worcester, and part of Warwickshire.
t One of the companions of Fursey, mentioned in book iii. c. 19. Was
he also the Djcuil, author of a geographical work still extant 1
§ Bosham, or Bosanham, four miles from Chichester, in Sussex, still
letainft its ancient name. ^ j
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
J.D.681.] CONVERSION OF THE SOUTH SAXONS. 195
fields, the season was pleasant and fruitful. Thus the for-
mer superstition being rejected, and idolatry exploded, the
hearts and flesh of all rejoiced in the living God, and be-
came convinced that He who is the true God had, through
his heavenly grace, enriched them with wealth, both temporal
and spiritual. For the bishop, when he came into the pro-
vince, and found so great misery from famine, taught them to
get their food by fishing ; for their sea and rivers abounded
in fish, but the people had no skill to take them, except eels
alone. The bishop's men having gathered eel-nets every-
where, cast them into the sea, and by the blessing of God
took three hundred fishes of several sorts, which, being
divided into three parts, they gave a hundred to the poor, a
hundred to those of whom they had the nets, and kept a
hundred for their own use. By this benefit the bishop
gained the affections of them all, and they began more
readily at his preaching to hope for heavenly goods, seeing
that by his help they had received those which are temporal.
At this time, King Ethelwalch gave to the most reverend
prelate, Wilfrid, land of eighty-seven families, to maintain
his company who were in banishment, which place is called
Selsey,* that is, the Island of the Sea-Calf. That place is
encompassed by the sea on all sides, except the west, where
is an entrance about the cast of a sling in width ; which
sort of place is by the Latins called a peninsula, by the^
Greeks, a chersonesus. Bishop Wilfrid, having this place
given him, founded therein a monastery, which his successors
possess to this day, and established a regular course of life,
chiefly of the brethren he had brought with him ; for he
both in word and actions performed the duties of a bishop in
those parts during the space of five years, until the death of
King Egfrid. And forasmuch as the aforesaid king, toge-
ther with the said place, gave him all the goods that were
therein, with the lands and men, he instructed them in the
faith of Christ, and baptized them all. Among whom were
two hundred and fifty men and women slaves, all of whom
he, by baptism, not only rescued from the servitude of the
• Selsey, eight miles south from CHiichester, Sussex. Eadbert, abbat of
this monastery, in 711, was consecrated first bishop of the South Saxons,
and fixed his see at this place ; but Bishop Stigand, in 1070, procured its
tianslation to Chichester. ^ ^ ^,^,^,^^^ ^^ GoOglc
196 BEDE's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b.iv.c.U.
Devil, but gave them their bodily liberty also, and exempted
them from the yoke of human servitude.
CHAP. XIV.
How a pestilential mortalify ceased through the intercession of King
Oswald. [A.D. 681.]
In this monastery, at that time, certain manifestations of the
heavenly grace are said to have been shown forth ; for the
tjranny of the devil having been recently exploded, the faith
of Christ began to prevail therein. Of which number I have
thought it proper to perpetuate the memory of one which
the most reverend Bishop Acca was wont to relate to me,
affirming it had been told him by most creditable brothers of
the same monastery. About the same time that this province
of the South Saxons embraced the faith of Christ, a grievous
mortality ran through many provinces of Britain ; which,
also, by the Divine dispensation, reached to the aforesaid
monastery, then governed by the most reverend and religious
priest of Christ, Eappa; and many, as well of those that
had came thither with the bishop, as of those that had
been called to the faith of the same province of the South
Saxons, were snatched away out of this world. The brethreit,
in consequence, though fit to keep a fast of three days, and
to implore the Divine goodness, that it would vouchsafe to
extend mercy to them, either by delivering those that were
in danger by the distemper from death, or by delivering those
who departed this life from eternal damnation.
There was at that time in the monastery, a little boy, of
the Saxon nation, lately called to the faith, who had been
seized with the same distemper, and had long kept his bed.
On the second day of the fasting and praying, it happened
that the said boy was, about the second hour of the day, left
alone in the place where he lay sick, and through the Divine
disposition, the most blessed princes of the apostles vouch-
safed to appear to him ; for he was a lad of an extraor-
dinarily mild and innocent disposition, and with sincere
devotion observed the mysteries of the faith which he had
received. The apostles therefore, saluting him in a mostmffec-
tionate manner, said, " My cliild, do not fear death, about
which you are so uneasy ; for we will this day-conduct you to
Digitized byVjOOQlC
A.D. e81.1 PESTILENCE STATED BY ST. OSWALD. 197
the heavenly kingdom ; but you are first to stay till the masses
are said, that having received the body and blood of our
Lord, to support you on your journey, and being so dis-
charged through sickness and death, you may be carried up
to the everlasting joys in heaven.
" Call therefore to you the priest, Eappa, and tell him,
that the Lord has heard your prayers and devotion, and has '
favourably accepted of your fast, and not one more shall die
of this plague, either in the monastery or its adjacent posses-
sions ; but all your people who any where labour under this
distemper, shall be eased of their pain, and restored to their
former health, except you alone, who are this day to be de-
livered by death, and to be carried into heaven, to behold our
Lord Christ, whom you have faithfully served : this favour
the Divine mercy has vouchsafed to grant you, through the
intercession of the godly and dear servant of God, King
Oswald, who formerly ruled over the nation of the Northum-
brians, with the authority of a temporal king, and such devo-
tion of Christian piety as leads to the heavenly kingdom ; for
this very day that king was killed in war by the infidels, and
taken up to the everlasting joys of souls in heaven, and asso-
ciated among the number of the elect. Let them look in
their books, wherein the departure of the dead is set down,
and they will find that he was, this day, as we have said,
taken out of this world. Let them, therefore, celebrate
masses in all the oratories of this monastery, either in thanks-
giving for their prayers being heard, or else in memory of
the aforesaid Bang Oswald, who once governed their nation ;
And therefore he humbly offered up his prayers to our Lord
for them, as for strangers of his nation; and let all the
brethren, assembling in the church, communicate in the
heavenly sacrifices, and so let them cease to fast, and refresh
themselves with food."
The boy called the priest, and repeated all these words to
him ; the priest particularly inquired after the habit and form
of the men that had appeared to him. He answered, "Their
habit was noble, and their countenances most pleasant and
beautiful, such as I had never seen before, nor did I think
there could be any men so graceful and comely. One of
them indeed was shorn like a clerk, the other had a long
beard ; and they said that one of them was called Peter, th«
198 BEDE'S ecclesiastical history. [B.IT.C15.
other Paul ; and both of them the servants of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ, sent hy him from heaven to protect
our monastery." The priest believed what the boy said, and
going thence immediately, looked in his chronicle, and found
that King Oswald had been killed on that very day. He
then called the brethren, ordered dinner to be provided,
masses to be said, and all of them to communicate as usual ;
causing also part of the Lord's oblation of the same sacrifice
to be carried to the sick boy.
Soon after this, the boy died, on that same day ; and by
his death proved that what he had heard from the apostles of
God was true. A further testimony of the truth of his
words was, that no person besides himself, belonging to the
same monastery, died at that time. By which vision, many
that heard of it were wonderfully excited to implore the
Divine mercy in adversity, and to adopt the wholesome
remedy of fasting. From that time, the day of the nativity
of that king and soldier of Christ began to be yearly honour^
with the celebration of masses, not only in that monastery,
but in many other places.
CHAP. XV.
King Cadwalla, having slain Ethelwalchy king of the West Saxons,* wasted
that Province with rapine and slaughter, [a.d. 685.]
In the meantime, Caedwalla, a daring young man, of the royal
race of the GewissaB,t who had been banished his country,
came with an army, slew Ethelwalch, and wasted that country
with much slaughter and plundering ; but he was soon ex-
pelled by Berthun and Andhun, the king's commanders, who
afterwards held the government of that province. The first
of them was afterwards killed by the same Caedwalla, when
he was king of the Gewissae, and the province was more en-
tirely subdued : Lia, likewise, who reigned after Csedwalla,
kept that country under the like servitude for several years ;
for which reason, during all that time, they had no bishop of
their own ; but their first bishop, Wilfrid, having been re-
called home, they were subject to the bishop of the Gewissse^
t. e. the West Saxons, in the city of Winchester.^
* This should be South-Saxons. See page 193. t West Sazont.
X The churches of Sussex were only subject to the Wincheflter see for
about twenty.five yeaxs. See book v. ch. 18,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
A.D. 686.1 ISLB OF WIGHT CONVERTED. 199
CHAP. XVL
Houf the Isle of Wight received Christian inhabitants, and two royal youths
of that island were killed immediately after baptism, [a.d. 686.]
After Caedwalla had possessed himself of the kingdom <^
the Gewissae, he also took the Isle of Wight, which till then
was entirelj given over to idolatry, and by cruel slaughter
endeavoured to destroy all the inhabitants thereof and to
place in their stead people from his own province ; having
bound himself by a vow, though he was not yet, as is re-
ported, regenerated in Christj to give the fourth part of the
land, and of the booty, to our Lord, if he took" the island,
which he performed by giving the same for our Lord to the
use of Bishop Wilfrid, who happened at the time to have
accidentally ccone thither out of his own nation. The
measure of that island, according to the computation of the
English, is of twelve himdred families, and accordingly the
bishop had given him land of three hundred families. The
part which he received, he committed to one of his clerks
called Bemwin, who was his sister's son, assigning him a
priest, whose name was Hiddila, who might administer the
word and baptism of salvation to all that would be saved.
Here I thmk it ought not to be omitted that the first fruits
of the natives of that island who, by believing, secured their
salvation, were two royal youths, brothers to Atwald, king
of the island, who were honoured by the particular grace of
God. For when the enemy approached, they made their
escape out of the island, and passed over into the neighbour-
ing province of the Jutes ;* where, being conducted to the
place called At the Stone,t as they thought to be concealed
from the victorious king, they were betrayed and ordered to
be killed. This being made known to a certain abbat and
priest, whose name was Cynebert, who had a monastery not
far from thence, at a place called Reodford,^ that is, the
Ford of Reeds, he came to the king, who then lay privately
in those parts, to be cured of the wounds which he had
received whilst he was fighting in the Isle of Wight, and
• See p. 24.
+ Now Stoneham, between Winchester and Southampton.
X Now Redbridge, situated at the head of the Southampton water.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
200 B£D£'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. [b.it.c17
begged of him, that if the lads must inevitably be killed, he
might be allowed first to instruct them in the mysteries of
the faith. The king consented, and the bishop having taught
them the word of truth, and cleansed their souls by baptism,
made the entrance into the kingdom of heaven sure to them.
Then the executioner being at hand, they joyfully underwent
the temporal death, through which they id not doubt they
were to pass to the life of the soul, which is everlasting.
Thus, after all the provinces of the island of Britain had
embraced the faith of Christ, the Isle of Wight also received
the same ; yet being under the affliction of foreign subjec-
tion, no matt, there received the ministry, or rank of a bishop,
before Danifel, who is now bishop of the West Saxons.*
Th^ island is situated opposite the division between the
South Saxons and the Gewissae, being separated from it by
a sea, three miles over, which is called Solente. In this
narrow sea, the two tides of the ocean, which flow round
Britain from the immense northern ocean, daily meet and
oppose one another beyond the mouth of the river Homelea,t
which runs into that narrow sea, from the lands of the Jutes,
which belong to the country of the Gewissae ; after this
meeting and struggling together of the two seas, they return
into the ocean from whence they come.
CHAP. xvn.
Of the Synod held in the plain of HeathfieM, where Archbithop Theodore
presided, [a.d. 680.]
About this time, Theodore being informed that the faith of
the church at Constantinople was much perplexed by the
heresy of Eutyches,t and desiring to preserve the churches
of the English, over which he presided, from that infection,
an assembly of many venerable priests and doctors was con-
vened, at which he diligently inquired into their doctrines,
and found they all unanimously agreed in the Catholic faith.
This he took care to have conmiitted to writing by the autho-
rity of the synods as a memorial, and for the instruction of
• Wincheiter. t The Hamble.
; Called Monothelitifnn, which maintained that the divine and human
nature of Jesus Christ were so united, as to form only one nature, yet with-
out any change, confusion, or mixture of the two naturefc- j
gitized by VjOOV IL
Aa>.tf80.J SYNOD OF HEATHFIELD. 201
succeeding generations ; the beginning of which instrument
is as follows : —
" In the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in
the tenth year of the reign of our most pious lord, Egfrid,
king of the Northumbrians, the seventeenth of October, the
eighth indiction ; and in the sixth year of the reign of
Ethelfrid, king of the Mercians, in the seventeenth year of
the reign of Aldhulf, of the East Angles, in the seventh year
of the reign of Lothair, king of Kent ; Theodore, by the
grace of God, archbishop of the island of Britain, and of the
city of Canterbury, being president, and the other venerable
bishops of the island of Britain sitting with him, the holy
Gospels being laid before them, at the place which, in the
Saxon tongue, is called Heathfield,* we conferred tof ether,
and expounded the true and orthodox faith, as our Lord
Jesus in the flesh delivered the same to his disciples, who
saw him present, and heard his words, and as it is delivered
in the creed of the holy fathers, and by all holy and univer-
sal synods in general, and by the consent of all approved
doctors of the Catholic church ; we, therefore, following
them jointly and orthodoxly, and professing accordance to
their divinely inspired doctrine, do believe, and do, according
to the holy fathers, firmly confess, properly and truly, the
Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost, a trinity consubstantial in
unity, and unity in trinity, that is, one God subsisting in
three consubstantial persons, of equal honour and glory."
And after much more of this sort, appertaining to the con-
fession of the true faith, this holy synod added to its instru-
ment, " We have received the five holy and general councils
of the blessed fathers acceptable to God ; that is, of 318
bishops, who were assembled at Nice, against the most im-
pious Arius and his tenets ; and at Constantinople, of 150,
against the madness of Macedonius and Eudoxius, and their
tenets ; and at Ephesus, first of 200, against the most wicked
Nestorius, and his tenets ; and at Chalcedon, of 330, against
Eutyches and Nestorius, and their tenets ; and again, at
Constantinople, in a fifth council, in the reign of Justinian
the younger, against Theodorus and Theodoret, and the epis-
tles of Iba, and their tenets, against Cyril;" and again a
little lower, " the synod held in the city of Rome, in the time
♦ Now Bishop's Hatfield, in ]
202 bedb's ecclesiastical history. [b. it. c. 1&
of the blessed Pope Martin, in the eighth indiction, and in
the ninth year of the most pious Emperor Constantine, we
receive : and we glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, as they glo-
riiied him, neither adding nor diminishing any thing ;
anathematizing those with our hearts and mouths whom
they anathematized, and receiving those whom they received,
glorifying God the Father, who is without beginning, and
his only begotten Son generated from eternity, and the Holy
Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Son in an ineffa-
ble manner, as those holy apostles, prophets, and doctors,
whom we l^ve above-mentioned, did declare. And all we,
who, with Archbishop Theodore, have thus expoimded the
Catholic faith, have also subscribed thereto."
CHAP. xvni.
Of Jcihn. the tinger <^ the apostolic tee, who came into Britain to teach,
[▲.D. 680.]
Among those who were present at this synod, was the vener-
able John, archchanter of the church of the holy Apostle
Peter, and abbat of the monastery of St. Martin, who came
lately from Rome, by order of Pope Agatho, together with
the most reverend Abbat Biscop, sumamed Benedict^ of
whom mention has been made above, and this John, with
the rest, signed the declaration of the Catholic faith. For
the said Benedict, having built a monastery in Britain, in
honour of the most blessed prince of the apostles, at the
mouth of the river Were,* went to Rome with Ceolfrid, his
companion and fellow-labourer in that work, who was after
him abbat of the same monastery ; he had been several times
before at Rome, and was now honourably received by Pope
Agatho of blessed memory ; from whom he also obtained the
confirmation of the immunities of this monastery, being a
bull of privilege signed by apostolical authority, pursuant to
what he knew to be the will and grant of King Egfrid, by
whose consent and gift of land he hiad built that monastery.
He then received the aforesaid Abbat John to be con-
ducted into Britain, that he might teach in his monastery
the method of singing throughout the year, as it was prac-
* Now caUed Monk-Wearmouth. Venerable Bede paised the earh
part of bis monantic life in thia establishment. r^^^^U
gitizedbyVjOOQlC
A. 0.880.] ABBAT JOHN ATTENDS THE BTJSOD. 203
tisecl at St. Peter's at Rome. The Abbat John did as he
had been commanded by the pope, teaching the singers d
the said monastery the order and manner of singing and
reading aloud, and conmiitting to writing all that was
requisite throughout the whole course of the year for ih»
celebration of festivals ; all which are still observed in that
monastery, and have been copied by many others elsewhere.
The said John not only taught the brothers of that monas-
tery ; but such as had skill in sii^ging resorted from almost
all the monasteries of the same province to hear him ; and
many invited him to teach in other places.
Besides singing and reading, he had also be^a directed by
the pope^ carefully to inform hims^ concerning the faith oi
the English church, and to give an account thereof at his
return to Rome. For he also brought with him the decision
of the synod of the blessed Pope Martin and 105 bishops,
held not long before at Rome, principally against those who
taught but one will and operation in Christ, and gave it to
be transcribed in the aforesaid monastery of the most reli-
gious Abbat Benedict. The men who followed such opinion,
much perplexed the faith of the church of Constantinople at
that time ; but by the help of God they were then discovered
and subdued. Wherefore, Pope Agatho, being desirous to
be informed concerning the state of the church in Britain,
as well as in other provinces, and to what extent it was clear
from the contagion of heretics, gave this affair in charge
to the most reverend Abbat John, then appointed to go to
Britain. The synod we have spoken of having been called
for this purpose in Britain, the Catholic faith was found un-
tainted in them all, and a copy of the same given him to
carry to Rome.
But in his return to. his own country, soon after crossing
the sea, he fell sick and died ; and his body, for the sake of
St. Martin, in whose monastery he presided, was by his
friends carried to Tours, and honourably buried ; for he had
been kindly entertained there when he went into Britain,
and earnestly entreated by the brethren, that in his return
to Rome he would t^e that road, and give them a visit. In
short, he was there supplied with some to conduct him on
his way, and assist him in the work enjoined him. Though
he died by the way, yet the testimony of ^^^^^^^{^[^^ ^^^
204 BEDe's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. [B.nr.c.19.
English nation was carried to Rome, and most agreeablj
received bj the apostolic pope, and all those that heard or
read it.
CHAP. XIX.
How Q^een Etheldrida always preserved Iter vtr^ni/y, and her boify siuf-
fered no corruplion in the grave, [a.d. 660.]
King Egfrid took to wife, Etheldrida, the daughter of Anna,
king of the East Angles, of whom mention has been often
made; a man very religious, and in all respects renowned
for his inward disposition and actions. She had before been
given in marriage to another, viz. to Tonbert, chief of the
Southern Girvii;* but he died soon after he had received
her, and she was given to the aforesaid king. Though she
lived with him twelve years, yet she preserved the glory of
perfect virginity, as I was informed by Bishop Wilfrid, of
blessed memory, of whom I inquired, because some ques-
tioned the truth thereof; and he told me that he was an
undoubted witness of her virginity, forasmuch as Egfrid
promised he woulS give many lands and much money, if
he could persuade the queen to consent to pay the marriage
duty, for he knew the queen loved no man so much as him-
self; and it is not to be doubted that the same might in one
instance take place in our age, which true histories tell us
happened several times in former ages, through the assist «
ance of the same Lord who has promised to continue with us
unto the end of the world ; for the miraculous circumstance
that her flesh, being buried, could not suffer corruption, is
a token that she had not been defiled by familiarity with
man.
She had long requested the king, that he would permit
her to lay aside worldly cares, and to serye only the true
King, Christ, in a monastery ; and having at length with
difficulty prevailed, she went as a nun into the monastery of
the Abbess Ebba,t who was aunt to King Egfrid, at the
place called the city Coludi,J having taken the veil from the
hands of the aforesaid Bishop Wilfrid ; but a year after shs
• See note at page 143
t Ebba was the daughter of King Ethelfnd, and the sister of Oswald,
Mtd half-sister of King Oswy. t Coldingham, Berwickshire.
SI
A^MO.] QUEEN EIHELDBD^ ABBESS. 205
was herself made abbess in ^e country called Ely, where,
having built a monastery,* she began, by works and exam,
pies of a heavenly life, to b6 the virgin mother of very many
virgins dedicated to God^Tit is reported of her, that from
the time of her entering into the monastery, she never wore
any linen but only woollen garments, and would rarely wash
in a hot bath, unless just before any of the great festivals,
as Easter, Whitsuntide, and the Epiphany, and then she did
it last of all, after ha\ing, with the assistance of those about
her, first washed the other servants of God there present ;
besides, she seldom did eat above once a day, excepting on
the great solemnities, or some other urgent occasion, unless
some considerable distemper obliged her. From the time of
matins she continued in the church at prayer till it was day ;
some also say, that by the spirit of prophecy, she, in the pre-
sence of all, not only foretold the pestilence of which she was
to die, but also the number of those that should be then
snatched away out of her monastery. She was taken to our
Lord, in the midst of her flock, seven years after she had
been made abbess ; and, as she had ordered, was buried
among them, in such a manner as she had died, in a wooden
coffin.
She was succeeded in the office of abbess by her sister
Sexberga,f who liad been wife to Erconbert, king of Kent ;
who, when her sister had been buried sixteen years, thought /
fit to take up her bones, and, putting them into a new coffin,
to translate them into the church. Accordingly she ordered
some of the brothers to provide a stone to make a coffin of ;
they accordingly went on board ship, because the country of
Ely is on every side encompassed with the sea or marshes,
and has no large stones, and came to a small abandoned city,^
not far from thence, which, in the language of the English, ^
is called Grantchester,J and presently, near the city walls,
• Aldwulf, king of the East Angles, and brother to Etheldrida, supplied
the fonds for building this moi'istery. Bentham conjectures that the
SQperintendence of the wall was committed to Bishop Wilfrid, from whom
EUieldrida received the benediction as abbess. After the Norman Con-
fueit, Ely was made a bishop's see, a.d. 1 107*
f Before Sexberga retired to Ely, she founded a monastery in the Isle
of Sheppey, for seventy-seven nuns, over whom she placed an abbess, her
daughter Ermcnilda, queen dowager of Mcrcia.
X Near Cambridge. The coffin found hero was a relic of andent Ronuiii
206 bedb's ecclesiastical msTonr. [b. it. c. 19.
tliey found a white marble coffin, most beautifully wrought^
and neatlj covered with a lid of the same sort of stone.
Concluding therefore that God had prospered their journey,
they returned thanks to him, and carried it to the monastery.
The body of the holy yicgis^ j^d spouse of Christ, when
her grave was opened, being brought into sight, was found
as free from corruption as if she had died and been buried
on that very day ; as the aforesaid Bishop Wilfrid, and
many others that know it, can testify. But the physician,
Cynefrid, who was present at her death, and when she was
taken up out of the grave, was wont of more certain know-
ledge to relate, that in her sickness she had a very great
swelling under her jaw. "And I was ordered," said he,
"to lay open that swelling, to let out the noxious matter in
it, which I did, and she seemed to be somewhat more easy
for two days, so that many thought she might recover from
her distemper ; but the third day the former pains returning,
she was soon snatched out of the world, and exchanged all
pain and death for everlasting life and health. And when
so many years after her bones were to be taken out of the
grave, a pavilion being spread over it, all the congregation
of brothers were on the one side, and of sisters on the other,/^
standing about it singing, and the abbess, with a few, being
gone to take up and wash the bones, on a sudden we heard
the abbess within loudly cry out, * Glory be to the name of
the Lord.' Not long-^ after they called me in, opening the
door of the pavilion, where I found the body of the holy vir-
gin taken out of the grave and laid on a bed, as if it had
been asleep ; then taking off the veil from the face, they
also showed the incision which I had made, healed up ; so
that, to my great astonishment, instead of the open gaping
wound with which she had been buried, there then appeared
only an extraordinarily slender scar.
" Besides, all the linen cloths in which the body had been
buried, appeared entire and as fresh as if they had been that
very day wrapped about her chaste limbs." It is reported,
that when she was much troubled with the aforesaid swel-
ling and pain in her jaw, she was much pleased with that
sort of distemper, and wont to say, " I know that I deserv-
edly bear the weight of my sickness on my neck, for I re-
member, when I was very young, I bore there the needless
A,o.600. BEDE's hymn ON VIBGINITT. 207
weight of jewels ; and therefore I believe the Divine good-
ness would have me endure the pain in my neck, that I may
be absolved from the guilt of my needless levity, having now,
instead of gold and precious stones, a red swelling and burn-
ing on my neck." It happened also that by the touch of that
linen, devils were expelled from bodies possessed, and other
distempers were sometimes cured ; and the cofiln she was
'Srst buried in is reported to have cured some of distempers
in the eyes, who^ praying with their heads touching that
coffin, presently were delivered from the pain or dimness in
their eyes. They washed the virgin's body, and having
clothed it in new garments, brought it into the church, and
laid it in the coffin that had been brought, where it is held
in great veneration to this day. The coffin was found in a
wonderful manner, as fit for the virgin's body as if it had
been made purposely for her, and the place for the head par-
ticularly cut, exactly fit for her head, and shaped to a
nicety.
Ely is in the province of the East Angles, a country of
about six hundred families, in the nature of an island, en-
closed, as has been said, either with marshes or waters, and
therefore it has its name from the great plenty of eels taken
in those marshes ; there the aforesaid servant of Christ de-
sired to have a monastery, because, as we have before ob-
served, she was descended from that same province of the
East Angles.
CHAP. XX.
A Hymn on the aforesaid Holy Virgin, [a.d. 660.]
I THINK it proper to insert in this history a hymn of vir-
ginity, which I composed in elegiac verse several years ago,
in praise and honour of the same queen and spouse of Christ ;
and therefore truly a queen, because the spouse of Christ ;
and to imitate the method of the Holy Scripture, in whose
history many poetical pieces are inserted which are known
to be composed in metre.
Hail, Triune Power, who rulest. every age,
Assist the numbers which my pen engage.
*Let Maro wars in loftier niunbers sinsr,
1 wund the praises of our heayenly King. Q^^gj^
208 BED£*S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b.it.c 2o
Chaste is my verse, nor Helen's rape I write ;
Light tales like these, but prove the muid as light.
See ! from on high the God descends, confined
In Mary's womb, to rescue lost mankind.
Behold ! a spotless maid a God brings forth,
A God is bom, who gave e'en nature birth I
The virgin choir the mother-maid resound.
And chaste themselves, her praises shout around.
Her bright example numerous vot'ries raise,
Tread spotless paths, and imitate her ways.
The blessed Agatha and Eulalia trust
Sooner to flames, than far more dangerous lust.
Tecia and chaste Euphemia overcame
The fear of beasts to save a viigm name.
Agnes and sweet Cecilia, joyful maids,
Smile while the pointed swords their breasts invades.
Triumphing joy attends the peaceful soul.
Where heat, nor rain, nor wishes mean control.
Thus Etheldrida, pure from sensual crime,
Bright shining star I arose to bless our time.
Bom of a regal race, her sire a king.
More noble honour to her lord shall bring.
A queen her name, her hand a sceptre rears,
But greater glories wait above the spheres.
What man wouldst thou desire 1 See Christ is made
Her spouse, her blessed Redeemer weds the maid.
While you attend the heavenly Mother's train.
Thou shalt be mother of a heavenly reign.
The holy maid who twelve years sat a queen.
A cloister'd nmi devote to God was seen.
• Noted for pious deeds, her spotless soul
Left the vile world, and soar'd above the pole.
Sixteen Novembers since was the blest maid
£ntomb*d, whose flesh no putrid damps invade.
Thy grace, 0 Christ I for in the coflin*s found
No tainted vest wrapping the corpse around.
The swelling dropsy, and dire atrophy,
A pale disease from the blest vestments fly.
K^e fires the fiend, who whilom Eve betray'd,
While shouting angels hail the glorious maid.
See ! wedded to her God, what joy remains.
In earth, or heaven, see I with her God she reigns !
Behold ! the spouse, the festal torches shine,
He comes 1 behold ! what joyful gifts are thine I
Thou a new song on the sweet harp shalt 8.*ng,
A hymn of praise to thy celestial King.
None from the flock of the throned Lunb shall movet
Whom grateful passion bind, and heavenly love.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
»>679.J A GAPnYE FBEEB FROM HIS CHAINS. 209
CHAP. XXI.
BiAop Theodore made peace between the kings Bgfrid and Ethelred,
[i;d. 679.]
Lf tike ninth year of the reign of King Egfrid^ a great
battle was fought between him and Ethelred, king of the
MereiaDS, near the river Trent, and Elfnrin, brother to King
£^[&id, was slain, a youth about eighteen years of age, and
much beloTed by both provinces, for King Ethelred had
mamed his sister Osthntha. There was now reason to expect
a more bloody war, and more lasting enmity between those
kings and their fierce nations ; but Theodore, the bishq),
beloved of God, relying on the Divine assistance, by lus
wholesome admonitions extinguished the dangerous fire that
was breaking out ; so that the kings and their people on both
sides being appeased, no man was put to death, but only
the usual mulct paid to the king for his brother that had been
killed ; and tlds peace continued long after b^ween those
kings and their kingdcnns.
CHAP. xxn.
How a oerimn cttpltoeV ehaint fell off tehen nuutes were sung for him,
[A.D. 679.3
Ik the aforesaid battle, wherein Elfwin, the king's brother^
was killed, a memorable fact is known to have happened,
which I think ought not to be passed by in silence ; for the
relation of the same will conduce to the salvation of many.
In that battle, one Lnma, a youth belonging to the king, was
left as dead, and having lam so all that day and the next
night among the dead bodies, at length he came to himself^
and sitting, bound up his wounds in the best way he could.
Then having rested awhile, he stood up, and b^an to go off
to seek some friends that might take care of him ; but in so
doing he was discovered and taken by some of the enemy's
army, and carried before their lord, who was an earl
belonging to King Ethelred. Being asked by him who he
was, and fearing to own himself a soldier, he answered, ^^ He
was a peasant, poor and married, and that he came to the
army with others to bring provisions to the soldiers." The
earl entertained him, and ordered his wounds to be dressed ;
and when he b^an to recover, to prevent his escaping, he
210 BED£'S BCOLESIASTIGAL HISTOBT. [B.nr.c.9L
ordered him to be bound ; but that could not be performed,
for as soon as thej that bound him were gone, his bonds were
all loosened.
He had a brother called Tunna, who was a priest and
abbat of a monastery in the city which from him is still
called Tunnacester.* Hearing that his brother had been
killed in the fight, he went to see whether he could find his
body ; and finding another very like him in all respects,
concluding it to be his, he carried the same to his monastery,
and buried it honourably, and took care often to say masses
for the absolution of his soul ; the celebration whereof
occasioned what I have said, that none could bind him but
he was presently loosed again. In the meantime, the earl
that kept him was amazed, and began to inquire why he
could not be bound ; whether he had any spells about him, as
are spoken of in fabulous stories. He answered, " He knew
nothing of those contrivances ; but I have," said he, ** a
brother who is a priest in my country, and I know tliat he,
supposing me to be killed, causes masses to be said for me ;
and if I were now in the other life, my soul there, tlirough
his intercession, would be delivered from pain."
Having continued with the earl some time, those who
attentively observed him, by his countenance, mien, and
discourse, took notice, that he was not of the meaner sort,
as he had said, but of some quality. The earl then privately
sending for him, pressed to know who he was, promising to
do him no harm, if he would ingenuously confess his quality.
Which when he had done, declaring that he had b^n the
king's servant, the earl answered, " I perceived by your
answers that you were no peasant. And now you deserve
to die, because all my brothers and relations were killed in
that fight ; yet I will not put you to death, because it will be
a breach of my promise."
As soon, therefore, as he was recovered, he sold him at
London, to a Freson, but he could not be bound by him the
whole way as he was led along ; but though his enemies put
* Perhaps Tovecester, of the Domesday-book, ''a city and fortified
place on the river Tove," which is considered to have been a Roman
station, and on the north side of which are the ruins of a Saxon tower. It
is now called Towcester, a market town in Northamptonshire. The lettesfl
i» and V are repeatedly confounded together in deciphering old MSS*.
A.i>.08O.] OF TH£ ABBESS ST. HILDA. 211
several sorts of bonds on him, they were all loosed. The
buyer, perceiving that he could in no way be bound, gave
him leave to ransom himself if he could ; now it was at the
third hour (nine in the morning) when the masses were
wont to be said, that his bonds were generally loosed. He,
having taken an oath that he would either return, or send
him the money for his ransom, went into Kent to King
Lothaire, who was son to the sister of Queen Etheldrida,
above spoken of, for he had once been her servant. From
him he obtained the price of his ransom, and as he had
promised, sent it to his master.
Returning afterwards into his own country, and coming to
his brother, he gave him an exact account of all his fortunes,
good and bad; and by his relation he understood, that his
bonds had been generally loosed at those times when masses
had been celebrated for him; and that other advantages
which had accrued to liim in his time of danger, had been
conferred on him from Heaven, through the intercession of
his brother, and the oblation of his saving sacrifice. Many
persons, on hearing tlds account from the aforesaid man,
were stirred up in the faith and devotion of piety either to
prayer, or to alms-giving, or to offer up to our Lord the
sacrifice of the holy oblation, for the deliverance of their
friends who had departed this world; for they understood
and knew that such saving sacrifice was available for the
eternal redemption both of body and soul. This story was
also told me by some of those who had heard it related by
the person himself to whom it happened ; therefore, I have
thought fit to insert it in my Ecclesiastical History as I had
it related to me.
CHAP. XXHL
Of the itfe and death cf the Abbess Hilda, [a.d. 680.]
br the year of the incarnation of our Lord 680, the most
religious servant of Christ, Hilda, abbess of the monastery
that is called Streaneshalch,* as above-mentioned, after hav-
ing performed many heavenly works on earth, passed from
thence to receive the rewards of the heavenly Hfe, on the
17th <rf November, at the age of sixty-six years ; the first
• Whitby, see pages 151, 15^jgjtj,edbyGoOQle
r 2 "^
212 BEI»'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. [b.it.c^
ihirtj-tliiree of which she spent living most nobly in ibe
secular habit ; and more nobly dedicated the remaining hstf
to our Lord in a monastic Ufe. For she was nobly bean,
being the daughter of Hereric, nephew to King Edwin, wiik
which king she idso unbraced the faith and mysteries of
Christ, at the preaching of Paulinus, the first Inshop of tbe
Northumbrians, of blessed memory, and presearved the same
; nndefiled till i^e attained to the sight of him in heayen.
Resolving to quit the secular habit, and to serve him
alone, she withdrew into the province of the East Angliss,
for she was allied to the king ; being desirous to pass over
from thence into France, to forsake h«r native country and
all she had, and so live a stranger for our Lord in tlie
monastery of Oale,* that she might with more ease a^tahi
to the eternal Jdngdom in heaven ; because her sister Here-
ftuid, mother to Aldwul^ king of the East Angles, at that
time living in the same monastery, under regular discipline,
was waiting for her eternal reward. Being led by her ex-
ample, she continued a whole year in the aforesaid provinee,
with the design of going abroad ; afterwards. Bishop Aidllil
being recalled home, he gave her the land of <me ffunily on
the north side of the river Weaa? ; where for a year sh© abo
led a monastic Hfe, with very few companicms.
. ' After this she was made abbess in the monastery onUed
Heruteu,')' which monastery had been founded, not long be-
fore, by the religious servant of Christy Heiu,t who is sai4
to have been the first woman that in the province of tbe
2^(»rthumbrians took upon her t^e habit and life <^ a nun,
^ being consecrated by Bishop Aidan ; but she, (toon aftar i^
had founded that monastery, went away to the city of Cal-
cacestir,§ and there fixed her dwelling. Hilda, the servant
of Christ, being set over that monastery, began immediately
to reduce all things to a regular system, according as she
had been instructed by learned men ; for Bishop Aidan, and
Ofther religious men that knew her and loved h^, &equen1ij
visited and diligently instructed her, because of her innate ^
wisdom and inclination to the service <^ Grod.
When she had for some years governed this monastery,
^ ♦ Chelles, ten miles fix)m Paris. See iii. 8, p. 121. f HartlgpooL
Bee p. 151. * Inland and Cressy confound Heiu witb St. Bega or Beei.
§ Tadcaater, Newton Kyme, or Ingleby Abb^foi^jh^^OOQle
A.n.680.] LIFE OF ST. HILDA. 218
whoUj intent upon establishing a regular life, it happened
that she also undertook either to build or to arrange a
monasterj in the place called Streaneshalch, [Whitby,*}
whieh work she industriously performed; for she put this
monastery under the same regular discipline as she had done
tihe former ; and taught there the strict observance of justice,
piety, chastity, and other virtues, and particularly of peace
and charity; so that, after the example of the primitive
church, no person was there rich, and none poor, all being
inVommon to all, and none having any property. Her pru-
draice was so great, that not only indifferent persons, but
even kii^s and princes, as occasion offered, asked and re-
ceived her advice; she obliged those who were under her
direction to attend so much to reading of the Holy Scrip-
tures^ and to exercise themselves so much in works of justice,
that many might be there found fit for ecclesiastical duties,
and to serve at the altar.
In short, we afterwards saw five bishops taken out of that
monastery, and all of them men of singular merit and sanc-
tity, whose names were Bosa, Hedda, Oftfor, «Tohn, and
Wil£rid.t We have above taken notice, that the first of
them was consecrated bishop at York ; of the second, it is
to be observed that he was appointed bishop of Dorchester.
Of the two last we shall speak hereafter, as they were con-
seorated : the first was bishop of Hagulstad, the second d
the church of York ; of the third, we will here take notice
that> having applied himself to the reading and observation
of the Scriptures in both the monasteries of Hilda, at length,
bdng desirous to attain to greater perfection, he went into
Kent, to Archbishop Theodore, of blessed memory ; where ^
having spent some more time in sacred studies, he also re-
* Gamden, speaking of Whitby, says, ^ Here ore found stones resembfing
makes rolled up, the sports of nature, which she, as one obsenres, amuse*
hefself with creating when weary of producing realities and serious pro-
ductions. You would think they had once been snakes, covered over with
a crust of stone. Report ascribes them to the prayers of Hilda, as i^
chimged by her, who in the^early Saxon church opposed with all her might
the tonsure of priests and tlie celebration of Easter according to the Roman
lituaL" Brit edit. Gough, 1789, vol. iii. p. 17.
f Bosa was bishop of York ; Hedda of Dorchester, and translated to
Winchester ; Oftfor of Worcester ; John (the famous St. John of Beverley,
book T. c 2,) of Hexham, translated to York ; Wilfrid of^ork. j
Digitized by VjOOQlC
214 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. [b.it.c.23.
solyed to go to Rome, which, in those days, was reckoned of
great moment : returning thence into Britain, he took his
way into the province of the Wiccii, where King Osric then
ruled,* and continued there a long time, preaching the word
of faith, and making himself an example of good life to aU
that saw and heard him. At that time, Bosel, the bishop
of that province,f laboured under such weakness of body,
that he could not perform the episcopal functions ; for which
reason, this Oftfor was, by universal consent, chosen bish^
in his stead, and by order of King Ethelred, consecrated by
Bishop Wilfrid,^ of blessed memory, who was then bishop
of the Midland Angles, because Archbishop Theodore was
dead, and no other bishop ordained in his place. Before the
aforesaid man of God, Bosel, Tatfrid, a most learned and
industrious man, and of excellent ability, had been chosen
bishop there, from the same abbess's monastery, but had
been snatched away by an untimely death, before he could
be ordained.
Thus this servant of Christ, Abbess Hilda, whom all that
knew her called Mother, for her singular piety and grace,
was not only an example of good life, to those tliat lived in
her monastery, but afforded occasion of amendment and sal-
vation to many who lived at a distance, to whom the fame
was brought of her industry and virtue f for it was neces-
sary that the dream which her mother, Bregusuit, had,
during her infancy, should be fulfilled. At the time that
her husband, Hereric, lived in banishment, under Cerdic,
king of the Britons, where he was also poisoned, she fancied,
in a dream, that she was seeking for him most carefully,
and could find no sign of him any whero ; but, after having
used aU her industry to seek him, she found a most precious
jewel under her garment, which, whilst, she was looking on
it very attentively, cast such a light as spread itself through-
out all Britain ; which dream was brought to pass in her
daughter that we speak of, whose life was a bright example,
not only to herself, but to all who desired to live welL
• Ogric probably had the supremacy of the whole of the provuice of
Wiccii, or Magesetania, (Gloucestershire and Worcestershire) ; althou^
Oswald may have held Worcestershire as aii appanage.
t Bosel was appointed the first bishop of Worcester, A.D. 679.
i Wilfrid was now restored to the see of York. ^ j
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AO.680.J D£ATH OF ST. HILDA. 215
When she had governed this monastery many years, it
pleased Hun who has made such merciful provision for our
salvation, to give her holy soul the trial of a long sickness,
to the end that, according to the apostle's example, her vir-
tue might be perfected in infirmity. Falling into a fever,
she fell into a violent heat, and was afflicted with the same
for six years continually ; during all which time she never
failed either to return thanks to her Maker, or publicly and
privately to instruct the flock committed to her charge ; for
by her own example she admonished all persons to serve
God dutifully in perfect health, and always to return thanks
to him in adversity, or bodily infirmity. In the seventh
year of her sickness, the distemper turning inwards, she
approached her last day, and about cockcrowing, having re-
ceived the holy communion to further her on her way, and
called together the servants of Christ that were witliin the
same monastery, she admonished them to preserve evangel-
ical peace among themselves, and with all others ; and as she
was making her speech, she joyfully saw death approaching,
or if I may speak in the words of our Lord, passed from
death to life.
That same night it pleased Almighty God, by a manifest
vision, to make known her death in another monastery, at a
distance from hers, which she had built that same year, and
is called Hackness.* There was in that monastery, a certain
nun called Begu,t who, having dedicated her virginity to
God, had served him upwards of thirty years in monastical
conversation. This nun, being then in the dormitory of the
sisters, on a sudden heard the well-known sound of a bell in
the air, which used to awake and call them to prayers, when
any one of them was taken out of this world, and opening
her eyes, as she thought, she saw the top of the house open,
and a strong light pour in from above ; looking earnestly
* Hackness, thirteen miles from Whitby, was a cell belonging to Whitby
Abbey, which at the dissolution conbiined four monks of the Benedictine
order. Hilda erected several cells or smaller convents as appanages to
Whitby.
f St. Bega, better known as St. Bees, from the monastery built by her,
at the place named after her, near Copeland Forest, Cumberland. There
is a legendary account of her printed in the Carlisle Tracts, from the Cot-
tonian MSS.'Faust. B. 4, fol. 122—139, as well ns in the Lives of English
Saints, No. VI. Digitized by Google
2 16 bbdb's EOCLESIASTICA]:. HISTOBT. [d. nr. c. ul
upon that light, she saw the soiil of the aforesaid ser-
yant of Grod in that same light, attended and conducted to
heaven bj angels. Then awaking, and seeing the other
sisters lying round about her, she perc^ved that what she
had seen was either in a dream or a vision ; and rising imme-
diatelj in a great fright, she ran to the virgin who then pre-
sided in the monastery instead of the abbess, and whose
name was Frigyth, and, with many tears and sighs, told her
that the Abbess Hilda, mother of them all, had departed tiiis
life, and had in her sight ascended to eternal bliss, and to
the company of the inhabitants of heaven, with a great
light, and with angdb conducting her. Frigyth having
heard it, awoke all the sisters, and calling them to the
church, admonished them to pray and sing psalms for her
soul 5 which they did during the remainder of the night ;
and at break of day, the brotliers came with news of her
death, from the place where she had died. They answered
that they knew it before, and th«i related how and when
they had heard it, by wMch it ai^>eared that her death had
been revealed to them in a vision the very same hour that
the others said she had died. Thus it was by Heaven hap-
pily ordained, that when some saw her departure out of this
world, the others should be acquainted with her admittance
into the spiritual Hfe which is eternal. These monasteries
are about thirteen miles distant from each other.
It is also reported, that her death wus, in a vision, made
known the same nisht to one of the holy virgins who loved
her most passionately, in the same monastery where ^e said
servant of God died. Tliis nun saw h^ soul ascend to hea-
ven in the company of angels ; and this she declared, the
very same hour that it haj^ned, to those servants of Christ
that were with her ; and awakened them to pray for her
soul, even before the rest of the congregation had heard of
her death. The truth of which was known to the whole
monastery in the morning. This same nun was at that time
with some other servants of Christ, in the remotest part of
the monastery, where the women newly converted were wont
to be upon trial, till they were r^ularly instructed, and
taken into the society of the congregation.
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^C80.J C-SDUON IN8PIBED TO WBITB FOETBT. 217
CHAP. XXIV.
Thsre was in the scrnie monastery a brother y on whom the ff\ft of writing
verses was bestowed by heaven, [a.d. 680.]
There was in this abbess's monastery a certain brother, par-
ticularly remarkable for the grace of God, who was wont to
make pious and religious verses, so that whatever was inter-
preted to him out of Scripture, he soon after put the same
into poetical expressions of much sweetness and humility, in
English, which was his native language. By his verses the
minds of many were often excited to despise the world, and
to aspire to heaven. Others after him attempted, in the
English nation, to compose religious poems,* but none could
ever compare with him, for he did not learn the art of poetry
firom men, but from God ; for which reason he never could
compose any trivial or vain poem, but only those which relate
to religion suited his religious tongue j foj^ having lived in a
secular habit till he was well advanced in years, he had never
learned any thing of versifying ; for which reason being some-
times at entertainments, when it was agreed for the sake of
mirth that all present should sing in their turns, when he saw
the instrument come towards him, he rose up from table and
returned home.
Having done so at a certain time, and gone out of the
house where the entertainment was, to the stable, where he
had to take care of the horses that night, he there composed
himself to rest at the proper tinle ; a person appeared to him
in his sleep, and saluting him by his name, said, " Caedmon,
sing some song to me." He answered, " I cannot sing ; for
that was the reason why I left the entertainment, and retired
to this place, because I could not sing." The other who
talked to him, replied, " However you shall sing." — " What
ghall I sing ?" rejoined he. "Sing the beginning of created
beings," said the other. Hereupon he presently began to
* From what Bede says of Csedmon and his imitators, and firom some
other circumstances, it seems probable that the vernacular religious feeling
wa» composed chiefly during the years which intervened between the age of
tbe poet (a.d. 680,) and that of the historian (a.d. 7^1,}— -Wright's Essaig
0fi &e Literature if the Anglo-Saaons,
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
218 BEDE'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b. it. 0.24,
sing verses to the praise of Grod, which he had never heard,
the purport whereof was thus : — We are now to praise the
Maker of the heavenly kingdom, the power of the Creator
and his counsel, the deeds of the Father of glory. How he,
being the eternal God, became the author 6£ all miracles,
who first, as almighty preserver of the human race, created
heaven for the sons of men as the roof of the house, and
next the earth. This is the sense, but not the words in order
as he sang them in his sleep ; for verses, though never bo
well composed, cannot be literally translated out of one
language into another, without losing much of their beauty
and loftiness. Awaking from his sleep, he remembered aU
that he had sung in his dream, and soon added much more
to the same effect in verse worthy of the Deity.
In the morning he came to the steward, his superior, and
having acquainted him with the gift he had received, was'
conducted to the abbess, by whom he was ordered, in the
presence of many learned men, to tell his dream, and repeat
the verses, that they might all give their judgment what it
was, and whence his verse proceeded. They all concluded,
that heavenly grace had been conferred on him by our Lord.
They expounded to him a passage in holy writ, either historical,
or doctrinal, ordering him, if he could, to put the same into
verse.* Having undertaken it, he went away, and returning
the next morning, gave it to them composed in most excel-
lent verse J ^whereupon the abbess, embracing the grace of
God in the inan, instructed him to quit the secular habit, and
take upon him the monastic life ; which being accordingly
done, she associated him to the rest of the brethren in her
monastery, and ordered that he should be taught the whole
series of sacred history. /Thus Caedmon, keeping in mind
all he heard, and as it were chewing the cud, converted the
same into most harmonious verse; and sweetly repeating the
same, made his masters in their turn his hearers. (He sang
the creation of the world, the origin of man, and all the
history of Genesis: and made many verses on. the departure
of the children of Israel out of i^ypt, and their entering
* A part of one of Cedmon's poems is preserved in King Alfred's Saxon
Tersdon of Bede's History. The original may be seen in Turner's Anglo-
Saxons, (book ix. c. 1, Tol. iii. p. 302,) with a literal tiaqsIatioiY
Digitized by LjOOQIC
4U>.680.] DEATH OF 0.£DMON. 219
into the land of promise, with many other histories from holy
writ ; the incarnation, passion, resurrection of our Lord, and
Lis ascension into heaven ; the coming of the Holy Ghost,
and the preaching of the apostles ; also the terror of future
judgment, the horror of the pains of hell, and the delights of
heaven; besides many more about the Diyine benefits and
judgments, by which he endeavoured to turn away all men
from the love of vice, and to excite in them the love (»f, and
application to, good actions ; for he was a very religious man,
humbly submissive to regular discipline, but full of zeal
against those who behaved themselves otherwise ; for which
reason he ended his life happily.
For when the time of his departure drew near, he laboured
for the space of fourteen days under a bodily infinnity which
seemed to prepare the way, jet so moderate ttial he could
talk and walk the^^vrhote^^hne: In his neighbourhood was
the house to^WHch those that were sick, and like shortly to
die, were carried. He desired the person that attended liim,
in the evening, as the night came on in which he was to de-
part this life, to make ready a place there for him to tjike his
rest. This person, wondering why he should desire it,
because there was as yet no sign of his d^dng soon, did whathe
had ordered. He accordingly went there, ^uid c(hi versing
pleasantly in a jOyful manner with the rest that were in the
hduse T)eKipe,''^hen it was past midnight, he asked them,
whether "fKey, had the Eucharist there ? They ans\vered,
**What need of the Eucharist ? for you are not likely to die,
«nce you talk so merrily with us, as if you were in perfect
health." — "However,*' said he, "bring me the Eucharist."
Having received the same into his hand, he asked, whether
they were all 'in charity with him, and without any enmity
or rancour ? They answered, that they were all in perfect
diarity, and free from anger ; and in their turn asked him,
whether he was in the same mind towards them ? He
answered, " I am in charity, my children, with all the servants
of Grod." Then strengthening himself with the heavenly
viaticum, he prepared for the entrance into another life, and
asked, hbw near the time was when the brothers were to be
awakened to sii^ the nocturnal praises of our Lord ? They
answered, " It is not far off." Then he said, " Well, let us
wait that hour ;" and signing himself with the^ign of the
Digitized by VjOOQ[C
220 BEDE's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. [B.fT.O.S(k
CTOss, he laid his head on the pillow, and falling into a slomber)
ended his life so in silence.
Thus it came to pass, that as he had senned Grod with a
simple and pure mind, and undisturbed derotion, so he now
departed to his presence, leaving the world by a quiet death ;
and that tongue, which had composed so many holy words in
praise of the Creator, uttered its last words whilst he was in
the act of signing himself with the cross, and recommending
. himself into his hands, and by what has been h^re said, h^
seems to have had foreknowledge of his death.
CHAP. XXV.
Of th$ viium that appeared to a certain man qf God before the
monastery of the city Coludi was burned down, [a.d. 679.]
At this time, the monastery of virgins, called the city ol
Coludi, above-mentioned, was burned ^wn, through Care-
lessness ; and yet all that knew the same, might observe tluU
it happened tlurough the malice of those who dwelt in it, and
chiefly of those who seemed to be the greatest. But there
wanted not a warning of the approaching punishment frcmt
the Divine goodness, by which they might have stood
corrected, and by fasting, prayers, and tears, like tho
Ninevites, have averted the anger of the just Judge.
There was in that monastery a man of the Scottish raoe^
called Adamnan,* leading a Hfe entirely devoted to Grod ia
continence and prayer, insomuch that he never took any food
or drink, except only on Sundays and Thursdays ; but ofteii
spent whole nights in prayer. This austerity of life he had
first adopted from necessity to correct his evil propensities ;
but in process of time the necessity became a custcmi.
For in his youth he had been guilty of some wieked
action, for which, when he came to himself, he conceived
extraordinary horror, and dreaded lest he should be punished
for the same by the upright Judge. Repairing, therefore^ to
a priest, who he hoped might show him the way of salvatioi^
he confessed his guilt, and desired to be advised how be
might avoid the future wrath of God. The priest having
heard his offence, said, "A great sore requires mneh
• Not the abbat of lona mentioned in book v. c. 15. It is said that tha
monk of Coldingham survived the burning of the monastery three jean.
A.iKtle9. MONASTERY OF OOLDIifGHAM BUBNT. 221
uttentioB in the cure ; and, therefore, give yourself up as far
as you are able to fasting, reading of psalms, and prajer, to
the end, that thus preventing the wrath of our Lord, in
<x»ifQSi»on, you may find him merciful." Being highly
affected with the grief of a guilty conscience, and desiring,
as eoon as possible, to be loosed from the inward fetters of
fiin, which lay heavy upon him, he answared, " I am young
in years, and strong of body, and shall, therefore, easily bear
whatever you shall enjoin me to do, so that I may be saved
in the day of our Lord ; though you should command me to
spend the whole night in prayer standing, and to pass the
whole week in abstinence." The priest replied, " It is too
much for you to hold out the whole week without bodily
sustenance ; but it is sufficient to fast two or three days ; do
this till I come again to you in a short time, vrh&a. I will
more fully show you what you are to do, and how long to
continue your penance." Having so said, and prescribed the
measure of his penance, the priest went away, and upon
some sudden occasion passed over into Lrelan^ whence he
derived his ori^, and returned no more to him, as he had
iippcanted. Bmembering this injunction and his own
pnunise, he totally addicted himself to tears, penance, holy
watching, and contiobenee ; so that he only fed on Thursdays
and Sundays, as has been said ; and ate nothing all the other
days of the week. When he heard that his priest was gone
to Lreland, and had died Ihere, he ever after observed that
same abstinence, aec(»^ding to his direction ; and as he had
begun that course through the fear of Grod, in penitence for
his guilt, so he still continued the same unremittingly for the
Divine love, and in hope of his reward.
Having practised this carefully for a long time, it happened
that he had gone on a certaia day to a distance from the
monastery, accompanied by one of the brothers ; and as they
were returning from this jouniey, when they drew near to
the monastery, and beheld its lofty buildings, the man of God
burst out into tears, and his countenance discovered the
trouble of his heart. His companion, perceiving it, asked
what was the re^on, to which he answered : '* The time is
at hand, when a devouring fire shall consume all the
structures which you here behold, both public and private."
The other, hearing these words, as soon as tb^J^AftffO into
222 bede's ecclesiastical HISTORT. £■•<▼. o.».
the monastery, told them to Ebba, the mother* of the
congr^ation. She, with good cause, being much concerned
at that prediction, called the man to her, and narro^y
inquired of him how he came to know it. He answered,
"Being busy one night lately in watching and singing
psalms, I on a sudden saw a person unknown standing by
me, and being startled at his presence, he bade me not to fear,
and speaking to me in a familiar manner, * You do well,' said
he, * in that you spend this night-time of rest, not in giving
yourself up to sleep, but in watching and prayer.' I
answered, *I know I have great need of wholesome watching,
and earnest praying to our Lord to pardon my transgressions.'
He replied, * You are in the right, for you and many more do
need to redeem their sins by good works, and when they
cease from labouring about temporal affairs, then to labour
the more eagerly for the desire of heavenly goods ; but this
very few do ; for I, having now visited all this monastery
regularly, have looked into every one's chambers and beds,
and found none of them except yourself busy about the care
of his soul ; but all of them, both men and women, either
indulge themselves in slothful sleep, or are awake in order to
commit sin ; for even the cells that were built for praying or
reading, are now converted into places of feasting, drinking,
talking, and other delights ; the very virgins dedicated to
Grod, laying aside the respect due to their profession,
whensoever they are at leisure, apply themselves to weaving
fine garments, either to use in adorning themselves like
brides, to the danger of their condition, or to gain the
friendship of strange men ; for which reason, a heavy
judgment from heaven is deservedly ready to fall on this
place and its inhabitants by devouring fire.' " The abbess
said, " Why did you not sooner acquaint me with what you
knew ? " He answered, " I was afraid to do it, out of respect
to you, lest you should be too much afflicted ; yet you may
have this comfort, that the calamity will not happen in your
days." This vision being divulged abroad, the inhabitants of
that place were for a few days in some little fear, and leaving
ofi*- their sins, began to punish themselves ; but after the
abbess's death they returned to their former wickedness, nay,
they became more wicked ; and when they thought them-
selves in peace and security, they soon felt the effects of the
aforesaid j udgment ^ ' '^"^ by v^OOg [e
A^.881J DEATH OF EGFBID. 223
That all this fell out thus, was told me hj mj most
reverend fellow-priest, Edgils, who then lived in that
monastery.* Afterwards, when many of the inhabitants had
departed thence, on account of the destruction, he lived a
long time in our monastery, and died there. We have
thought fit to insert this in our History, to admonish the
reader of the works of our Lord, how terrible he is in his
counsels on the sons of men, lest we should at some time or
other indulge in the pleasures of flesh, and dreading the
judgment of God too little, fall under his sudden wrath, and
either be severely afflicted with temporal losses, or else being
more severely tried, be snatched away to eternal perdition.
CHAP. XXVI.
Of the death of the Kings Egfrid and Lothere, [a.d. 684.]
Ik the year of our Lord's incarnation 684, Egfrid, king of
the Northumbrians, sending Beort, his general, with an army,
into Ireland, miserably wasted that harmless nation, which
had always been most friendly to the English ; insomuch that
in their hostile rage they spared not even the churches or
monasteries. Those islanders, to the utmost of their power,
repelled force with force, and imploring the assistance of the
Divine mercy, prayed long and fervently for vengeance ; and
though such as curse cannot possess the kingdom of God, it
is believed, that those who were justly cursed on account of
their impiety, did soon suffer the penalty of their guilt from
the avenging hand of God ; for the very next year, that same
king, rashly leading his army to ravage the province of the
Picts,t much against " the advice of his friends, and
particularly of Cuthbert, of blessed memory, who had been
lately ordained bishop, the enemy made show as if they fled,
and the king was drawn into the straits of inaccessible
mountains,! and slain, with the greatest part of his forces,
on the 20th of May, in the fortieth year of his age, and the
fifteenth of his reign. His friends, as has been said, advised
him not to engage in this war ; but he having the year before
refused to listen to the most reverend father, Egbei't, advising
♦ After the destruction of Coldingham monastery Edgils went to
Wearmouth.
t The Britons of Strath Clyde. % At Dnimnechtan, county of Forfar.
224 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. Lb.it.c.28.
him not to attack the Scots, who did him no harm, it was
laid upon him as a punishment for his sin, that he should not
now r^ard those who would have prevented his death.
From that time the hopes and strength of the English
crown "began to waver and retrograde ;" for the Picts re-
covered tiiieir own lands, which had been held by the English
and the Scots that were in Britain, and some of Ihe Britons
thdr liberty, which they have now enjoyed for about forty-
six years. Among the many English that then either fell
by the sword, or were made slaves, or escaped by flight out
<^ the country of the Picts, the most reverend man of Grod,
Trumwine, who had been made bishop over them, withdrew
with his people that were in the monastery of Abercumig,*
seated in the country of the English, but close by the arm
of the sea which parts the lands of the English and the
Scots.f Having recommended his followers, wheresoever he
could, to his friends in the monasteries, he chose' his own
place of residence in the monastery, which we have so oft^i
mentioned, of men and women servants of Grod, at Streanes-
halch ; J and there he, for several years, led a life in aU
monastical austerity, not only to his own, but to the benefit
of many, with a few of his own peo{de ; and dying there, he
was buried in the church of St. Peter the Apostle, with the
honour due to his life and rank. The royal virgin, Elfled,
with her mother, Eanfled, whom we have mentioned before,
then presided over that mcmastery ; but when the bishop
came thither, this devout woman found in him extraordinary
assistance in governing, and comfort to herself. Alfrid suc-
ceeded Egfrid in the throne, being a man most learned in
Scripture, said to be brother to the other, and son to
King Oswy : he nobly retrieved the ruined state of the king-
dom, though within narrower bounds.
The same year, being the 685th from the incarnation of
our Lord, Lothere, king of Kent, died on the sixth of Feb-
ruary, when he had reigned twelve years after his broths
Egbert^ who had reigned nine years : he was wounded in
* Abereomig, i.e. Aber-Caran-ejr, the ''island on the Caron;" Abercorn*
See pp. 20, 193.
t This passage leaves no doubt as to the boundary of the Pictidi teni-
toy. For the appomtm^t of Trumwine, see book iv.x. 12, p, 193,
t Whitby. Digitized by Google
'>
AJ>. 685.] LIFE OF ST. CTJTHBERT. 225
battle with-the South Saxons, whom Edric, the son of Eg-
bert, had raised against liim, and died whilst his wound was
being dressed. After him, the same Edric reigned a year and
a half. On his death, kings of doubtful title, or foreigners,
for some time wasted the kingdom, till the lawful king,
Wictred, the son of Egl)ert, being settled in the throne,
by his piety and zeal delivered his nation from foreign inva-
non.
CHAP. xxvn.
CtUhherty a tnmi of Ood^ is made bishop ; and how he lived and iaughi
-whilst still in a monastic life. [a. d. 685.]
The «ame year that King Egfrid departed this life, he (as
has been said) promoted to the bishopric of the church of
lindisfame, the holy and venerable Cuthbert,* who had for
many years led a solitary life, in great continence of body
and mind, in a very small island, called Fame,f distant
almost nine miles from that same church, in the ocean.
From his very childhood he had always been inflamed with
the desire of a religious life ; but he took upon him the
habit and name of a monk when he was a young man : he
first entered into the monastery of Melrose, which is on the
bank of the river Tweed, and was then governed by the
Abbat Eata, a meek and simple man, who was afterwards
made bishop of the church of Hagulstad or Lindisfame,$ as
has been said above, over which monastery at that time Vas
placed Boisil, a priest of great virtue and of a prophetic spirit.
Cuthbert, humbly submitting himself to this man's direction,
from him received both the knowledge of the Holy Scrip-
tures, and example of good works.
After he had departed to our Lord, Cuthbert was placed
over that monastery, where he instructed many in regular
life, both by the authority of a master, and the example of
his own behaviour. Nor did he afford admonitions and an
example of a regular life to his monastery alone, but endea-
voured to convert the people round about far and near from
^ The Life of St. Cuthbert, written by Venerable Bede,ha8 been abeadj
published by the Editor in ** Bede's Muior Historical Works," and will be
•gain given in a volume of ^ Anglo-Saxon Biographies, Letters," &c ,imiiorm
viftb the present. f See note at p. 135. | See pp. 192^ 3.
226 BEDe's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. [B.ir.c.27.
the life of foolish custom, to the love of hoRvenly joys ; for
many profaned the faith which they had received by their
wicked actions ; and some also, in the time of a mortality,
neglecting the sacraments of faith which they had received,
had recourse to the fabe remedies of idolatry, as if they
could have put a stop to the plague sent from Grod, by en-
chantments, spells, or other secrets of the hellish art. In
order to correct the error of both sorts, he often went out of
the monastery, sometimes on horseback, but oftener on foot,
and repaired to the neighbouring towns, where he preached
the way of truth to such as were gone astray ; which had
been also done by Boisil in his time. It was then the cus-
tom of the English people, that when a clerk or priest came
into the town, they all, at his command, flocked together to
hear the word ; willingly heard what was said, and more
willingly practised those things that they coidd hear or
understand. But Cuthbert was so skilful an orator, so fond
was he of enforcing his subject, and such a brightness
appeared in his angelic face, that no man present presumed
to conceal from him the most hidden secrets of his heart,
but all openly confessed what they had done ; because they
thought the same guilt could not be concealed from him, and
wiped ofF the guilt of what they had so confessed with worthy
fruits of penance, as he commanded. He was wont chiefly
to resort to those places, and preach in such villages, as be-
ing seated high up amid craggy uncouth mountains, were
frightful to others to behold, and whose poverty and bar-
barity rendered them inaccessible to other teachers ; which
nevertheless he, having entirely devoted himself to that pious
labour, did so industriously apply himself to polish with his
doctrine, that when he departed out of his monastery, he
would often stay a week, sometimes two or three, and some-
times a whole month, before he returned home, continuing
among the mountains to allure that rustic people by his
preaching and example to heavenly employments.
This venerable servant of our Lord, having thus spent
many years in the monastery of Melrose, and there become
conspicuous by many miracles, his most reverend abbat,
Eata, removed him to the isle of lindisfame, that he might
there also, by the authority of a superior and his own
example, instruct the brethren in the observance of regular
A. D. 864.1 lORiiCLE OF ST. CUTHBERT. 227
discipline ; for the same reverend father then governed that
place also as abbat ; for, from ancient times, the bishop was
wont to reside there with his clergy, and the abbat with his
monks, who were likewise under the care of the bishop ;
because Aidan, who was the first bishop of the place, being
himself a monk, brought monks thither, and settled the mon-
astic institution there ; as the blessed Father Augustine is
known to have done before in Kent, the most reverend Pope
Gregory writing to him, as has been said above, to this
effect : — " But since, my brother, having been instructed in
monastic rules, you must not live apart from your clergy
in the church of the English, which has been lately, through
the help of God, converted to the faith ; you must, there-
fore, establish that course of life, which was among oui-.
ancestors in the primitive church, among whom, none called
anything that he possessed his own ; but all things were in
common to them,"
CHAP. xxvm.
7%e same Si, Cuthberty being an Anchorite, by hU prayers obtained a
spring in a dry soily and had a crop from seed sown by himself out of
season. [a.d. 664.]
After this, Cuthbert, advancing in his meritorious and de-
vout intentions, proceeded even to the adoption of a hermit's
life of solitude, as we have mentioned. But forasmuch as
we several years ago wrote enough of his life and virtues,
both in heroic verse and prose, it may suffice at present only
•to mention this, that when he was about jtQ^regair tojiik-
island, he made this protestation to the brothers, saying, " If
it shall please the Divine goodness to grant me, that I may
live in that place by the labour of my hands, I wiU willingly
reside there ; but if not, I will, by God's permission, very
soon return to you." The place was quite destitute of water,
com, and trees ; and being infested by evil spirits, very ill
suited for human habitation ; but it became in all respects
habitable, at the desire of the man of God ; for upon his
arrival the wicked spirits withdrew. When he had there,
after expelling the enemies, with the assistance of the
brethren, built himself a small dwelling, with a trench about
it^ and the necessary cells and an oratgi^^^rdered tUe
q2
228 BEDELS ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORT. [b.iv.c.28.
brothers to dig a pit in the floor of the dwelling, although
the ground was hard and stony, and no hopes appeared of
any spring. Having done this upon the faith and at the
request of the servant of God, the next day it appeared full
of water, and to this day affords plenty of its heavenly
bounty to all that resort thither. He also desired that all
instruments for husbandry might be brought him, and some
wheat ; and having sown the same at the proper season,
neither stalk, nor so much as a leaf, sprouted fix)m it by the
next summer. Hereupon the brethren visiting him accord-
ing to custom, he ordered barley to be brought him, in case
it were either the nature of the soil, or the Divine will, that
such grain should rather grow there. He sowed it in the
same field just as it was brought him, after the proper time
of sowing, and consequently without any likelihood of its
coming to good ; but a plentiful crop immediately came up,
and afforded the man of God the means which he had so
ardently desired of supporting himself by his own labour.
When he had here served God in solitude many years,
the mound wliich encompassed his habitation being so high,
that he could from thence see nothing but heaven, to which
he so ardently aspired, it happened that a great synod was
assembled in the presence of King Egfrid, near the river
Alne, at a place called Twyford,* which signifies " the two
fords," in which Archbishop Theodore, of blessed memory,
presided, Cuthbert was, by the unanimous consent of all,
chosen bishop of the church of Lindisfarne. They could no^
however, persuade him to leave his monastery, though many
messengers and letters were sent to him ; at last the afore-
said king himself, with the most holy Bishop Trumwine, and
other religious and great men, passed over into the island ;
many also of the brothers of the same isle of Lindisfarne
assembled together for the same purpose : they all knelt,
conjured him by our Lord, and with tears and entreaties, till
'ihey drew him, also in tears, from his retreat, and forced
him to the synod. Being arrived there, after much oppo-
sition, he was overcome by the unanimous resolution of aU
present, and submitted to take upon himself the episcopal
dignity ; being chiefly prevailed upon by the mention that
Boisil, the servant of G^d, when he had prophetically fore
♦ In Northumberland, Digitized by Google
Mj>,m. LIFE OF ST. CUTHBERT. 229
. told all things that were to befall liim, had also predicted
that he should be a bishop. However, the consecration was
not appointed immediately ; but after the winter, wliich wa«*
then at hand, it was performed at Easter, in the city of
York, and in the presence of the aforesaid King Egfrid;
seven bishops meeting on the occasion, among whom, Theo-
dore, of blessed memory, was primate. He was first elected
bishop of the church of Hagulstad, in the place of Tumbert,
who had been deposed from the episcopal dignity ; but in
regard that he chose rather to be placed over the church of
Lindisfarne, in wliich he had lived, it was thought fit that
Eata should return to the see of the church of Hagulstad,
to which he had been first ordained, and that Cuthbert
should take upon him the government of the church of
Lindisfarne.*
Following the example of the apostles, he became an orna-
ment to the episcopal dignity, by his virtuous actions ; for
he both protected the people committed to liis charge, by
constant prayer, and excited them, by most wholesome
admonitions, to heavenly practices ; and, which is the
greatest help in teachers, he first showed in his behaviour
what he taught was to be performed by others ; for he was
much inflamed with the fire of Divine charity, modest in the
virtue of patience, most diligently intent on devout prayers,
and aifable to all that came to him for comfort. He thought
it equivalent to praying, to afford the infirm brethren the
help of his exhortations, well knowing that he who said
** Thou shalt love the Lord thy God," said likewise, " Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." He was also remark-
able for penitential abstinence, and always intent upon hea-
venly things, through the grace of humility : lastly, when he
offered up to God the sacrifice of the saving victim, he com-
* Eata was appointed to the see of Lindisfarne, united with that of
Hexham. Other authors affirm (Wharton's Anglia Sacra, and Hutchin-
son's Durham, i. 13) that Lindisfarne for foiuleen years wanted its proper
bishop ; as Chad on his consecration made York the bishop's residence,
and assumed the dignity of metropolitan. In the year 684, however, the
two sees were again divided, and Tumbert was appointed to Hexham, from
which he was afterwards dismissed, and Cuthbert appointed his successor.
(Seep. 193.) Godwin states, th^t Eata, understanding that the see of
Lindisfame would be more acceptable to Cuthbert than that of Hexham,
▼oluntarily resigned it in his favour. — DugdaWs MonasU -^^/^kl^O*
igi ize y ^
230 BEDE's SOCLBSIASTICAI. HISTOBT. [B.ir.cS|L
mended his prayer to God, not with a loud voice, bnt with
tears drawn from the bottom of his heart.
Having spent two years in his bishopric, he returned to
his island and monastery, being advertised by a Divine
oracle, that the day of his ''death, or rather of his life, was
drawing near ; as he, at that time, with his usual simplicity,
signified to some persons, though in terms which were
somewhat obscure, but which were nevertheless afterwards
plainly understood; while to others he declared the same
openly.
CHAP. XXEL
St, Cuihberi foretold to the anchorite, fferebert, that his death wot at
hand, [a.d. 687.]
There was a certain priest, venerable for the probity of his
life and manners, called Herebert, who had long been united
with the man of God, Cuthbert, in the bonds of spiritual
friendship. This man leading a solitary life in the island of
that great lake from which the river Derwent flows, was
wont to visit him every year, and to receive from him spiritual
advice. Hearing that Bishop Cuthbert was come to the city
of Lugubalia,* he repaired thither to him, according to cus-
tom, being desirous to be still more and more inflamed in
heavenly desires through his wholesome admonitions. Whilst
they alternately entertained one another with the delights of
the celestial life, the bishop, among other things, said,
" Brother Herebert, remember at this time to ask me all the
questions you wish to have resolved, and say all you design ;
for we shall see one 'another no more in this world. For
I am sure that the time of my dissolution is at hand, and I
shall speedily put off this tabernacle of the flesh." Hearing
these words, he fell down at his feet, and shedding tears,
with a sigh, said, " I beseech you, by our Lord, not to forsake
me ; but that you remember your most faithful companion,
and entreat the Supreme Goodness that, as we served him
together upon earth, we may depart together to see his bliss
in heaven. For you know that I have always endeavoured
* CHherwise called Lael See Sim. Dim. L 9, Carlisle, Old Penryth in
Cumberland. ^ .
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
A. D. 687.1 CUTHBBBT FORETKLLS HIS DEATH. 231
to live according to your directions, and whatsoever faults I
have committed, either through ignorance or frailty, I have
instantly submitted to correction according to your will.**
The bishop applied himself to prayer, and having presently
had intimation in the spirit that he had obtained what he
asked of the Lord, he said, " Rise, brother, and do not weep,
but rejoice, because the Heavenly Goodness has granted what
ive desired."
The event proved the truth of this promise and prophecy,
for after their parting at that time, they no more saw one
another in the flesh ; but thipir souls quitting their bodies on
the very same day, that is, on the 20th of March, they were
inmiediately again united in spirit, and translated to the
heavenly kingdom by the ministry of angels. But Herebert
was first prepared by a tedious sickness, through the dispen-
sation of the Divine Gt)odness, as may be believed, to the
end that if he was any thing inferior in merit to the blessed
Cuthbert, the same might be made up by the chastising
pain of a long sickness, that being thus made equal in grace
to his intercessor, as he departed out of the body at the very
same time with him, so he might be received into the same
seat of eternal bhss.
The most reverend father died in the isle of Fame,
earnestly entreating the brothers that he might also be buried
in that same place, where he had served God a considerable
time. However, at length yielding to their entreaties, he
consented to be carried back to the isle of Lindisfame, and
there buried in the church. This being done accordingly,
the venerable Bishop Wilfrid held the episcopal see of that
church one year, till such time as one was chosen to be
ordained in the room of Cuthbert. Afterwards Edbert was
consecrated, a man renowned for his knowledge in the
Divine writings, as also for keeping the Divine precepts, and
chiefly for almsgiving, so that, according to the law, he every
year gave the tenth part, not only of four-footed beasts, but
also of all com and fruil^ as also of garments, to the poor.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
232 bsde's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. [b. it. e. 3C*
CHAP. XXX.
St* Cuthbert*8 body wfu found altogether vncorrtipted nfler it had Been
buried eleven years ; his successor in the bishopric departed this worid
not long after, [a.d. 698J.
In order to show with how much glory the man of God,
Cuthbert, lived after death, his holy life having been before
his death signalized by frequent miracles ; when he had been
buried eleven years, Divine Providence put it into the minds
of the brethren to take up his bones, expecting, as is usual
with dead bodies, to find all the flesh consumed and reduced
to ashes, and the rest dried up, and intending to put the
same into a new coffin, and to lay them in the same place,
but above the pavement, for the honour due to him. They
acquainted Bishop Edbert with their design, and he consented
to it, and ordered that the same should be done on the anni-
versary of his burial. They did so, and opening the grave,
found all the body whole, as if it had been alive, and the
joints pliable, more like one asleep than a dead person ; be-
sides, all the vestments the body had on were not only found,
but wonderful for their freshness and gloss. The brothers
seeing this, with much amazement hastened to tell the bishop
what they had found ; he being then alone in a place remote
from the church, and encompassed by the sea. There he
always used to spend the time of Lent, and was wont to
continue there with great devotion, forty days before the
birth of our Lord, in abstinence, prayer, and tears. There
also his venerable predecessor, Cuthbert, had some time
sorved God in private, before he went to the isle of Fame a
They brought him also some part of the garments that had
covered his holy body; which presents he thankfully ac-
cepted, and attentively listening to the miracles, he with
wonderful affection kissed those garments, as if they had
been still upon his father's body, and said, " Let the body be
put into new garments in lieu of these you liave brought,
and so lay it into the coffin you have provided ; for I am
certain that the place will not long remain empty, having
been sanctified with so many miracles of heavenly grace ; and
how happy is he to whom our Lord, the author and giver of
all bliss, shall grant the privilege of lying in the same.**
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A.IK 0880 MIRACLE AT CUTHBERT's TOMB. 233
The bishop having said this and much more, with many tears
and great humility, the brothers did as he had commanded
them, and when they had dressed the body in new garments,
and laid it in a new coffin, they placad it on the pavement of
the sanctuary. Soon after, God's beloved bishop, Edbert,
fell grievously sick, and his distemper daily increasing, in a
short time, that is, on the 6th of May, he also departed to
our Lord, and they laid Ids body in the grave of the holy
father Cuthbert, placing over it the coffin, with the uncor-
rupted remains of that father. The miracles sometimes
wrought in that place testify the merits of them both ; some
of which we before preserved the memory of in the book of
his life, and have thought fit to add some more in this His-
tory, which have lately come to our knowledge.
CHAP. XXXI.
Offme that teas cured of a palsy at the tomb of St, Cuthbert, [a.d. 698,'J'
There was in that same monastery a brother whose name
was Bethwegen,* who had for a considerable time waited
upon the guests of the house, and is still living, having the
testimony of all the brothers and strangers resorting thither,
of being a man of much piety and religion, and serving the
office put upon him only for the sake of the heavenly re-
ward. This man, having on a certain day washed the
mantles or garments which he used in the hospital, in the sea,
was returning home, when on a sudden, about half way, he
was seized with a sudden distemper in his body, insomuch
that he fell down, and having lain some time, he could
scarcely rise again. When at last he got up, he felt one half
of his body, from the head to the foot, struck with palsy,
and with much difficulty got home by the help of a staff.
The distemper increased by degrees, and as night approached,
became still worse, so that when day returned, he could
scarcely rise or go alone. In this weak condition, a good
thought came into his mind, which was to go to the church,
the best way he could, to the tomb of the reverend father
Cuthbert, and there, on his knees, to beg of the Divine Good-
ness either to be delivered from that disease, if it were for
• Badudegn, Baduthegn, and Beadotheng, are the other forms of thv
: all of them are equally harsh to the ears of modem £iigli8hmeD.j
234 BEDE'8 ecclesiastical HISTOBT. [a it. c 31.
his good, or if the Divine Providence had ordained him
longer to lie under the same for his punishment, that he might
bear the pain with patience and a composed mind.
He did accordingly, and supporting his weak limbs with a
staff, entered the church, and prostrating himself before the
body of the man of God, he, with pious earnestness, prayed,
that, through his intercession, our Lord might be propitious
to him. In the midst of his prayers, he fell as it were into
a stupor, and, as he was afterwards wont to relate, felt a
large and broad hand touch his head, where the pain lay,
and by that touch, all the part of his body which had been
affected with the distemper, was delivered from the weak-
ness, and restored to health down to his feet He then
awoke, and rose up in perfect health, and returning thanks
to God for his recovery, told the brothers what had hap-
pened to him ; and to the joy of them all, returned the more
zealously, as if chastened by his affliction, to the service
which he was wont before so carefully to perform. The
very garments which had been on Cuthbert's body, dedi-
cated to God, either whilst living, or after he was dead,
were not exempt from the virtue of performing cures, as
may be seen in the book of his life and miracles, by such
as shall read it
CHAP. xxxn.
Of one who wot cured of a distemper in his eye at the relics of St, Cuth-
bert. [a.d. 698.]
Nor is that cure to be passed over in silence, which was per-
formed by his relics three years ago, and was told me by the
brother himself, on whom it was wrought It happened in
the monastery, which, being built near the river Dacore,* has
taken its name from the same, over which, at that time, the
religious Suidbert presided as abbat In that monastery
was a youth whose eyelid had a great swelling on it, which
growing daily, threatened the loss of the eye. The surgeons
applied their medicines to ripen it, but in vain. Some said
it ought to be cut off; others opposed it, for fear of worae
consequences. The brother having long laboured under this
malady, and seeing no human means likely to save his eye,
but that, on the contrary, it grew daily worse, was cured on
* Dacie, CumberlaDd, five miles from Pemith. jq[^
AD. 687.] VIRTDE OP CUTHBERT's RELICS. 285
a sudden, through the Divine Goodness, by the relics of the
holy father, Cuthbert; for the brethren, finding his body
uncorrupted, after having been many years buried, took
some part of the hair, which they might, at the request of
Mends, give or show, in testimony of the miracle.
One of the priests of the monastery, named Thridred, who
is now abbat there, had a small part of these relics by him
at that time. One day in the church he opened the box of
relics, to give some part to a friend that begged it, and it
happened that the youth who had the distempered eye was
then in the church; the priest, having given his friend ss
much as he thought fit, delivered the rest to the youth to
put it into its place. Having received the hairs of the holy
head, by some fortunate impulse, he clapped them to the
sore eyelid, and endeavoured for some time, by the applica-
tion of them, to soften and abate the swelling. Having done
this, he again laid the relics into the box, as he had been
ordered, believing that his eye would soon be cured by the
hairs of the man of God, which had touched it ; nor did his
fiaith disappoint him. It was then, as he is wont to relate it,
about the second hour of the day ; but he, being busy about
other things that belonged to that day, about the sixth hour
of the same, touching his eye on a sudden, found it as sound
with the lid, as if there never had been any swelling or de-
formity on it
BOOK V.
CHAPTER L
How EUielwatdj tueeettor to Cuthbert^ leading an eremeHcal hfe^ calmed
a tempest when the brethren were in danger at tea, [▲.d. 687.]
The venerable Ethelwald, who had received the priesthood
in the monastery of Inhrypum,* and had, by actions worthy
of the same, sanctified his holy office, succeeded the man of
God, Cuthbert, in the exercise .of a solitary life, having
practised the same before he was bishop, in the isle of
Fame. For the more certain demonstration of the life
• BipOn. Digitized by Google
236 BEDB's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. [b.v. c.L
which he led, and his merit, I will relate one miracle of
his, which was told me by one of these brothers for and
on whom the same was wrought ; viz. Guthfrid, the vener-
able servant and priest of Christ, who, afterwards, as abbat^
presided over the brethren of the same church of lindis-
&rne, in which he had been educated.
' " I came," says he, " to the island of Fame, with two
©thers of the brethi*en, to speak with the most reverend
father, Ethelwald. Having been refreshed with his dis-
course, and taken his blessing, as we were returning home,
on a sudden, when we were in the midst of the sea, the fiur
weather which was wafting us over was checked, and there
ensued so great and dismal a tempest, that neither the sails
nor oars were of any use to us, nor had we anything to ex-
pect but death. After long struggling with the wind and
waves to no effect, we looked beliind us to see whether it
was practicable at least to recover the island from whence
we came, but we found ourselves on all sides so enveloped
in the storm, that there was no hope of escaping. ^ But look-
ing out as far as we could see, we observed, on the island of
Farne, Father Ethelwald, beloved of God, come out 6f his
cavern to watch our course; for, hearing the ncnse of the
storm and raging sea, he was come out to see what would
become of us. When he beheld us in distress and despair,
he bowed his knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
in prayer for our life and safety ; upon which, the swelling
sea was calmed, so that the storm ceased on all sides, and a
fair wind attended us to the very shore. When we had
landed, and had dragged upon the shore the small vessel that
brought us, the storm, which had ceased a short time for our
sake, immediately returned, and raged continually during the
whole day ; so that it plainly appeared that the brief cessation
of the storm had been granted from Heaven at the request of
the man of God, in order that we might escape."
The man of God remained in the isle of Farne twelve
years, and died there ; but was buried in the church of St
Peter and Paul, in the isle of Lindisfaiiie, beside the bodies
of the aforesaid bishops. These things happened in the days
of King Alfred, who ruled the nation of the Northumbrians
eighteen years after his brother Egfrid.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
.685.] 8T. JOHN OF BEVERLET. 237
CHAP. n.
ZTotff Bishop John cured a dumb man by blessing him, [a.d. 685.]
In the b^inning of the aforesaid reign, Bishop Eata died,
and waa succeeded in the prelacy of the church of Hagulstad
by John,* a holy man, of whom those that familiarly knew
him are wont to tell many miracles ; and more particularly,
the reverend Berthun, a man of undoubted veracity, and
once his deacon, now abbat of the monastery called Indera-
wood,f that is, in the wood of the Deiri : some of which
miracles we have thought fit to transmit to posterity. There
is a certain building in a retired situation, and enclosed by a
narrow wood and a trench, about a mile and a half from the
church of Hagulstad, and separated from it by the river
Tyne, having a burying-place dedicated to St. Michael the
Archangel, where the man of God used frequently, as occa-
sion offered, and particularly in Lent, to reside with a few
companions. Being come thither once at the beginning of
Lent, to stay, he commanded his followers to find out some
poor person labouring under any grievous infirmity, or want,
whom he might keep with him during those days, by way of
alms, for so he was always used to do.
There was in a village not far off, a certain dumb youth,
known to the bishop, for he often used to come into his
presence to receive alms, and had never been able to speak
one word. Besides, he had so much scurf and scabs on his
head, that no hair ever grew on the top of it, but only some
scattered hairs in a cirde round about. The bishop caused
this young man to be brought, and a little cottage to be made
for Inm within the enclosure of the dwelling, in which he
might reside, and receive a daily allowance from him.
• Afterwards called St. John of Beverley.
f The modem Beverley. This town is twenty-nine miles from York,
the site of the ancient Petuaria, and was inhabited by the Britons before
the mvanon of Cssar. The place, from the woods with which it was for-
merly covered, was called Deirtoalde, implying the forest of the Deiti.
This monastery was erected for the use of both sexes, and placed mider the
government of Berthun. In 867 it was destroyed by the Danes ; but in
the early part of the tenth century it was restored by Athelstan, who made
it coU^;iate, with privilege of sanctuary, and a charter of liberties to tW
to^^Mmen. Digitized by GoOglC
238 bede's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. [b. t. o. 1
When one week of Lent was over, the next Sunday he
caused the poor man to come in to him, and ordered him to
put his tongue out of his mouth and show it him ; then lay-
ing hold of his chin, he made the sign of the cross on hb
tongue, directing him to draw it back into his mouth and to
speak. " Pronounce some word," said he ; " say yea,"
which, in the language of the Angles, is the word of affirm-
ing and consenting, that is, yes. The youth's tongue was
immediately loosed, and he said what he was ordered. The
bishop, then pronouncing the names of the letters, directed
him to say A ; he did so, and afterwards B, which he also
did. When he had named all the letters after the bisb<^
the latter proceeded to put syllables and words to him, which
being also repeated by him, he commanded him to utter
whole sentences, and he did it. Nor did he cease all that
day and the next night, as long as he could keep awake, as
those who were present relate, to talk something, and to
express his private thoughts and will to others, which be
could never do before ; after the manner of the cripple, who,
being healed by the Apostles Peter and John, stood up leap-
ing, and walked, and went with them into the temple, walk-
ing, and skipping, and praising the Lord, rejoicing to have
the use of his feet, which he had so long wanted. The
bishop, rejoicing at his recovery of speech, ordered the phy-
sician to take in hand the cure of his scurfed head. He did
so, and with the help of the bishop's blessing and prayers, a
good head of hair grew as the flesh was healed. Thus liie
youth obtained a good aspect, a ready utterance, and a beau-
tiful head of hair, whereas before he had been deformed,
poor, and dumb. Thus rejoicing at his recovery, the bishop
offered to keep him in his family, but he ratiiier chose to
return home.
CHAP. HL
The tame bishop, John^ by his prayers, healed a sick maiden, [a.d. 686.]
The same Berthun told another mirade of the bishop's.
When the reverend Wilfrid, after a long banishment, was
admitted to the bishopric of the church of Hagulstad, and
the aforesaid John, upon the death of Bosa, a man of great
sanctity and humility, was, in his place, appointpd bishop of
Digitized by CtOOQIC
A.D. 68^.]. CUBE OF A SICK 6IBL. 239
York, he came, once upon a time, to the monastery of Vir-
gins, at the place called Wetadun,* where the Abbess Here-
berga then presided. " When we were come thither," said
he, "and had been received with great and universal joy,
the abbess told us, that one of the virgins, who was her
daughter in the flesh, laboured under a grievous distemper,
having been lately bled in the arm, and whilst she was
engaged in study, was seized with a sudden violent pain,
which increased so that the wounded arm became worse, and
so much swelled, that it could not be grasped with both
hands ; and thus being confined to her bed, through excess
of pain, she was expected to die very soon. The abbess
entreated the bishop that he would vouchsafe to go in and
give her his blessing ; for that she believed she would be the
better for his blessing or touching her. He asked when the
maiden had been bled ? and being told that it was on the
fourth day of the moon, said, * You did very indiscreetly and
unskilfully to bleed her on the fourth day of the moon ; for
I remember that Archbishop Theodore, of blessed memory,
said, that bleeding at that time was very dangerous, when
the light of the moon and the tide of the ocean is increasing ;
and what can I do to the girl if she is like to die ?'
" The abbess still earnestly entreated for her daughter,
whom she dearly loved, and designed to make abbess in her
stead, and at last prevailed with him to go in to her. He
accordingly went in, taking me with him to the virgin, who
lay, as I said, in great anguish, and her arm swelled so fast
that there was no bending of the elbow ; the bishop stood
and said a prayer over her, and having given his blessing,
went out. Afterwards, as we were sitting at table, some
one came in and called me out, saying, *Coenberg' (that
was the virgin's name) * desires you will immediately go
back to her.' I did so, and entering the house, perceived
her countenance more cheerful, and like one in perfect
health. Having seated myself down by her, she said.
Would you like me to call for something to drink ?' — * Yes,
said I, * and am very glad if you can.' When the cup was
brought, and we had both drunk, she said, * As soon as the
bishop had said the prayer, given me his blessing, and gone
out, I immediately began to mend ; and though I have not
• That is, « Wettown," now Watton, in Yorkshire.
240 BEDE S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [«• r, c 4.
yet recovered my former strength, yet all the pain is quite
gone from my arm, where it was most intense, and from all
my body, «-<=» Jf^tlift hifl|inp had cftgrjpd it a way wijhhjm ;
though the swelling of the arm still seems to remain.' When
we departed from thence, the cure of the pain in her limbs
was followed by the assuaging of the swelling ; and the
virgin being thus delivered from torture and death, returned
praise to our Lord and Saviour, with his other servants who
were there."
CHAP. IV.
The tame bishop healed an earVs wife that teas sick, leiih holy toater^
[A.D. 686.]
The same abbat related another miracle, similar to the
former, of the aforesaid bishop. " Not very far from our
monastery, that is, about two miles off, was the country-
house of one Puch, an earl, whose wife had languished near
forty days under a very acute disease, insomuch that for
three weeks she could not be carried out of the room where
she lay. It happened that the man of God was, at that
time, invited thither by the earl to consecrate a church ;♦
and when that was done, the earl desired him to dine at his
house. The bishop declined, saying, "He must return to
the monastery, which was very near." The earl, pressing
him more earnestly, vowed he would also give alms to the
poor, if the bishop would break his fast that day in his
house. I joined my entreaties to his, promising in like man-
ner to give alms for the relief of the poor, if he would go
and dine at the earl's house, and give his blessing. Having
at length, with much difficulty, prevailed, we went in to
dine. The bishop had sent to the woman that lay sick some
of the holy water, which he had blessed for the consecration
of the church, by one of the brothers that went along with
me, ordering him to give her some to drink, and wash the
place where her greatest pain was, with some of the same.
This b^g done, the woman immediately got up in healthy
«id perceiving that she had not only been delivered from
her tedious distemper, but at the same time recovered the
strength which she had lost, she presented the cup to the
• At South Burton, Yoriolpi^ ^y Google
A,D.686.] A LAD KEAB PEA.TH RESTORED. 241
bishop and to us, and continued serving us with drink as she
had begun till dinner was over ; following the example of
Peter's mother-in-law, who, having been sick of a fever,
arose at the touch of our Lord, and having at once received
health and strength, ministered to them."
CHAP. V.
The same bishop recovered one of the earVs servants from death* [a.d. 686.]
At another time also, being called to consecrate Earl Addi's
church,* when he had performed that duty, he was entreated
by the earl to go in to one of his servants, who lay danger-
ously ill, and having lost the use of all his limbs, seemed to be
just at death's door ; and indeed the coflSn had been provided
to bury him in. The earl urged his entreaties with tears,
earnestly praying that he would go in and pray for him, be-
cause his life was of great consequence to him ; and he be-
lieved that if the bishop would lay his hand upon him and
give him his blessing, he would soon mend. The bishop
went iUj and saw hhn in a dying condition, and the coffin
by his side, whilst aU that were present were in tears. He
said a prayer, blessed him, and on going out, as is the usual
expression of comforters, said, "May you soon recover."
Afterwards, when they were sitting at table, the lad sent
to his lord, to desire he would let him have a cup of wine,
because he was thirsty. The earl, rejoicing that he could
drink, sent him a cup of wine, blessed by the bishop ;
which, as soon as he had drunk, he immediately got up, and,
shaking off his late infirmity, dressed himself, and going in to
the bishop, saluted him and the other guests, saying, " He
would also eat and be merry with them." They ordered
him to sit down with them at the entertainment, rejoicing at
his recovery. He sat down, ate and drank merrily, and
behaved himself like the rest of the company ; and living
many years after, continued in the same state of health.
The aforesaid abbat says this miracle was not wrought
in his presence, but that he had it from those who were
there.
• At North Burton, Yorkshire. ^ ,
J^ Digitized by V^jOOQIC
242 BEDE'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. [b. y. c. 6L
CHAP. VI.
The same hishop^ by his prayers and blessing^ delivered from death one qf
his clerks, who had bruised himself bp a faU, [a.d. 686.]
Nor do I think that this further miracle, which Herebald,
the servant of Christ, says was wrought upon himself is
to be passed over in silence. He waa then one of that
bishop's clergy, but now presides as abbat in the monastery
at the mouth of the river Tyne. " Being present," said he,
" and very well acquaiated with his course of Hfe, I found it
to be most worthy of a bishop, as far as it is lawful for men
to judge ; but I have known by the experience of others,
and more particularly by my own, how great his merit was
before Him who is the judge of the heart ; having been by
his prayer and blessing brought back from the gates of death
to the way of life. For, when in the prime of my youth, I
lived among his clergy, applying myself to reading and sing-
ing, but not having yet altogether withdrawn my heart from
youthful pleasures, it happened one day that as we were tra-
velling with him, we came into a plain and open road, well
adapted for galloping our horses. The young men that were
with him, and particularly those of the laity, began to
entreat the bishop to give them leave to gallop, and make
trial of the goodness of their horses. He at first refused,
saying, * it was an idle request ;' but at last, being prevailed on
by the unanimous desire of so many, * Do so,' said he, * if you
Avill, but let Herebald have no part in the trial.' I earnestly
prayed that I might have leave to ride with the rest, for I
relied on an excellent horse, which he had given me, but I
could not obtain my request.
"When they had several times galloped backwards and
forwards, the bishop and I looking on, my wanton humour
prevailed, and I could no longer refrain, but though he for-
bade me, I struck in among them, and began to ride at full
speed ; at which I heard him call after me, * Alas !
how much you grieve me by riding after that manner.'
Though I heard him, I went on against his command ; but
immediately the fiery horse taking a great leap over a hollow
place, I fell, and lost both sense and motion, as if I had been
dead ; for there was in that place a stone, level with the
ground, covered with only a small turf, andao othier stone to
Digitized by VjOOQIC
A.D.686.J HEREBALD NEARLY KILLED. 243
be found in all that plain ; and it happened, as a punishment
for my disobedience, either by chance, or by Divine Provi-
dence so ordering it, that my head and hand, which in falling
1 had clapped to my head, hit upon that stone, so that my
thumb was broken and my skull cracked, and I lay, as I said,
like one dead.
" And because I could not move, they stretched a canopy
for me to lie in. It was about the seventh hour of the day,
and having lain still, and as it were dead from that time till
the evening, I then revived a little, and was carried home by
my companions, but lay speechless all the night, vomiting
blood, because something was broken within me by the fall.
Ilie bishop was very much grieved at my misfortune, and
expected my death, for he bore me extraordinary affection.
Nor would he stay that night, as he was wont, among his
clergy; but spent it all in watching and prayer alone, im-
ploring the Divine goodness, as I imagine, for my health.
Coming to me in the morning early, and having said a
prayer over me, he called me by my name, and as it were
waking me out of a heavy sleep, asked, ^Whether I knew
who it was that spoke to me ?' I opened my eyes and said,
*I do; you are my beloved bishop.' — *Can you live?' said
he. I answered, * I may, through your prayers, if it shall
please our Lord.'
" He then laid his hand on my head, with the words of
blessing, and returned to prayer ; when he came again to see
me, in a short time, he found me sitting and able to talk;
and, being induced by Divine instinct, as it soon appeared,
began to ask me, * Whether I knew for certain that I had
been baptized ?' I answered, * I knew beyond all doubt that
I had been washed in the laver of salvation, to the remission
of my sins, and I named the priest by whom I knew myself
to have been baptized.' He replied, *K you were baptized
by that priest, your baptism is not perfect ; for I know him,
and that having been ordained priest, he could not, by rea-
son of the dulness of his imderstanding, learn the ministry
of catechisiug and baptizing ; for which reason I commanded
him altogether to desist from his presimiptuous exercising of
the ministry, which he could not duly perform.' This said,
he took care to catechise me at that very time ; and it hap-
p3ned that he blew upon my face, on j^^l^y^cJ Presently
B 2
244 BEDe's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. [b.v. c.7.
found myself better. He called tlie surgeon, and ordered
him to close and bind up mj skull where it was cracked;
and having then received his blessing, I was so much better
that I mounted on horseback the next day, and travelled
with him to another place; and being soon after perfectly
recovered, I received the baptism of life."
He continued in his see thirty-three years, and then as-
cending to the heavenly kingdom, was buried in St. Peter's
Porch, in his own monastery, called Inderawood, in the year
of our Lord's incarnation 721. For having, by his great
age, become unable to govern his bishopric, he ordained
Wilfrid, his priest, bishop of the church of York, and re-
tired to the aforesaid monastery, and there ended his days
in holy conversation.
CHAP. vn.
Cadwaila^ king of the West Saxons, went to Rome to he baptiged; hit
successor Ina also devoutly repaired to the same church of the holy
apostles, [▲.D. 688.]
In the third year of the reign of Alfrid, Csedwalla, king of
the West Saxons, having most honourably governed his na-
tion two years, quitted his crown for the sake of our Lord
and his everlasting kingdom, and went to Rome, being de-
sirous to obtain the peculiar honour of being baptized in the
church of the blessed apostles, for he had learned that in
baptism alone, the entrance into heaven is opened to man-
kind ; and he hoped at the same time, that laying down the
flesh, as soon as baptized, he should immediately pass to the
eternal joys of heaven ; both which things, by the blessing of
our Lord, came to pass according as he had conceived in his
mind. For coming to Rome, at the time that Sergius was
pope, he was baptized on the holy Saturday before Easter
Day, in the year of our Lord 689, and being still in bis
white garments, he fell sick, andiideparted this life on the
20th of April, and was associated with the blessed in heaven.
At his baptism, the aforesaid pope had given him the name
of Peter, to the end, that he might be also, united in name to
the most blessed prince of the apostles, to whose most holy
body his pious love had brought him from the utmost bounds
of the earth. He was likewise buried in his church, and by
A.i>.68d.] EPITAPH ON C^DWALLA. 245
the pope's command an epitaph written on his tomb, wherein
the memory of his devotion might be preserved for ever, and
the readers or hearers might be inflamed with religious de-
sire by the example of what he had done.
The epitaph was this : —
High state and place, kindred, a wealthy crown^
Triumphs, and spoils ii glorious battles won,
Nobles, and cities walled, to guard his state,
High palaces, and his familiar seat,
Whatever honours his own virtue won,
Or those his great forefathers handed down,
Caedwal armipotent, from heaven inspired,
For love of heaven hath left, and here retired;
Peter to see, and Peter's sacred chair.
The royal pilgrim travelled from afar.
Here to imbibe pure draughts from his clear stream.
And share the influence of his heavenly beam;
Here for the glories of a future claim,
CSonverted, chang'd his first and barbarous name.
And following Peter's rule, he from his Lord
Assumed the name at father Sergius' word.
At the pure font, and by Christ's grace made cleaoj
In heaven is free from former taints of sin.
Great was his faith, but greater God's decree,
Whose secret counsels mortal cannot see :
Safe came he, e'en from Britain's isle, o'er seas.
And lands, and countries, and through dangerous ways,
Rome to behold, her glorious temple see.
And mystic presents ofFer'd on his knee.
Now in the grave his fleshly members lie,
His soul, amid Christ's flock, ascends the sky.
Sure wise was he to lay his sceptre down.
And gain in heaven above a lasting crown.
Here was deposited Csedwalla, called also Peter, king of the Saxons, on
the twelfth day of the kalends of May, the second indiction. He lived
about thirty years, in the reign of the most pious emperor, Justinian, in the
fourth year of his consulship, in the second year of our apostolic lord,
Pope Sergius.
When Csedwalla went to Rome, Ina succeeded him on
the throne, being of the blood royal; and having reigned
thirty-seven years over that nation, he gave up the kingdom
in Hke manner to younger persons, and went away to Rome,
to visit the blessed apostles, at the time when Gregory was
pope, being desirous to spend some time of his pilgrimage
upou earth in the neighbourhood of the holy place, that he
346 BBDB's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. C3.vc.8.
might be more easily received by the saints into heaven.
The same thing, about the same time, was done through the
zeal of many of the English nation, noble and ignoble, laity
and clergy, men and women.
CHAP. vnL
Arthbishop Theodore eUet, Berthwald succeeds him as arehbishopf and,
among many others whom he ordained, he made Tobkuy a most learned
man, bishop of the church of Rochester, [a.d. 690.]
The year after that in which Caedwalla died at Rome, that is,
690 after the incarnation of our Lord, Archbishop Theodore,
of blessed memory, departed this life, old and full of dajrs
for he was eighty-eight years of age ; which number of years
he had been wont long before to foretell to his friends that he
should live, the same hjEivii^ been revealed to him in a dream.
He held the bishopric twenty-twO years, and was buried in
St. Peter's church, where jJl the bodies of the bishops ot
Canterbury are buried. Of whom, as well as of his com-
panions, of the same degree, it may rightly and truly be said,
that their bodies are interred in peace, and their names shall
live from generation to generation. For to say all in few
words, the English churches received more advantage during
the time of his pontificate, than ever they had done before.
His person, life, age, and death, are plainly described to all
that resort thither, by the epitaph on his tomb, consisting of
thirty-four heroic verses. The first whereof are these :
Here rests fEun'd Theodore, a Grecian name,
Who had o'er England an archbishop's claim ;
Happy and blessed, industriously he wrought.
And wholesome precepts to his scholars tau^t.
The four last are as follow : —
And now it was September's nineteenth day.
When, bursting from its ligaments of clay.
His spirit rose to its eternal rest,
And joined in heaven the chorus of the blest.
Berthwald succeeded Theodore in the archbishopric, being
abbat of the monastery of Raculph,* which lies on the north
side of the mouth of the river Grenladcf He was a man
learned in the Scriptures, and well instructed in ecdesiasti-
♦ Iteculver. tgit^tyffl^tegle
A.i»,602.j BISHOP EGBERT. 247
cal and monastic discipline, yet not to be compared to his
predecessor. He was chosen bishop in the year of our
Lord's incarnation 692, on the first day of July, Withred and
Suebhard being kings in Kent ; but he was consecrated the
next year, on Sunday the 29th of June, by Godwin, metro-
politan bishop of France, and was enthroned on Sunday the
3l8t of August. Among the many bishops whom he ordained
was Tobias,* a man learned in the Latin, Greek, and Saxon
tongues, oth^*wise also possessing much erudition, whom he
consecrated in the stead of Grebmund, bishop of that see,
deceased.
CUAP. IX.
Egbert, a holy man, would have gone into Germany to preach, but could '
not ; Wicibert went, but meeting with no success, returned into Irelandj
JrofH whence he came, [a.d. 689.]
At that time the venerable servant of Christ, and priest,
Egbert, whom I cannot name but with the greatest re-
spect, and who, as was said before, lived a stranger in L'e- ^
land to obtain hereafter a residence in heaven, proposed to
himself to do good to many, by taking upon him the apostoli-
cal work, and preaching the word of God to some of those
nations that had not yet heard it ; many of which nations he
knew there were in Germany, from whom the Angles or Saxons,
who now inhabit Britain, are known to have derived their
origin ; for which reason they are still corruptly called Gar-
mans by the neighbouring nation of the Britons. Such are the
FrisonSjf the Eugins, the Danes, the Huns, the Ancient Saxons,
and the Boructuars J (or Bructers). There are also in the same
parts many other nations still following pagan rites, to whom
t^e aforesaid soldier of Christ designed to repair, sailing
round Britain, and to try whether he could deliver any of
them from Satan, and bring them over to Christ ; or if this
• Ninth bishop of Rochester.
t Among all the German nations none maintained their liberty against
tlie Komans, with greater success and courage, than the Prisons, who having
formerly occupied a large tract of country on the coasts of the Grerman
ocean, crossed the Rhine into Belgic Graul, and possessed themselves of
those provinces about the mouth of the Rlune, which the Catti, who were
also originally Germans, then held.
t The Boructuars seem to have inhabited the territory^f Berg, and the
neighbouring country toward Cologne. Digitized by Google
248 bede's ecclesiastical history. EB.fr.ca.
could not be done, to go to Rome, to see and adore tlie hal-
lowed thresholds of the holy apostles and martyrs of Christ.
But the Divine oracles and certain events proceeding from
heaven obstructed his performing either of those designs ; for
when ho had made choice of some most courageous com-
panions, fit to preach the word of Grod, as being renowned
for their learning and virtue ; when all things were provided
for the voyage, there came to him on a certain day in the
morning one of the brethren, formerly disciple and minister
in Britain to the beloved priest of God, Boisil, when the said
Boisil was superior of the monastery of Melrose, under the
Abbat Eata, as has been said above. This brother told him
the vision which he had seen that night. " When after the
morning hymns," said he, " I had laid me down in my bed,
and was fallen into a slumber, my former master and loving
tutor, Boisil, appeared to me, and asked, * Whether I knew
him?' I said, *I do; you are Boisil.' He answered, *I am
come to bring Egbert a message from our Lord and Saviour,
which nevertheless must be delivered to him by you. Tell
him, therefore, that he cannot perform the journey he has
undertaken ; for it is the wiU of Grod that he should rather
go to instruct the monasteries of Columba.' " Now Columba
was the first teacher of Christianity to the Picts beyond the
mountains northward, and the founder of the monastery in
the island Hii, which was for a long time much honoured
by many tribes of the Scots and Picts ; wherefore he is now
by some called Columbkill, the name being compounded from
Columb and Cell.* Egbert, having heard the vision, ordered
the brother that had told it him, not to mention it to any
other, lest it should happen to be an illusion. However,
when he considered of it with himself, he apprehended that
it was real; yet would not desist from preparingj for his
voyage to instruct those nations.
A few days after the aforesaid brother came again to him,
saying, " That Boisil had that night again appeared to him
after matins, and said, * Why did you teU Egbert that which
* I am happy to acknowledge an error which I. had inadvertently com-
mitted in the former editions of this work by translating this passage as if
the name Columbkill belonged to the idand, instead of the abbat. My
acknowledgments are due to the reviewer, in the British Critic, who detected
the mistake. Seep. 113. r^ I
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
A.D. 690. J WILBRORD's MISSION TO FRISLAND^ 251
I enjoined 70U in so light and cold a mannei*? HoweveiJjj' go
now and tell him, that whether he will or no, he shall go to
Columb's monastery, because their ploughs do not go straight ;
and he is to bring them into the right way.' '* Hearing this,
I^bert again commanded the brother not to reveal the same
to any person. Though now assured of the vision, he never-
theless attempted to undertake his intended voyage with the
brethren. When they had put aboard all that was requisite
for so long a voyage, and had waited some days for a fair
wind, there arose one night on a sudden so violent a storm,
that the ship was run aground, and part of what had been
put aboard spoiled. However, all that belonged to Egbert
and his companions was saved. Then he, saying, like the
prophet, "This tempest has happened upon my account,"
laid aside the undertaking and stayed at home.
However, Wictbert, one of his companions, being famous
for his contempt of the world and for his knowledge, for he
had b'ved many years a stranger in Ireland, leading an ere-
mitical life in great purity, went abroad, and arriving in
Frisland, preached the word of salvation for the space of two
years successively to that nation and to its king, Rathbed ;
but reaped no fruit of all his great labour among his, barba-
rous auditors. Returning them to the beloved place of his
peregrination, he gave himself up to our Lord in his wonted
repose, and since he could not be profitable to strangers by
teaching them the faith, he took care to be the more useful
to his own people by the example of his virtue.
CHAP. X.
Wilbrord, preaching in Frisland, converted many to Christ ; his two
companionSy the Hewalds, suffered martyrdom, [a.d. 690.]
When the man of God, Egbert, perceived that neither he
himself was permitted to preach to the Gentiles, being with-
held, on account of some other advantage to the church,
which had been foretold him by the Divine oracle ; nor that
Wictbert, when he went into those parts, had met with any
success ; he nevertheless still attempted to send some holy
and industrious men to the work of the word, among whom
was Wilbrord, a man eminent for his merit and rank in the
priesthood. They arrived there, twelve in number, and
turning aside to Pepin, duke of the Franks^ were graciously
48 Bjf EDE's ecclesiastical mSTOET, [B. V. c . 10.
reciSTSTT by him ; and as he had lately subdued the Hither
Frisland, and expelled King Rathbed, he sent them thither
to preach, supporting them at the same time with his autho-
rity, that none might molest them in their preaching, and
bestowing many favours on those who consented to embrace
the faith. Thus it came to pass, that with the assistance of
the Divine grace, they in a short time converted many firom
idolatry to the faith of Christ.
Two other priests of the Ei^lish nation, who had long
lived strangers in Ireland, for the sake of the eternal king-
dom, following the example of the former, went into the pro-
vince of the Ancient Saxons, to try whether they could
there gain any to Christ by preaching. They both bore th^
same name, as they were the same in devotion, Hewald being
the name of both, with this distinction, that, on account of
the difference of their hair, the one was called Black
Hewald and the other White Hewald. They were both
piously religious, but Black Hewald was the more learned of
the two in Scripture. On entering that province, these men
took up their lodging in a certain steward's house, and re-
quested that he would conduct them to his lord,* for that
they had a message, and something to his advantage, to com-
municate to him ; for those Ancient Saxons have no king,
but several lords that rule their nation ; and when any war
happens, they cast lots indifferently, and on whomsoever the
lot falls, him they follow and obey during the war ; but as
soon as the war is ended, all those lords are again equal in
power. The steward received and entertained them in his
house some days, promising to send them to his lord, as
they desired.
But the barbarians finding them to be of another religion,
by their continual prayer and singing of psalms and hymns,
and by their daily offering the sacrifice of the saving obla-
tion,— ^for they had with them sacred vessels and a conse-
crated table for an aJtar, — ^they began to grow jealous of
them, lest if they should come into the presence of their
chief, and converse with him, they should turn his heart
from their gods, and convert him to the new religion of the
Christian faith 5 and thus by degrees all their province
• Originally called « Ealdorman,'* or Senior. Satrap is the Latin term,
used by Bede. r^ _t_
^ " d by Google
A.D.680.] MARTTiaKm OF THE HEWAXDS. 251
should change its old worship for a new. Hereupon they,
on a sudden, laid hold of them and put them to death ; the
White Hewald they slew immediately with the swcard ; but
the Black they put to tedious torture and tore limb from
limb, throwing them into the Rhine. The chief, whom they
had desired to see, hearing of it, was highly incensed, that
the strangers who desired to come to him had not been al-
lowed ; and therefore he sent and put to death all those
peasants and burnt their village. The aforesaid priests and
servants of Christ suffered on the 3rd of October.
Nor did their martyrdom want the honour of miracles ;
for their dead bodies having been cast into the river by the
pagans, as has been said, were carried against the stream for
the space of almost forty miles, to the place where their com-
panions were. Moreover, a long ray of light, reaching up to
heaven, shined every night over the place where they ar-
rived, in the sight of the very pagans that had slain them.
Moreover, one of them appeared in a vision by night to one
of his companions, whose name was Tilmon, a man of illus-
trious and of noble birth, who from a soldier was become a
monk, acquainting him that he might find their bodies in that
place, where he should see rays of light reaching from hea-
ven to the earth ; which turned out accordingly ; and their
bodies being found, were interred with the honour due to
martyrs ; and the day of their passion or of their bodies
being found, is celebrated in those parts with proper venera-
tion. At length, Pepin, the most glorious general of the
Franks, understanding these things, caused the bodies to be
brought to him, and buried them with much honour in the
church of the city of Cologne, on the Rhine. It is reported,
that a spring gushed out in the place where they were killed,
which to this day affords a plentiful stream.
CHAP. XL
How ihe venerable Swidhert in Britain, and WUbrord at Rome, were &r-
dained bishops for Frisland. [a.d. 692.]
At their first coming into Frisknd, as soon as Wilbrord
found he had leave given him by the prince to preach, he
made haste to Rome, where Pope Sergius then presided over
the apostolical see, that he might undertake the desired work
252 BEDE'S ecclesiastical history. Lb.t. c.11.
of preacliing the Gospel to the Gentiles, with his licence and
blessing ; and hoping to receive of him some relics of the
blessed apostles and martyrs of Christ ; to the end, that when
he destroyed the idols, and erected churches in the nation to
which he preached, he might have the relics of saints at
hand to put into them, and having deposited them there,
might accordingly dedicate those places to the honour of
each of the saints whose relics they were. He was also de-
sirous there to learn or to receive from thence many other
things which so great a work required. Haying obtained
all that he wanted, he returned to preach.
At which time, the brothers who were in Frisland, attend-
ing the ministry of the word, chose out of their own number
a man, modest of behaviour, and meek of heart, called Swid-
bert, to be ordained bishop for them. He, being sent into
Britain, was consecrated by the most reverend Bishop Wil-
fiid, who, happening to be then driven out of his country,
lived in banishment among the Mercians ; for Kent had no
bishop at that time, Theodore being dead, and Berthwald,
his successor, who was gone beyond the sea, to be ordained,
not having returned.
The said Swidbert, being made bishop, returned from Bri-
tain not long after, and went among the Boructuarians ; and
by his preaching brought many of them into the way of
truth ; but the Boructuarians being not long after subdued
by the Ancient Saxons, those who had received the word
were dispersed abroad ; and the bishop himself repaired to
Pepin, who, at the request of his wife, Blithryda, gave him
a place of residence in a certain island on the Rhine, which,
in their tongue, is called Inlitore ;* where he built a monas-
tery, which his heirs still possess, and for a time led a most
continent life, and there ended his days.
When they who went over had spent some years teaching
in Frisland, Pepin, with the consent of them all, sent the
venerable Wilbrord to Rome, where Sergius was still pope,
desiring that he might be consecrated archbishop over the
nation of the Frisons.; which was accordingly done, in the
year of our Lord's incarnation 696. He was consecrated in
the church of the Holy Martyr Cecilia, on her feast-day ;
* Or Keiserswerdt, six miles from Dusseldorf 5q[^
A.D. 69e.J VISION OF ONE PROM THE DEAD. 253
the pope gave him the name of Clement, and sent him back
to his bishopric, fourteen days after his arrival at Rome.
Pepin gave him a place for his episcopal see, in his famous
castle, which in the ancient language of those people is called
Wiltaburg, that is, the town of the Wilts ; but, in the
French tongue, Utrecht.* The most reverend prelate hav-
ing built a church there, f and preaching the word of faith
far and near, drew many from their errors, and erected seve-
ral churches and monasteries. For not long after he consti-
tuted other bishops in those parts, from among the brethren
that either came with him or after him to preach there ;
some of which are now departed in our Lord ; but Wilbrord
himself, surriamed Clement, is still living, venerable for old
age, having been thirty-six years a bishop, and sighing after
the rewards of the heavenly life, after the many spiritual
coiLflicts which he has waged.J
CHAP. xn.
Qf one among the Northumbrians^ who rose from the dead, and related
the things which he had seen, some exciting terror and others delight,
[a.d. 696;]
At this time a memorable miracle, and like to those of for-
mer days, was wrought in Britain 5 for, to the end that the
living might be saved from the death of the soul, a certain
person, who had been some time dead, rose again to life, and
related many remarkable things he had seen ; some of which
I have thought fit here briefly to take notice of. There was
a master of a family in that district of the Northumbrians
which is called Cuningham, who led a religious life, as did
also all that belonged to him. This man fell sick, and his
distemper daily increasing, being brought to extremity, he
died in the beginning of the night ; but in the morning
early, he suddenly came to life again, and sat up, upon which
all those that sat about the body weeping, fled away in a
* Bede seems to confound Utrecht with Wiltenburgh, which is three
miles from it.
+ The church of our Saviour. Wilbrord also restored the church of St
Martin, which subsequently became the cathedral.
% Wilbrord laboured in his diocese for about half a century, and died,
according to Mabillon, in 740 or 741 ; but according to Drr>Smltiu m 745
254 bbde's ecclesiastical histoby. l» t. clS.
great fright, only his wife, who loved him best, though in a
great c<mstema1ion and trembling, remained with him. He,
comfOTting her, said, " Fear not, for I am now truly risen
from death, and permitted again to live among men ; how-
ever, I am not to live her^fter as I was wont, but from
henceforward after a very different manner." Then rising
immediately, he repaired to the oratory of the little town,
and continuing in prayer till day, immediately divided all his
substance into three parts ; one whereof he gave to his wife,
another to his children, and the third, belonging to himself
he instantly distributed among the poor. Not long after, he
repaired to the monastery of Melrose, which is almost en-
closed by the winding of the river Tweed, and having been
shaven, went into a private dwelling, which the abbat had
provided, where he continued tiU the day of his death, in
such extraordinary contrition of mind and body, that though
his tongue had been silent, his life declared that he had seen
many things either to be dreaded or coveted, which others
knew nothing of.
Thus he related what he had seen. " He that led me had
a shining countenance and a bright garment, and we went
on silently, as I thought, towards the north-east. Walking
on, we came to a vale of great breadth and depth, but of
infinite length ; on the left it appeared full of dreadful
flames, the other side was no less horrid for violent hail and
cold snow flying in aU directions ; both places were full of
men's souls, wMch seemed by turns to be tossed from one
side to the other, as it were by a violent storm ; for when
the wretches coidd no longer endure .the excess of heat, they
leaped into the middle of the cutting cold ; and finding
no rest there, they leaped back * again into the middle of
the unquenchable flames. Now whereas an innumerable
multitude of deformed spirits were thus alternately tor-
mented far and near, as far as could be seen, without any
intermission, I began to think that this perhaps might be
heU, of whose intolerable flames I had often heard talk.
My guide, who went before me, answered to my thought,
saying, *I)o not believe so, for this is not the hell you
imagine.'
" When he had conducted me, much frightened with that
horrid spectacle, by degrees, to the flEurther end, on a sudden
1 o.eeg.] vision op one from the dead. 255
I saw the place begin to grow dusk and filled with darkness.
When I came into it, the darkness, by degrees, grew so
thick, that I could see nothing besides it and the shape and
garment of him that led me. As we went on through the
shades of night, on a sudden there appeared before us fre-
quent globes of black flames, rising as it were out of a great
pit, and falling back again into the same. When I had been
conducted thither, my leader suddenly vanished, and left me
alone in the midst of darkness and this horrid vision, whilst
those same globes of fire, without intermission, at one time
flew up and at another fell back into the bottom of the
abyss ; and I observed tiiat all the flames, as they ascended,
were full of human souls, which, like sparks flying up with
smoke, were sometimes thrown on high, and again, when the
vapour of the fire ceased, dropped dovm into the depth
below. Moreover, an insufferable stench came forth with
the vapours, and filled all those dark places.
"Having stood there a long time in much dread, not
knowing what to do, which way to turn, or what end I
might expect, on a sudden I heard behind me the noise of a
most hideous and wretched lamentation, and at ihe same
time a loud laughing, as of a rude multitude insulting cap-
tured enemies. When that noise, growing plainer, came up
to me, I observed a gang of evil spirijs dragging the howl-
ing and lamenting souls of men into the midst of the dark-
ness, whilst they themselves laughed and rejoiced. Among
those men, as I could discern, there was one shorn like a
clergyman, a layman, and a woman. The evil spirits that
dragged them went down into the midst of the burning pit ;
and as they went down deeper, I could no longer distinguish
between the lamentation of the men and the laughing of the
devils, yet I still had a confused sound in my ears. In the
meantime, some of the dark spirits ascended from that flam-
ing abyss, and running forward, beset me on all sides, and
much perplexed me with their glaring eyes and the stinking
fire which proceeded from their mouths and nostrils ; and
threatened to lay hold on me with burning tongs, which they
had in their hands, yet they durst not touch me, though they
frightened me. Being thus on all sides enclosed with ene-
mies and darkness, and looking about on every side for
assistance, there appeared behind me^ on the way that I
256 BEDB's ECCLESUSTICAL history. [B.V. c.11
came, as it were, the brightness of a star shining amidst the
darkness ; which increased by degrees, and came rapidly
towards me : when it drew near, all those evil spirits, that
sought to carry me away with their tongs, dispersed and
fled.
" He, whose approach put them to flight, was the same
that led me before ; who, then turning towards the right,
began to lead me, as it were, towards the south-east, and
having soon brought me out of the darkness, conducted me
into an atmosphere of clear light While he thus led me in
open light, I saw a vast wall before us, the length and
height of which, in every direction, seemed to be altogether
boundless. I began to wonder why we went up to the wall,
seeing no door, window, or path through it. When we
came to the wall, we were presently, I know not by what
means, on the top of it, and within it was a vast and delight-
ful field, so full of fragrant flowers that the odour of its de-
lightful sweetness immediately dispelled the stink of the dark
furnace, which had pierced me through and through. So
great was the light in this place, that it seemed to exceed
the brightness of the day, or the sun in its meridian height
In this field were innumerable assemblies of men in white,
and many companies seated together rejoicing. As he led
me through the midst of those happy inhabitants, I began to
think that this might, perhaps, be the kingdom of heaven,
of which I had often heard so much. He answered to my
thought, saying, * This is not the kingdom of heaven, as you
imagine.*
" When we had passed those mansions of blessed souls and
gone farther on, I discovered before me a much more beauti-
ful light, and therein heard sweet voices of persons singing,
and so wonderful a fragrancy proceeded from the place, that
the other which I had before thought most delicious, then
seemed to me but very indifferent ; even as that extraordi-
nary brightness of the flowery field, compared with this,
appeared mean and inconsiderable. When I began to hope
we should enter that delightful place, my guide, on a sudden
stood still ; and then turning back, led me back by the way
we came.
" When we returned to those joyful mansions of the souls
in white, he said to me, 'Do you know wha4; all these things
Digitized by VjOOQIC
AJ>. <»«.j VISION OF ONE FBOM THE DEAD. 257
are whicli you have seen ?' I answered, I did not ; and then
he replied, * That vale you saw so dreadful for consuming
flames and cutting cold, is the place in which the souls of
those are tried and punished, who, delaying to confess and
amend their crimes, at length have recourse to repentance at
the point of death, and so depart this life ; but nevertheless
bee^ise they, even at their death, confessed and repented,
they shall aU be received into the kingdom of heaven at the
day of judgment ; but many are relieved before the day of
judgment, by the prayers, alms, and fasting, of the living,
and more especially by masses. That flery and stinking pit,
which you saw, is the mouth of hell, into which whosoever
falls shall never be delivered to all eternity. This flowery
place, in which you see these most beautiful young people, so
bright and merry, is that into which the souls of those are
received who depart the body in good works, but who are
not so perfect as to deserve to be immediately admitted into
the kingdom of heaven; yet they shall all, at the day of
judgment, see Christ, and partake of the joys of his kingdom ;
for whoever are perfect in thought, word and deed, as soon as
they depart the body, immediately enter into the kingdom of
heaven ; in the neighbourhood whereof that place is, where
you heard the sound of sweet singing, with the fragrant
odour and bright light. As for yoUj who are now to return
to your body, and live among men again, if you wiU en*
deavour nicely to examine your actions, and direct your
speech and behaviour in righteousness and simplicity, you
shall, after death, have a place or residence among these joy-
ful troops of blessed souls ; for when I left you for a while, it
was to know how you were to be disposed, of.* When he
had said this to me, I much abhorred returning to my body,
being delighted with the sweetness and beauty of the place I
beheld, and with the company of those I saw in it. How-
ever, I durst not ask him any questions ; but in the mean-
time, on a sudden, I found myself alive among men."
Now these and other things which this man of God saw,
he would not relate to slothful persons and such as lived
negligently ; but only to those who, being terrified with the
dread of torments, or delighted with the hopes of heavenly
joys, would make use of his words to advance in piety. In
the neighbourhood of his cell lived one HemgUs, a monk,
g Digitized byVjOOQlC
268 BEDE's ECCLESIASTICAI. bistort. [b. r. & IS.
eminent in the priesthood, which he honoured by his good
works : he is still living, and leading a solitary life in Ire-
land, supporting his declining age with coarse bread and cold
water. He often went to that man, and asking several ques-
tions, heard of him all the particulars of what he had seen
when separated from his body ; by whose relation we also
came to the knowledge of those few particulars which we
have briefly set down. He also related his visions to King
Alfrid, a man most learned in all respects, and was by him
so willingly and attentively heard, that at his request he was
admitted into the monastery above-mentioned, and received
the monastic tonsure ; and the said king, when he happened
to be in those parts, very often went to hear him. At that
time the religious and humble abbat and priest, Ethelwald,
presided over the monastery, and now with worthy conduct
possesses the episcopal see of the church of Lindisfarne.
He had a more private place of residence assigned him in
that monastery, where he might apply himself to the service
of his Creator in continual prayer. And as that place lay
on the bank of the river, he was wont often to go into the
same to do penance in his body, and many times to dip quite
under the water, and to continue saying psalms or prayers in
the same as long as he could endure it, standing still some-
times up to the middle, and sometimes to the neck in water ;
and when he went out from thence ashore, he never tqok off
his cold and frozen garments till they grew warm and dry
on his body. And when in the winter the half-broken pieces
of ice were swimming about him, which he had himself
broken, to make room to stand or dip himself in the river,
those who beheld it would say, "It is wonderful, brother
Drithelm, (for so he was called,) that you are able to endure
such violent cold ;'* he simply answered, for he was a man
of much simplicity and indifferent wit, " I have seen greater
cold." And when they said, " It is strange that you wiU
endure such austerity;" he replied, "I have seen more
austerity." Thus he continued, through an indefatigable
desire of heavenly bliss, to subdue his aged body with daily
fasting, tiU the day of his being called away ; and thus he
forwarded the salvation of many by his words and example.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A.©. 704.] A \^SION IN MERCIA. 259
CHAP. xnL
Of another f who before his death saw a book containing aU his sins^ which
was showed him by devils. [a.d. 704 — 709.]
It happened quite the contrary with one in the province of
the Mercians, whose visions and words, and also his be-
haviour, were neither advantageous to others nor to himsel£
In the reign of Coenred, who succeeded Etheked, there was
a layman in a military employment, no less acceptable to the
king for his worldly industry, than displeasing to him for his
private neglect of lumself. The king often admonished him to
confess and amend, and to forsake his wicked courses, before he
should lose all time for repentance and amendment by a sud*
den death. Though frequently warned, he despised the
words of salvation, and promised he would do penance at
some future time. In the meantime, falling sick he was
confined to his bed, and began to feel very severe pains.
The king coming to him (for he loved the man), earnestly
exhorted him, even then, before death, to repent of hi^
Offfences. He answered, " He would not then confess his
sins, but would do it when he was recovered of his sickness,
lest his companions should upbraid him of having done that
for fear of death, which he had refused to do in health." He
thought he then spoke very bravely, but it afterwards
appeared that he had been miserably deluded by the wiles of
the Devil.
The distemper still increasing, when the king came again
to visit and instruct him, he cried out with a lamentable
voice, " What will you have now ? What are ye come for ?
for you can no longer do me any good." The king answered,
"Do not talk so; behave yourself like a man in Hs right
mind." — " I am not mad," replied he, " but I have now all
the guilt of my wicked conscience before my eyes." — "What
is the meaning of that?" rejoined the king. "Not long
since," said he, " there came into this room two most beauti-
ful youths, and sat down by me, the one at my head, and the
other at my feet. One of them produced a very small and
most curious book, and gave it me to read ; looking into it, I
there found all the good actions I had ever done in my life
g o Digitized by VjOOQIc
260 BEDE'S ecclesiastical mSTORX. [B.V.C.U
written down, and they were very few and inconsiderable.
They took back the book and said nothing to me. Then, on
a sudden, appeared an army of wicked and deformed spirits,
encompassing this house without, and filling it within. Then
he, who, by the blackness of his dismal face, and his sitting
above the rest, seemed to be the chief of them, taking out a
book horrid to behold, of a prodigious size, and of almost in-
supportable weight, commanded one of his followers to bring
it to me to read. Having read it, I found therein most
plainly written in black characters, aU the crimes I ever
committed, not only in word and deed, but even in the least
thought ; and he said to those men in white, who sat by me,
'Why do you sit here, since you most certainly know that
this man is ours T They answered, * You are in the right ; take
and add him to the number of the damned.' This said, they
immediately vanished, and two most wicked spirits rising,
with forks in their hands, one of them struck me on the head,
and the other on the foot. These strokes are now with great
torture penetrating through my bowels to the inward parts
of my body, and as soon as they meet I shall die, and the
devils being ready to snatch me away, I shall be dragged
into hell."
Thus talked that wretch in despair, and dying soon after,
he is now in vain suffering in eternal torments that penance
which he refused to suffer during a short time, that he might
obtain forgiveness. Of whom it is manifest, that (as the
holy Pope Gregory writes of certain persons) he did not see,
these things for his own sake, since they availed him only
for the instruction of others, who, knowing of his death,
should be afraid to put off the time of repentance, whilst
they have leisure, lest, being prevented by sudden death,
they should depart impenitent. His having books laid be-
fore him by the good or evil spirits, was done by Divine
dispensation, that we may keep in mind that our actions and
thoughts are not lost in the wind, but are all kept to be ex-
amined by the Supreme Judge, and will in the end be shown
us either by fiiendly or hostile angels. As to the angels first
producing a white book, and then the devils a black one ; the
former a very small one, the latter one very large ; it is to be
observed, that in his first years he did some good actions, all
which he nevertheless obscured by the evil actions of his
A. 0.704.] OF ANOTHEB VISION. 261
youth. If, on tlie contrary, he had taken care in his youth
to correct the errors of his more tender years, and to cancel
them in God's sight by doing well, he might have been
associated to the number of those of whom the Psalm says,
"Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose
sins are hid." This story, as I learned it of the venerable
Bishop Pechthehn,* I have thought proper to relate in a
plain manner, for the salvation of my hearera.
CHAP. XIV.
Of another, who being at the point of death, saw the place of punishment
appomtedfor him in hell. [a.d. 704.]
I KNEW a brother myself, would to God I had not known
him, whose name I could mention if it were necessary, and
who resided in a noble monastery, 6ut lived himself ignobly.
He was frequently reproved by the brethren and elders of
the place, and admonished to adopt a more regular life ; and
though he would not give ear to them, he was long patiently
borne with by them, on account of his usefulness in temporal
works, for he was an excellent carpenter; he was much ad-
dicted to drunkenness, and other pleasures of a lawless life,
and more used to stop in his workhouse day and night, than
to go to church to sing and pray, and hear the word of life
with the brethren. For which reason it happened to him
according to the saying, that he who wiU not willingly and
humbly enter the gate of the church, will certainly be damned,
and enter the gate of hell whether he will or no. For he
falling sick, and being reduced to extremity, called the breth-
ren, and with much lamentation, and like one damned, began
to teU them, that he saw hell open, and Satan at the bottom
thereof; as also Caiaphas, with the others that slew our
Lord, by him delivered up to avenging flames. " In whose
neighbourhood," said he, " I see a place of eternal perdition
provided for me, miserable wretch." The brothers, hearing
these words, began seriously to exhort him, that he should
repent even then whilst he was in the flesh. He answered
in despair, " I have no time now to change my course of life,
when I have myself seen my judgment passed."
Whilst uttering these words, he died without having re«
♦ Bishop of WhHheam, in Galloway. See bookie. 2^t
262 BEDS'S ECCLESIASTICAL HI8TOBT. lB.T.cltf.
ceived the saving viaticum, and his body was buried in the
remotest parts of the monastery, nor did any one dare either
to say masses or sing psahns, or even to pray for him. How
far has our Lord divided the light from darkness ! The
blessed martyr, Stephen, being about to suffer death for the
truth, saw the heavens open, the glory of God revealed, and
Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And where he
was to be after death, there he fixed the eyes of his mind,
that he might die with the more satisfaction. On the con-
trary, this carpenter, of a dark mind and actions, when death
was at hand, saw hell open and witnessed the damnation of
the Devil and his followers; the unhappy wretch also saw
his own prison among them, to the end that, despairing of
his salvation, he might die the more miserably; but might
by his perdition afford c^use of salvation to the living who
should hear of it. This happened lately in the province of
the Bemicians, and being reported abroad far and near,
inclined many to do penance for their sins without delay,
which we hope may also be the result of this our narrative.
CHAP. XV.
Btterai churches of the Scots, at the instance of Adamnan, conformed U
the Catholic Easter; the same person wrote a book about the holy places.
Ia.d. 703.]
At this time a great part of the Scots in Ireland, and some
also of the Britons in Britain, through the goodness of God,
conformed to the proper and ecclesiastical time of keeping
Easter. Adamnan, priest and abbat of the monks that were
in the isle of Hii, was sent ambassador by his nation to
Alfrid, king of the English,* where he made some stay,
observing the canonical rites of the church, and was ear-
nestly admonished by many, who were more learned than
himself, not to presume to live contrary to the universal
custom of the Church, either in relation to the observance
of Easter, or any other decrees whatsoever, considering the
small number of his followers, seated in so distant a comer
of the world ; in consequence of this he changed his mind,
and readily preferred those things which he had seen and
heard in the English churches, to the customs which he and
• Of Northumbria. ^ i
gitizedbyV^OOgle
A^ 70*.] ADAMKAN. 263
his people had hitherto followed. For he was a good and
wise man, and remarkably learned in Holy Scripture. Re-
taming home, he endeavoured to bring his own people that
were in the isle of Hii, or that were sulyect to that monas-
tery, into the way of truth, which he had learned and em-
braced with aU lus heart ; but in this he could not prevail.
He then sailed over into Ireland, to preach to those people,
and by modestly declaring the legal time of Easter, he re-
duced many of them, and almost all that were not under the
dominion of those of Hii, to the Catholic unity, and taught
them to keep the legal time of Easter.
Returning to his island, after having celebrated the canoni-
cal Easter in Ireland, he most earnestly inculcated the ob-
servance of the Catholic time of Easter in his monastery, yet
without being able to prevail ; and it so happened that h%
departed this life before the next year came round, the
Divine goodness so ordaining it, that as he was a great lover
of peace and unity, he should be taken away to everlasting
life before he should be obliged, on the return of the time of
Easter, to quarrel still more seriously with those that would
not follow him in the truth.
This same person wrote a book about the holy places,
most useful to many readers ; his authority, from whom he
procured his information, was Arculf, a French bishop, who
had gone to Jerusalem for the sake of the holy places ; and
having seen all the Land of Promise, travelled to Damascus,
Constantinople, Alexandria, and many islands, and returning
home by sea, was by a violent storm forced upon the western
coast of Britain. After many other accidents, he came to
the aforesaid servant of Christ, Adamnan, who, finding him
to be learned in the Scriptures, and acquainted with the holy
places, entertained him zealously, and attentively gave ear to
him, insomuch that he presently committed to writing all
that Arculf said he had seen remarkable in the holy places.
Thus he composed a work beneficial to many, and particu-
larly to those who, being far removed from those places
where the patriarchs and apostles lived, know no more of
them than what they learn by reading. Adamnan presented
this book to King Alfrid, and through his bounty it came to
be read by lesser persons. The writer thereof was also well
rewarded by him, and sent back into his country. I believe
Digitized by VjOOQIC
264 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. Lb.t.c.1(
it will be acceptable to our readers if we collect some par-
ticulars from the same, and insert them in our History.*
CHAP. XVL
The account given by the (foresaid book of the place of our Lord's no^'oify,
pcusion, and resurrection, [a. d. 704.]
He wrote concerning the place of the natiyity of our Lord,
to this effect *' Bethlehem, the city of David, is seated on
a narrow ridge, encompassed on all sides with YaUeys, being
a thousand paces in length from east to west, the wall low
without towers, built along the edge of the plain on the
summit. In the east angle thereof is a sort of natural half
cave, the outward part whereof is said to have been the place
where our Lord was bom 5 the inner is called our Lord's
Manger. This cave within is all covered with rich marble,
over the place where our Lord is said particularly to have
been bom, and over it is the great church of St Mary.*' He
likewise wrote about the place of his Passion and Resurrec-
tion in this manner. " Entering the city of Jerusalem on
the north side, the first place to be visited^ according to the
disposition of the streets, is the church of Constantine, called
the Martyrdom. It was built by the Emperor Constantine,
in a royal and magnificent manner, on account of the cross
of our Lord having been found there by his mother Helen.
From thence, to the westward^ appears the church of Gol-
gotha, in which is also to be seen the rock which once bore
the cross with our Saviour's body fixed on it, and now it
bears a large silver cross, with a great brazen wheel hanging
over it surrounded with lamps. Under the place of our
Lord's cross, a vault is hewn out of the rock, in which sacri-
fice is offered on an altar for honourable persons deceased,
their bodies remaining meanwhile in the street To the
westward of this is the Anastasis, that is, the round church
of our Saviour's resurrection, encompassed with three walls,
and supported by twelve columns. Between each of the
walls is a broad space, containing three altars at three differ-
♦ Besides the work ** On the Holy Places," [De Locis Sanctis,] Adamnan
is the reputed author of a " Life of Saint Columba ; " but I have strong
doubts of Adamnan's having written it. I propose shortly to publish the
original text of both these works. n^^^\^
Digitized by VjOOQIC
A.D.704.] 'EXTRA.CTS FROM ADAMNAN. 265
ent points of the middle wall ; to the north, the south, and
the west, it has eight doors or entrances through the three
opposite walls ; four whereof front to the north-east, and
fo«r to the south-east In the midst of it is the round tomb
of our Lord cut out of the rock, the top of which a man
standing within can touch ; the entrance is on the east ;
against it is still laid that great stone. To this day it bears
the marks of the iron tools within, but on the outside it is all
covered with marble to the very top of the roof, which is
adorned with gold, and bears a lai^e golden cross. In the
north part of the monument, the tomb of our Lord is hewed
out of the same rock, seven feet in length, and three palms
above the floor ; the entrance being on the south side, where
twelve lamps bum day and night, four within the sepulchre,
and eight above on the right hand side. The stone that was
laid at the entrance to the monument, is now cleft in two ;
nevertheless, the lesser part of it stands as a square altar
before the door of the monument ; the greater part makes
another square altar at the east end of the same church, and
is covered with linen cloths. The colour of the said monu-
ment and sepulchre appears to be white and red.'*
CHAP. XVIL
Of the place qf our LortTs ascension, and the tombs of the patriarchs,
[A.D. 704.]
Concerning the place of our Lord's ascension, the aforesaid
author writes thus. " Mount Olivet is equal in height to
Mount Sion, but exceeds it in breadth and length ; bearing
few trees besides vines and olive trees, and is fruitful in
wheat and barley, for the nature of that soil is not calculated
for bearing things of large or heavy growth, but grass and
flowers. On the very top of it, where our Lord ascended
into heaven, is a large round church, having about it three
vaulted porches. For the inner house could not be vaulted
and covered, because of the passage of our Lord's body ; but
it has an altar on the east side, covered with a narrow roof.
In the midst of it are to be seen the last prints of our Lord's
feet, the sky appearing open above where he ascended ; and
though the earth is daily carried away by believers, yet still
it remains as before, and retains the same impression jof the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
266 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. Lb. t. c. 18.
feet Near this lies an iron wheel, as high as a man's neck,
having an entrance towards the west, with a great hmp
hanging above it on a pulley, and burning night and day.
In the western part of the same church are eight windows ;
and eight lamps, hanging opposite to them by cords, cast
their light through the glass as far as Jerusalem ; this light
is said to strike the hearts of the beholders with a sort of joy
and humility. Every year, on the day of the Ascension,
when mass is ended, a strong blast of wind is said to come
down, and to cast to the ground all that are in the church."
Of the situation of Hebron, and the tombs of the fathers,
he writes thus. " Hebron, once the city and metropolis of
David's kingdom, now only showing what it was by its ruins,
has, one furlong to the east of it, a double cave in the valley,
where the tombs of the patriarchs are enclosed with a square
wall, their heads lying to the north. Each of the tombs is
covered with a single stone, worked like the stones of a
church, and of a white colour, for three patriarchs. Adam's
is of more mean and common workmanship, and lies not far
from them at the farthest northern extremity. There are
also some poorer and smaller monuments of three women.
The hill Mamre is a thousand paces from the monuments,
and is full of grass and flowers, having a flat phdn on the
top. In the northern part of it, Abraham's oak, being a
stump abo«t twice as high as a man, is enclosed in a
church."
Thus much have we collected from the works of the afore-
said writer, keeping to the sense of his words, but more
briefly delivered, and have thought fit to insert in our His-
tory. Whosoever desires to see more of the contents of that
book, may see it either in the same, or in that which we
have lately epitomized from it.
CHAP. xvm.
The South Sax<ms received Eadbert and Eolla, and the West Sasmu^
Daniel and Aldhelm, for their bishops. Of the writings of the some
Aldheim. [▲.D. 705.]
In the year of the incarnation of our Lord 705, Alfrid, king
of the Northumbrians, died just before the end of the twen-
tieth year of his reign. His son Osred, a boy about eight
years of age, succeeding him in the throne, reigned eleven
A-©. 705.1 BEATS OF BISHOP HEDDA. 267
years. In the beginning of his reign, Hedda, bishop of the
West Saxons,* departed to the heavenly kingdom ; for he
was a good and just man, and exercised his episcopal duties
rather by his innate love of virtue, than by what he had
gained from learning. The most reverend prelate, Pech-
thelm, of whom we shall speak in the proper place,f and
who was a long time either deacon or monk with his suc-
cessor Aldhelm, is wont to relate that many miraculous
cures have been wrought in the place where he died,
through the merit of his sanctity; and that the men of
that province used to carry the dust from thence for the
sick, which, when they had put into water, the sprinkling
or drinking thereof restored health to many sick men and
beasts ; so that the holy earth being frequently carried away,
there was a considerable hole left.
Upon his death the bishopric of that province was divided
into two dioceses. One of them was given to Daniel,^ which
he governs to this day ; the other to Aldhelm, § wherein he
most worthily presided four years ; both of them were well
instructed, as well in ecclesiastical affairs as in the know-
ledge of the Scriptures. Aldhelm, when he was only a
priest and abbat of the monastery of Mahnesbury, by order
of a synod of his own nation, wrote a notable book| against
the error of the Britons, in not celebrating Easter at the
proper time, and in doing several other things not consonant
to the purity and the peace of the church ; and by the read-
ing of this book he persuaded many of them, who were sub-
ject to the West Saxons, to adopt the Catholic celebration of
our Lord's resurrection. He likewise wrote a notable book
on Virginity, which, in imitation of Sedulius; he composed
double, that is, in hexameter verse and prose. He wrote
some other books, as being a man most learned in all re-
• Winchester. See p. 191. + In book v. c. 23.
t Daniel was bishop of Winchester, which included the counties of
Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, and the Isle of Wight.
§ Aldhelm was appointed to the new see of Sherborne, consisting of the
counties of Dorset, Somerset, Wilts, Devon, and Cornwall. This see con-
tinued for more than three centuries, when it was removed first to Wilton,
afterwards to Old Sarum, and finally to New Sarum, or Salisbury.
g This notable book of Bishop Aldhelm, is but a short tract of a few
pages, published 'together with all his other works in '' S. Aldhelmi Opera,
8yo. London, 1842;" forming vol. I. of Tatres Ecclesise Anglicanie."
268 bede's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. ["•▼•c-lfl^
spects, for he had a clean style, and was, as I have said,
wonderful for ecclesiastical and liberal erudition. On his
death, Forthere was made bishop in his stead, and is living
at this time, being likewise a man very learned in H0I7
Writ.
Whilst they were bishops, it was decreed in a synod, that
the province of the South Saxons, which till then belonged
to the diocese of the city of Winchester, where Daniel then
presided, should also have an episcopal see, and a bishop of
its own.* Eadbert, at that time abbat of the mcmastery of
Bishop Wilfrid, of blessed memory, called Selsey, was con-
secrated their first bishop. On his death, Eolla succeeded
in the bishopric. He also died some years since, and the
bishopric has been discontinued to this day.
CHAP. XIX.
Cainredy king qf (he Mercians, and Offit, of the Easi SajftmSy ended their
days at Rome, in the monastic habit. Of the life and death of Bishop
WHfrid. [i.D. 709.]
In the fourth year of the reign of Osred, Coinred, who had
for some time nobly governed the kingdom of the Mercians,
did a much more noble act, by quitting the throne of his
kingdom, and going to Rome, where being shorn, when
Constantine was pope, and made a monk at the relics of the
apostles, he continued to his last hour in prayers, fasting
and alms-deeds. He was succeeded in the throne by Ceol-
red, the son of Ethelred, who had been king before Coinred.
With him went the son of Sighere, king of the East Saxons
above-mentioned, whose name was Offa, a youth of most
lovely age and beauty, and most earnestly desired by all
his nation to be their king. He, with like devotion, quitted
his wife, lands, kindred and country, for Christ and for the
Gospel, that he might " receive an hundred-fold in this life,
and in the world to come life everlaating." He also, when
they came to the holy places at Borne, receiving the tonsure,
and adopting a monastic life, attained the long wished-for
sight of the blessed apostles in heaven.
The same year that they departed jfrom Britain, the cele-
See pages 195, 198,
d by Google
A.i>.6i8.'] OF WILFRID'S LIFE. 269
brated prelate, Wilfrid, died in the province of Undalum,*
after he had been bishop forty-five years. His body, being
laid in a coffin, was carried to his monastery, called Ripon,
and there buried in the church of the blessed Apostle Peter,
with the honour due to so great a prelate. We will now
turn back, and briefly mention some particulars of his life.
Being a boy of a good disposition, and behaving himself-
worthily at that age, he conducted himself so modestly and
discreetly in all respects, that he was deservedly beloved,
respected, and cherished by his elders as one of themselves.
At fourteen years of age he preferred the monastic to the
secular life ; which, when he had signified to his father, for
his mother was dead, he readily consented to his heavenly
wishes, and advised him to persist in his holy resolution.
Accordingly he came to the isle of Lindisfame, and there
giving himself up to the service of the monks, he took care
diligently to learn and to perform those things which belong
to monastic purity and piety ; and being of an acute under-
standing, he in a very short time learned the psalms and
some books, before he was shorn, but when he was already
become very remarkable for the greater virtues of humilily
and obedience: for which he was deservedly beloved and
respected by his equals and elders. Having served God
some years in that monastery, and being a clear-sighted
youth, he observed that the way to virtue taught by the
Scots was not perfect, and he resolved to go to Rome, ta
see what ecclesiastical or monastic rites were in use there.
The brethren being made acquainted therewith, commended
his design, and advised him to put it into execution. He
then repaired to Queen Eanfled, to whom he was weU
known, and who had got him into that monastery by her
advice and assistance, and acquainted her that he was de-
sirous to visit the churches of the apostles. She, being
pleased with the youth's resolution, sent him into Kent, to
King Earconbert, who was her uncle's son, requesting that
he would send him to Rome in an honourable manner. At
that time, Honorius, one of the disciples of the holy Pope
Gregory, and well instructed in ecclesiastical institutes, was
♦ Oundle, Northamptonshire. The monastery at this place, where ^il-
fiid died, is considered by some to have been a cell to the a^bey of Peter-
borough, and part of its possessions. Digitized by GoOglc
270 BEDE's ECCLESIAJ3TICAX HISTOBT. C«.t.c.W.
archbishop there. Whilst he made some stay there, and,
being a youth of an active spirit, diligently applied himself
to learn those things which he undertook, another youth,
called Biscop, or otherwise Benedict, of the English nobility,
arrived there, being likewise desirous to go to Rome, of
which we have before made mention.
The king gave him Wilfrid for a compamon, with orders
to conduct him to Rome. When they came to Lyons, Wil-
frid was detained there by Dalfin, the bishop of that city ;
but Benedict hastened on to Rome. That prelate was de-
lighted with the youtli's prudent discourse, the gracefulness
of his aspect, the alacrity of liis behaviour, and the sedate-
ness and gravity of his thoughts ; for which reason he plenti-
fully supplied him and his companions with all necessaries,
as long as they stayed with him ; and further offered to com-
mit to him the government of a considerable part of France,
to give him a maiden daughter of his own brother to wife,
and to receive him as his adopted son. He returned thanks
for the favour, which he was pleased to show to a stranger,
and answered, that he had resolved upon another course of
life, and for that reason had left his country and set out for
Rome.
Hereupon the bishop sent him to Rome, furnishing him
with a guide and plenty of all things requisite for his jour-
ney, earnestly requesting that he would come that way when
he returned into his own country. Wilfrid arriving at
Rome, by constantly applying himself to prayer and the
study of ecclesiastical affairs, as he had before proposed to
himself, gained the friendship of the most holy and learned
Boniface, the archdeacon, who was also counsellor to the pope,
by whose instruction he regularly learned the four Grospels, the
true calculation of Easter, and many other things appertain-
ing to ecclesiastical discipline, which he could not attain in
his own country. When he had spent some months there, in
successful study, he returned into France, to Dalfin; and
having stayed with him three years, received from him the
tonsure, and was so much beloved that he had thoughts of
making him his heir ; but this was prevented by the bishop's
untimely death, and Wilfrid was reserved to be bishop of
his bwn, that is, the English, nation ; for Queen BaldMlda
•ent soldiers with orders to put the bishop to death ; whom
A-». 664.] 01 Wilfrid's life.. 271
WilfHd, his clerk, attended to the place where he was to be
beheaded, being very desirous, though the bishop opposed it,
to die with him; but the executioners, understanding that
he was a stranger, and of the English nation, spared him,
and would not put him to death with his bishop.
Returning to England, he was admitted to the friendship
of King Alfrid, who had always followed the catholic rules
of the Church ; and therefore finding him to be a Catholic,
he gave him land of ten families at the place called Stan-
ford J* and not long after, the monastery, of thirty families,
at the place called Ripon ; which place he had lately given
to those that followed the doctrine of the Scots, to build a
monastery upon. But, forasmuch as they afterwards, being
left to their choice, would rather quit the place than adopt
the catholic Easter, and other canonical rites, according to
the custom of the Roman Apostolic Church, he gave the
same to him, whom he found to follow better discipline and
better customs.
At the same time, by the said king's command, he was
ordained priest in the same monastery, by Agilbert, bishop
of the West Saxonsf above-mentioned, the king being de-
sirous that a man of so much piety and learning should con-
tinue with him as priest and teacher ; and not long after,
having discovered and banished the Scottish sect, as was said
above, he, with the advice and consent of his father Oswy,
sent him into France, to be consecrated bishop, at about
thirty years of age, the same Agilbert being then bishop of
Paris, and eleven other bishops meeting at the consecration
of the new bishop, that function was most honourably per-
formed. Whilst he was yet beyond the sea, Chad, a holy
man, was consecrated bishop of York, by command of King
Oswy, as has been said above ; and having ably ruled that
church three years, he retired to govern his monastery of
Lestingau, and Wilfrid was made bishop of all the province
of the Northumbrians.^
Afterwards, in the reign of Egfrid, he was expelled his
bishopric, and others were consecrated bishops in his stead,
of whom mention has been made above. Designing to go
to Rome, to answer for himself before the pope, when he
• Now Stamford, Lincolnahire. t Dorchestcfft^ed by Ooi* York.
272 BEDB's ecclesiastical history. [b.t. cld
was aboard the ship, the wind blew hard west, and he was
driven into Frisland, and honourably received by that barba-
rous people and their King Aldgist, to whom he preached
Christ, and instructed many thousands of them in the word
of truth, washing them from their abominations in the laver
of salvation. Thus he there began the work of the Gospel
which was afterwards finished by Wilbrord, a most reverend
bishop of Jesus Christ. Having spent the winter there
with his new converts, he set out again on his way to Bome,
where his cause being tried before Pope Agatho and several
bishops, he was by their universal consent, acquitted of
what had been laid to his charge, and declared worthy of his
bishopric.
At the same time, the said Pope Agatho assembling a
synod at Rome, of one hundred and twenty-five bishops,
against those that taught there was only one will and opera-
tion in our Lord and Saviour, ordered Wilfrid also to be
summoned, and, when seated among the bishc^s, to declare,
his own faith and the faith of the province or island from
whence he came ; and they being found orthodox in their
£aith, it was thought fit to record the same among the acts of
that synod, which was done in this manner : "Wilfrid, the
beloved of God, bishop of the city of York, having referred
to the Apostolic See, and being by that authority acquitted
of every thing, whether specified against him or not, and
having taken his seat in judgment, with one hundred and
twenty-five other bishops in the synod, made confession of
the true and catholic faith, and subscribed the same in the
name of the northern part of Britain and Ireland, inhabited
by the English and Britons, as also by the Scots and Picts."
After this, returning into Britain, he converted the pro-
vince of the South Saxons from their idolatrous worship.
He also sent ministers to the Isle of Wight; and in the
second year of Alfrid, who reigned after Egfrid, was restored
to his see and bishopric by that king's invi^tion. However,
fiye years after, being again accused by that -same king and
several bishops, he was again expelled his diocese. Coming
to Rome, tc^ether with his accusers, and being allowed to
make his defence before a number of bishops and the apos-
tolic Pope John, it was declared by the unanimous judgment
of them all, that his accusers had in part laid false accusa-
A.D. 704.] DEATH OP WILFRID. 273
tions to his charge ; and the aforesaid pope undertook to
write to the kings of the English, Etheked and Alfrid, to
cause him to be restored to his bishopric, because he had
been falsely accused.
His acquittal was much forwarded by the reading of the
synod of Pope Agatho, of blessed memory, which had been
formerly held when Wilfrid was in Rome, and sat in council
among the bishops, as has been said before. For that synod
being, on account of the trial, by order of the apostolic pope,
read before the nobility and a great number of the people
for some days, they came to the place where it was written,
" Wilfrid, the beloved of God, bishop of the city of York,
having referred his cause to* the Apostolic See, and being by
that power cleared," &c., as above stated. This being read,
the hearers were amazed, and the reader stopping, they began
to ask of one another, who that Bishop Wilfrid was ? Then
Boniface, the pope's counsellor, and many others, who had
seen him there in the days of Pope Agatho, said, he was the
same bishop that lately came to Rome, to be tried by the
Apostolic See, being accused by his people, and who, said
they, having long since been here upon such like accusation,
the cause and controversy between both parties being heard
and discussed, was proved by Pope Agatho, of blessed
memory, to have been wrongfully expelled from his bishopric,
and so much honoured by him, that he commanded him to sit
in the council of bishops which he had assembled, as a man
of untainted faith and an upright mind. This being heard,
the pope and all the rest said, that a man of such great
authority, who had exercised the episcopal function near
forty years, ought not to be condemned, but being cleared
of all the crimes laid to his charge, to return home with
honour.
Passing through France, on his way back to Britain, on a
sudden he fell sick, and the distemper increasing, was so ill,
that he could not ride, but was carried in his bed. Being
thus come to the city of Meaux, in France, he lay four days
and nights, as if he had been dead, and only by his faint
breathing showed that he had any life in him ; having con-
tinued so four days, without meat or drink, speaking or
hearing, he, at length, on the fifth day, in the morning, as it
were awakening out of a dead sleep, sat up in bed, and open-
"^ Digitized by Google
274 bede's ecclesiastical histort. [b. v. c la.
ing his eyes, saw numbers of brethren singing and weeping
about him, and fetching a sigh, asked where Acca, the priest,
was? This man, being csdled, inmiediately came in, and
seeing him thus recovered and able to speak, knelt down, and
returned thanks to God, with all the brethren there present.
When they had sat awhile, and begun to discourse, with
much reverence, on the heavenly judgments, the bishop
ordered the rest to go out for an hour, and spoke to the
priest, Acca, in this manner : —
" A dreadful vision has now appeared to me, which I wish
you to hear and keep secret, till I know how God will please
to dispose of me. There stood by me a certain person, re-
markable for his white garments, telling me he was Michael,
the Archangel, and said, *Iam sent to save you jfrom death: for
the Lord has granted you life, through the prayers and tears
of your disciples, and the intercession of his blessed mother
Mary, of perpetual virginity ; wherefore I tell you, that you
shall now recover from this sickness ; but be ready, for I will
return to visit you at the end of four years. But when you
come into your country, you shall recover most of the posses-
sions that have been taken from you, and shall end your days
in perfect peace.* " The bishop accordingly recovered, at
which all persons rejoiced, and gave thanks to God, and set-
ting forward on his journey, arrived in Britain.
Having read the letters which he brought from the apos-
tolic pope, Bertwald, the archbishop, and Ethelred, who had
been formerly king, but was then an abbat, readily took his
part ; for the said Ethelred, calling to him Coinred, whom he
had made king in his own stead, he requested of him to be
friends with Wilfrid, in which request he prevailed; but
Alfrid, king of the Northumbrians, refused to admit him.
However he died soon after, and his son Osred obtained the
crown, when a synod was assembled, near the river Nidd, and
after some contesting on both, sides, at length, by the consent
of all, he was admitted to preside over his church ; and thus he
lived in peace four years, till the day of his death. He died
on the 12th of October, in his monastery, which he had in the
province of Undalum,* under the government of the Abbat
Cuthbald ; and by the ministry of the brethren, he was car-
* Oundle in Northamptonshire, r^^^^i^
gitized by VjOOQIC
AD. 709. Wilfrid's epitaph. 275
ried to his first monastery of Ripon, and buried in tlie church
of Saint Peter the apostle, close by the south end of the
altar, as has been mentioned above, with this epitaph over
him: —
Here the gfeot prelate Wilfrid lies entombed.
Who, led by piety, this temple rea^d
To God, and hallowed with blest Peter's name,
To whom our Lord the keys of heaven consigned.
.Moreover gold and purple vestments gave,
And placed a cross, — a trophy shining brigh
With richest ore — four books o'erwrought with gold.
Sacred evangelists in order plac'd.
And (suited well to these) a desk he rear*d,
(Highly conspicuous) cas'd with niddy gold.
He likewise brought the time of Easter right,
To the just standard of the canon law ;
Which our forefathers fixed and well observ'd.
But long by error chang'd, he justly plac'd.
Into these parts a numerous swarm of monks
He brought, and strictly taught their founder's rules.
In lapse of years, by many dangers tossed ;
At home by discords, and in foreign realms.
Having sat bishop five and forty years.
He died, and joyful sought the realms above ;
That, blessed by Christ, and favoured with his aid.
The flock may follow in their pastor's path.*
CHAP. XX.
Albinus succeeded to the religious Abbat Hadriauj and Acca to Bishop
Wilfrid, [a. d. 709.]
The next year after the death of the aforesaid father (Wil-
frid), that is, in the first year of King Osred, the most
reverend father, Abbat Hadrian, fellow labourer in the word
of God with Theodore the archbishop of blessed memory,
died, and was buried^in the church of the blessed Mother of
God, in his own monastery,'!' this being the forty-first year
from his being sent by Pope Vitalian with Theodore, and
the thirty-ninth after his arrival in England. Of whose
learning, as well as that of Theodore, one testimony among
• Eddi Stephanus, precentor of Canterbury, wrote the Life of Wilfrid, as
did also Eadmer, secretary to St. Anselm. There is an extended account
of him in Peck's History of Stamford, and in the Lives of the English
Saints, No. VIII. f St. Augustine's, Canterbuijr, QqqqIc
276 BEDB's ECOLBSIASTICAL HISTOBY. [B.r.c.2a
others is, that Albinus,* his disciple, who succeeded him in
the government of his monastery, was so well instructed in
the study of the Scriptures, that he knew the Greek tongue
to no small perfection, and the Latin as thoroughly as the
English, which was his native language.
Acca, his priest, succeeded Wilfrid in the bishopric of the
church of Hagulstad ; being himself a most active man, and
great in the sight of God and man, he much adorned and
added to the structure of his church, which is dedicated to
the Apostle St. Andrew. For he made it his business, and
does so stiU, to procure relics of the blessed apostles and
martyrs of Christ from all parts, to place them on altars,
dividing the same by arches in the walls of the church.
Besides which, he diligently gathered the histories of their
suiferings, together with other ecclesiastical writings, and
erected there a most numerous and noble library. He like-
wise industriously provided holy vessels, lights, and such
like things as appertain to the adorning of the house of Gt)d.
He in like manner invited to him a celebrated singer, called
Maban, who had been taught to sing by the successors of the
disciples of the blessed Gregory in Kent, for him to instruct
himself and his clergy, and kept him twelve years, to teach
such ecclesiastical songs as were not known, and to restore
those to their former state which were corrupted either by
want of use, or through neglect. For Bishop Acca himself
was a most expert singer, as well as most learned in Holy
Writ, most pure in the confession of the catholic faith, and
most observant in the rules of ecclesiastical institution ; nor
did he ever cease to be so till he received the rewards of his
pious devotion, having been bred up and instructed among
the clergy of the most holy and beloved of Gx)d, Bosa, bishop
of York. Afterwards, coming to Bishop Wilfrid in hopes of
improving himself, he spent the rest of his life under him
till that bishop's death, and going with him to Rome, learned
there many profitable things concerning the government of
the holy church, which he could not have learned in his own
country.
* See page 2, where Bede acknowledges the assistance he received ^m
AJbinuB m the compilation of this work.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
A.D.nO.] LETTER TO NAITAN. 277
CHAP. XXL
Abbat Ceolfrid sent the King of the Picts architeett to build a churchy and
with them an epistle concerning the Catholic Easter and Tonsure.
[ad. 710.]
At tliat time, Naitan, king of the Picts, inhabiting the
northern parts of Britain, taught by frequent meditation on
the ecclesiastical writings, renounced the error which he and
his nation had till then been under, in relation to the obser-
vance of Easter, and submitted, together with his people, to
celebrate the catholic time of our Lord's resurrection. For
performing this with the more ease and greater authority, he
sought assistance from the English, whom he knew to have
long since formed their religion after the example of the holy
Roman Apostolic Church. Accordingly he sent messengers
to the venerable Ceolfrid, abbat of the monastery of the
blessed apostles, Peter and Paul, which stands at the mouth
of the river Wear, and near the river Tyne, at the place
called Jarrow, which he gloriously governed after Benedict,
of whona we have before spoken ; desiring, that he would
write him a letter containing arguments, by the help of
which he might the better confute those that presumed to
keep Easter out of the due time ; as also concerning the form
and manner of tonsure for distinguishing the clergy ; not to
mention that he himself possessed much information in these
particulars. He also prayed to have architects sent him to
build a church in his nation after the Roman manner, pro-
mising to dedicate the same in honour of St. Peter, the prince
of the apostles, and that he and all his people would dways
foUow the custom of the holy Roman Apostolic Church, as
far as their remoteness from the Roman language and nation
would allow. The reverend Abbat CeolM^ complying with
his desires and request, sent the architects he desired, and
the following letter : —
'' To the most excellent lordy and most glorious King
Naitan, Abbat Ceolfrid^ greeting in the Lord, We most
readily and willingly endeavour, according to your desire, to
explam to you the catholic observance of holy Easter, accord-
ing to what we have learned of the Apostolic See, as you,
devout king, with a religious intention, have requested ; for
278 BEDE'S ecclesiastical HISTORT. Cb. v. c 21.
we know, that whenever the Church applies itself to leam,
to teach, and to assert the truth, which are the affairs of our
Lord, the same is given to it from heaven. For a certain
worldly writer* most truly said, that the world would be
most happy if either kings were philosophers, or philosophers
were kings. For if a worldly man could judge truly of the
philosophy of this world, and form a correct choice concern-
ing the state of this world, how much more is it to be wished,
and most earnestly to be prayed for by the citizens of the
heavenly country, who are travelling through this world,
that the more powerful any persons are in this world, the
more they may labour to be acquainted with the commands
of Him who is the Supreme Judge, and by their example
and authority may induce those that are committed to their
charge, as well as themselves, to keep the same.
" There are three rules in the Sacred Writings, on account
of which it is not lawful for any human authority to change
the time of keeping Easter, which has been prescribed to us ;
two whereof are divinely established in the law of Moses ;
the third is added in the Gospel by means of the passion and
resurrection of our Lord. For the law enjoined, that the
Passover should be kept in the first month of the year, and
the third week of that month, that is, from the fifteenth day
to the one-and-twentieth. It is added, by apostolic institu-
tion, in the Grospel, that we are to wait for our Lord's day in
that third week, and to keep the beginning of the Paschal
time on the same. Which threefold rule whosoever shall
rightly observe, will never err in fixing the Paschal feast.
But if you desire to be more plainly and fully informed in all
these particulars, it is written in Exodus, where the people
of Israel, being about to be delivered out of Egypt, are com-
manded to keep the first Passover, that the Lord said to
Moses and Aaron, * This month shall be unto you the begin-
ning of months ; it shall be the first month of the year to
you. Speak ye unto aU the congregation of Israel, saying.
In the tenth day of this month, they shall take to them every
man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb
for an house.' And a little lower, *And he shall keep it
until the fourteenth day of the same month ; and the whole
assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the
• Plate, in his Republi^^^' by Google
A.D. 710.) LETTER TO NAITAN. 27S
evening/ By which words it most plainly appears, that thus
in the Paschal observance mention is made of the fourteenth
day, not that the Passover is commanded to be kept on that
day : but the lamb is commanded to be killed on the evening
of the fourteenth day ; that is, on the fifteenth day of the
moon, which is the beginning of the third week, when the
moon appears in the sky. And because it was on the night
of the fifteenth moon, when, by the slaughter of the Egyp-
tians, Israel was redeemed from a long captivity, therefore it
is said, * Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread.' By
which words all the third week of the same month is decreed
to be kept solemn. But lest we should think that those
same seven days were to be reckoned from the fourteenth to
the twentieth, God immediately adds, * Even the first day ye
shall put away leaven out of your houses ; for whosoever
eateth leavened bread, from the first day until the seventh
day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel ;' and so on, till he
says, * For in this self-same day I will bring your army out
(^ the land of Egypt.'
" Thus he calls that the first day of unleavened bread, in
which he was to bring their army out of Egypt. But it is
evident, that they were not brought out of Egypt on the
fourteenth day, in the evening whereof the lamb was killed,
and which is properly called the Passover or Phase, but on
the fifteenth day, as is most plainly written in the book of
Numbers. 'Departing therefore from Ramesse on the fif-
teenth day of the first month, the next day the Israelites
kept the Passover with a high hand.' Thus the seven
days of unleavened bread on the first whereof the people
of God were brought out of Egypt, are to be reckoned from
the beginning of the third week, as has been said, that is,
from the fourteenth day of the first month, till the one-and-
twentieth of the same month, that day included. But the
fourteenth day is noted down separately from this number,
by the name of the Passover, as is plainly made out by what
follows in Exodus : where when it is said, * For in this same
day I will bring your army out of the land of Egypt ;' it is
presently added, * You shall keep it a feast by an ordinance
for ever. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the
month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one-
and-twentieth day of the month at even. Seyen^days shall
•^ Digitized by V5\j!' •'
280 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOKY. [II.T.C.2I.
there be no leaven found in your houses.' Now, who is
there that does not perceive, that th^^ are not only seven
days, but rather eight, from the fourte^ith to the one-and-
twentieth, if the fourteenth be also reckoned in the number?
But if, as by diligent study of Scriptures appears to be the
truth, we reckon from the evening <rf the fourteenth day to
the evening of the one-and-twentieth, we shall certainly
find, that the same fourteenth day gives its evening for the
beginning of the Paschal feast ; so that the sacred solemnity
contains no more than only seven nights and as many days.
By which our definition is proved to be true, wherein we
said, that the Paschal time is to be celebrated in the first
month of the year, and the third week of the same. F(wr it
is really the third week, because it b^ins on the evening of
the fourteenth day, and ends on the evening of the one-and-
twentieth.
'^But since Christ our Paschal Lamb is skin, and has
made the Lord's day, which among the ancients was called
the first after th^ Sabbath, a solemn day to us for the joy of
his resurrection, the apostolic tradition has so inserted it into
the Paschal festivals as to decree, that nothing in the least
be anticipated, or detracted from the time of the legal Pass-
over; but rather ordains, that the same first month should
be waited for, pursuant to the precept of the law, and ac-
cordingly the fourteenth day of the same, and the evening
thereof. And when this day should ha{^n to fall on the
Sabbath, every one in his family should take a lamb, and
kill it in the evening, that is, that all the churches through-
out the world, composing one catholic church, should provide
bread and wine for the mystery of the flesh and blood of the
imspotted Lamb ' that took away the sins of the world ;' and
after the solemnity of reading the lessons and prayers of the
Paschal ceremcmies, they should offer up these things to the
Lord, in hopes of future redemption. For that same night
in which the people of Israel were delivered out of I^ypt
by the blood of the Lamb, is the very same in which all the
people of Grod were, by Christ's resurrection, delivered firom
eternal death. Then, on the morning of the Lord's day,
they should celebrate the first day of the Paschal festival ;
for that is the day on which our Lord, with much joy <^
pious revelation, made known the glory of his resurrection.
A.D.710.] LETTER TO NAITAN. 281
The same is the first day of unleavened bread, concerning
which it is distinctly written in Leviticus, *In the fourteenth
day of the first month, at even, is the Lord's Passover. And
on the fifteenth day of the same month, is the feast of un-
leavened bread unto the Lord ; seven days ye must eat un-
leavened bread ; the first day shall be most solemn and holy.'
*^ If therefore it could be that the Lord's day should al-
ways happen ou. the fifteenth day of the first month, that is,
on the fifteenth moon, we might always celebrate Easter at
the very same time with the ancient people of God, though
the nature of the mystery be different, as we do it with one
and the same faith. But in regard that the day of the week
does not keep pace exactly with the moon, the apostolical
tradition, which was preaehed at Rome by St. Peter, and
confirmed at Alexandria by Mark the Evangelist, his inter-
preter, appointed that when the first month was come, and
in it the evening of the fourteenth day, we should also wait
for the Lord's day, which falls between the fifteenth and the
one-and-tweutieth day of the same mcmth. For on which-
ever of those days it shall faD, Easter will be properly kept
on the same ; as it is one of l^ose seven days on which the
unleavened bread is ordered to be kept. Thus it comes to
pass that our Easter never deviates from the third week of
the first month, but either observes the whole, or at least
some of the seven legal days of imleavened bread. For
though it takes in but one of them, that is, the seventh,
which the Scripture so highly commends, saying, ' But the
seventh day shall be more solemn and holy, ye shall do no
servile work therein,* none can lay it to our charge, that we
do not rightly keep our Lord's Paschal day, which we re-
ceived fr«m the Grospel, in the third week of the first month,
as the Law prescribe.
*^The catholic reason of this observance being thus ex-
plained ; the unreasonable error, on the other hand, of those
who, without any necessity, presume either to anticipate, or
to go beyond the term prescribed in the Law, is manifest
For they that think the Lord's day of Easter is to be ob-
served from the fourteenth day of the first month till the
twentieth moon, juiticipate the time prescribed in the law,
without any necessary reason ; for when they begin to cele-
brate the vigil of the holy night from the evening of the
282 bede's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. Ib.v. cSl.
thirteenth day, it is plain that they make that day the be-
ginning of their Easter, whereof they find no mention in the
Law; and when they refuse to celebrate our Lord's Easter
on the one-and-twentieth day of the month, they wholly
exclude that day from their solemnity, which the Law often
recommends as memorable for the greater festival ; and thus,
perverting the proper order, they place Easter day in the
second week, and sometimes keep it entirely in the same,
and never bring it to the seventh day of the third week.
And again, because they rather think that Easter is to be
kept on the sixteenth day of the said month, and so to the
two-and-twentieth, they no less erroneously, though the con-
trary way, deviate from the right way of truth, and as it
were avoiding to be shipwrecked on Seylla, they run on and
are drowned in the whirlpool of Charybdis. For when they
teach that Easter is to be begun at the rising of the six-
teenth moon of the first month, that is, from the evening of
the fifteenth day, it is manifest that they altogether exclude
from their solemnity the fourteenth day of the same month,
which the Law firstly and chiefly recommends ; so that they
scarcely touch upon the evening of the fifteenth day, on
which the people of God were delivered from the Egyptian
servitude, and on which our Lord, by his blood, rescued the
world from the darkness of sin, and on which being also
buried, he gave us hopes of a blessed repose after death.
''And the same persons, taking upon themselves the
penalty of their error, when they place the Lord's day of
Easter on the twenty-second day of the month, openly trans-
gress and exceed the legal term of Easter, as beginning the
Easter on the evening of that day in which the Law ap-
pointed it to be finished and completed ; and appoint that to
be the first day of Easter, whereof no mention is any where
found in the Law, viz. the first of the fourth week. And
they are sometimes mistaken, not only in defining and com-
puting the moon's age, but also in finding the first month ;
but this controversy is longer than can or ought to be con-
tained in this letter. I will only say thus much, that by the
vernal equinox, it may always be found, without the chance
of an error, which is the first month of the year, according
to the lunar calculation, and which the last. But the equi-
nox, according to the opinion of all the^lJaf |em nations, and
M.0, 710.1 LSTTEB TO NAITAN. 283
particularly of the Egyptians, who exceed all other learned
men in that calculation, usually happens on the twelfth day
before the kalends of April, as we ^o prove by horological
inspection. Whatever moon therefore is at the full before
the equinox, being on the fourteenth or fifteenth day, the
same belongs to the last month of the foregoing year, and
consequently is not proper for the celebration of Easter ; but
that moon which is full after the equinox, or on the very
equinox, belongs to the first month, and in it, without a
doubt, the ancients were wont to celebrate the Passover ;
and we also ought to keep Easter when the Sunday comes.
And that this must be so, there is this cogent reason, because
it is written in Genesis, that * God made two lights ; a
greater light to rule the day, and a lesser light to rule the
night.' Or, as another edition has it, *A greater light to
begin the day, and a lesser to begin the night.' The sun,
therefore, proceeding from the midst of the east, fixed the
vernal equinox by his rising, and afterwards the moon, when
the sun set in the evening, followed full from the midst of
the east ; thus every year the same first month of the moon
must be observed in the like order, so that the full moon
must be either on the very day of the equinox, as was done
from the beginning, or after it is gone by. But if the full
of the moon shall happen to be but one day before the time
of the equinox, the aforesaid reason proves that such moon
is not to be assigned to the first month of the new year, but
rather to the last of the preceding, and that it is therefore
not proper for the celebration of the Paschal festival.
" Now if it will please you likewise to hear the mystical
reason in this matter, we are commanded to keep Easter in
the first month of the year, which is also called the month of
the new fruit, because we are to celebrate the mysteries of
our Lord's resurrection and our deliverance, with our minds
renewed to the love of heavenly things. We are commanded
to keep it in the third week of the same month, because
Christ, who had been promised before the Law, and under
the Law, came with grace, in the third age of the world, to
be slain as our Passover ; and rising from the dead the third
day after the offering of his passion, he wished this to be
called the Lord's day, and the festival of his resurrection to
be yearly celebrated on the same. For we also, in this man-
284 BEDES ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b. v. c. 21.
ner only, can truly celebrate his solemnity, if we take care
with him to keep the Passover, that is, the passage out of
this world to the Father, by faith, hope, and charity. We
are commanded to observe the full moon of the Paschal
month after the vernal equinox, to the end, that the sun may
first make the day longer than the night, and then the moon
may afford the world her full orb of light ; inasmuch as first
* the sun of righteousness, in whose wings is salvation,' that
is, our Lord Jesus, by the triumph of has resurrection, dis-
pelled all the darkness of death, and so ascending into hea-
ven, filled his Church, which is often signified by the name
of the moon, with the light of inward grace, by sending down
upon her his Spirit. Which plan of salvation the prophet
had in his mind, when he said ' The sun was exalted and the
moon stood in her order.'
" He, therefore, who shall contend that the full Paschal
moon can happen before the equinox, deviates from the doc-
trine of the Holy Scriptures, in the celebration of the great-
est mysteries, and agrees with those who confide that they
may be saved without the grace of Christ forerunning them ;
and who presume to teach that they might have attained to
perfect righteousness, though the true light had never van-
quished the darkness of the world, by dying and rising
again. Thus, after the equinoctial rising of the sun, and
after the subsequent full moon of the first month, that is,
after the end of the fourteenth day of the same month, all
which, according to the law, ought to be observed, we still,
by the instruction of the Grospel, wait in the third week for
the Lord's day ; and thus, at length, we celebrate our due
Easter solenmity, to show that we do not, with the ancients,
honour the shaking off of the Egyptian yoke ; but that, with
devout faith and affection, we worship the redemption of the
whole world ; which having been prefigured in the deliver-
ance of Grod's ancient people, was completed in Christ's
resurrection, to make it appear that we rejoice in the sure
and certain hope of the day of our own resurrection, which
we believe will happen on the same Lord's day.
" Now this calcuktion of Easter, which we show you is to
be followed, is contained in a circle or revolution of nineteen
years, which began long since, that is, in the very times of
the apostles, especially at Rome and in Egypt, as has been
A.D. 710.1 LETTER TO NAITAK. 285
said above. But by the industry of Eusebios, who took his
surname firom the blessed martyr Pamphilus, it was reduced
to a plainer system ; insomuch that what till then used to be
sent about to all the several churches by the patriarch of
Alexandria, might, from that time forward, be most ^sily
known by all men, the course of the fourteenth day of the
moon being regularly ordered. This Paschal calculation,
Theophilus, patriarch of Alexsmdria, composed for the Em-
peror Theodosius, for a hundred years to come. Cyril also,
his successor, comprised a series of ninety-five years in five
revolutions of nineteen years. Aft^ whom, Dionysius
Exiguus added as many more, in the same manner, reaching
down to our own. time. The expiration of these is now
drawing near, but there is so great a number of calculators,
that even in our churches throughout Britain, there are many
who, having learned the ancient rules of the Egyptians, can
with great ease carry on those revolutions of the Paschal
times for any distant number of years, even to five hundred
and thirty-two years, if they will ; after the expiration of
which, all that belongs to the question of the sun and moon,
of month and week, returns in the same order as before.
We therefore forbear to send you those revolutions of the
times to come, because you only desired to be instructed
respecting the Paschal time, and declared you had enough of
those catholic tables concerning Easter.
"But having said thus much briefly and succinctly, as
you required concerning Easter, I also exhort you to take
care to promote the tonsure, as ecclesiastical and agreeable
to the Christian faith, for concerning that also you desired
me to write to you ; and we know indeed that the apostles
were not all shorn after the same manner, nor does the
Catholic Church, though it agrees in the same Divine faith,
hope, and charity, agree in the same form of tonsure through-
out the world : in fine, to look back to remote times, that is,
the times of the patriarchs. Job, the example of patience,
when, on the approach of tribulation, he shaved his head,
made it appear that he had used, in time of prosperity, to let
his hair grow ; and Joseph, the great practiser and teacher
of chastity, humility, piety, and other virtues, is found to
have been shorn when he was to be delivered from servitude ;
by which it appears, that during the time of^^^^^de, he
286 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTORT. [b-t cSl.
was in the prison without cutting his hair. Now you maj
observe how each of these men of God differed in the man-
ner of their appearance abroad, though their inward con-
sciences were alike influenced by the grace of virtue. But
though we may be free to confess, that the difference of ton-
sure is not hurtful to those whose faith is pure towards Grod,
and their charity sincere towards their neighbour, especifdly
since we do not read that there ever was any controversy
among the Catholic fathers about the difference of tonsure,
as there has been about the difference in keeping Easter, or
in matters of faith ; however, among all the tonsures that
are to be found in the Church, or among mankind at large,
I think none more worthy of being followed than that which
that disciple had on his head, to whom, on his confession,
our Lord said, * Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it, and to thee I will give the keys of the kingdom of
heaven.' Nor do I think any more worthy to be abhorred
and detested, by all the faithful, than that which that man
used, to whom Peter, when he would have bought the grace
of the Holy Ghost, said, * Thy money be with thee to perdi-
tion, because thou thoughtest the gift of God to be purchased
for money ; there is no part or lot for thee in this speech.'
Nor do we shave ourselves in the form of a crown only be-
cause Peter was so shorn ; but because Peter was so shorn
in memory of the passion of our Lord ; therefore we also,
who desire to be saved by the same passion, do with him
bear the sign of the same passion on the top of our head,
which is the highest part of our body. For as all the
Church, because it was made a church by the death of him
that gave it life, is wont to bear the sign of his holy cross on
the forehead, to the end, that it may, by the constant protec-
tion of his sign, be defended from the assaults of evil spirits,
and by the frequent admonition of the same be instructed, in
like manner, to crucify its flesh with its vices and concupi-
scences ; so also it behoves those, who have either taken the
vows of monks, or have any degree among the clergy, to
curb themselves the more strictly by continence.
" Every one of them is likewise to bear on his head, by
means of the tonsure, the form of the crown which Christ in
his passion bore of thorns, in order that Christ majf bear the
Digitized by VjOO^IC::
-A.D.710.] LETTEB TO NAITAN. 287
thorns and briars of our sins ; that is, that he may remove
and take them from us ; and also that they may at once show
that they, willingly, and with a ready mind, endure scoffs
and reproaches for his sake ; to make it appear, that they
always expect * the crown of eternal life, which God has pro-
mised to those that love him,' and that for the gaining thereof
they despise ftoth the adversities and the prosperities of this
world. But as for the tonsure which Simon Magus is said
to have used, what Christian will not immediately detest and
cast it off together with his magic ? Upon the top of the
forehead, it does seem indeed to resemble a crown ; but when
you come to the neck, you will find the crown you thought
you had seen so perfect cut short ; so that you may be satis-
fied such a distinction properly belongs not to Christians but
to Simoniacs, such as were indeed in this life thought worthy
of a perpetual crown of glory by erring men ; but in that
life which is to follow this, are not only deprived of all hopes
of a crown, but are moreover condemned to eternal punish-
ment.
" But do not tliink that I have said thus much, as judging
those who use this tonsure, are to be damned, in case they
favour the catholic unity in faith and actions ; on the con-
trary, I confidently declare, that many of them have been
holy and worthy of God. Of which number is Adamnan,
the abbat and renowned priest of Columba, who, when sent
ambassador by his nation to King Alfrid, came to see our
monastery, and discovering wonderful wisdom, humility, and
religion in his words and behaviour, among other things, I
said to him in discourse, * I beseech you, holy brother, who
think you are advancing to the crown of life, which knows
no period, why do you, contrary to the habit of your faith,
wear on your head a crown that is terminated, or bounded ?
And if you aim at the society of St. Peter, why do you
imitate the tonsure of him whom St. Peter anathematized ?
and why do you not rather even now show that you imitate
to your utmost the habit of him with whom you desire to
live happy for ever.' He answered, * Be assured, my dear
brother, that though I have Simon's tonsure, according to the
custom of my country, yet I utterly detest and abhor the
Simoniacal wickedness ; and I desire, as far as my little-
ness is capable of doing it, to follow the footst^ of the most
288 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTORT. Lb-tc. 21.
blessed prince of the apostles.' I replied, * I verily believe
it as you say ; but let it appear by showing outwardly such
things as you know to be his, that you in your hearts em-
brace whatever is from Peter the Apostle. For I believe
your wisdom does easily judge, that it is much more proper
to estrange your countenance, already dedicated to God, fix)m
resemblance to him whom in your heart you abhor, and of
whose hideous face you would shun the sight ; and, on the
other hand, that it becomes you to imitate the outward re-
semblance of him, whom you seek to have for your advocate
with God, as you desire to follow his actions and instruc-
tions.*
** This I then said to Adamnan, who indeed showed how
much he had improved upon seeing the statutes of our
churches, when, returning into Scotland, he afterwards by
his preaching brought great numbers of that nation over to
the catholic observance of the Paschal time ; though he was
not yet able to gain the consent of the monks that lived in the
island of Hii, over whom he presided. He would also have
been mindful to amend the tonsure, if his authority had ex-
tended so far.
"But I also admonish your wisdom, O king, that you
endeavour to make the nation, over which the King of kings,
and Lord of lords, has placed you, observe in all points those
things which appertain to the unity of the Catholic and
Apostolic Church ; for thus it will come to pass, that after
your temporal kingdom has passed away, the blessed prince
of the apostles will lay open to you and yours the entrance
into the heavenly kingdom, where you will rest for ever with
the elect. The grace of the eternal King preserve thee in
safety, long reigning, for the peace of us aU, my most beloved
son in Christ."
This letter having been read in the presence of King
Naitan, and many more of the most learned men, and care-
fully interpreted into his own language by those who could
understand it, he is said to have much rejoiced at the exhort-
ation ; insomuch that, rising from among his great men that
sat about him, he knelt on the ground, giving thanks to God
that he had been found worthy to receive such a present
from the land of the English ; and, said he, " I knew indeed
before, that this was the true celebration of Eaater, but now
A,i>.716.] EGBERT PBEACHES AT lONA. 289
I 80 fully know the reason for observing of this time, that
I seem convinced that I knew little of it before. Therefore
I publicly declare and protest to you that are here present,
that I will for ever continually observe this time of Easter,
with all my nation ; and I do decree that this tonsure, which
we have heard is most reasonable, shall be received by all
the clergy in my kingdom." Accordingly he immediately
performed by his regal authority what he had said. For
the circles or revolutions of nineteen years were presently,
by public conmiand, sent throughout aU the provinces of the
Rets to be transcribed, learned and observed, the erroneous
revolutions of eight-four years being every where suppressed.
All the ministers of the altar and monks had the crown
shorn, and the nation thus reformed, rejoiced, as being newly
put under the direction of Peter, the most blessed prince of
the apostles, and secure under his protection.
CHAP. xxn.
The Monks of Hu, and the monasteries subject to themt begin to celebrate
the canonical Easter at the preaching of Egbert, [a. d. 716.]
Not long after, those monks also of the Scottish nation, who
lived in isle of Hii, with the other monasteries that were sub-
ject to them, were by the assistance of our Lord brought to
.the canonical observation of Easter, and the right mode of
tonsure. For in the year after the incarnation of our Lord
716, when Osred was slain, and Coenred took upon him the
government of the kingdom of the Northumbrians, the holy
father and priest, Egb^ beloved of God, and worthy to be
named with all honour, whom we have often mentioned before,
coming among them^ was joyfully and honourably received.
Being a most agreeable teacher, and devout in practising
those things which he taught, and being willingly heard by
all, he, by his pious and frequent exhortations, converted
them from that inveterate tradition of their ancestors, of
whom may be said tho^ words of the apostle, " That they
had the zeal of Gk>d, but not according to knowledge." He
taught them to perform the principid solemnity aft^r the
catholic and apostolic manner, as has been said, under the
figure of a perpetual circle; which appears to have been
accomplished by a wonderftil dispensation of the Divine
290 BEDB*S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOBT. [i.T.c;a-
goodnens ; to the end, that the same nation which had wil-
lingly, and without envy, oommonicated to the Ikiglish people
the knowledge of the true Deity, should afterwards, by means
of the English nation, be brought where they were defeetiTe
to the true rule of life. Eyen as, on the contrary, the
Britons, who would not acquaint the English with the know-
ledge of the Christian faith, now, when the English people
enjoy the true faith, and are thoroughly instructed in its
rules, continue inveterate in their errors, expose their heads
without a crown, and keep the solemnity of Christ without
the society of the Church.
The monks of Hii, by the instructiim of Egbert, adopted
the catholic rites, under Abbat Dunchad, about eighty years
after they had sent Aidan to preach to the English nati<m.*
This man of God, Egbert, remained thirteen years in the
aforesaid island, which he had thus consecrated again to
Christ, by kindling in it a new ray of Divine grace, and
restoring it to the unity of ecclesiastical discipline. In the
year of our Lord's incarnation 729, in which the Easter of
our Lord was celebrated on the 24th of April, he performed
the solemnity of the mass, in memory of the same resurrec-
tion of our Lord, and dying that same day, thus finished, or
rather never ceases to celebrate, with our Lord, the apostles,
and the other citizens of heaven, that greatest festival, which
he had begun with the brethren, whom he had converted to
the unity of grace. But it was a wonderful dispensation
of the Divine Providence, that the venerable man not only
passed out of this world to the Fatiier, in Easter, but also
when Easter was celebrated on that day, on which it had
never been wont to be kept in those parts. The brethren
rejoiced in the certain and catholic knowledge of the time of
Easter, and rejoiced in the protection of their father, d^>art-
ed to our Lord, by whom they had been converted. He also
congratulated his being so long continued in the flesh till he
saw his fdlowers admit, and celebrate with him, that as Eas-
ter day which they had ever before Avoided. Thus the most
reverend father being assured of their standing corrected, re-
jwced to see the day of our Lord, and he saw it and was glad.
* Aidan was sent into England about a.d. 634. Vide pages 112, 116,
134, 135. Therefore the monks of lona adopted the GaUtolic mode of
k«,mgEMter about 714. D„„dWGoOgle
A.i>.72ff.1 STATE OF BRTTAIK. 291
CHAP. xxnL
Of the nretent state qf the Englith natien, or of all BrUam.
[A.D. 725—731.]
Ijsr the year of our Lord's incamatioii 725, being the seyenth
year of Osric, king of the Northumbrians, who succeeded
Co^ired, Wictred, the son of Egbert^ king of Kent, died on
the 28rd of AprU, and left his three sons, Ethelbert, Ead-
bert, and Abie, heirs of that kingdom, which he had go-
verned thirty-four years and a half. The next year died
Tobias, bishop of the church of Rochester, a most learned
man, as has been said before; for he was disciple to those
teachers of blessed memory, Theodore, the archbishop, and
Abbat Hadrian, by which means, as we have before ob-
served, besides his erudition in ecclesiastical and general
literature, he learned both the Greek and Latin t(mgues to
such perfection, that they were as well known and familiar
to him as his native language. He was buried in the porch
of St. Paul the Apostie, which he had bmlt within the
church of St. Andrew for his own place of burial. After
him Aldwulf took upon him the office of bishop, having
been consecrated by Archbishop Bertwald.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 729, two comets
iq^peared about the sun, to the great terror of ih» beholders.
One of them went before the rising sun in the mormng, the
other foUowed him when he set at night, as it were pre-
saging much destruction to the east and west ; one was the
forerunner of the day, and the other of the night, to signify
that mcHTtals were tlureatened with calamities at both times.
They carried their flaming tails towards the north, as it
were ready to set the world on fire. They appealed in
January, luid continued nearly a fortnight. At which time
a dreadful plague of Saracens ravaged France with miser«f
able slaughter ; but they not long after in that country
received the punishment due to their wickedness.* In
which year the holy man of Grod, Egbert, departed to our
Lord, aa has been said above, on Easter day ; and imme-
* The gre^t battle of Toon, in which Charles Martel defeated the Arabs,
was fought in 4.i>* 732. This passage was tiierefore inserted hj Bede after
he had finisli^ his history, when he reyised it in 734 or 735. jqIp
V 2 ^
292
BEDE's ecclesiastical mSTORT.
Ifc. V, c. 2f
diately after Easter, that is, on the 9th of May, Osric, king
of the Northumbrians, departed this life, after he had reign-
ed eleven years, and appointed Ceolwulf, brother to Coenred,
who had reigned before him, his successor; the beginning
and progress of whose reign were so fiUed with commotions^
that it cannot yet be known what is to be said concerning
them, or what end they will have.
In the year of our Lord's incarnation 731, Archbishop
Bertwald died of old age, on the 9th of January, having
held his see thirty-seven years, six months and fourteen
days. In his stea^ the same year, Tatwine, of the province
of the Mercians, was made archbishop, having been a priest
in the monastery called Briudun.* He was consecrated in
the city of Canterbury by the venerable men, Daniel, bishop
of Winchester, Ingwald of London, Aldwin of Lichfield,
and Aldwulf of Rochester, on Sunday, the 10th of June,
being a man renowned for religion and wisdom, and notably
learned in Saered Writ.
Thus at present,*!* the bishops Tatwine and Aldwulf pre-
side in the churches of Kent; Ingwald in the province of
the East Saxons. In the province of the East Aiigles, Ald-
bert and Hadulac are bishops ; in the province of the West
• Near the Bredon Hills in Worcestershire.
+ The following list of the Saxon bishoprics at the tune when Bede
closed his history, [An>. 731,] will enable the reader to recognize those
which belonged to each separate kingdom : —
Kingdoms.
Sees.
PreUtes.
Kent .
. Canterbury
. Tatwine.
Rochester .
. Aldwulf.
East Saxons
London .
. Ingwald.
East Angles .
• Dunwich
. Aldbert.
Elmham
. Hadulac.
West Saxons
Winchester
Daniel.
Sherborne
. Forthere.
Mercia
. Lichfield . .
Aldwin.
Hereford
. Walstod.
Worcester .
. Wilfiid.
Lindsey (Sidnacester
) . Cunebot.
Dorchester, removed
Leicester, a.d. 737
^] Vacant.
South Saxons
. Selsey . .
Vacant.
Northumbria
. York . .
. WiifndlL
Lindis&me •
Etiielwald.
Hexham •
. Acca. '
Whitheme . ^,^
izectby VjCr*^™*"™"
.]i.j>. 731.] ' THE SAXON SEES. 293
Saxons, Daniel and Forthere are bishops ; in the province of
the Mercians, Aldwin. Among those people who live be-
yond the river Severn to the westward, Walstod is bishop ;
in the province of the Wiccians, WilMd ; in the province of
the lindisfames, Cynebert presides; the bishopric of the
Isle of Wight belongs to Daniel, bishop of Winchester.
The province of the South Saxons, having now continued
some years without a bishop, receives the episcopal ministry
from the prelate of the West Saxons. All these provinces,
and the others southward to the bank of the river Humber,
with their kings, are subject to King Ethelbald.
But in the province of the Northumbrians, where King
Ceolwulf reigns, four bishops now preside ; Wilfrid in the
church of York, Ethelwald in that of Lindisfame, Acca in
that of Hagulstad, Pechthelm in that which is called the
White House, which, from the increased number of be-
lievers, has lately become an episcopal see, and has him for
its first prelate.* The Picts also at this time are at peace
with the English nation, and rejoice in being united in peace
and truth with the whole Catholic Church. The Scots that
inhabit Britain, satisfied with their own territories, meditate
no hostilities against the nation of the English. The Bri-
tons, though they, for the most part, through innate hatred,
are adverse to the English nation, and wrongfully, and from
wicked custom, oppose the appointed Easter of the whole
Catholic Church; yet> from both the Divine and human
power withstanding them, can in no way prevail as they
desire; for though in part they are their own masters, yet
elsewhere they are also brought under subjection to the
English. Such being the peaceable and calm disposition
of the times, many of the Northumbrians, as well of the
nobility as private persons, laying aside their weapons, ra-
ther incline to dedicate both themselves and their children
to the tonsure and monastic vows, than to study martial
discipline. What will be the end hereof, the next age will
* Bede here speaks of Pechthelm as the first bishop of Whitherne,
which must be miderstood as the first mider the Saxon dynasty; for in
book iii. ch. 4, page 114, he mentions St. Ninias as the fomider of the
see, A.D. 412. There was probably an interruption in the succession of
the prelates during the three hundred years which interyened between the
death of St. Ninias and the appointment of Pechthelm, owing to the dril
wars and the invasion of the Saxons. r^^^^T^
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294 BEDE's BCCLESIAStlGAL mSTOBY. [■•▼•C'««-
show. This is for the present the state of all Britain; m
the jear since the coming of the English into Britain about
285, but in the 731st year of the incarnation of our Ixxd,
in whose reign may the earth ever rejoice; may Britain
exult in the |»rofession of his faith ; and may many ialancb
be glad, and sing praises in honour of his hoMness !
CHAP. XXIV.
i^ronehgioul recapUukUion of the whole toork: also concerning the
author himself,
I HAYE tiiought fit briefly to sum up those things which have
been related more at large, according to the distinction of
times, for the better preserving them in memory.
In the sixtieth year before the incarnation of our Lord,
Coins Julius CaBsar, first of the Romans, invaded Britain,
and was victorious, yet could not gain the kingdom.
In the year from tiie incarnation of our Lord, 46, Claudius,
•econd of the Romans, invading Britain, had a great part of
the island surrendered to him, and added the OiSsiey islands
to the Roman empire.
In the year from the incarnation of our Lord 167, Eleu-
therius, being made bishop at Rome, governed the Church
most gloriously fifteen years. Lucius, king of Britain,
writing to him, requested to be made a Christian, and suc-
ceeded in obtaining his request.
In the year from the incarnation of our Lc^rd 189, Sevens,
being made empenHr, reigned seventeen years ; he ^idoeed
Britain with a trench from sea to sea.
In l^e year 381, Maximus, being made emperor in Britain,
Bailed over into Gaul, and slew Gratian.
In the year 409, Rome was cxui^ied by the Goths, from
which time Roman emperors begui to rdgn in Britain.
In the year 430, Palladius was sent to be first the bishop
of the Scots that bdieved in Christ, by Pope Celestine.
In t^e ;f ear 449, Martian bdng made emperor with Valen-
tinian, reigned seven years ; in whose lame the English, being
called by the Britons, came into Britidn.
In the year 538, there happened an eclipse of the sun, on
the 16th of February, from the first to the third hour.
In the year 540, an eclipse of the sun happ^ed on the
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A.D.6M.] CHBOKOLOGIGAL SUHMAJRT. £96
20th of June^ and the stars appeared during almost half an
hour after the third hour of the day.
In the year 547, Ida began to reign ; frcHn him the royal
family of the Northumbrians derives its original ; he reigned
twelve years.
In the year 565, the priest, Columba, came out of Scotland,
into Britain, to instruct the Picts, and he built a monastery
in the isle of Hii.
In the year 596, Pqpe Gr^ory sent Augustine with
mcmks into Britain, to preach the word of God to the
English nMion.
£1 the year 597, the aforesaid teachers arrived in Britain ;
being about the 150th year from the coming of the English
into Britain.
In the year 601, Pope Gr^ory sent the pall into Britain,
to Augustine, who was abeady made bishop ; he sent also
several ministers of the word, among whom was Paulinus.
In the year 603, a battle was fought at Degsastane.
In the year 604, the East Saxons received the faith of
Christ, under King Sabert, and Bishop Mellitus.
In the year 605, Gregory died.
In the year 616, Ethelbert, king of Kent, died.
In the year 625, the venerable Paulinus was, by Arch-
bishop Justus, ordained bishop of the Northumbrians.
In the year 626, Eanfleda, daughter to King Edwin, was
baptized with twelve others, on Whit- Saturday.
In the year 627, King Edwin was baptized, with his
nation, at Eastar.
In the year 633, King Edwin being kiUed, Paulinus re-
turned to Kent.
In the year 640, Eadbald, king of Kent, died.
In the year 642, King Oswald was slain.
In the year 644, Paulinus, first bishop of York, but now
of the city of Rochester, departed to our Lord.
In the year 651, King Oswin was killed, and Bishop Aidan
died.
In the year 653, the Midland Angles, under their prince,
Penda, received the mysteries of the faith.
In the year 655, Penda was slain, and the Mercians be-
came Chnstians.'
In the year 664, there happened an eclipse of the sun ;
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296 BEDe'S ECCLESIASTICAL mSTOBT. lB.ir.cU,
Earcoabert, king of Kent, died ; and Colman returned to the
Scots ; a pestilence arose ; Ceadda and Wilfrid were ordained
bishops of the Northumbrians.
In the year 668, Theodore was ordained bishop.
In the year 670, Oswy, king of the Northumbrians, died.
In the year 673, Egbert, king of Kent, died, and a synocU
was held at Hertford, in the presence of King Egfrid, Arch-
bishop Theodore presiding : the synod did much good, and
its decrees are contained in ten chapters. •
In the year 675, Wulfhere, king of the Mercians, dying,
when he had reigned seventeen years, left the crown to his
brother Ethelred.
In the year 676, Ethelred ravaged Kent.
In the year 678, a comet appeared; Bishop Wilfirid was
driven from his see by King Egfrid ; and Bosa, Eata, and
Eadhed were consecrated bishops in his stead.
In the year 679, Elfwine was killed.
In the year 680, a synod was held in the field called Heth-
feld, concerning the Christian faith, Archbishop Theodore
presiding ; John, the Roman abbat, was also present. The
same year also the Abbess Hilda died at Streaneshalch.
In the year 685, Egfrid, king of the Northumbrians, was
slain.
The same year, Lothere, king of Kent died.
In the year 688, Caedwalla, king of the West Saxons,
went to Rome from Britain.
In the year 690, Archbishop Theodore died.
In the year 697, Queen Ostiitha was murdered by her own
people, that is, the nobility of the Mercians.
Ill the year 698, Berthred, the royal commander of the
Northumbrians, was slain by the Picts.
In the year 704, Ethelred became a monk, after he had
reigned thirty years over the nation of the Mercians, and
gave up the kingdom to Coenred.
In the year 705, Alfrid, king of the Northumbrians, died.
In the year 709, Cpenred, king of the Mercians, having
reigned six years, went to Rome.
In the year 711, Earl Bertfrid fought with the Picts.
In the year 716, Osred, king of the Northumbrians, was
killed ; and Ceob-ed, king of the Mercians, died ; and Egbert,
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A.0.731.] WOBKS OF BEDE. 297
the man of God, brought the monks of Hii to observe the
Catholic Eaater and ecclesiastical tonsure.
In the year 725, Withred, king of Kent, died.
In the year 729, comets appeared ; the holy Egbert de-
parted ; and Osric died.
In the year 731, Archbishop Bertwald died.
The same year Tatwine was consecrated ninth archbishop
of Canterbury, in the fifteenth year of Ethelbald, king of
Kent.
Thus much of the Ecclesiastical History of Britain, and
more especially of the English nation, as far as I could learn
either from the writings of the ancients, or the tradition of
our ancestors, or of my own knowledge, has, with the help
of God, been digested by me, Bede, the servant of God, and
priest of the monastery of the blessed apostles, Peter and
Paul, which is at Wearmouth and Jarrow ; who being bom
in the territory of that same monastery, was given, at seven
years of age, to be educated by the most reverend Abbat
Benedict, and afterwards by Ceolfrid ; and spending all the
remaining time of my life in that monastery, I wholly applied
myself to the study of Scripture, and amidst the observance
of regular discipline, and the daily care of singing in the
church, I always took delight* in learning, teaching, and
writing. In tfe nineteenth year of my age, I received
deacon's orders; in the thirtieth, those of the priesthood,
both of them by the ministry of the most reverend Bishop
John, and by order of the Abbat Ceolfrid. From which
time, till the fifty-ninth year of my age, I have made it my
business, for the use of me and mine, to compile out of the
works of the venerable Fathers, and to interpret and explain
according to their meaning these following pieces : —
\ On the Beginning of Genesis, to the Nativity of Isaac and
the Reprobation of Ismael, three books.
*^ Of the Tabernacle and its Yessels, and of the Priestly
Vestments, three books.
*> On the first Part of Samuel, to the Death of Saul, four
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298 BE1>E*S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b. v. c. 84.
^ Of the Building of the Temple, of Allegorical Expo^ti<»i,
like the rest, two books.
^ Item, on the Book of Kings, thirty Questions.
f- On Solomon's Proverbs, three books.
7 On the Canticles, seven books.
*0n Isaiah, Daniel, the twelve Prophets, and Part of Jere-
miah, Distinctions of Chapters, collected out of St Jer<»ne's
Treatise.
^ On Esdras and Nehemiah, three books.
> . On the Song of Habacuc, one book.
'^'On the Book of the blessed Father Tobias, one Book of
Allegorical Exposition concerning Christ and the Church.
Also, Chapters of Readings on Moses's Pentateuch, Joshua,
and Judges.
/ ; On the Books c^ Kings and Chnmicles.
On the Book of the blessed Father Job.
> On the Parables, Ecclesiastes, and Canticles.
^ On the Prophets Isaiah, Esdras, and Nehemiah.
On the Gospel of Mark, four books.
On the Grospel of Luke, six books.
Ctf Homilies on the Gro^pel, two books.
On the Apostle, I have carefully transcribed in ordor all
that I have found in St. Augustine's Works.
^ On the Acts of the Apostles, two books.
;70n the seven Catholic Epistles, a book on each.
^'On the Revelation of St. John, three books.
''•'Also, Chapters of Readings on all the New Testunent,
except the Gospel.
s Also a book of Epistles to different Persons, of which cwne
is of the Six ages of the world ; one of the Mansions of the
Children of Israel ; one on the Words of Isaiah, " And they
shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shaft
they be visited ;" one of the Reas<Hi of the Bissextile, or
Leap* Year, and of the Equinox, according to Anatolius.
' Also, of the Histories of Saints. I translated the Bo<^ of
the life and Passion of St. FeUx, Confess<Mr, from Paulinus's
Work in metre, into prose.
The Book of the Life and Passion of St. Anastasius,
which was ill translated from the Greek, and worse amended
by some unskilful person, I have corrected as to the sense.
I have written the Life of the Holy Father Cuthbert, who
A.D. 6e4.] WOBKS OF BEDE. 299
was both monk and prelate, irst in heroic Terse, and then in
prose.
* ^ The History of the Ahhats of this McHiastery, in which I
rejoice to serve the Divine Groodness, viz. Benedict, Ceolfrid,
and Hneib^ in two books.
i"^ The Ecclesiastical BBstory «f our Island and Nation in
five books.
H The Martyrdkigy of the Bhrlh-dayfi of the Holjr Martyrs,
in which I Imve durefnlly endeavoured to set down all that I
could find, and not only on what day, but also by what sort
of combat, or under what judge they overcame the world.
^'^A. Book of Hymns in several sorts of melxe, or rhyme.
^ ^ A Book of Epigrams in heroic or elegiac verse.
* ^Of the Nature of Things, and of the Times, one book of
each.
^ ■< Also, of the Times, one larger book.
*ij^A. book of Orthography digested in Alphabetict^ Order.
? ? Also a Book of the Art of Poetry, and to it I have added
another little Book of Tropes and Figures ; that is, of the
Figures and Manners of Speaking in which the Holy Scrip-
tures are written.
>^ And now, I beseech thee, good Jesus, that to whom thou
hast graciously granted sweetly to partake of the w(Mfds of
thy wisdom and knoi?dedge, thou wilt also vouchsafe that he
may some time or other come to thee, the fountain of all
wisdom, and always appear before thy face, who livest and
reignest world without end Amen !
HERB ENDS, BT GOD's HELP,
I'HE FIFTH BOOK
OP THB ECCLESIASTICAL mSTOBY
OF THE ENGLISH NATION.
(WhaJt fiOxnot tcpjpwn tohtly mwAtr htmd,)
[In the year fiom the incarnation of oar Lord 782, E^fbert was made bishop
of York, in the room of Wilfrid [11.]; Cnnebert, bishqi of Lindis&rians
[SidDacester?! died.
A. D. 733, there happened an eclipse of the snn, on the 18th dar before the
kalends of September, about the ttiird honr of the day ; m> that almost all the
crb of the sun seemed to be corered vrith a black and horrid shield.
in the year from tiie incarnation of our Lord 733, archbishop Tatwine
300 BBDE's ecclesiastical HISTOBT. [B.r.c23.
hannff reoeiyed the pall by apoatolical aothorit j, ordained Alwich* and Sig-
fridf bishops.
A. D. 734, the moon, on the 2nd before the kalends of February, about the
time of cock-crowing, was, for about a whole hour, covered with a bloody red,
after which a blackness followed, and she regained her light.
In the year from the incarnation of our Lord 734, bishop Tatwine died.
In the year from the incarnation of our Lord 735, Mothelm was ordained
archbishop; and bishop Egbert, having received the pall from the apostolic see,
was the first confirmed archbishop after Paulinus, and ordained Frithbert^ and
Frith waldil bishops ; and the priest Bede died.
▲. D. 737^ too much drought rendered the land unfruitfid» and Ceolwulf,
voluntarily receiving the tonsure, left the kingdom to Eadbert.
A. D. 739, Ethelard, king of the West-Saxons, died, as did archbishop
Nothelm.
A. D. 740, Cuthbert was consecrated in Nothelm's steady Ethdbald, king
of the Mercians, through impious fraud, wasted part of the Northumbrians,
their king Eadbert, with his army, being employed against the Picts. Bishop
Ethelwald died also^ and Conwuu was consecrated m his stead. Amwin and
Eadbert were slun.
A. D. 741, first a great drought hapjpened in the country. Charles, king of
the Franks, died ; and his sons, Caroloman and Pepin, reigned in his stead.
A. D. 745, Bishop Wilfrid and Ingwald, bishop of London, departed to oor
Lord.
A. D. 747, the man of God, Herefrid, died.
A.D. 750, Cnthred, king of the West Saxons, rose up against king Ethelbald
and Oenguse ; Theneorus and Eanred died ; Eadbert added the plain of Kyle
and other places to his dominions.
A. 0. 756, in the fifth year of king Eadbert, on the ides of January, there
happened an eclipse of the sun ; afterwards, the same year and month, on the
9th before the kalends of February the moon suffered an eclipse, being most
horridly black.
A. D. 756, Boniface, called also Winfrid, bishop of the Franks, received the
crown of martyrdom, with fifty-three others ; and Redger was consecrated
archbishop in his stead, h^ pope Stephen.
A. D. 757, Ethelbald, king of the Mercians, was miserably murdered, in the
night, by Ids own tutors ; Beonred began lus reign ; Cynewulf, king of the
West-Saxons, died ; and the same year, Offa, having vanquished Beomed, in a
bloody manner, sought to gain the kingdom of the Mercians.
A. D. 758, Eadbert. king of the Northumbrians, receiving St. Peter's ton-
sure for the love of God, and to gain the heavenly country by violence, left the
kingdom to his son Oswulph.
A. D. 759, Oswulph was wickedly murdered by his own servants; and Ethel-
wald, bdng chosen the same year by his people, entered upon the kingdom ; in
whose second year there happened a great tribulation of mortality, and c<m-
tinned almost two years, several grievous distempers raging, but more espe-
cially the dysentery.
A. D. 761, Deng, king of tne Picts, died ; who, firom the beginninff to the
end of his reign, continned a bloody tyrannical butcher : Oswin wai abo slain.
A. D. 765, filing Alcred was advanced to the throne.
A. D. 766, Arcnbishop Egbert, of the royal race, and endued with Divine
knowledge, as also Frithbert, both of them truly faithful prelates, departed to
our Lord.]
* Sidnaoester. f Selsej. % Hezhsm. il Wfaitheras.
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THE
ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE.
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THE
ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE.^
[The island t oi Britain is eight hundred miles long and
two hundred miles broad : and here in this island are fire
tongues ; English, British, Scottish, Fictish, and Latin. The
first inhabitants of this land were Britons ; they came fr<Hn
Armenia,:^ and fbrst settled in the south of Britain. Then
befell it that Picts came &om the south &om Scjthia, with
long ships, not many, and first landed in North Hibemia,
and there entreated the Soots that they might there abide.
But they would not permit them, for they said that they
could not all abide there together. And then the Scots said,
* We may nevertheless give you counseL We know another
island eastward of this, where ye may dwell if ye will, and
if any one withstand you, we will assist you, so that you may
subdue it.' Then went the Picts and subdued this land
northwards ; the southern part the Britons had, as we before
have said. And the Picts obtained wives for themselves of
the Scots, on this condition, that they should always choose
their royal lineage on the woman's side ; which they have
held ever since. And then befell it in the course of years
* The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is apparently the work of many successiye
hand^ and extends in different copies from the time of Caesar's invasion to
the middle of the twelfth century. As it has been repeatedly printed, it
may suffice here to repeat, that, with the exception of the insertions placed
within brackets, the text to the year 975 is mostly taken firom the MS.
designated by the letter A.; from that period to 1079 from MSS. A, C, />•
E, F, and O., and from theoice to the conclusion from MS.iS'. : and that such
portions of the different MSS. as are concurrent with the text, but will not
ctaveniently admit of collation, are giren separately in a smaller type.
These variations will sometimes convey the same information two or three
times over:, but it has been deemed advisable to retain all of them
that the reader may have a more ample means of judging of the authori^
of this invaluable national record.
t This description of Britain is taken from Bedels Ecclesiastical
History. % Armorica.
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304 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 1-5.
that some part of the Scots departed from Hibemia into
Britain, and conquered some portion of the land. And their
leader was called Reoda ; from whom thej are named
Dalreodi.*]
Sixty years before Christ was bom, Gains Julius, emperor
of the Romans, with eighty ships, sought Britain. There he
was at first distressed by a fierce battle, and a large portion
of his army was dispersed. And then he left his army to
abide among the Scots,f and went south into Gaul, and there
collected six hundred ships, with which he came again into
Britain. And as they first rushed together, the emperor's
*gerrefa'| was slain: he was called Labienus. Then the
Welsh took large and sharp stakes and drove them into the
fording place of a certain river under water ; this river was
called Thames. When the Romans discovered this, then
would they not go over the ford. Then fled the Britons to
the wood-wastes, and the emperor conquered very many of
their chief cities after a great struggle, and departed again
into Guul.
Before the incarnation of Christ sixty years. Gains Julius the emperor,
first of the Romans, sought the land of Britain; and he crushed the Britons
in battle, and overcame them : and neyertheless he was unable to gain any
empire there.
A.D. 1. Octavianus reigned fifty-six years; and in the
forty-second year of his reign Christ was bom.
A. 2. The three astrologers came from the eastern parts
in order that they might worship Christ. And the children
were slain at Bethlehem, in persecution of Christ by
Herod.
A. 3. This year died Herod, having stabbed himself, and
Archelaus his son succeeded to the government. And the
child Christ was brought back again from Egypt.
A. 4. 6. §
* See the etymology of this name in a note at page 7*
f <*Thi8 is an error, ariribg firom the inaccurately written MSS. of
Orosius and Bede ; where in Hybemia and in Hibemiam occur for m
hibema. The error is retained in Wheloc's Bede." — Inobam.
X " Tribune."— Ingram.
§ These blank dates are found in the MSS. of the Saxon Chronicle, and
are retained m this volume, for the sake of references which occur between
the MSS. where the date happens to be blank, and others in idiich fexia
are assigned to them. ^ i
. Digitized by V^OOgle
A.0. 6-47.] TH£ ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 305
A. 6. From the beginning of the world to this year, five
thousand and two hundred years were gone by.
A. 7.— 10.
A. 11. This year Herod the son of Antipater obtained
the government of Judea.
A. 12. Philip and Herod divided Lysia (between them)^
and Judea they divided into tetrarchies.
A. 12. Tliis year Judea was divided into four tetrarchies.
A. 13.— 16.
A. 16. This year Tiberius succeeded to the empire.
A. 17.— 25.
A. 26. This year Pilate began to rule over the Jews.
A. 27.-29.
A. 30. This year Christ was baptized ; and he converted
Peter and Andrew, and James and John and Philip, and the
twelve apostles.
A. 31. 32.
A. 33. This year Christ was crucified; being from the
beginning of the world about five thousand two hundred and
twenty-six years.
A. 34. This year St Paul was converted, and St Stephen
stoned.
A. 35. This year the biassed apostle Peter established a
bishop's see in the city of Antioch.
A 36. 37.
A. 38. This year Pilate slew himself with his own hand.
A. 39. This year Caius obtained the empire.
A. 40. Matthew, in Judea, began to write his gospel.
A. 41.— 44.
A. 45. This year the blessed apostle Peter established a
bishop's see in Rome. This year James, the brother of John,
was slain by Herod.
A. 46. This year Herod died ; he who slew James, one
year before his own death.
A. 46. This year the emperor Claudius came to Britain, and suhdued
a large part of the island ; and he also added the island of Orkney to the
dominion of the Romans.
A. 47. This year Claudius, second of the Roman kings^
sought the land of Britain, and brought under his power the
greater part of the island, and also subjected the Orkney
Islands to the dominion of the Romans. This war he
306 THE ANQLO-SAXON GHBONICLE. [a.ow 47— lee.
effected in the fourth year of his reign : and in the same
year was the great famine in Syria, which was foretold in
the Acts of the Apostles through Agabus the prophet. Then
Nero succeeded to the empire after Claudius : he nearly lost
the island of Britain through his cowardice. Mark the
Erangelist begins to write the gospel in Egypt.
A. 47. This was in the fourth year of his reign, and in this same year
was the great famine in Syria which Luke sp^s of in the book called
* Actus Apostolorum.'
A. 47. This year Claudius, king of the Romans, went with an army into
Britain, juid subdued the island, and subjected aU the Picts and Wcdsh to
the rule of the Ronums. *
A.- 48. In this year there was a very severe famine.
A. 49. This year Nero began to reign.
A. 50. This year Paul was sent in bonds to Rome.
A. 51.— 61
A. 62. This year James, the brother of our Lord, suffered
martyrdom.
A. 63. This year Mark the Evangelist died.
A. 64.-68.
A. 69. This year Peter and Paul suffered martyrdom.
A. 69. This year Peter suffered on the cross, and Paul was slain,
A. 70. This year Vespasian obtained the empire.
A. 71. This year Titus, the son of Vespasian, slew one
hundred and eleven thousand Jews in Jerusalem.
A. 72.— 80.
A. 81. This year Titus succeeded to the empire, after
Vespasian ; he who said that he had lost the day on which
he had done no good.
A. 82. 83.
A. 84. This year Domitian, the brother of Titus, suc-
ceeded to the empire.
A. 84. This year John the Apostle wrote the book which is called
Apocalypse.
A. 85. 86.
A. 87. This year John the Evangelist wrote the book of
the Apocalypse in the island of Patmos.
A. 88.-99.
A. 100. This year Simon the apostle, the kinsman of
Christ, was crucified, and John the Evangelist rested in
death on that day at Ephesus. r^^^^i^
^ -^ Digitized by VjOOQIC
*.D 101-286.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONIGLE. 307'
A. 101. This year pope Clement died,
A. 102.— 109.
A. 110. This year Ignatius the bishop suflfered martTrdom.
A. 111.— 115.
A. 116. This year Adrian the emperor b^an to reign.
A. 117.— 186.
A. 137. This year Antoninus began to reign.
A. 188.— 144.
A. 145. This year Marcus Antoninus and Aurelius his
brother succeeded to the empire.
A. 146.— 166.
A. 167. This year Eleutherins obtained the bishopric of
R(Hne, and held it in great glory for twelve years.* To him
Lucius, king of Britain, sent letters praying that he might be
made a Christian : and he fulfilled that he requested. And
they afterwards continued in the right faith liU the reign of
Diocletian.
A. 167. This yeax Eleutherins succeeded to the popedom, and held it
fifteen yean ; and in the same year Lucius, king of the Britons, sent and
begged baptism of him. And he soon sent it him ; and they contmued in.
the true faith until the time of Diocletian.
A. 168.-187.
A. 188. This year Severus succeeded to the empire, and
went with an army into Britain, and subdued a great part of
the island by battle ; and then, for the protection of the
Britons, he built a rampart of turf, and a broad wall thereon,
from sea to sea. He reigned seventeen years, and then
ended 1^ days at York. £Ss son Bassianus succeeded to the
empire : another son of his was called Geta ; he died.
A- 190.— 198.
A, 199. In this year^the Holy-roodf was found.
A. 200. Two hundred years.
A. 201.— 285.
A. 286. This year St. Alban the martyr suffered.
* According to Muratori, Eleutherins presided from A. 170 to A. 185.
f '^ Those writers who mention this grand discovery of the holy cross, by'
Helena the mother of Constantino, disagree so much in their chronology,
that it is a vain attempt to reconcile them to truth or to each other. This
and the other notices of ecclesiastical matters, whether Latin or Saxon,
from the year 190 to the year 380 of the Laud MS. and 381 of the
printed Chronicle, may be safely considered as interpolations, probably
posterior to the Norman Conquest."— Ingram. Dig^.g^ ^y GooqIc
x2 ^
308 THE 1MOLO-8AXON CHBONICLB. £a. d. £87-443.
A. 287.-299.
A. 300. Three hundred years.
A. 301.— 342.
A. 343. TWs year S. Nicolas died,
A. 344.-378.
A. 379. This year Gratian succeeded to the empire.
A. 380.
A. 381. This year Maximus the emperor obtained th6
empire ; he was bom in the land of Britain, and went thence
into Gaul. And he there slew the emperor Gratian, and
drove his brother, who was called Valentinian, out of the
country. And Valentinian afterwards gathered an army and
slew Maximus, and obtained the empire. In these days the
heresy of Pels^us arose throughout the world.
A. 382.— 408.
A. 409. This year the Goths took the city of Rome by
storm, and after this the Romans never ruled in Britain ; and
this was about eleven hun£>ed and ten years after it had been
built. Altogether they ruled in Britain four hundred and
seventy years since Caius Julius first sought the land.
A. 410.— 417.
A. 418. This year the Romans collected all the treasures
that were in Britain, and some they hid in the earth, so that
no one has since been able to find them ; and some they
carried with them into GauL
A. 419.— 422.
A. 423. This year Theodosius the younger succeeded to
the empire.
A. 424.-429.
A. 430. This year Palladius * the bishop was sent to the
Scots by pope Celestinus, that he might confirm their faith.
A. 430. This year Patrick was sent by pope Celestine to preach
baptism to the Scots.
A. 431.— 442.
A. 443. This year the Britons sent over sea to Rome, and
begged for help against the Picts ; but they had none, because
they were themselves warring against Attila, king of the
• * Palladius and Patiicius have been sometimes confounded together;
so that it is difficult to assign to each his respective share of merit in the
conversion of the Scots of Ireland."— Ingham. ^ j
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
iTA 444-.4S5.3 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLB. 309
Huns. And then thej sent to the Angles, and entreated the
like of the ethelings of the Angles.
A. 444. This year St. Martin died.
A. 445.-447.
A. 448. This year John the Baptist revealed his head to
two monks, who came from the east to oflTer up their prayers
at Jerusalem^ on the spot which was formerly Herod's
residence.
A. 449. This year Martianus and Yalentinus succeeded
to the empire, and reigned seven years. And in their days
Hengist and Horsa, invited by Vortigem, king of the
Britons, landed in Britain on the shore which is called
Wippidsf eet ; at first in aid of the Britons, but afterwards
they fought against them. King Vortigern gave them land
in the south-east of this country, on condition that they
should fight against the Picts. Then they fought against the
Picts, and had the victory wheresoever they came. They
then sent to the Angles ; desired a larger force to be sent,
and caused them to be told the worthlessness of the Britons,
and the excellencies of the land. Then they soon sent
thither a larger force in aid of the others. At that time
there came men from three tribes in Germany ; from the
Old-Saxons, from the Angles, from the Jutes. Frpm the
Jutes came the Kentish-men and the Wightwarians, that is,
the tribe which now dwells in Wight, and that race among
the West- Saxons which is still called the race of Jutes.
From the Old-Saxons came the men of Essex and Sussex
and Wessex. From Anglia, which has ever since remained
waste betwixt the Jutes and Saxons, came the men of East
Anglia, Middle Anglia, Mercia, and all North-humbria.
Their leaders were two brothers, Hengist and Horsa : they
were the sons of Wihtgils ; Wihtgils son of Witta, Witta of
Wecta, Wecta of Woden : from tibis Woden sprang all our
royal families, and those of the South-humbrians also.
A. 449. And in their days Vortigern invited the Angles thither, and
fhey canoe to Britain in three ceolB, at the place called Wippidsfleet:
A. 450.— 454.
A. 455. This year Hengist and Horsa fought against king
Yortigem at the place which is called ^gels-threp»
JAylesford,"] and his brother Horsa was there slain, and after
that Hengist obtained the kingdom, and ^sc hgg[gu[^
310 TfiS AKGLO-SAZOK CHBONICLB. [A^iM^igU
' A. 456. This year Hengist and JSsc slew four troops of
Britons with the edge of the sword, in the place which is
named Creccanford, [Crayford].*
A. 457. This year Hengist and JSsc his son fought
against the Britons at the place which is called Crecganf(»^
[Crayford,] and tha-e slew four thousand men ; and the
Britons ijien forsook Eait, and in great terror fled to
Ix>ndon.
A. 458.-464.
A. 465. This year Hengist and Mac fought against the
Welsh near Wippidsfleet, [Ebbsfleet ?] and tl^re skw twelve
Welsh ealdormen, and one of their own thanes was slain
there, whose name was Wipped.
A. 466.-472.
A 473. This year Hengist and Mao fought against the
Welsh, and took spoils innumeraUe ; and the Webh fled
from the Angles like fire.
A. 474.-476.
A. 477. This year iBlla, and his three sons, Cymen, and
Wlendng, and Cissa, came to the land of Britain with three
ships, at a place which is named Cymenes-ora, and there
slew many Welsh, and some they drove in flight into the
wood that is named Andreds-lea.
A. 478.— 481.
A. 482. This year the blessed abbat Benedict, by the
glory of his miracles, shone in this wcurld, as the blessed
Gregory relates in his book of Dialogues.
A. 483. 484.
A. 485. This year iBlla fought against the Welsh near
^e bank of Mearcitedsbum.
A. 486. 487.
A. 488. This year Mac succeeded to the kingdom, and
was king of the Kentbh-men twenty-four years.
A. 489. 490.
A. 491. Tliis year iEUla and Cissa besi^ed Andreds-
cester, and slew sJl that dwelt therein, so that not a single
Briton was there left.
* The positions usuallj assigned to various {daces mentioned in the
earlier portion of the Chionicle, are often reiy uncertain, depending chiefljr
on a supposed or real simiiaritj of names. Where these^ however, appear
sufficiently probable, thejr are placed between brackets if othawisE^ a
quaere U added. Digi,,,^ by GoOgle
aIo. 49&>«34.j THS AITGliO-SAXON OHBONICLB. 311
A. 492.-494.
A. 495. This year two ealdormea came to Britain, Cerdiis
and Cjnric his son, with five ships, at the place which is
called Cerdics-ore, and the same day they fought against the
Welsh.*
A. 496 50a
A. 501. This year Port, and his two sons Bieda and
Ma^la, came to Britain with two ships, at a place which is
called Portsmouth, and they soon effected a landing, and they
there slew a young British man of high nobility.
A. 502.-^07.
A. 508. This year Cerdic and Cynric slew a British king,
whose name was Natan-leod, and five thousand men with
him. After that the country was named Natan-lea, tA far
Cerdicsford, [Charford.]
A. 509. This yeart St Benedict the abbat, father of all
monks, went to heaven.
A. 510.— 513.
A. 514. This year the West-Saxons came to Britdn
with three ships, at the place which is called Cerdic's-ore,
and Stuf and Whitgar fought against the Britons, and put
them to fiight.
A. 515.— 518.
A. 519. This year Cerdic and Cynric obtained the king-
dom of the West- Saxons ; and the same year they fought
against the Britons where it is now named Cerdicsford.
And from that lime forth the royal offspring of the West-
Saxons reigned.
A. 520.— 526.
A. 527. This year Cerdic and Cynric fought against the
Britons at the place which is called Cerdic's-lea.
A. 528. 529.
A. 530. This year Cerdic and Cynric conquered the
island of Wight, and slew manjn men at Whit-garas-byrg^
[Carisbrooke, in Wight.]
A. 531 633.
A. 534. This year Cerdic, the first king of the West
Saxons, died, and Cynric his son succeeded to the kingdom,
* Gibson here introduced into the text a long genealogy, which, as Dr.
Ingram observes : ^ is not justiBed by a single MS."
h Benedict died, according to Mabillon, in 543. ^^^^ ^^ GoOqIc
312 THE ANGLO-SAXON GHl^NIGLE. [a.d. 63ff-«80i
anil reigned from that time twenty-six years ; and they gave
the whole island of Wight to their two nephews, Stuf and
Wihtgar.
A. 535.-^37.
A. 538. This year, fourteen days before the Kalends of
March, the sun was eclipsed from early morning till nine in
the forenoon.
A. 539.
A. 540. This year the sun was eclipsed on the twelfth
before the Kalends of July, and the stars showed themselves
full-nigh half an hour after nine in the forenoon.
A. 541.— 543.
. A. 544. This year Wihtgar died, and they buried hmi in
Wiht-gara-byrg. [Carisbrooke.]
A. 545. 546.
A. 547. This year Ida began to reign, from whom arose
the royal race of North-humbria ; and he reigned twelve
years, and built Bambrough, which was at first enclosed by
a hedge, and afterwards by a walL Ida was the son of
Eoppa, Eoppa of Esa, Esa of Ingwi, Ingwi of Angenwit,
Angenwit of Aloe, Aloe of Benoc, Benoc of Brond, Brond
of Beldeg, Beldeg of Woden, Woden of Frithowald, Fritho-
wald of Frithuwul^ Frithuwulf of Finn, Finn of GodwuJ^
Godwulf of Great
A. 548.— 551.
A. 552. This year Cynric fought against the Britons at
the place which is called Searo-byrig [Old Sarum], and he
put the Britons to flight. Cerdic was Cynric's father ,
Cerdic was the son of Elesa, Elesa of Esla, Esla of Crewis,
Grewis of Wig, Wig of Freawin, Freawin of Frithogar, Fri-
thogar of Brond, Brond of Beldeg, Beld^ of Woden. And
Ethelbert, the son of Ermenric was born ; and in the thir-
tieth year of his reign he received baptism, the first of the
kings in Britain. »
A. 553.-555.
A. 656, This year Cynric and Ceawlin fought against the
Britons at Berin-Byrig, [Banbury ?]
A. 557 559.
A. 560. This year Ceawlin succeeded to the kingdom of
the West- Saxons, and Ida being dead. Alia succeeded to the
kingdom of North-humbria, each of whom^eigned thirty
Digitized by VjOP •
A.D. 561-^71.] THE AN6LO-8AXON CHBOMICLB. 313
years. Alia was the son of Iff, Iff of Usfrey, Usfrey of
Wilgw, Wi^s of Westerfalcon, Westerfalcon of Seafowl;
Seafowl g£ Sebbald, Sebbald of Sigeat, Sigeat of Swadd,
Swadd of Sygar, Sygar of Waddy, Waddy of Woden,
Woden of Frithuwulf.
A. 561-^64.
A. 665. This year Ethelbert* succeeded to the kingdom
of the Kentish-men, and held it fifty-three years. In his
days the holy pope Gregory sent us baptism, that was in the
two and thirtieth year of his reign : and Columba, a mass-
priesl) came to the Picts, and converted them to the faith of
Christ : they are dwellers by the northern mountains. And
their king gave him the island which i^ called li [lona]:
therein are five hides of land, a£r men say. There Columba
built a monastery, and he was abbat there thirty-seven years,
and there lie died when he was seventy-two years old. His
successors still have the place. The Southern Picts had
been baptized long before: bishop Ninia, who had been in-
structed at Rome, had preached baptism to them, whose
church and his monastery is at Whitheme, consecrated in the
name of St. Martin : there he resteth, with many holy men.
Now in li there must ever be an abbat, and not a bishop ;
and all the Scottish bishops ought to be subject to him, be-
cause Columba was an abbat and not a bishop.
A. 565. This year Columba the presbyter came from the Scots among
the Britons^ to instruct the Picts, and he built a monasteiy in the island of
HiL
A. 566. 567.
A. 568. This year Ceawlin, and Cutha, Ceawlin's brother,
fought against Ethelbert, and drove him into Kent, and they
killed two ealdormen at Wibban-dune [Wimbledon],f Oslaf
and Cnebba.
A. 569. 570.
A. 571. This year Cuthulf fought against the Britons
at Bedcanford [Bedford], and took four towns, Lygean-birg
fLenbury], and iEgeles-birg [Aylesbury], and Bsenesington
fBenson], and Egonesham [Eynsham] ; and the same year
he died. Cutha was Ceawlin's brother.
* Bede [li. 5,] says Ethelbert died on February 23, a.d. 616, afler a
reign of fifiy-ffix yean. This would make it out that he succeeded to the
tliFime in a.d. 560. f Or Worplesdcm, Sune^.^ ^^ Google
314 THB AHGLO-SAXON CHBCWICLB. U-d. 57a-«00.
A. 572.-^76.
A. 577. This year Cathwine and Ceawlin fought against
the Britons, and they slew three kings, Comail, aiid Condi-
dan, and Farinmeail, at the plaee which is called Deorham
[Derham ?], and took three cities from theniy Gloucester,
and Cirencester, and Bath.
A, 678 582.
A. 583. This jear Manridus succeeded to the empire ci
the Romans.
A. 584. This year Ceawlin and Cutha fought against the
Britons at the place which is called Fethan-Iea, [fVethem ?]
and there was Cutha slain ; and Ceawlin took many towns,
and spoils innumerable ; and wrathful he thence returned to
his own.
A. 685.-587.
A. 588. This jear King .Mle died, and Ethelric rdgned
after him five yean.
A. 689.
590. At this period Ceol reigned fire yean.
591. This year in Britain was a great slaughter in battle
ayWoddesbeoig [Wemborow ?], and. Ceawlin was expelled*
y^A. 592. This year Gregory succeeded to the popedtnn in
Borne.
A. 593. This year Ceawlin, and Cwichelm, and Crida,
perished ; and EtheL&ith succeeded to the kingdom of the
North-humbrians ; he was the son of JBthelric, JBthelric of
Ida.
A. 594. 595.
A. 596. This year Pope Gregory sent Augustine to Britain,
with a great many monks, who preached the word of Gk)d to
the nation of the Angles.
A. 597. This year Ceolwulf began to reign over the
West-Saxons ; and he fought and contended incessantly
against either the Angles, or the Welsh, or the Picts, or the
Scots. He was the son of Cutha, Cutha of Cynric, Cynric
of Cerdic, Cerdic of Elesa, Elesa of Esla, Esla of Gewis,
Gewis of Wig, Wig of Freawine, Preawine of Pritiiogor,
Frithogar of Brond, Brond of Beldeg, Beldeg of Woden.
This year Augustine and his companions came to the land
of the Angles.
A. 598.— 60a CoooIp
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A-D. 601— «14.] THE AN6LO-SAX<^ OHBONICLE. 515
A. 601. This year Pope Gr^;ory sent a pall to Arch-
bishop Augustine in Britain, and also a great many religious
teachers to assist him, and amongst them was Paulinus the
bishop, who afterwards converted Edwin, king of the North-
hmnbrians, to baptism.
A. 602.
A. 603. This year there was a battle at Egesanstane.*
A. 603. This year iBthan, king of the Scots, fought against the
Dalreods and against Ethdfnth king of the Noith-hnmbiians, at
Dsgsanstane [Dawston!], and they slew almost all his anny. Theie
Th^bald, £thelfiith*s brother, was slain with all his band. Since then
no king of the Scots has dared to lead an army against this nation^
Bering, the son of Bussa, led the enemy thither.
A. 604. This jear the East-Saxons received the faith and
baptism under King Sebert and Bishop Mellitus.
A. 604. This year Augustine consecrated two bishops, Mellitus and
Justus. Be sent Mellitus to preach baptism to the East- Saxons, whose
king was called Sebeit son of Ricole, the uster of Ethelbert^ and
whom Ethelbert had there appointed king. And JEthelbert gave
Mellitus a bishop's see in London, and to Justus he gaye RocheBter, which
is twenty-four mileii from Cantabury.
A. 605.
A. 606. This year Pope Gr^ory died, about ten yean
after he had sent us baptism ; his father was called Grordian.
and his mother Silvia.
A. 607. This year Ceolwulf fought against the South-
Saxons. And this year Ethelfrith led his army to Chester,
and there slew numberless Welshmen : and so was fulfilled
^e prophecy of Augustine, wherein he saith, * If the Welsh
will not be at peace with us, they shall perish at the hand^
of the Saxons.' There also were slain two himdred priests^
who came to pray for the army of the Welsh : their ealdor
was called Scromail [Brocmail], who with some fifty escaped
thence.
A. 608.— 610.
A. 611. This year Cynegils succeeded to the kingdom of
the West-Saxons, and held it thirty-one years. Cynegils
was the son of Ceol, Ceol of Cutha, Cutha of Cynric.
A. 612. 613.
A. 614. This year Cynegils and Cuicheboi fought at
* See Bede's £ccl. Hist lib. I c. 34, p. 6
gitized '""
^yteoogk
816 THE AK6L0-SAX0N CHRONICLE. [a.d. 615-«1«L
Beandune* [Bampton ?], and slew two thousand and sixty-
five Welshmen.
A. 615
A. 616. This year Ethelbert, king of the Kentish-men,
died ; he was the first English king who received baptism,
and he was the son of Eormenric ; he reigned fifty-six
years, and from the beginning of the world to this same
year five thousand eight hundred years were gone by ; and
after him Eadbald his son succeeded to the kingdom ; he for-
sook his baptismal vow, and lived after the manner of the
heathens, so that he had his father's widow to wife. Then
Laurentius, who was archbishop of Kent, was minded that
he would go southwards over the sea, and leave it entirely,
But the apostle Peter came to him by night and scourged
him sorely, because he wished thus to forsake the fiock of
Grod, and commanded him to go to the king and preach the
true faith to him ; and he did so, and the king was con-
verted and was baptized. In this king's days Laurentiuft;
who was archbishop of Kent after Augustine, died, and was
buried beside Augustine on the 4th Non. Feb. After him
Mellitus, who formerly had been bishop of London, suc-
ceeded to the archbishopric : then the men of London, where
Mellitus had been formerly, became heathens (again). And
in about five years, during the reign of Eadbald, Mellitus
departed to Christ Then after him Justus succeeded to the
archbishopric ; and he consecrated Bomanus to Rochester*
where formerly himself had been bishop.
A. 616. In that time Laurentius was archbishop, and for the sorrow-
fulnen which he had on account of the king's unbelief he was minded to
forsake this country entirely, and go over sea ; but St Peter the apos-
tle scourged him sorely one night, because he wished thus to forsake the
flock of God, and commanded him to teach boldly the true ^th to the
king ; and he did so, and the king turned to the right (faith). In the days
of this same king, Eadbald, this Laurentius died. The holy Augustine,
while yet in sound health, ordained him bishop, in order that the commu*
nity of Christ, which wiis yet new in England, should not after his decease
be at any time without an archbishop. After him Mellitus, who had been
previously bishop of London, succeeded to the archbishopric. And with*
in five years of the decease of Laurentius, while Eadbald still reigned,
MeUitus departed to Christ.
♦ This is more likely to be Bampton in Oxfordshire, than Bampton in
Devonshire, which is by far too remote to admit the supposition that tlis
battie in question was fought there. ^igi,,,, ^y GoOglc
A.i». 617r-627.1 THB ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 317
A. 617. This year Ethelfrid king of the North-hum-
brians was slain by Redwald king of the East- Angles, and
Edwin the son of Alia succeeded, to the kingdom, and
subdued all Britain, the Kentish-men alone excepted. And he
drove out the ethelings, sons of Ethelfrid ; that is to say,
first Eanfrid, Oswald, and Oswy, Oslac, Oswudu, Oslaf^
andOffa.
A* 618.
A. 619. This year archbishop Laurentius died.
A. 620.— 623.
A. 624. This year archbishop Mellitus died.
A. 625. This year Paulinus was ordained bishop of the
North-humbrians by archbishop Justus on the xn. Kalends
of August.
A. 625. This jear archbishop Justus consecrated Paulinus bishop of
tile North-humbrians.
A. 626. This year Eumer came from Cuichelm king of
the West- Saxons, thinking to stab king Edwin. But he
stabbed Lilla his thane, and Forthhere, and wounded the
king. And on the same night a daughter was bom to Ed-
win : she was called Eanfled. Then the king made a vow
to Paulinus that he would give his daughter to God, if he
would obtain of God that he might kill his foe who had sent
the assassin. And he then went with an army against the
West-Saxons, and there killed five kings, and slew a great
number of the people. And at Pentecost Paulinus baptized
his daughter with twelve others. And within a twelvemonth
the king and all his court were baptized at Easter ; that year
Easter fell on the second before the Ides of ApriL This was
done at York, where he first ordered a church to be built of
wood, which was consecrated in the name of St. Peter.
There the king gave Paulinus a bishop's see, and there he
afterwards commanded a larger church to be built of stone.
And this year Penda succeeded to the kingdom [Merda], and
reigned tlurty years ; and he was fifty yeass (old) when he suc-
ceeded to the kingdom. Penda was the son of Pybba, Pybba of
Creoda, Creoda of Cynewald, Cynewald of Cnebba, Cnebba
of Icel, Icel of Eomaer, Eomser of Angeltheow, Angeltheow
of Offa, Offa of Wsermund, Waermund of Wihtlaeg, Wihtl»g
of Woden.
A 627. This year king Edwin was J>aj^|ped with h'
318 THE AKGLO-flAXOK CHBOKIOUe. UA827->e8&
people hj Fanlinus at^ Easter. And this Paulinns also
preached baptism in Lindsey, where the first who believed
was a certain great man called Blecca, with all his followers.
And in this time Honorius, who sent Fanlinus his paD,
succeeded to the popedom after Boniface. And archbishop
Justus died on the fourth before the Ides of November^ and
Honorius was consecrated archbishop of Canterbury by
Fanlinus at Lincoln. And to this Honorius the pope also
sent a pall : and he sent a letter to the Scots, desiring that
they should turn to the right Easter.
A. 627. This jear, at Easter, Pauliniis baptized Edwio king of the
North-humbrians, with his people : and earlier within the same year, al
Pentecost, he had baptized £anfled daughter of the same king.
A. 628. This year Cynegils and Cuichelm fought against
Fenda at Cirencester ; and then made a treaty.
A. 629.— 631.
A. 632. This year Eorpwald was baptized.
A. 633. This year king Edwin was slain by Cadwalla and
Fenda at Heathfield [Ha^eld Chase ?] on the second before
the Ides of October, and he reigned seventeen years ; and his
son Osfrid was also slain with him. And alter that went
Cadwalla and Fenda and laid waste the whole country of the
North-humbrians. When Fanlinus saw that^ he took
Ethelberga, Edwin's widow, and departed in a ship to
Kent. And Eadbald and Honorius received him very
honourably, and gave him a bishop's see in Rochester ; and
he dwelt there till his end.
A. 634. This year Osric, whom Fanlinus had formerly
baptized, succeeded to the kingdom of Deira ; he was the son of
Elfric, Edwin's uncle. And EanMd the son of Ethelfrid
succeeded to Bemicia. And this year also bishop Birinus
first preached baptism to the West-Saxons under king
Cynegils. Birinus came thither by command of Honorius
the pope, and he there was bishop until his life's end. And
this year also Oswald succeeded to the kingdom oi the
North-humbrians, and he reigned nine years ; the ninth
being numbered to him because of the heathenism which
they practised who reigned over them the one year between
him and Edwin.
A. 635. This year king Cynegils was baptized by Birinus
A.D. e3§-6440 THE ANGLO-SAXON OHBONICLB. * 319
the bishop, at Dorchester, and Oswald king of the North
humbrians was his godfather.
A. 636. This year king Cuichehn was baptized at
Dorchester, and the same year he died. And bishop
Felix preached the faith of Christ to the East- Angles.
A. 637. 638
A. 639. This year Birinus baptized king Cuthred at
Dorchester, and received him as his (god) soa.
A. 640. This year Eadbald, king of the Kentish-men,
died, and he reigned twenty-five years. He had two sons,
Ermenred kad Earconbert, and Earcoubert reigned there
after his father. He overl^irew all idolatry in his kingdom,
and was the first of the English kings who establish^ the
Easter-fast. His daughter was called Earcongota, a holy
woman and a wondrous person, whose mother was Sexberga,
daughter of Anna, king of the East- Angles. And Ermenred
begot two sons, who afterwards were martyred by Thunner.
A. 641.
A. 642. This year Oswald, king of the North-humbrians,
was slain by Penda and the South-humbrians at Maserfeld
on the NonjQS of August,* and his body was buried at Bardney.
His sanctity and h^ miracles were afterwards manifested in
various ways beyond this island, and his hands are at
Bambrough, uncorrupted. And the same year that Oswald
was slain, Oswy his brother succeeded to the kingdom of
the North-humbrians, and he^ reigned two less (than) thirty
years.
A. 643. This year Kenwalk silcpeeded to the kingdom of
the West-Saxons, and held it thirty-one years ; and Kenwalk
commanded the old church at Winchester to be built in the
name of St Peter : and he was the son of Oynegils.
A. 644. This year Paulinus died, on the sixth before the
Ides of October ;t he was first archbishop of York, and after-
wards at Rochester. He was bishop one less (than) twenty
years, and two months and twenty-one days. And this year
Oswin's uncle's son, J the son of Osric, succeeded to the
kingdom of Deira, and reigned seven years.
• The 5th of August. t The 10th of Octoher.
t This is apparently corrapt, and should be read * Oswin, the son of
Osricy Edwin's uncle's son.' See Bede, iii. 1^ and above An. 634.
320 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONIOLE. [a.i>. 645-8S8.
A. 645. This year king Kenwalk was driven out of his
kingdom by king Penda.
A. 646. This year king Kenwalk was baptized.
A. 647.
A. 648. This year Kenwalk gave Cuthred, his kinsman,
three thousand hides of land by Ashdown, [Aston ?] Cuthred
was the son of Cuiehelm, Cuichehoi of Cynegils. This year
the minster was built at Winchester, which king Kenwalk
caused to be made, and hallowed in the name of St. Peter.
A. 649.
A. 650. This year Agilbert, a native of Gaul, obtained
the bishopric of the West-Saxons after Birinus the Eomish
bishop.
A. 650. This year Birinus the bishop died, and Agilbert the Flrench-
man was ordained.
A. 650. This year king Oswy ordered king Oswin to
be slain, on the thirteenth before the Kal. of September ; and
about twelve days after this bishop Aidan died, on the
second before the Kal. of September. '
A. 651.
A. 652. This year Kenwall: fought at Bradford on the Avon.
A. 653. This year the Middle-Saxons, under Peada the
ealdorman, received the true faith.
A. 654. This year king Anna was slain, and Botolph began
to build a minster at Ycean-ho [Boston ?]. And this year
archbishop Honorius died, on the second before the Kalends
of October.
A. 655. This year king Oswy slew king Penda at
Winwidfield, and thirty men of royal race with him, and
some of them were kings, among whom was Ethelhere,
brother of Anna, king of the East Angles. And the
Mercians became Christians. From the banning of the
world to this time five thousand eight hundred and fifty
years were agone ; and Peada the son of Penda succeeded to
the kingdom of the Mercians.
* In his time he and Oswy the brother of king Oswald came
together, and agreed that they would rear a monastery to the
glory of Christ and the honour of St. Peter. And they did
80, and named it < Medeshamstede* [Peterborough], because
• Tliis is the first of many late additions to the Chronicle concerning
the monastery of Peterborough. They occur in only one of the MSS.
4,D. 656, 657.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 321
there is a whirpool at this place, which is called MeadswelL
And they began the foundations and wrought thereon, and
then committed it to a monk who was called Sexwulf. He
was greatly Gk)d's friend, and all the country loved him, and
he was very nobly bom, and rich in a worldly sense ; but he
is now much richer, being with Christ. And king Peada
reigned no long time, for he was betrayed by his own wife
at Easter,
This year Ithamar bishop of Rochester consecrated Deus-
dedit to the see of Canterbury on the seventh before the Ka-
lends of ApriL
A. 656.
A. 657. This year Peada died, and Wulfhere the son of
Penda succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians.
In his time the abbacy of Medeshamstede, which his
brother had begun, waxed very rich. The king favoured it
much for the love of his brother Peada, and for the love of
Oswy his brother by baptism, and for the love of abbat
Sexwulf. And he said that he would dignify and honour it,
and this by the counsel of Ethelred and Merwal his
brothers, and Kyneburg and Kyneswith his sisters, and by
the counsel of the archbishop, who was called Deus-dedit,
and by the counsel of all his witan, both clergy and laity,
who were in his kingdom ; and he did so.
Then the king sent after the abbat that he should come to
him with all speed ; and he did so. Then the king said to
the abbat, * Lo ! I have sent for thee, beloved Sexwuff, for the
behoof of my soul, and I wiU plainly tell thee for why. My
brother Peada and my dear friend Oswy began a monastery
to the glory of Christ and St. Peter. But my brother, as it
has pleased Christ, is departed this life, and lo ! my prayer
to thee is, beloved friend, that they work diligently on the
work, and I will find thee gold and silver, laind and
possessions, and all that behoveth thereto.' Then the abbat
went home and began to build ; and he so sped, by the grace
of Christ, that in a few years the monastery was ready.
When the king heard that said, he was very glad : he bade
send throughout the nation after all his thanes, after the
archbishop, and after the bishops, and after his earls, and
after all who loved God, that they should come to him ; and
lie set a day on which the monastery should be hallowed.
T Digitized by Google '
322 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. Ia.d. W7.
At the hallowing of the monastery king Wulfhere was
present, and his brother Ethelred, and his sisters Kjnebnig
and Kyneswith. And Deus-dedit archbishop of Canterbury
hallowed the monastery, and Ithamar bishop of Rochester,
and the bishop of London, who was called Wini, and the
bishop of the Mercians, who was called Jaruman, and bishop
Tuda. And there was Wilfrid the priest, who was afterwards
a bishop : and all his thanes who were within his kingdom
were there.
When the monastery had been hallowed in the name of
St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Andrew, then the king stood up
before all his thanes, and said with a clear voice, * Thanked
be the high Almighty God for the worthy deed which here
is done, and I will this day do honour to Christ and St
Peter ; and I desire that ye all assent to my words : I,
Wulfhere, do this day give to St. Peter and abbat Sexwulf, and
the monks of the monastery, these lands, and these waters,
and meres, and fens, and wears, and all the lands which lie
thereabout, which are of my kingdom, freely, so that none
but the abbat and the monks shall have any claim upon
them. This is the grant. From Medeshamstede to North-
borough, and thence to the place which is called FolejB, and
thence all the fen straight to Esendic, and from Esendic to
the place which is called Fethermouth, and thence along
the straight way ten miles to Ugdike, and thence to
Ragwell, and from RagweU five miles to the straight
stream which goeth to Elm and to Wisbeach, and thence
about three miles to Trokenholt, and from Trokenholt
straight through all the fen to Derworth which is twenty
miles long, and thence to Great Cross, and from Great Cross
through a clear water called Bradney, and thence six miles
to Ptudade, and thence onward through all the meres and
fens which lie toward Huntingdon-port, and these meres and
lakes, Shelfermere and Wittleseymere, and all the others wbidi
lie thereabout, with the land and the houses which are on the
east-half of Shelfermere, and from thence all the fens to Medes-
hamstede, and from Medeshamstede to Welmsford, and fr<»n
Welmsford to Clive, and thence to Easton, and from Easton
to Stamford, and from Stamford even as the water numedi
to the aforesaid North-borough.' These are the lands and the
fens which the kmg gave to St. Peter's monasterv^j
gitizedbyVjOO^lC
AJ>.657.] THE ANGLO-SAXON OHRONICLB. 323
Then said the king, * This gift is little ; but it is my will
that they shall hold it so royally and so freely that neither
geld nor tribute be taken fi*om it, except for the monks alone.
And thus free I will make this minster, that it be subject to
Kome alone ; and here it is my will that all of us who are
unable to go to Rome shall visit St. Peter.'
While he was saying these words, the abbat desired of
him that he would grant him what he should desire of him :
and the king granted it. ^ I have here ' godefrihte '* monks
who wish to spend their lives as anchorites, if they knew
where. And there is an island here, wliich is called
Anchorets-isle, and my desire is, that we might build a
minster there to the glory of St Mary, so that those may
dwell therein who wish to lead a life of peace and rest.*
Then the king answered, and said thus : * Behold, Sexwulf,
lo ! not only that one which thou hast desired, but all things
which I know thee to desire on our Lord's behalf, I thus
approve and grant. And I beg of thee, my brother
Ethelred, and my sisters Kyneburg and Kyneswith, that ye
be witnesses for your souls' redemption, and that ye write it
with your fingers. And I beg all those who come after me,
be they my sons, be they my brothers, or kings that come
after me, that our gift may stand, even as they would be
partakers of the life eternal, and would escape everlasting
torment. Whosoever shall take from this our gift, or the
gifts of other good men, may the heavenly gateward take
from him in the kingdom of heaven ; and whosoever will
increase it, may the heavenly gateward increase (his state) in
. the kingdom of heaven.*
These are the witnesses who were there, who subscribed
it with their fingers on the cross of Christ, and assented to it
with their tongues. King Wulfhere was the first who
confirmed it by word, and afterwards subscribed it with his
fingers on the cross of Christ ; and said thus : ^ I, king
Wulfhere, with the kings, and earls, and dukes, and thanes,
the witnesses of my gift, do confirm it before the archbishop
Deus-dedit with tti cross of Christ. >J« * * And I, Oswy king
of the North-humbrians, the friend of this monastery and of
abbat Sexwuli^ approve of it with the cross of Christ. »Ji '
* This word is rendered by Lye, ** God-fearing," and by Ingrain, simply
«^p,^„ ^ Digitized f' -e* > i-f
t2
324 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [jux «7.
*And I, king Sighere, grant it with the cross of Christ ij«'
* And I, king Sibbi, subscribe it with the cross of Christ. ij«*
* And I, Ethebed, the king's brother, grant it with the cross
of Christ. ij« ' * And we, the king's sisters, Kyneburg and
Kyneswith, we approve it.ij«' 'And I, Deus-dedit
archbishop of Canterbury, grant it. »f« ' After that, all the
others who were there assented to it with the cross of
Christ.)^ They were by name Ithamar bishop of Rochester,
and Wini bishop of London, and Jaruman who was bishop
of the Mercians, and bishop Tuda, and Wilfrid the priest,
who was afterwards bishop, and Eappa the priest, whom king
Wulf here sent to preach Christianity in the Isle of Wight, and
abbat Sexwulf, and Immine the ealdorman, and Edbert the
ealdorman, and Herefrid the ealdorman, and Wilbert the
ealdorman, and Abon the ealdorman, Ethelbald, Brordan,
Wilbert, Elmund, Frethegis. These, and many others
who were there, servants of the king, all assented to it.
This writing was written six hundred and sixty-four years-
after the birth of our Lord, (in) the seventh year of king
Wulf here ; the ninth year of archbishop Deus-dedit. They
then laid the curse of God, and the curse of all saints, and
of all Christian people (upon him) who should undo any
thing which there was done. ' So be it,' say all, * Amen.'
When these things were done, the king sent to Eome to
Vitalian who then was pope, and desired that he should
grant by his rescript, and with his blessing, all the before-
mentioned things. And the pope sent this rescript, thus
flaying, *I, pope Vitalian, concede to thee king Wulfhere,
and archbishop Deus-dedit, and abbat Sexwuli^ all the things
which ye desire, and I forbid that any king or any man have
any chum thereon, except the abbat alone ; nor let him obey
any man except the pope of Eome, and the archbishop of
Canterbury. If any one break this in any thing, may St.
Peter exterminate him with his sword : if any one observe
it, may St Peter, with the keys of heaven, undo for him the
kingdom of heaven.' Thus the monastery at Medeshamstede
was begun, which since has been called Burh [Peterborough].
After that, another archbishop came to Canterbury, who
was called Theodore, a very good and a wise man, and he
held his synod with his bishops and with the clergy. There
was Winifred bishop of the Mercians deposed from hia
A.i>. e58~667.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 325
bishopric, and abbat Saxulf was there chosen to be bishop^
and Cuthbald, a monk of the same monastery, was chosen
abbat. This synod was held six hundred and seventy-three
years after the birth of our Lord.
A. 658. This year Kenwalk fought against the Welsh at
Peonna [Pen] ; and he drove them as far as Pedrida,
[Petherton ?] this was fought after he came from East-
Anglia ; he was there three years in exile. Thither had
Penda driven him, and deprived him of his kingdom, because
he had forsaken his sister.
A. 659.
A. 660. This year Bishop Agilbert departed from Ken-
walk, and Wini held the bishopric* three years, and Agil-
bert obtained the bishopric of Paris in France by the
Seine.
A. 661. This year, during Easter, Kenwalk fought at
Pontesbury, and Wulf here, the son of Penda, laid the coun-
try waste as far as Ashdown. And Cuthred the son of
Cuichelm and king Cenbertf died in one year. And
Wulf here the son of Penda laid waste Wight, and gave the
people of Wight to Ethelwald king of the South-Saxons,
because Wulf here had been his sponsor at baptism. And
Eappa the mass-priest, by the command of WiUfrid and
King Wulf here, was the first of men who brought baptism to
the people of the Isle of Wight.
A. 662. 663.
A. 664. This year the sun was eclipsed on the 5th before the
Nones of May ; J and Earconbert lang of the Kentish-men
died, and Egbert his son succeeded to the kingdom ; and
Colman,§ with his companions, went to his country. The
same year there was a great pestilence in the island of Bri-
tain, and bishop! Tuda died of the pestilence, and was buried
at Wagele.1f And Chad and Wilfrid were ordained ; and
the same year archbishop Deus-dedit died.
A. 665. 666.
A. 667. This year Oswy and Egbert sent Wighard
• Of Wessex, at Winchester. See p. 191.
t " Father of Caed walla, king of Wessex. See A. 685."— Petrie.
t May 3. ** This happened on the Ist of May ; but the error u
Bede"B."—Petrie.
§ Bishop of Lindisfarae. U Of Lindisfame. % See^ote atyP. 162.
Digitized by VjOOQIc
326 THE AKGLO-SAXOK CHRONICXE. [a.i>. 007-878.
the priest to Rome, that he might there be consecrated arch-
bishop of Canterbury ; but he died soon after he came
thither.
A. 667. This year Wigbard went to Rome, even aB King Oswj and
Egbert had sent him.
A. 668. This year Theodore was ordained an archbishop,
and sent to Britain.
A. 669. This year king Egbert gave Reculver to Bass
the mass-priest, that he might build a minster thereon.
A. 670. This year Oswy king of the North-humbrians
died, on the 15th before the Kalends of March ;* and Eg&id
his son reigned after him ; and Hlothere,t the nephew of
bishop Agilbert, obtained the bishopric over the Weet-
Saxons, and held it seven years. Bishop Theodore conse-
crated him. And Oswy was the son of EthelMd, Ethel&kl
of Ethelric, Ethelric of Ida, Ida of Eoppa.
A. 671. This year was the great destruction among the
birds.
A. 672. This year king KenwaJk died, and Sexbui^ his
queen reigned one year after him.
A. 673. This year Egbert, king of the Kentishrmen
, died ; and the same year there was a Synod at Hertford, and
jSaint Etheldrida began the minster at Ely.
A. 674. This year Escwin succeeded to the kingdom of
the West- Saxons ; he was the son of Cenfus, Cenfus of
Cenferth, Cenferth of Cuthgils, Cuthgils of Ceolwulf, Ceol-
irulf of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic.
X 675. This year Wulfhere, the son of Penda, and
Escwin, the son of Cenfus, fought at Beadan-head ; and
the same year Wulfhere died, and Ethelred succeeded to
the kingdom.
Now in his time he sent bishop Wilfrid to Eome to the
pope that then was, he was called Agatho, and showed him
by letter and by message how his brothers Peada and Wulf*
here, and Sexwulf theabbat, had built a minster, which was
called Medeshamstede, and that they had freed it against
king and against bishop of all services ; and he besought
him that he would assent to it with his rescript and with his
blessing. And then the pope sent his rescript to England,
thus saying :
* February 15th. f Eleutherius, bishop of Winoheste^r. Seep. 191.
A.».67ff.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 82T
"T, Agatio, pope of Rome, greet well the worshipful
Etheked, king of the Mercians, and the archbishop Tlico-
dore of Canterbury, and the bishop of the Mercians Sexwulf,
who was formerly abbat, and all the abbats who are in Eng*
land, with the greeting of God and my blessing. I have
lieard the desire of king Ethelred, and of archbishop Theo-
dore, and of bishop Sexwulf, and of abbat Cuthbald ; and
it is my will that it be in all wise even as you have spoken.
And I ordain, on behalf of God and St Peter, and of ail
saints, and of every person in orders, that neither king, nor
bishop, nor earl, nor any man have any claim, nor any tribute,
geld, or military service ; neither let any man exact any
kind of service from the abbacy of Medeshamstede. I also
ordain that the shire-bishop be not so bold that he perform
any ordination or consecration within the abbacy unless the
abbat beseech it of him, nor have any claim there for
proxies, or synodals, or for any kind of thing. And it is my will
that the abbat be holden as legate of Rome over all the
island, and that whatsoever abbat shall be there chosen by
the mobks, he be consecrated by the archbishop of Canter-
bury. I will and concede that whatever man shall have
made a vow to go to Rome, which he may be unable to fulfil,
either from sickness or his Lord's need (of him), or froi](i
poverty, or be unable to come there from any other kind of
need, be he erf England, or of whatever other island he be, let
him come to the minster at Medeshamstede, and have the same
forgiveness of Christ and St. Peter, and of the abbat and
of the monks, that he should have if he went to Rdme.
Now I beseech thee, brother Theodore, that thou cause to
be commanded throughout all Englainl, that a synod be
gathered, and this decree, be read and observed. In like
manner I command thee l^shop Sexwulf, that even as thou
didst desire that the minster be free, so I forlad thee and all
the bishops that shall come after thee, from Christ and all his
saints, that ye have any claim upon the minster, except so
far as the abbkt shall be willing. Now will I say in a word,
that whoso observeth this rescript and this decree, let him
be ever dwelling with God Almighty in the kingdom of
heaven ; and whoso breaketh through it, let him be excom-
municated, and thrust down with Judas and with all the
devils in hell, unless he turn to repentance. (A^n^[L"
328 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. U.n. 679.
This rescript Pope Agatho and one hundred and twenty-
five bishops sent to England by Wilfrid archbishop of York,
This was done six hundred and eighty years after the birth
of our Lord, and in the sixth year of king Ethelred.
The king then commanded the archbishop Theodore
that he should appoint a meeting of all the witan at the
place which is c^ed Heathfield.* When they were there
assembled, he caused the rescript to be read, which the pope
had sent thither, and they all assented to and fully con-
firmed it. '
Then said the king : " All those things which my brother
Peada, and my brother Wulf here, and my sisters Kyneburg
and Kyneswith, gave and granted to St. Peter and the abbat^
it is my will shall stand ; and I will in my day increase it
for the good of their souls and of my own. Now to-day I
give St. Peter at his minster, Medeshamstede, these lands
and all that lieth there adjoining ; that is to say, Bredon,
Repings, Cadney, Swineshead, Hanbury, Lodeshall, Scuffan-
hall, Cosford, Stratford, Wattleburn, Lushgard, Ethelhun-
island, Bardney. These lands I give St. Peter all as freely
as I myself possessed them, and so that none of my succes-
sors take anything therefrom. If any one shall do so, let
him have the curse of the pope of Rome, and the curse of
all bishops, and of all those who are here witnesses, and this
I confirm with Christ's token.»^'* "I, Theodore, arch-
bishop of Canterbury, am witness to this charter of Medes-
hamstede, and I confirm it with my signature, and I excom-
municate all those who shall break any part thereof, and I
bless all those who shall observe it-^J^" " I, Wilfrid, arch-
bishop of York, I am witness to this charter, and I assent to
the same curse.*^" " I, Sexwulf, who was first abbat and am
now bishop, I give those my curse, and that of all my suc-
cessors, who shall break through this." " I, Ostritha, wife
of Ethelred, grant it.** "I, Adrian, legate, assent to it.*
** I, Putta, bishop of Rochester, I subscribe it." " I, Wald-
here, bishop of London, confirm it." " I, Cuthbal^ abbat,
assent to it, so that whoso shall break it, let him have the
cursing of all bishops and of all Christian folk. Amen !"
A. 676. This year, in which Hedda succeeded to his bishop-
ric ;f Escwin died, and Kentwin succeeded to the kingdom
• Bishop's Hatfield. See p. 201. f Of Wpf^gg^incheater.
A.D. 677-685.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 329
of the West- Saxons : and Kentwin was the son of Cynegils,
Cynegils of Ceolwulf. And Ethelred, king of the Mer-
cians, laid waste Kent.
A. 677.
A. 678. This year the star (called) a comet appeared in
August, and shone like a sunbeam every morning for three
ntonths ; and bishop Wilfrid was driven from his bishopric
by King Egfrid ; and two bishops were consecrated in his
stead ; Bosa to Deira, and Eata to Bemicia. And Eadhed
was consecrated bishop over the men of Lindsey ; he was
the first of the bishops of Lindsey.*
A. 679. This year Elfwin was slain near the Trent,
where Egfrid and Ethelred fought ; and Saint Ethel-
drida died. And Coldingham was burned by fire from
heaven.f
A. 680. This year archbishop Theodore appointed a
synod at Heathfield, because he wished to set forth aright
the Christian faith. And the same year Hilda, abbess of
Whitby, died.
A. 681. This year Tumbert was consecrated bishop of
Hexham, and Trumwine of the Picts, J for at that time they
were subject to this country.
A. 682. In this year Kentwin drove the Britons to the
sea.
A. 683.
A. 684. Here in this year Egfrid sent an army against
the Scots, and Beort his ealdorman with it, and miserably
they plundered and burned the churches of God.
A. 685. This year king Egfrid commanded that Cuth-
bert should be consecrated a bishop ; and on the first day of
Easter, at York, archbishop Theodore consecrated him
bishop of Hexham ; because Tumbert had been deposed
from his bishopric. This year Caedwalla began to contend for
the kingdom. Caedwalla was the son of Cenbert, Cenbert
of Cadda, Cadda of Cutha, Cutha of Ceawlin, Ceawlin of Cyn-
ric, Cynric of Cerdic. And Mul was the brother of CaedwaUa,
and he was afterwards burned in Kent. And the same year,
'^n the 13th before the Kalends of June, king Egfrid was
slain near the North-sea, and a great army with him.§ He
was king fiflteen years, and Alfrid his brother succeeded to
• S«e p. 193. t See p. 220. t Whithem.^^^ J(§^|,. 223.
330 THE AK<SLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. Uj>. 995-^9^^
the ^kingdom after him. Egfrid was the son of Oswy,
Oswy of Ethelfrid, Ethelfrid of Ethelric, Ethelric of
Ida, Ida of Eoppa. And Lothere, king of the Kentish-
men, died the same year. And John was consecrated bishop
of Hexham, and he was there until Wilfrid returned.
Afterwards John succeeded to the bishopric of York, for,
bishop Bosa was dead. Then, after that, Wilfrid* his
priest was consecrated bishop of York, and John retired to
his minster at I>erewood.f This year it rained blood in
Britain, and milk and butter were turned into blood.
A. 685. And in this same year Cuthbert was consecrated bishop of
Hexham bj archbishop Theodore at York, because bishop Tumbert had
been driven from the bishc^iic.
A. 686. This year Csedwalla and Mul his brother laid
waste Kent and Wight This Caedwalla gave to St. Peter^s
minster at Medeshamstede, Hook, which is in an island called
Egborough ; the then abbat of the monastery was called
Egbald. He was the third abbat after Sexwulf. At that
time Theodore was archbishop in Kent.
A. 687. This year Mul was burned in Kent, and twelve
other men with him; and the same year CsBdwalla again
laid waste Kent. "^
A. 688. This year Ina succeeded to the kingdom of the
West- Saxons, and held it thirty-seven years ; and he built
the minster at Glastonbury ; and he afterwards went to
Home, and there dwelt to the end of his days : and the same
year Caedwalla went to Rome, and received baptism from
the pope,f and the pope named him Peter ; and in about
seven days he died. Now Ina was the son of Cenred, Cen-
red of Ceolwald, Ceolwald was Cynegil's brother, and they
were sons of Cuthwine the son of Ceawlin, Ceawlin of Cyn-
ric, Cynric MNCerdic
A. 688. This year king Csedwalla went to Rome, and received baptism
of Pope Sergius, and he gave him the name of Peter, and in about seven
days afterwards, on the twelfth before the Kalends of May, while he was yet
in his baptismal garments, he died ; and he was buried in St. Peter's
church. And Ina succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons after
him^ and he reigned twenty-seven years.
A. 689.
A. 690. This year archbishop Theodore died ; he was
• Wilfiid II. See p. 293. f Beverley. See p. 237. t •
A.D. W1-6W.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 831
bishop twenty-two years, and he was huried at Canterbury ;
and Berthwald succeeded to the bishopric. Before this the
bishops had been RcHnans, but from this time they were
English.
A. 691.
A. 692. This year Berthwald was chosen archbishop on
the Kalends of July ; he was before that abbat of Reculver.
There were then two kings in Kent, Withred and Webherd
[Suebhard].
A. 693. This year Berthwald was consecrated archbishop
by Guodun, bishop of the Gauls, on the 5th before the Nones
of July. * At this time Gebmund, bishop of Rochester, died,
and archbishop Berthwald consecrated Tobias in his place ;
and Drithelm departed this life.
A. 694. This year the Kentish-men compounded with
Ina, and gave him thirty thousand pounds f for his friendship,
because they had formerly burned Mul. And Withred suc-
ceeded to the kingdom of the Kentish-men, and held it
thirty-three years. Withred was the son of Egbert, Eg-
bert of Earconbert, Earconbert of Eadbald, Eadbald of
Ethelbert.
As soon as he was king, he%ommande<l a great council to be
assembled at the place which is called Baccancelde,$ in which
sat Withred, king of the Kentish-men, and Berthwald, the
archbishop of Canterbury, and Tobias, bishop of Rochester,
and with them were assembled abbats and abbesses, and
many wise men, all to consult about the bettering of God's
churches in Kent. Now began the king to speak, and said,
** It is my will that all the minsters and the churches that were
given and bequeathed to the glory of God in the days of
faithful kings my predecessors, and in the days of my kins-
men, of King Ethelbert and those who followed after him,
♦ The 29th of June.
+ •* The reading of MSS. B and jP, however excessive the sum may ap-
pear, has been placed in the text, because, unlike the * thirty men' of
A.Q, or the * thirty thousand' of D.E, it is intelligible without having
recoune to conjecture. The pa3rment, whatever its amount may have been,
was probably the legal compensation for the death of Mul ... Of the
early lAtin writers, Ethelwald says, it was 30,000 solidi, 'per singulot
constanti numero sexdecim nummis;* Florence, of Worcester, 3750
pounds ; and MaJmesbury, 30,000 mancuses, which, at eight to the pound,
would agree with Florence." — Petrie. % Beckenham, Kent.
332 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLB. [a-ik 685--701
do SO remain to the glory of Grod, and firmly continue so to
all eternity for evermore. For I, Withred, an earthly king,
instigated by the King of heaven, and burning with the zeal
of righteousness, have learned from the institutes of our
forefathers, that no layman has a right to possess himself of
a church, nor of any of the things which belong to a church.
And hence strictly and faithfully do we appoint and decree^
and in the name of the Almighty God and of all his saints
we forbid to all kings our successors, and to ealdormen, and
all laymen any lordship whatever over the churches, and
over all their possessions, which I, or my elders of olden
days, have given as an everlasting inheritance to the glory of
Christ and of our lady St. Mary, and of the holy aposdes.
And observe, when it shall happen that a bishop, or an abbat,
or an abbess, shall depart this life, let it be made known to
the archbishop, and by his counsel and advice, let such an
one be chosen as shall be worthy. And let the archbishop
inquire into the life and purity of him who is chosen to such
a duty, and in nowise let any one be chosen to such a duty
without the counsel of the archbishop. It is the duty of
kings to appoint earls and ealdormen, shire-reeves and
doomsmen, and of the archbishop to instruct and advise the
community of God, and bishops, and abbats, and abbesses^
priests and deacons, to choose and appoint, and consecrate and
stablish them by good precepts and example, lest any of
Grod's flock stray and be lost.
A. 695. 696.
A. 697. This year the South-humbrians slew Ostritha,
Ethelred's queen, Egfrid's sister.
A. 698.
A. 699. This year the Picts slew Beort the ealdorman.
A. 700. 701.
A. 702. This year Kenred succeeded to the kingdom of
the South-humbrians.
A. 703. This year bishop Hedda died, and he held the
bishopric at Winchester twenty-seven years.
A. 704. This year Ethelred the son of Penda, king of
the Mercians, became a monk; and he had held the kingdom
twenty-nine years ; then Kenred succeeded to it.
A. 705. This year Alfrid king of the North-humbrians
died at Driffield on the nineteenth before /the E^alends of
gitized by vjO''
A.D. 70&~71&] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. S33
January: and bishop Sexwulf.* Then Osred his son
succeeded to the kingdom.
A. 706.— 708.
A. 709. This year bishop Aldhehn died, he was bishop f
on the west of Selwood ; and in the early days of Daniel the
land of the West- Saxons was divided into two bishop-shires,
and before that it had been one ; the one J Daniel held, the
other § Aldhehn. After Aldhelm, Forthhere succeeded to
it. Aiid kuig Ceolred succeeded to the kingdom of the
Mercians ; and Kenred went to Rome, and Offa with him.
And Kenred was there till the end of his life. And the
same year bishop Wilfrid || died at Oundle, and his body
was carried to Ripon ; he was bishop forty-five years ; him
king Egfrid had formerly driven away to Rome.
A. 710. This year Acca, Wilfrid's priest, succeeded to
the bishopric If which before he had held ; and the same year
Bertfrid the ealdorman fought against the Picts between
Heugh and Carau. And Ina and Nun Ids kinsman fought
against Gerent king of the Welsh ; and the same year
Higbald was slain.
A. 711.— 713.
A. 714. This year Saint Guthlac died, and king Pepin.
A. 715. This year Ina and Ceolred fought at Wanborough.
This year died king D^obert.
A. 716. This year Osred king of the North-humbrians
was slain on the southern border ; he had the kingdom seven
years after Alfrid; then Kenred succeeded to the kingdom,
and held it two years, then Osric, who held it eleven years ;
and the same year Ceolred king of the Mercians died, and
his body lies at Lichfield, and Ethelred's the son of Penda
at Bardney. Then Ethelbald succeeded to the kingdom of
the Mercians, and held it forty-one years. Ethelbald was
the son of Alwy, Alwy of Eawa, Eawa of Pybba, whose
genealogy is written before.** And that pious man Egbert
converted the monks in the island of Hii to the right faith, so
that they observed Easter duly, and the ecclesiastical tonsure.
A. 717.
A. 718. This year Ingild the brother of Ina died, and
their sisters were Cwenburga and Cuthburga. And Cuthburga
• Of Lichfield. t Of Sherborne, t Wincheater.
J Sherborne. See p. -267. fl Of Hexham. Dl[„Ji^>f@®o^(A- 626.
334 THE ANGLO-SAXON OHBONICLB. [aj). 719-731.
built the monastery at Wimbum ; and she was given in
marriage to Alfrid king of the North-humbnans ; but thej
separated during his life-time.
A. 719. 720.
A. 721. This year bishop Daniel* went to Rome ; and
the same year Ina slew Cynewulf the etheling. And this
year the holy bishop Johnf died; he was bishop thirty-three
years, eight months, and thirteen days ; and his body rests
at Beverley.
A. 722. This year queen Ethelburga razed Taunton,
which Ina had previously built ; and Ealdbert the exile
departed into Surry and Sussex, and Ina fought against the
South-Saxons.
A. 723. 724.
A. 725. This year Withred king of the Kentish-men died
on the ninth before the Kalends of May ; he reigned thirty-four
years ; his genealogy is above : and Egbert succeeded to
the kingdom of Kent ; and Ina fought against the South-
Saxons, and there slew Ealdbert the etheling, whom he
before had driven into exile.
A. 726.
A. 727. This year Tobias bishop of Bochester died, and
in his place archbishop Berthwald consecrated Aldwulf bishop.
A. 728. This year Ina went to Rome, and there gave (up)
his life, and Ethekrd his kinsman succeeded to the
kingdom of the West- Saxons, and held it fourteen years.
And the same year Ethelard and Oswald the etheling
fought ; and Oswald was the son of Ethelbald, Ethelbald
of Cynebald, Cynebald of Cuthwin, Cuthwin of Ceawlin.
A. 729. This year the star (called) a comet appeared, and
Saint Egbert died in li.
A 729. And the same year Osric died ; he was king eleven yean :
then Ceolwulf succeeded to the kingdom, and held it eight Tean.
A. 730. This year Oswald the etheling died.
A. 731. This year Osric king of the North-humbrians
was slain, and Ceolwulf succeeded to the kingdom, and held
it eight years,t and Ceolwulf was the son of Cutha, Cutha
of Cuthwin, Cuthwin of Leodwald, Leodwald of Egwald,
• Of Winton. + Of York.
t Osric's death is rightly placed by another MS. Vt;7?pjQ|p
A.D. 732-741.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. • 335
Egwald of Aldhelm, Aldhelm of Ocga, Ocga of Ida, Ida of
Eoppa. And archbishop Berthwald died on the Ides of
January ;* he was bishop thirty-seven years six months and
fourteen days. And the same year Tatwine was con-
secrated archbishop ;t he had been before a priest at Bredon
among the Mercians. Daniel bishop of Winchester, and
Jjigwald bishop of London, and Aldwin bishop of Lichfield,
and Aldwulf bishop of Rochester consecrated him on the
tenth of June : he had the archbishopric three years.
A. 732.
A. 733. This year Ethelbald conquered Somerton ; and
the sun was eclipsed, and the whole disc of the sun was like
a black shield. And Acca was driven from his bishopric. J
A. 734. This year the moon was as if it had been
sprinkled with blood ; and archbishop Tatwine and Bede
died, and Egbert was consecrated bishop. § Iv
A. 735. This year bishop Egbert received his pall atl^^V*.!
Rome. ^
A. 736. This year archbishop Nothelm received his pall
from the bishop of the Romans. ||
A. 737. This year bishop Forthere,!" and queen Fritho-
githa** went to Rome. And king Ceolwulf ft received Peter's
tonsure, and gave his kingdom to Eadbert, his uncle's son ;
he reigned twenty-one years ; and bishop Ethelwald JJ and
Acca died, and Conwulf was consecrated bishop. § § And the
same year king Ethelbald laid waste the land of the North-
humbrians.
A. 738. This year Eadbert the son of Eata, Eata being
the son of Leodwald, succeeded to the kingdom of the North-
humbrians, and held it twenty-one years. His brother was
archbishop § Egbert the son of Eata ; and they both rest
in one porch in the city of York.
A. 739. 740.
A. 741. This year king Ethelard died, and Cuthred
his kinsman succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons,
and held it sixteen years ; and he contended strenuously
against Ethelbald king of the Mercians. And archbishop
♦ The 18th of January. + Of Canterbuiy. J Hexham.
f Of York. g Greg. lU. % Of Winton.
•• Of Wessex. h+ Of Northumbria,
$$ Of Lindiafeme. §§ Of York. rooaIr>
Digitized by VjOOQIC
336 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 748-:755.
Nothelm* died, and Cuthbert was consecrated archbishop ;
and Dun bishop to Rochester. This year York was buhit.
A. 742. This year a great synod was held at Cloveshou ;
and there was Ethclbald king of the Mercians, and
archbishop Cuthbert, and many other wise men.
A. 743. This year Ethelbald king of the Mercians, and
Cuthred king of the West -Saxons, fought against the
Welsh.
A. 744. This year Daniel gave up the see of Winchester,
and Hunferth succeeded to the bishopric : and stars were
seen to shoot rapidly : and Wilfrid the younger, f who was
bishop of York, died on the third before &e Kalends of
May ;t he was bishop thirty years.
A. 745. This year Daniel died : then forty-three yean
had elapsed since he obtained the bishopric.
A. 746. This year king Selred was slain.
A. 747.
A. 748. This year Cynric the etheling of the West-
Saxons was slain : and Eadbert king of the Kentish-men
died ; and Ethelbert, the son of king Withred, succeeded to
the kingdom.
A. 749.
A. 750. This year Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons,
fought against Ethelhun, the proud ealdorman.
A. 751.
A. 752. This year Cuthted^ king of the West- Saxons, in
the twelfth year of his reign, fought at Burford against
Ethelbald king of the Mercians, and put him to flight
A. 753. This year Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons,
fought against the Welsh.
A. 754. This year Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons,
died ; and Kineward obtained the bishopric of Winchester,
after Hunferth : and the same year Canterbury was burned :
and Sigebert his kinsman succeeded to the lungdom of the
West- Saxons, and held it one year.
A. 755. This year Cynewulf, and the West-Saxon *witan '
• Of Canterbury. ^
+ Wilfrid the second, archbishop of York, is apparently confounded
with the bishop of Worcester of the same name. The former vas
succeeded by Egbert in 734. See A. 734 and 776, and Bede, p. 29a.
t The2dthof ApriL ^ j
Digitized by LjOOQ IC
%.D. 755.J THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 337
deprived his kinsman Sigebert of his kingdom, except
Hampshire, for his unjust doings ; and that he held until he
slew the ealdorman who longest abode by him. And then
Cynewulf drove him into Andred, and he abode there until
a swine-herd stabbed him at Privets-flood [Privett, Hamp-
shire], and avenged the ealdorman Cumbra.
And Cynewulf fought very many battles against the
WjaUsh ; and after he had held the Mngdom about one and
thirty years, he purposed to expel an etheling, who was
named Cyneard: and Cyneard was Sigebert's brother.
And he then learned that the king with a small band was
gone to Merton to visit a woman ; and he there beset him
and surrounded the chamber on every side, before the men
who were with the king discovered him. And when the
king perceived this, he went to the door, and there manfully
defended himself, until he beheld the etheling, and then he
rushed out upon him and sorely wounded him ; and they all
continued fighting against the king until they had slain
him.
And upon this, the king's thanes having discovered the
afi'ray by the woman's cries, each, as he was ready, and with
his utmost speed ran to the spot. And the etheling offered
money and Hfe to each of them, and not one of them would
accept it ; but they continued fighting till they all fell, except
one, a British hostage, and h^ was sorely wounded.
Then upon the morrow, the king's thanes, whom he had
left behind him, heard that the king was slain, then rode they
thither, and Osric his ealdorman, and Wiferth his thane, and
the men whom he had previously left behind. And at the
town wherein the king lay slain they found the etheling, and
those within had closed the gates against them ; but they
then went onward And he then offered them their own
choice of land and money if they would grant him the
kingdom, and showed them that their kinsman were with
him, men who would not desert him. And they then said,
that no kinsman was dearer to them than their lord, and that
they never would follow his murderer. A^nd they then bade
their kinsmen that they should go away from him in safety ;
but they said that the same had been bidden their companions
who before that had been with the king ; then they said, that
they no more minded it Hhan your companions who were
2
338 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a. d. 755-701-
slain with the king.' And then they continued fiprhting
around the gates until they made their way in, and slew the
etheling, and all the men who were with him, except one
who was the ealdorman's godson ; and he escaped with life,
though he was wounded in several places.
And Cynewulf reigned thirty-one years, and his body lies
at Winchester, and the etheling's at Axininster ; and their
right paternal kin reaches to Cerdic.
And the same year Ethelbald king of the Mercians was
slain at Seckington, and his body Hes at Repton, and he
reigned forty-one years ; and Bemred obtained the kingdom,
and held it a little while and unhappily. And the same year
Ofia drove out Bemred and obtained the kingdom, and held
it thirty-nine years ; and his son Egfert held it one hundred
and forty-one days. Offa was the son of Thingferth,
Thingferth of Enwulf, Enwulf of Osmod, Osmod of
Eawa, Eawa of Pybba, Pybba of Creoda, Creoda of
Cynewald, Cynewald of Cnebba, Cnebba of Icel, Icel of
Eomasr, Eomaer of Angeltheow, Angeltheow of Offa, OflGi of
Wasrmund, Waermund of Wihtlaeg, Wihtla^ of Woden.
A. 755. This year Cjmewulf deprived king Sigebert of his kingdom ;
and Sigebert*8 brother, Cynehard by name, slew C3rnewiilf at Merton ; and
he reigned thirty-one years. And in the same year Ethelbald king of the
Mercians was slain at Repton. And Offa succeeded to the kingdom of the
Mercians, Bemred being driven out.
A. 756.
A. 757. This year Eadbert king of the North-humbrians
was shorn, and his son Oswulph succeeded to the kingdom,
and reigned one year ; and he was slain by his household on
the eighth before the Kal. of August.*
A. 758. This year archbishop Cuthbert died; and he
held the archbishopric eighteen years.f
A. 759. This year Bregowin was ordained archbishop at
St. MichaeFs-tide, and held the see four years. And Moll
Ethelwald succeeded to the kingdom of the Northhum-
brians, and reigned six years, and then resigned it.
A. 760. This year Ethelbert king of the Kentish-men
died ; he was the son of king Withred : and Ceolwulf also
died. ^
A. 761. This year was the severe winter ; and Moll king
• The 25th of July. ^.^.^J^^ Canterbury.
A,©. 702—777.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 339
of the North-humbrians slew Oswin at Edwin's Cliff on
the eighth before the Ides of August.
A. 762. This year archbishop * Bregowin died.
A. 763. This year Lambert was ordained archbishop on
the fortieth day after mid- winter, f and held the see twenty-six
years. And Frithwald bishop of Whitherne died on the
Nones of May.| He was consecrated at York on the
eighteenth before the Kal. of September, § in the sixth year of
Ceolwulf's reign, and he was bishop twenty-nine years.
Then Petwin was consecrated bishop of Whitherne at
Adlingfleet, on the sixteenth before the Kalends of August. ||
A. 764. This year archbishop Lambert received his pall.
A. 765. This year Alcred succeeded to the kingdom of
the North-humbrians, and reigned nine years.
A. 766. This year died archbishop Egbert at York on
the 13th before the Kalends of December ; he was bishop
thirty-seven years ; and Frithbert at Hexham ; he was
bishop thirty-three years ; and Ethelbert was consecrated
to York, and Alhmund to Hexham.
A. 767.
A. 768. This year king Eadbert the son of Eata, died
on the thirteenth before the Kalends of September.
A. 769.— 771.
A. 772. This year bishop Milredf died.
A. 773. This year a fiery crucifix appeared in the heavens
after sunset : and the same year the Mercians and the
Kentish-men fought at Otford ; and wondrous adders were
seen in the land of the South- Saxons.
A. 774. This year at Easter-tide, the North-humbrians
drove their king Alcred from York, and took Ethelred, the
son of Moll, to be their lord ; he reigned four years.
A. 775.
A. 776. This year bishop Petwin** died on the thir-
teenth before the Kalends of October ; he was bishop four-
teen years.
A. 777. This year Cynewolf and Offa fought about Ben-
sington, and Offa took the town ; and the same year, on
• Canterbury. f The 2nd of Februaij.
t The 7th of May. § The 15th of August.
J The 17th of July. t Of Worcerter.
•• Of Whitherne. Digitized by GoOQIc
Zi2
340 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 777— 7».
the seventeenth before the Kalends of July, Ethelbert was
consecrated at York bishop of Whitheme.
In tEe days of king OiFa there was an abbat of Medesham-
stede called Beonna. The same Beonna, by the consent of
all the monks of the minster, let to Cuthbert the ealdorman
ten copy-lands at Swineshead, with lease, and with meadow,
and with all that lay thereto, and on this condition:
tliat Cuthbert should give the abbat therefore fifty pounds,
and each year one day's entertainment, or thirty shillings in
money ; and furthermore, that after his decease the land
should return to the minster. The witnesses of this w:ere
king Offa, and king Egfert, and archbishop Higbert,* and
bishop Ceolwulf, and bishop Inwona, and abbat Beonna, tod
many other bishops and abbats, and many other "great men.
In the days of this same Offa there was an ealdorman who
was called Brorda. He desired of the king that for love of
him he would free a minster of his called Woking, because
he wished to give it to Medeshamstede, and St. Peter, and
the abbat that then was, who was called Pusa. Pusa
succeeded Beonna, and the king loved him greatly. And
the king then freed the minster Woking, against king, and
against bishop, and against earl, and against all men, so that
no one should have any claim there except St. Peter and the
abbat. This was done in the king's town called Pree-
Richbum.
A. 778. This year Ethelbald and Herbert slew three
liigh-reeves ; Edulf, the son of Bosa, at Kings-cliff, and
Cynewolf and Egga at Helathym, on the eleventh before the
Kalends of April : and then Alfwold obtained thiB kingdom, f
and drove Ethelred out of the country ; and he reigned ten
years.
A. 779.
A. 780. This year the Old-Saions and the Franks fought;
and the high-reeves of the North-humbrians burned Bern
the ealdorman at Silton, on the eighth before the Kalends of
January : and archbishop Ethelbert died at York, in
whose place Eanbald was consecrated ; and bishop Cynewolf
gave up the bishopric of Lindisfame. This year Alhmund,
bishop of Hexham, died on the seventh before the Ides of
September, and Tilbert was consecrated in his place otf the
* Of Lichfield! t N^rthumbiia. jgle
A.D. 781 -780.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 341
sixth before the Nones of October ; and Higbald was conse-
crated at Sockbury bishop of Lindisfame ; and king Alfv^old
sent to Rome for a pall, and invested Eanbald as archbishop.
A. 781.
A. 782. This year died Werburh, Ceolred's queen, and
Cynewolf, bishop of Lindisfame ; and there was a synod at
Acley.
A. 783.
A. 784. This year Cyneard slew king Cynewolf, and was
himself there slain, and eighty-four men with him; and
then Bertric obtained the kingdom of the West- Saxons,
and he reigned sixteen years, and his body lies at Wareham ;
and his right paternal kin reaches to Cerdic. At this time
king Elmund reigned in Kent. This king Elmund was
the father of Egbert, and Egbert was father of Athulf.
A. 785. This year abbat Bothwin died at Ripon ; and
this year there was a contentious synod at Chalk-hythe, and
archbishop Lambert gave up some portion of his bishopric,
and Higbert was elected by king Offa ; and Egfert was
consecrated king. And at this time messengers were sent
from Rome by pope Adrian to England, to renew, the faith
and the peace which St. Gregory had sent us by Augustine
the bishop ; and they were worshipfully received, and sent
away in peace.
A. 786.
A. 787. This year king Bertric took to wife Eadburga,
king Offa's daughter ; and in his days first came three ships
of Northmen, out of Haeretha-land [Denmark]. And then
the reve* rode to the place, and woidd have driven them to
the king's town, because he knew not who they were : and
they there slew him. These were the first ships of Danish-
men which sought the land of the English nation.
A. 788. This year a synod was assembled in the land of
the North-himabrians at Fingall, on the 4th before the
Nones of September ; and abbat Albert died at Ripon.
A. 789. This year Alfwold, king of the Northumbrians,
was slain by Siga on the 8th before the Kalends of October ;
and a heavenly light was frequently seen at the place where
he was slain ; and he was buried at Hexham within the
church ; and Osred, the son of Alcred succeeded to the
* Since called sheriff ; t. e, the revey or steward, pf ^t|iQ^^i;^g^^GRAM.
342 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLB. ]a.d,780—7U.
kingdom after him : he was his nephew. And a synod was
assembled at Acltey.
A. 790. This year archbishop Lambert died, and the
same year abbat Athelard was chosen archbishop.* And
Osred, king of the North-humbrians, was betrayed, and
driven from the kingdom ; and Ethebed, the son of Ethel-
wald, again obtained the government
A. 791. This year Bsddulf was consecrated bishc^ of
Whitherne, on the 16th before the Boilends of August, by
archbishop Eanbald,f and by bishop Ethelbert.|
A. 792. This year Offa, king of the Mercians, commanded
the head of king Ethelbert§ to be struck off. And Osred,
who had been king of the Northumbrians, having come
home after his exile, was seized and slain on the 18th before
the Kalends of October ; and his body lies at Tinemouth.
And king Ethelred took a new wife, who was called Elfleda,
on the 3rd before the Kalends of October.
A. 793. This year dire forwamings came over the land *
of the North-hiunbrians, and miserably terrified the people j
these were excessive whirlwinds, and lightnings ; and fiery
dragons were seen flying in the air. A great famine soon
followed these tokens ; and a little after that, in the same
year, on the 6th before the Ides of January, the ravaging of
heathen men lamentably destroyed God's church at Lindis-
fame through rapine and slaughter. And Siga died on the
8th before the Kialends of March.
A. 794. This year Pope Adrian | and king Offa died; and
Ethelred, king of the North-humbrians, was slain by his own
people on the 13th before the Kalends of May ; and bishop
Ceolwulf If and bishop Eadbald went away from the land.
And Egfert succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians
and died the same year. And Eadbert, who by a second
name was named Pren, obtained the kingdom of Kent
And Ethelherd the ealdorman died on the Elalends of Au-
gust ; and the heathens ravaged among the North-humbrians,
and plundered Egferfs monastery at the mouth of the Wear ;
and there one of their leaders was slain, and also some of
their ships were wrecked by a tempest ; and many of them
• Of Canterbuiy. f Of York.
* Of Hexham. § Of East Anglia.
II Pope Adrian died December 2Sth, 79S.Digi,i,eg Of Lindsey.
A.D. 795—796.] THE AKGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 343
were there drowned, and some came on shore alive, and they
were soon slain at the river's mouth.
A. 795. This year the moon was eclipsed between cock-
crowing and dawn, on the 5th before the Kalends of April ;
and Eardulf succeeded to the kingdom of the North-humbrians
on the 2nd before the Ides of May ; and he was afterwards con-
secrated king, and raised to his throne on the 8th before
the Kalends of June, at York, by archbishop Eanbald, and
bishop Ethelbert,* and Higbald,t ^^^ Badulf,| bishops.
A. 796. This year Kenulf, king of the Mercians, laid
waste Kent as far as the marshes, and took Pren their king,
and led him bound into Mercia, and let his eyes be picked
out and his hands be cut off. And Athelard, archbishop
of Canterbury, appointed a synod, and confirmed and ratified,
by the command of Pope Leo, all the things respecting God's
ministers which were appointed in Withgar's days, and in
other kings' days, and thus sayeth :
"I, Athelard, the humble archbishop of Canterbury, by
the unanimous counsel of the whole synod, and with ... of
all ... to the congregation of all the ministers to which in old
days immunity was given by faithful men, in the name of
Grod, and by his awful doom, I conmiand, as I have com-
mand of Pope Leo, that henceforth none dare to choose for
themselves lords over God's heritage from amongst laymen.
But even as it stands in the rescript which the pope has
given, or those holy men have appointed who are our fathers
and instructors concerning holy minsters, thus let them con-
tinue inviolate, without any kind of gainsaying. K there
be any man who will not observe this ordinance of God, and
of our pope, and ours, and who despiseth and holdeth it for
nought, let him know that he shall give account before the
judgment-seat of God. And I, Athelard, archbishop, with
twelve bishops, and three and twenty abbats, do confirm and
ratify this same with Christ's rood-token."
And archbishop Eanbald died on the 4th before the Ides
of August of the same year, and his body lies at York ; and
the same year died bishop Ceolwulf ;§ and a second Ean-
• Of Hexham, + Lindisfarne.
X Whithenie. ^ ^ ' f Of Lindsey.
344 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. Ca.d. 7W-802.
bald was consecrated in the place of the other on the 19th
before the Kalends of September.
A. 796. This year Offa, king of the Mercians, diied on the 4th before the
Kaldnds of August ; he reigned forty years.
A. 797. This year the Romans cut out the tongue of Pope
Leo, and put out his eyes, and drove him from his see ; and
soon afterwards, God helping, he was able to see and speak,
and again was pope as he before was. And Eanbald re-
ceived his pall on the 6th before the Ides of September ; and
bishop Ethelbert* died on the 17th before the Kalends of No-
vember ; and Heandred was consecrated bishop in his place
on the 3rd before the Kalends of November ; and bishop
Alfun died at Sudbury, and he was buried in Dunwich, and
Tidfrith was chosen after him ; and Siric, king of the East
Saxons, went to Rome. In this same year the body of Wit-
burga was found at Dereham, all whole and uncorrupted, five
and fifty years after she had departed from this life.
A. 798. This year there was a great fight at Whalley
in the land of the North-humbrians, during Lent, on the 4th
before the Nones of April, and there Alric, the son of Her-
bert, was slain, and many others with him.
A. 799. This year archbishop Athelardf and Kenebert
bishop of the West-Saxons,J went to Rome.
A. 800. This year, on the 17th before the Kalends of
February, the moon was eclipsed at the second hour of the
night. And king Bertric and Worr the ealdorman died, and
Egbert succeeded to the kingdom of the West- Saxons.
Aid the same day Ethelmund, ealdorman, rode over from
the Wiccians, at Cynemaeresford [Kempsford]. Then Wox-
tan the ealdorman with the men of Wiltshire met him.
There was a great fight, and both the ealdormen were slain,
and the men of Wiltshire got the victory.
A. 801.
A. 801. This year Beommod was ordained bishop of Rochester.
A. 802. This year on the 13th before the Kalends of
January the moon was eclipsed at dawn ; and Beornmod was
ordained bishop of Rochester. §
• Of Hexham. f Of Canterbury. 1 Winchester.
§ Placed in 801 by another MS. °^'''^ by ^^0«
A.D. 805-819.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 345
A. 803. This year died Higbald bishop of Lindisfame on
the 8th before the E^alends of July, and Egbert IL was con-
secrated in his stead on the 3d before the Ides of June ; and
this year archbishop Athelard died in Kent, and Wulfred
was ordained archbishop ; and abbat Forthred died.
A. 804. This year archbishop Wulfred received his pall.
A. 805. This year king Cuthred died among the Kentish-
men, and Colburga abbess,* and Herbert the ealdorman.
A. 806. This year the moon was eclipsed on the Kalends
of September : and Eardulf king of the North-humbrians
was driven from his kingdom ; and Eanbert bishop of Hex-
ham died. Also in the same year, on the 2d before the Nones
of June, a cross appeared in the moon on a Wednesday at
dawn ; and afterwards in this year, on the third before the
Kalends of September, a wonderful circle was seen about the
sun.
A. 807. 808.
A. 809. This year the sun was eclipsed at the beginning
of the fifth hour of the day on the 17th before the Kalends of
August, the 2d day of the week, the 29th of the moon.
A. 810. 811.
A. 812. This year king Charlemagne died, and he reigned
five and forty years ; and archbishop Wulfred and Wigbert
bishop of the West- Saxons f both went to Rome.
A. 813. This year archbishop Wulfred, with the blessing
of pope Leo, returned to his own bishopric ; and the same
year king Egbert laid waste West- Wales from eastwai'd to
westward.
A. 814. This year the noble and holy pope J Leo died,
and after him Stephen succeeded to the popedom.
A. 815.
A. 816. This year pope Stephen died, and after him
Paschal was ordained pope ; and the same year the English
school at Rome § was burned.
A. 817. 818.
A. 819. This year Kenulf king of the Mercians died,
• Of Berkeley. + Sherborne.
} Leo III. died 11th June 816. Eginhard, Ann, Stephen IV. was con-
secrated on the 22d of the same month.
§ The Angle- School was a quarter near St. Peter's, where the English
pilgrims at Rome resided. According to Anastasius, they called it their
* Borough,' (burgus). V. Anckstas, Bibliothecar, de Vita Siephani I V,
346 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 820— 827.
and Ceolwulf succeeded to the kingdom ; and Eadbert the
ealdorman died.
A. 820.
A. 821. This year Ceolwulf was deprived of his king-
dom.*
A. 822. This year two ealdormen, Burhelm and Mucca,
were slain ; and there was a synod at Cloveshoo.
A. 823. This year there was a battle between, the Welsh
and the men of Devon at Camelford :f and the same year Eg-
bert king of the West- Saxons and Bemulf king of the
Mercians fought at Wilton, and Egbert got the victory,
and there was great slaughter made. He then sent from
the army his son Ethelwulf, and Ealstan his bishop,} and
Wulf herd his ealdorman, into Kent with a large force, and
they drove Boldred the king northwards over the Thames.
And the men of Kent, and the men of Surrey, and the South-
Saxons, and the East- Saxons, submitted to him ; for for-
merly they had been unjustly forced from his kin. And the
same year the king of the East- Angles and the people sought
the alliance and protection of king Egbert for dread of the
Mercians ; and flie same year the East- Angles slew Bemulf
king of Mercia.
A. 824.
A. 825. This year Ludecan king of the Mercians was slain,
and his five ealdormen with him ; and Withlaf succeeded to
the kingdom.
A. 826.
A. 827. This year the moon was eclipsed § on the mass-
night of midwinter. And the same year king Egbert
conquered the kingdom of the Mercians, and all that was
south of the Humber ; and he was the eighth king who was
Bretwalda. -^lla king of the South- Saxons was the first
who had thus much dominion ; the second was Ceawlin king
of the West- Saxons ; the third was Ethelbert king of the
Kentish-men ; the fourth was Redwald king of the East-
Angles ; the fifth was Edwin king of the North-humbrians ;
the sixth was Oswald who reigned after him ; the seventh
was Oswy, Oswald's brother ; the eighth was Egbert king
of the West- Saxons. And Egbert led an army to Dore
• Mercia. + In Cornwall. t Sherborne.
$ The eclipse happened on the 25th of December^, ®?&le
AD. 828— 836.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 347
against the North-humbrians, and they there offered him
obedience and allegiance, and with that they separated.
A. 828. This year Withlaf again obtained the kingdom of
the Mercians, and bishop Ethelwald* died ; and the same
year king Egbert led an army against the North- Welsh,
and he forced them to obedient subjection.
A. 829. This year archbishop Wulfred died, and after
him abbat Theologild was chosen to the archbishopric,f on
the 7th before the Kalends of May ; and he was consecrated
upon a Sunday, the 5th before the Ides of June : and he
died on the 3rd before the Kalends of September.
A. 830. This year Ceolnoth was chosen bishop, J and or-
dained ; and abbat Theologild died.
A. 831. This year archbishop Ceolnoth received his paJL
A. 832. This year the heathen men ravaged Sheppey.
A. 833. This year king Egbert fought against the men of
thirty-five ships at Charmouth, and there was great slaughter
made, and the Danish-men maintained possession of the field.
And Herefrith§ and Wigthun, || two bishops, died ; and Dudda
and Osmod, two ealdormen, died.
A. 834.
A. 835. This year a great hostile fleet came to the West-
WelshjIT and they united together, and made war upon Eg-
bert king of the West- Saxons. As soon as he heard of it
he went thither with an army, and fought against them at
Hengeston, and there he put to flight both the Welsh and
the Danish-men.
A. 836. This year king Egbert died ; before he was
king, Offa king of the Mercians, and Bertric, king of the
West-Saxons, drove him out of England into France for
three years ; and Bertric assisted Offa, because he had his
daughter for his queen. And Egbert reigned thirty-seven
years and seven months : and Ethelwulf the son of Eg-
bert succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons ; and
he gave his son Athelstan the kingdoms of the Kentish-men,
and of the East-Saxons, and of the men of Surrey, and of the
South-Saxons.
A. 836. And Ethelstan his other son succeeded to the kingdom of
the Kentish-men, and to Surrey, and to the kingdom of the South-Saxons.
• Of Lichfield. f Of Canterhmy. t Of Canterbmy.
§ Of Selsey. g Of Winchester. ^,,,,3, ^y GbComwall.
348 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 837-851.
A. 837. This year Wulfherd the ealdorman fought at
Hamtun [Southampton], against the forces of thirty-five
ships, and there made great slaughter, and got the victory ;
and the same year Wulfherd died. And the same year
Ethelhelm the ealdorman fought against the Danish army
at Portland-isle with the men of Dorset, and for a good,
while he put the enemy to flight ; but the Danish-men had
possession of the field, and slew the ealdorman.
A. 838. This year Herebert the ealdorman was slam by
the heathen men, and many with him among the Marsh -
men ; and afterwards, the same year, in lindsey, . and in
East-Anglia, and in Kent, many men were slain by the
enemy.
A. 839. This year there was great slaughter at London,
and at Canterbury, and at Rochester.
A. 840. This year king Ethelwulf fought at Charmouth
against the crews of thirty-five ships, and the Danish-men
maintained possession of the field. Ajid Louis the emperor
died.
A. 841.— 844.
A. 845. Tlds year Eanwulf the ealdorman, with the men
of Somerset, and bishop Ealstan,* and Osric the ealdor-
man, with the men of Dorset, fought at the mouth of the
Parret against the Danish army, and there made great
slaughter, and got the victory.
A. 846.— 850.
A. 851. This year Ceorl the ealdorman, with the men of
Devonshire, fought against the heathen men at Wembury,f
and there made great slaughter and got the victory. Aiid
the same year kiig Athebtan and Elchere the ealdormen
fought on shipboard, and slew a great number of the enemy
at Sandwich in Kent, and took nine ships, and put the others
to flight ; and the heathen men, for the first time, remained
over winter in Thanet. And the same year came three
hundred and fifty ships to the mouth of the Thames, and the
crews landed and took Canterbury and London by storm,
and put to flight Berthwulf, king of the Mercians, with
his army, and then went south over the Thames into Surrey ;
and there king Ethelwulf and his son Ethelbald, with the
army of the West- Saxons, fought against them at Ockley,
• Of Sherbonie. t Near Pl^ojig.^Qg[g
A.D. 85»-855.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 349
and there made the greatest slaughter among the heathen
army that we have heard reported to the present day, and
there got the victory.
A. 852. At this time Ceobed, abbat of Medeshamstede
and the monks let to Wulfred the land of Sempringham, on
this condition, that after his decease the land should return
to the minster, and that Wulfred should give the land of
Sleaford to Medeshamstede, and each year should deliver
into the minster sixty loads of wood, and twelve of coal
and six of faggots, and two tuns full of pure ale, and
two beasts fit for slaughter, and six hundred loaves, and
ten measures of Welsh ale, and each year a horse, and thirty
shillings, and one day's entertainment. At this agreement were
present king Burhred, and archbishop Ceolred, and bishop
Tunbert, and bishop Cenred, and bishop Aldhun, and
abbat Witred, and abbat Wertherd, and Ethelherd,
ike ealdorman,^ and Hunbert, the ealdorman, and many
others.
A. 863. This year Burhred, king of the Mercians, and
his council, begged of king Ethelwulf that he would assist
him so that he might make the North- Welsh obedient to
him. He then did so ; and went with an army across Mer-
cia among the North- Welsh, and made them all obedient to
him. And the same year king Ethelwulf sent his son
Alfred to Rome. Leo [IV.] was then pope of Rome ; and
he consecrated him king, and took him for his son at confir-
mation. Then, in the same year, Ealhere, with the men of
Kent, and Huda, with the men of Surry, fought in Thanet,
against the heathen army ; and at first they were victorious ;
and many there were slsun, and drowned on either hand, and
both the ealdormen were killed. And upon this after Easter
Ethelwulf, king of the West- Saxons, gave his daughter to
Burhred king of the Mercians.
. A. 854.
A. 855. This year the heathen men, for the first time,
remained over winter in Sheppey : and the same year king
Ethelwulf gave by charter the tenth part of his land
throughout his realm for the glory of God and his own
eternal salvation. And the same year he went to Rome in
great state, and dwelt there twelve months, and then re-
turned homewards. And then Charles, king of the Franks,
350 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 855-860.
gave him bis daughter to wife ; and after that he came to
his people, and they were glad of it. And about two years
after he came from France he died, and his body lies at Win-
chester. And he reigned eighteen years and a half. And
Ethelwulf was the son of Egbert, Egbert of Elmund,
Elmund of Eafa, Eafa of Eoppa, Eoppa of Ingild ; Ingild
was Ina's brother, king of the West- Saxons, he who held the
kingdom thirty-seven years, and afterwards went to St.
Peter, and there resigned his life ; and they were the sons of
Kenred, Kenred of Ceolwald, Ceolwald of Cutha, Cutha of
Cuthwin, Cuthwin of Ceawlin, Ceawiin of Cynric, Cynric
of Cerdic, Cerdic of Elesa, Elesa of Esla, Esla of Gewis, Gewis
of Wig, Wig of Freawin, Freawin of Frithogar, Frithogar
of Brond, Brond of Beldeg, Beldeg of Woden, Woden of
Frithowald, Frithowald of Frealaf, Frealaf of Frithuwulf,
Frithuwulf of Finn, Finn of Godwulf, Godwulf of Geat,
G^at of Taetwa, Taetwa of Beaw, Beaw of Sceldi, Sceldi
of Heremod, Heremod of Itermon, Itermon of Hathra,
Hathra of Guala, Guala of Bedwig, Bedwig of Sceaf, that
is, the son of Noah, he was bom in Noah's ark ; Lamech,
Methusalem, Enoh, Jared, Malalahel, Cainion, Enos, Seth,
Adam the first man, and our Father, that is, Christ Amen.
Then Ethelwulfs two sons succeeded to the kingdom ;
Ethelbald succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons j
and Ethelbert to the kingdom of the Kentish-men, and to
the kingdom of the East-Saxons, and to Surry, and to the
kingdom of the South-Saxons ; and then Ethelbald reigned
^ve years. Alfred his third son he had sent to Rome : and
when Pope Leo [IV.] heard say that Ethelwulf was dead,
he consecrated Alfred king, and held him as his spiritual son
at confirmation, even as Ms father Ethelwulf had requested
on sending him thither.
A. 855. And on his return homewards he took to (wife) the daughta
of Charles, king of the French, whose name was Judith, and he came
]iome safe. And then in about two years he died, and his body lies at
Winchester ; and he reigned eighteen years and a half, and he was the son
of Egbert. And then his two sons succeeded to the kingdom ; Ethel-
bald to the kingdom of the West-Saxons, and Ethelbert to the kingdom
of the Kentish-men, and of the East-Saxons, and of Suny, and of th«
South-Saxons. And he reigined five yean.
A. 856.-859.
• A. 860. This year died king Etlielbald, and his body lies
A.o. 861— 868.J THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 351
at Sherborne ; and Ethelbert succeeded to all the realm
of his brother, and he held it in goodly concord and in great
tranquillity. And in his days a large fleet came to land, and
the crews stormed Winchester. And Osric the ealdorman,
with the men of Hampshire, Ethelwulf the ealdorman, with
the men of Berkshire, fought against the army, and put
them to flight, and had possession of the place of carnage.
And Ethelbert reigned Ave years, and his body lies at
Sherborne.
A. 861. This year died St. Swithun the bishop.*
A. 862.-864.
A. 865. This year the heathen army sat down in Thanet, <
and made peace with the men of Kent, and the men of Kent
promised them money for the peace; and during the peace
and the promise of money the army stole away by night,
and ravaged all Kent to the eastward.
A. 866. This year Ethebed, Ethelbert's brother, suc-
ceeded to the kingdom of the West- Saxons : and the same
year a great heathen army came to the land of the English
nation, and took up their winter quarters among the East-
Angles, and there they were horsed ; and the East- Angles
made peace with them.
A. 867. This year the army went fix>m East-Anglia over
the mouth of the Humber to York in North-humbria. And
(nere was much dissension among that people, and they had
cast out their king Osbert, and had taken to themselves a
king, iElla, not of royal blood ; but late in the year they re-
solved that they would fight against the army ; and therefore
they gathered a large force, and sought the army at the town
of York, and stormed the town, and some of them got within,
and there was an excessive slaughter made of the North-
humbrians, some within, some without, and the kings were
both slain : and the remainder made peace with the army.
Ajid the same year bishop Ealstan died; and he had the
bishopric of Sherborne fifty years, and his body lies in the
town.
A. 868. This year the same army went into Mercia to
Nottingham, and there took up their winter quarters. And
Burhred king of the Mercians, and his ' witan,' begged of
Ethelred king of the West- Saxons, and of Alfred his brother,
♦ Winchester. Digitized by GoOglc
352 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLB. [a.i>. 869, 870.
that thej would help them, that they might fight against the
army. And then they went with the West- Saxon power
into Mercia as far as Nottingham, and there met with the
anny within the fortress ; and besieged them therein : but
there was no great battle; and the Mercians made peace
with the army.
A. 869. This year the army again went to York, and sat
there one year.
A. 870. This year the army rode across Mercia dnto East-
Anglia, and took up their winter quarters at Thetford : and
the same winter king Edmund fought against them, and the
Danes got the victory, and slew the king, and subdued all
the land, and destroyed aU the minsters which they came to.
The names of their chiefe who slew the king were Hingwar
and Hubba. At that same time they came to Medesham-
stede, and burned and beat it down, slew abbat and monks, and
all that they found there. And that place, which before was
full rich, they reduced to nothing. And the same year died
archbishop Ceolnoth. Then went Ethelred and Alfred his
brother, and took Athelred bishop of Wiltshire, and appointed
him archbishop of Canterbury, because formerly he had been
a monk of the same minster of Canterbury. As soon as
he came to Canterbury, and he was stablished in his arch-
bishopric, he then thought how he might expel the clerks who
(were) there within, whom archbishop the Ceolnoth had (be-
fore) placed there for such need ... as we shall relate. The
first year that he was made archbishop there was so great a
mortality, that of aU the monks whom he found there within,
no more than five monks survived. Then for the .... he
(commanded) his chaplains, and also some priests of his viUs,
that they should help the few monks who there survived to
do Christ's service, because he could not so readily find
monks who might of themselves do the service ; and for this
reason he commanded that the priests, the while, until Grod
should give peace in this land, should help the monks. In
that same time was this land much distressed by frequent
battles, and hence the archbishop could not there effect it,
for there was warfare and sorrow all his time over England ;
and hence the clerks remained with the monks. Nor was
there ever a time that monks were not there within, and they
ever had lordship over the priests. Again ^he iff ebibishop
A.D. 871.1 THE AKGLO-SAXON CHROKICLB. 353
Ceolnoth thoaglit, and also said to those who were with him,
*As soon as God shall give peace in this land, either
these priests shall be monks, or from elsewhere I will place
within the minister as many monks as may do the service of
themselves : for God knows that I . . . : )*
A. 871. This year the army came to Reading in Wessex ;
and three days after this, two of their earls rode forth.
Then Ethelwulf the ealdorman met them at Englefield, and
there fought against them, and got the victory : and there
one of them, whose name was Sidrac, was slain. About
three days after this, king Ethelred and Alfred his brother
led a large force to Reading, and fought against the army,
and there was great slaughter made on either hand. And
Ethelwulf the ealdorman was slain, and the Danish-men had
possession of the place of carnage. And about four days
after this, king Ethelred and Alfred his brother fought
against the whole army at Ashdown ; and they were in two
bodies : in the one were Bagsac and Halfdene the heathen
kings, and in the other were the earls. And then king
Ethelred fought against the division under the kings, and
there king Bagsac was slain; and Alfred his brother
{gainst the division under the earls, and there earl Sidrac
the elder was slain, earl Sidrac the younger, and earl Osbem,
and earl Frene, and earl Harold ; and both divisions of the
army were put to flight, and many thousands slain : and they
continued fighting until night. And about fourteen days
after this, king Ethelred and Alfred his brother fought
* As this portion of the text is slightly defective, the Latin narrative is
subjoined : Cum autem venisset Cantuariam, statim cogitare coepit quo-
modo possit ejicere clericos de ecclesia Christi, quos Ceolnoth us pro tali ne-
cessitate compulsus ibi posuit. Primo igitur anno ordinationis suae tanta
mortalitas facta est in ecclesia Christi, ut de tota congregatione monacho-
rum non remanerent nisi quinque. Qua de causa quia ita subito non potuit
invenire tot monachos qui ibi servitium Dei facere possent, ex simplicitate
cordis prsecepit capellanis clericis suis, ut essent cum eis usque quod Deus
pacificaret terram, quae tunc nimis erat turbata propter nimias tempestates
bellorum. Accepit etiam de villis suis presbyteros, ut essent cum mouachis,
ita tamen ut monachi semper haberent dominatum super clericos, Cogita-
vit idem archiepiscopus et saepe suis dixit, quia statim^ cum Deus pacem
nobis dederit, aut isti clerici monachi fient, aut ego ubicumque monacho*
inveniam quos reponam. Scit enim Deus, inquit quod aliter facere non
possum. Sed nunquam temporibus suis pax fuit in Anglia, et ideo reman-
serunt clerici cum monachis, nee ullo tempore fiiit ecclesia sine monachis.
Sed nee iste ^thelredus archiepiscopus potuit faffi^tfeyGoogle
354 THB AKGLO-SAXOK CHBONICLE« Uo. 871--87i,
against the btvoj at Basing, and there the Danes obtained
the yictorj. And about two months after this, king Ethelred
and Alfred his brother fought against the army at Harden ;
and they were in two bodies, and they put both to flight,
and during a great part of the day were victorious ; and there
was great slaughter on either hsuid ; but the Danes had pos-
session of the place of carnage: and there bishop Heah-
mund* was slain, and many good men : and after this battle
there came a great army in the summer to Beading. And
after this, over Easter, lung Ethelred died ; and ho reigned
five years and his body lies at Winbum-minster.
Then Alfred the son of Ethelwulf, his brother, succeeded
to the kingdom of the West- Saxons. And about one month
after this, king Alfred with a small band fought against the
whole army at Wilton, and put them to flight ^r a good part
of the day ; but the Danes had possession of the place of
carm^e. And this year nine general battles were fought
against the army in the kingdom south of the Thames,
besides which, Alfred the king's brother, and single
ealdormen, and king's thanes, oftentimes made incursions on
them, which were not counted : and within the year nine
earls and one king were slain. And that year the West-
Saxons made peace with the army.
A. 871. And the Daniah-men were overcome : and thej had two
heathen kings, Bagsac and Halfdene, and manj earls ; and there was
king Bagsac slain, and these earls ; Sidrac the eider, and also Sidrac the
younger, Osbem, Frene, and Harold ; and the army was put to flight.
A. 872. This year the army went from Beading to
London, and there took up their winter-quarters : and then
the Mercians made peace with the army.
A. 873. This year the army went into North-humbria,
and took up their winter-quarters at Torksey in Lindsey :
and then the Mercians made peace with the army.
A. 874. This year the army went from Lindsey to Bepton,
and there took up their winter-quarters, and drove king
Burhred over sea about twenty-two years after he had
obtained the kingdom ; and subdued the whole country : and
Burhred went to Bome, and there remained ; and his body
lies in St. Mary's church at the English school. And that
same year they committed the kingdom of the Mercians to
* Of Sherborne. C^n^n^nlo
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A.B. 875-877.J THE AKGL0-8AX0N CHRONICLE. 355
the keeping of Ceolwulf, an unwise king's-thane ; and he
swore oaths to them, and delivered hostages that it should be
ready for them on whatever day they would have it, and that
he would be ready both in his own person And with all who
would follow him, for the behoof of the army.
A. 875. This year the army went from Repton : and
Halfdene went with some of the army into North-hiimbria,
and took up winter-quarters by the river Tyne. And the
army subdued the land, and oft-times spoiled the Picts, and
the Strathclyde Britons. And the three kings, Gothrun, and
Oskytel, and Anwind, went with a large army from Bepton
to Cambridge, and sat down there one year. And that
summer king Alfred went out to sea with a fleet, and fought
against the forces of seven ships, and one of them he took,
and put the rest to flight.
A. 876. This year the army stole away to Wareham, a
fortress of the West- Saxons. And afterwards the king made
peace with the army ; and they delivered to the king hostages
from among the most distinguished men of the army ; and
then they swore oaths to him on the holy ring, which they
never before would do to any nation, that they would
speedily depart his kingdom. And notwithstandmg this,
that part of the army which was horsed stole away by night
from the fortress to Exeter. And that year Halfdene
apportioned the lands of North-humbria : and they thence-
forth continued ploughing and tilling them. This year Rolla
overran Normandy with his army, and he reigned fifty
years.
A. 876. And in this same year the army of the Danes in England swore
oaths to king Alfred upon the holy ring, which before they would not do to
any nation; and they delivered to the king hostages from among the
ttiost distinguished men of the army, that they would speedily depart from
his kingdom ; and that by night they broke.
A. 877. This year the army came to Exeter from
Wareham ; and the fleet sailed round westwards : and then
a great storm overtook them at sea, and there one hundred
and twenty ships were wrecked at Swanwich. And king
Alfred with his forces rode after the army which was
mounted, as far as Exeter ; and they were unable to overtake
them before they were within the fortress, where they could
not be come at. And they there delivered to him hostages
aa2
356 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. [a.p. 878» 879.
as many as he would have, and swore many oaths : and then
they observed the peace weU. And aftarwards, during
harvest, the army went into Mereia, and scxne part of it they
apporticmed, and some they delivered to Ceolwulf.
A. 878. This year, during midwinter, after twelfth night,
the army stole away to Chippenham, and overran the land of
the West- Saxons, and sat down there; and many of the
people they drove beycmd sea, and of the remainder the
greater part they subdued and forced to obey them, except
king Alfred: and he, with a small band, with ^fficulty
retreated to the woods and to the fastnesses of the moors.
And the same winter the brother of Hingwar and of Halfdene
came with twenty-three ships to Devonshire in Wessex ; and
he was there slain, and with him eight hundred and forty
men of his army : and there was taken the war-flag which
they called the Raven. After this, at Easter king Alfred
with a small band constructed a fortress at Athelney ; and
from this fortress^ with that part of the men of Somerset
which was nearest to it, from time to time they fought
against the army. Then in the seventh week after Easter he
rode to Brixton, on the east side of Selwood ; and there
came to meet him all the men of Somerset, and the men of
Wiltshire, and that portion of the men of Hampshire which
was on this side of the sea; and they were joyful at his
presence. On the following day he went from that station
to Iglea [Hey], and on the day after this to Heddington,
and there fought against the whole army, put them to flight,
and pursued them as far as their fortress : and there he sat
down fourteen days. And then the army delivered to him
hostages, with many oaths, that they would leave his
kingdom, and also promised him that their king should
receive baptism : and this they accordingly fulfilled. And
about three weeks after this king Gothrun came to him,
with some thirty men who were of the most distinguished in
the army, at Aller, which is near Athelney : and the king
was his godfather at baptism ; and his chrism-loosing* was at
Wedmore : and he was twelve days with the king ; and he
greatly honoured him and his companions with gifts.
A. 879. This year the army went to Cirencester from
• Apparently the removal of the fillet which, covering^the chrism on
the forehead, was bound romid the head at confirmation. vjOOqIc
A.D. 880-885.] THB AKGLO-SAXON CHBCOriCLK. 357
Chippenham, and sat there one year. And that year a
body of pirates drew together, and sat down at Fulham <hi
the Thaines. And that same year the sun was eclipsed
daring one hour of the day.*
A. 880. This year the army went from Cirencester to
East Anglia, and settled in the land, and apportioned it.
And that same year the army, which preyionsly had sat
down at Fulham, went over sei^ to Ghent in France, and
sat there one year.
A. 881. This year the army went further into France,
and the French fought against them: and then was the
army there horsed after the battle.
A. 882. This year the army went up along the banks of
the Maese far into France, and there sat one year. And
that same year king Alfred went out to sea with his ships,
and fought against the forces of four ships of Danish men,
and took two of the ships, and the men were slain that were
in them; and the forces of two ships surrendered to him,
and they were sorely distressed and wounded before they
surrendered to him.
A. 883. This year the army went up the Sdieldt to
Cond6, and sat there one year. And Marinus the pope
then sent * lignum Domini' to king Alfred ; and that same
year Sighelm and Athelstan carried to Borne the alms
which the king had vowed to send thither, and also to
India, to St. Thomas and to St. Bartholomew, when they
sat down against the army at London ; and there, thanks be
to God, they largely obtained the object of their prayer after
the vow.
A. 884. This year the army went up the Somme to
Amiens, and there sat one year. This yearf the benevo
lent bishop Ethelwold died.
A. 885. JThis year the fore-mentioned army divided it^-
self into two; the one part went eastward, the other part
* The eclipse happened on the 14th of March, 880.
+ The account of the death of Ethelwold bidiop of Winchester, here
ipseited in MS. F., is anticipated a centuiy by Ae carelessness of the
scribe : the name of his successor in the Latin puts this beyond all doubt
See A. 984.
t Asser omits the events of A. 884 of the Chronicle, and places those of
885 under ^at year. At any rate the foreign transactions are rightly so
V^a^ Digitized by Google
858 THS ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. U-d- 888.
to Rochester, and besi^ed the city, and wrought another
fortress about themselves. And, notwithstanding this, the
townsmen defended the city till king Alfred came out with
his forces. Then went the army to their ships, and aban-
doned their fortress ; and thej were there deprived of their
horses, and soon after, in that same manner, departed over
sea. And that same year king Alfred sent a fleet from
Kent to East-Anglia. So soon as thej came to the mouth
of the Stour, there met them sixteen ships of pirates ; and
thej fought against them, and captured all the ships and
killed the men. As they afterwards returned homeward
with the booty, a large fleet of pirates met them, and then
fought against them that same day, and the Danish-men had
the victory. That same year, before mid-winter, *Charles king
of the French died ; he was killed by a wild boar ; and one
year before this, his brother f died: he too had the western
kingdom : and they were both sons of Louis, who likewise
had the western kingdom, and died that year when the sun
was eclipsed : he was son of Charles J whose daughter
Ethelwulf, king of the West-Saxons, had for his queen.
And that same year a large fleet drew together against the
Old Saxons ; and there was a great battle twice in that year,
and the Saxons had the victory, and the Frisians were there
with them. That same year Charles § "succeeded to the wes-
tern kingdom, and to all the kingdom on this side the Wen-
del-sea [Tuscan Sea], and beyond this sea, in like manner
as his great-grandfather had it, with the exception of the
Lid-wiccas [Bretons]. Charles was Louis's son ; Louis was
Charles's brother, who was father of Judith, whom king
Ethelwulf had; and they were sons of Louis, Louis was
son of the elder Charles, Charles was Pepin's son. And
that same year died the good Pope Mannus, who, at the
prayer of Alfred king of the West-Saxons, freed the Eng-
lish school; and he sent him great gifts, and part of the
rood on which Christ suffered. And that sam^ year the
army in East-Anglia broke the peace with king Alfred.
A. 886. Tliis year the army which before had drawn
eastward, went westward again, and thence up the Seine,
and there took up their winter quarters near the town of
Paris. That same year king Alfred repaired Ix>ndon ; and
• Carlomaiu f Louis III. $ The B^^ by Go§ The Fat
A. j>. 887-880.J THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 35^
all the English submitted to him, except those who were
under the bondage of the Danish-men; and then he com-
mitted the town to the keeping of Ethered the ealdorman.
A. 887. This year the army went up through the bridge
at Paris, and thence up along the Seine as far as the Mame,
and thence up ithe Mame to Chezy, and then sat down, there,
and on the Yonne, two winters in the two places. And that
same year Charles* king of the French died ; and six weeks
before he died, Amulf his brother's son bereaved him of the
kingdom. And then was that kingdom divided into five,
and five king^ were consecrated thereto. This, however,
was done by permission of Amulf : and they said that they
would hold it from his hand, because none of them on the
fi^ther's side was bom thereto except him alone. Amulf
then dwelt in the land east of the Khine : and Kodulf then
succeeded to the middle kingdom,f and Oda to the western
part, and Beomgar and Withal to the land of the Lombards
and to the lands on that side of the mountain : and that they
held in great discord, and fought two genertl battles, and oft
and many times laid waste the land, and each repeatedly
drove out the other. And that same year that the army
went up beyond the bridge at Paris, Ethelhelm the ealdor-
man § carried the alms of the West-Saxons and of king
Alfred to Rome.
A. 888. This year Beeke the ealdorman carried the alms
of the West- Saxons and of king Alfred to Rome ; and queen
Ethelswith, who was king Alfred's sister, died on the way
to Rome, and her body lies at Pavia, And that same year
Athelred archbishop of Canterbury, and Ethelwold the eal-
dorman died in the same month.
A. 889. In this year there was no journey to Rome, ex-
cept that king Alfred sent two couriers with letters.
\/ A. 890. This year abbat Bemhelm carried the alms of
the West- Saxons and of king Alfred to Rome. And GU)th-
run the Northern king died, whose baptismal name waa
Athelstan ; he was king Alfred's godson, and he abode in
East-Anglia, and first settled that country. And that same
year the army went from the Seine to St. Lo, which is be-
tween Brittany and France ; and the Bretons fought against
them, and had the victory, and drove them out into a river,
• The Fat. f Burgundy. ::: Guido. § X)f WUts.
Digitized by V^jOOQIC
360 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICi:^. Ub. 891-8M.
and drowned manj of them. This year Flegmnnd was
chosen of God and of all the peqple to be archbishop of
Canterbury.
A. 891. This year the army irent' eastward ; and long
Amulf, with the East-Franks and Saxons and BavarianSy
fought against that part which was mounted before the ships
came up, and put them to flight. And three Scots came to
king Alfred in a boat without any oars from Ireland, whence
they had stolen away, because they desired for the love of
God to be in a state of plgrimage, they recked not where.
The boat in which they came was made of two hides and a
half ; and they took with them provisicms sufficient for sercn
days ; and then about the seventh day they came on shore in
Cornwall, and soon after went to king Alfred. Thus they
were named : Dubslane, and Macbeth, and Maelinmun.
And Swinney, the best teacher among the Scots, died.
A. 892. And that same year after Easter, about Rogation
week or before, the star appeared which in Latin is called
comeia; some men say in English that it is a hairy star,
because a long radiance streajiis from it^ sometimes on the
one side, and sometimes on each side.
A. 893. In this year the great army, about which we for-
merly spoke,*-came again from the eastern kingdom westward
to Boulogne, and there was shipped ; so that they came over
in one passage, horses and all; and they came to land at
Limne-mouth with two hundred and fifty ships. This port
is in the eastern part of Kent, at the east end of the great
wood which we call Andred ; the wood is in length fr^m
east to west one hundred and twenty miles, or longer, and
thirty miles broad : the river of which we before spoke flows
out of the weald. On this river they towed up their ships
as far as the weald, four miles from the outward harbour,
and there stormed a fortress : within the fortress a few
churls were stationed, and it was in part only constructed.
Then socm after that Hasten with eighty ships landed at the
mouth of the Thames, and wrought himself a fortress at
Milton ; and the othw army did the like at Appledore.
A. 894. In this year^ that was about a twelve-month after
these had wrought the fortress in the eastern district, the
North-humbrians and the East-Angles had given oaths to
♦ See back at a.d. 891.
Digitized by VwjOOQ IC
AD. 894.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHHONICLE. ^ 361
king Alfred, and the East- Angles six hostages ; and never-
theless, contrary to their plighted troth, as oft as the other
armies went out with all their force, they also went out,
either with them or on their own part. On this king Alfred
gathered together his forces, and proceeded until he en-
camped between the two armies, as near as he could for the
wood fastnesses, and for the water fastnesses, so that he
might be able to reach either of them in case they should
seek any open country. From this time the enemy always
went out along the weald in bands and troops, by whichever
border was at the time without forces : and they also were
sought out by other bands, almost every day, either by day
or night, as well from the king's force as also from the towns.
The king had divided his forces into two, so that one half
was constantly at home, the other half in the field ; besides
those men whose duty it was to defend the towns. The army
did not come out of their stations with their whole force
oftener than twice : once when they first came to land, be-
fore the forces were assembled ; a second time when they
would go away from their stations. Then had they taken
much booty, and would at that time go northward over the
Thames into Essex towards their ships. Then the king'f
forces outrode and got before them, and fought against them
at Famham, and put the army to flight, and retook the
booty ; and they fled over the Thames, where there was no
ford ; then up along the Colne into an island. Then the •
forces there beset them about so long as they there had any
provisions : but at length they had stayed their term of ser-
vice, and had consumed their provisions ; and the king was
then on his way thitherwards with the division which
warred under him. While he was on his way thither, and
the other force was gone homewards, and the Danish-men
remained there behind, because their king had been wounded
in the battle, so that they could not carry him away, then
those who dwell among the North-humbrians and among the
East-Anglians gathered some himdred ships and went about
south ; and some forty ships about to the north, and be-
sieged a fortress in Devonshire by the north sea ; and those
who went about to the south besieged Exeter. When the
king heard that, then turned he westward towards Exeter
with all his force, except a very strong body of the people
362 THB ANGLO-SAXON CHBONIOLE. [ajd. S9L
eastward. These went onwards until they came to London ;
and then with the townsmen, and the aid which came to
them from the west, they went east to Bamfleet. Hasten
was then come there with his band which before sat at
Milton ; and the great army was also come thereto, which
before sat at Appledore near Lamne-mouth. The fortress at
Bamfleet had been ere this constructed by Hasten, and he
was at that time gone out to plunder ; and the great army
was therein. Then came they thereto, and put the army to
flight, and stormed the fortress, and took all that was within
it, as well the property, as the women, and the children also,
and brought the whole to London ; and all the ships they
either broke in pieces or burned, or brought to London or to
Bochester ; and they brought the wife of Hasten and his
two sons to the king : and he afterwards gave them up to
him again, because one of them was his godson, and the
other Ethered, the ealdorman's. They had become their
godfathers before Hasten came to Bamfleet, and at thai
time Hasten had delivered to him hostages and taken oaths :
and the king had also given him many gifts ; and so like-
wise when he gave up the youth and the woman. But as
soon as they came to Bamfleet, and the fortress was con-
structed, then plundered he that very part of the king's realm
which was in the keeping of Ethered his compeer ; and
again, this second time, he had gone out to plunder that very
same district when his fortress was stormed. Now the king
with his forces had turned westward towards Exeter, as I
said before, and the army had beset the city ; but when
he arrived there, then went they to their ships. While the
king was thus busied with the army there, in the west, and
both the other armies had drawn together at Shoebury in
Essex, and there had constructed a fortress, then both to-
gether went up along the Thames, and a great addition
came to them, as weU from the East-Anglians as from the
North-humbrians. They then went up along the Thames
till they reached the Severn ; then up along the Severn.
Then Ethered the ealdorman, and Ethelm the ealdorman,
and Ethelnoth the ealdorman, and the king's thanes who
were then at home in the fortified places, gathered forces
from every town east of the Parret, and as well west as east
of Selwood, and also north of the Thames, and west of the
Digitized by VjOOQlt
A.i>. 885.J THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE* 363
Severn, and also some part of the North- Welsh people.
When they had all drawn together, then they came up with
the army at Buttmgton on the banks of the Severn, and there
beset them about, on either side, in a fastness. When they
had now sat there many weeks on both sides of the river,
and the king was in the west in Devon, against the fleets
then were the enemy distressed for want of food ; and hav-
ing eaten a great part of their horses, the others being
starved with hungei^ then went they out against the men
who were encamped on the east bank of the river, and fought
against them : and the Christians had the victory. And
Ordhelm a king's thane was there slain, and abo many other
king's thanes were slain ; and of the Danish-men there was
very great slaughter made ; and that part which got away
thence was saved by flight. When they had come into
Essex to their fortress and to their ships, then the survivors
again gathered a great army from among the East- Angles
and the North-humbrians before winter, and committed their
wives and their ships and their wealth to the East- Angles,
and went at one stretch, day and night, until they arrived at
a western city in Wirall, which is called Lega-ceaster
[Chester]. Then were the forces unable to come up with
them before they were within the fortress : nevertheless
they beset the fortress about for some two days, and took all
the cattle that was there without, and slew the men whom
they were able to overtake without the fortress, and burned
all the com, and with their horses ate it every evening.
And this was about a twelve-month after they first came
hither over sea.
A. 895. And then soon after that, in this year, the army
from Wirall went among the North- Welsh, for they were
unable to stay there : tWs was because they had been de-
prived both of the cattle and of the corn which they had
plundered. When they had turned again out of North-
Wales, with the booty which they had there taken, then
went they over Northumberland and East-Anglia, in
such wise that the forces could not overtake them before
they came to the eastern parts of the land of Essex, to an
island that is out on the sea, which is called Mersey. And
as the army which had beset Exeter again turned homewards,
then spoiled they the South-Saxons near Chichester ; and
Digitized byXjOOOTC
364 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. ^o. 8fl«, 897.
the townsmen put them to fiight, and slew many hundreds
of them, and took some of their ships. Then that same
year, before winter, the Danish-men who had sat ^wn in
Mersey, towed their ships up the Thames, and thence up the
Lea. This was about two years after they had come Inther
over sea.
A. 896. In that same year the fore-mentioned army con-
structed a fortress on the Lea, twenty miles above London.
After this, in summer, a great body of the townsmen, and
also of other people, went onwards until they arrived at the
Danish fortress ; and there they were put to flight, and
some four king's thanes were slain. Then after this, during
harvest, the king encamped near to the town, while the
people reaped the com, so that the Danish-men might not
deprive them of the crop. Then on a certain day the king
rode up along the river, and observed where the river might
be obstructed, so that they would be unable to bring out
their ships. And they then did thus : they constructed two
fortresses on the two sides of the river. When they had
aheady begun the work, and had encamped before it,
then perceived the army that they should not be able to
bring out their ships. They then abandoned them, and
went across the country till they arrived at Bridgenorth by
the Severn ; and there they constructed a fortress. Tlien
the forces rode westwards after the army : and the men of
London took possession of the ships ; but all which they
could not bring away, they broke up, and those which were
worthy of capture they brought to London : moreover the
Danish-men had committed their wives to the keeping of the
East- Angles before they went out from their fortress. Then
sat they down for the winter at Bridgenorth. This was
about three years after they had come hither over sea to
Limne-mouth.
A. 897. After this, in the summer of this year, the army
broke up, some for East-Anglia, some for North-humbria ;
and they who were moneyless procured themselves ships
there, and went southwards over sea to the Seine. Thanks
be to God, the army had not utterly broken down the Eng-
lish nation ; but during the three years it was much more
broken down by the mortality among cattle and among men,
and most of all by this, that many of the^ost jeminent
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.4^.897.] THE AKaLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 365
king's thanes in the land died during the three years ; some
of whom were, Swithulf, bishop of Rochester, and Ceol-
mund, ealdorman of Kent, and Bertulf, ealdorman of
Essex, and Wulfred, ealdorman of Hampshire, and Eal-
hard, bishop of Dorchester, and S^ulf, the king's tiiane in
Sussex, and Bemwulf, the governor of Winchester, and
Eadulf, the king's horse-thane, Iknd many also besides these,
though I have named the most distinguished. That same
year the armies from among the East-Anglians and from
among the North-humbrians harassed the land of the West-
Saxons, chiefly on the south coast, by praedatory bands ;
most of all by their esks, which they had built many
years before. Th^i king Alfred commanded long ships to
be built to oppose the esks ; they were full-nigh twice as
long as the others ; some had sixty oars, and some had more ;
they were both swifter and steadier, and also higher than the
others. They were shapen neither like the Frisian nor the
Danish, but so as it seemed to him they would be most efficient.
Then some time in ihe same year, there came six ships to the
Isle of Wight, and there did much harm, as well as in Devon,
and elsewhere on the sea-coast. Then the king commanded
nine of the new ships to go thither, and they obstructed their
passage from the port towards the outer sea. Then went
they with three of their ships out against them 5 and three
lay in the upper part of the port in the dry ; for the men
were gone ashore. Then took they two of the three
ships at the outer part of the port, and killed the men, and
the other ship escaped ; in that also the men were killed ex-
cept five : they got away because the other ships were
aground. They ^so were aground very disadvantageously :
three lay aground on that side of the deep on which the
Danish ships were aground, and all the rest upon the other
side, so that no one of them could get to the others. But
when the water had ebbed many furlongs from the ships,
then the Danish-men went from their three ships to the
other three which were left by the tide on their side, and
then tiiey there fought against them. There was slain Lu-
cumon, the king's reeve, and Wulfheard, the Frisian, and
Ebb, the Frisian, and Ethelere, the Frisian, and Ethelferth,
the king's neat-herd, and of all the men, Frisians and Eng-
lish, seventy-two ; and of the Danish-men, one hundred and
366 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.* 8»S— 901.
twenty. Then, ho"wever, the flood-tide came to the Danish
ships before the Christians could shove theirs off, and they
therefore rowed them out : nevertheless, they were damaged
to such a degree that they could not row round the Sussex
land ; and there the sea cast two of them on shore, and the
men were led to the king at Winchester ; and he commanded
them to be there hanged : and the men who were in the
single ship came to East-Anglia, sorely wounded. That
same summer no less than twenty ships, with their crews,
wholly perished upon the south coast. That same year died
Wulfric, the king's horse-thane ; he was also " Wealh-
reeve."
A. 898. In this year died Ethelm, ealdorman of Wiltshire,
nine days before midsummer ; and this year died Elstan,
who was bishop of London.
A. 899. 900.
A. 901. This year died Alfred, the son of Ethelwulf, six
days before the mass of All Saints. He was king over the whole
English nation, except that part which was under the do-
minion of the Danes ; and he held the kingdom one year
and a half less than thirty years. And then Edward his
son succeeded to the kingdom. Then Ethelwald, the ethe-
ling, his uncle's son, seized the castle at Wimbome* and that at
Twineham,f without leave of the king and of his " witan."
Then rode the king with his forces until he encamped at
Badbury, near Wimbome; and Ethelwald sat within the
vill, with the men who had submitted to him ; and he had
obstructed all the approaches towards him, and said that he
would do one of two things — or there live, or there lie.
But notwithstanding that, he stole away by night, and
sought the army in North-humbria ; and they received him
for their king, and became obedient to him. And the king
commanded that he should be ridden after ; but they were
unable to overtake him. They then beset the woman whom
he had before taken, without the king's leave, and against
the bishop's command ; for she had previously been conse-
crated a nun. And in this same year Ethelred, who was
ealdorman of Devonshire, died, four weeks before king
Alfred. \
• Dorsetshire.
t Christchurch, New Forest division of Southampton.
AJ> 002-900.] THE AllGLO-SAXON CHBO^ICLE. 367
A« 902. And that same year was the battle at the Holme,
between the Kentish-men and the Danish-men.
A. 902. This year Elswitha died.
A. 903. This year died Athulf, the ealdorman, brother of
Elswitha, king Edward's mother ; and Yirgilins, abbat of
the Scots ; and Grimbald, the mass-priest, on the 8th before the
^Ides of July. And this same year was the consecration of
the New-minster at Winchester, and St. Judoc's advent.
A. 904. This year Ethelwald came hither over sea with
the ships that he was able to get, and he was submitted to in
Essex. This year the moon was eclipsed.
A. 905. TMs year Ethelwald enticed the army in East-
Anglia to break the peace, so that they ravaged over all the
land of Mercia until they came to Cricklade, and there they
went over the Thames, and took, as well in Bradon as
thereabout, all that they could lay hands on, and then turned
homewards again. Then king Edward went after them, as
speedily as he could gather his forces, and overran all their
land between the dikes and the Ouse, all as far north as the
fens. When, after this, he would return thence, then
commanded he it to be proclaimed through his whole force,
that they should all return together. Then the Kentish-men
remained there behind, notwithstanding his orders, and
seven messengers whom he had sent to them. Then the
army there came up to them, and there fought them : and
there Siwulf the ealdorman, and Sigelm the ealdorman, and
Eadwold the king's thane, and Kenwulf the abbat, and
Sigebright son of Siwulf, and Eadwold son of Acca, were
slain, and likewise many with them, though I have named
the most distinguished. And on the Danish side were slain
Eohric their king, and Ethelwald the etheling, who had
enticed him to break the peace, and Byrtsige son of Brith-
noth the etheling, and Ysopk the *hold' [governor?], and Os-
kytel the hold, and very many with them, whom we are now
unable to name. And there was great slaughter made on
either hand ; and of the Danish-men there were more slain,
though they had possession of the place of carnage. And
Elhswitha died that same year. This year a comet appeared
on the thirteenth before the Kalends of November.
A. 906. In this year died Alfred, who was governor of
368 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. [▲.!>. 906-^L
Bath. And in the same year peace was concluded at Hitch-
ingford, even as king Edward ordained, as well with the
East- Angles as with the North-humbrians.
A. 906. This year king Edward, from necessity, concluded a peace both
with the anny of £ast-Ajaglia and of North-humbm.
A. 907. TMs year Chester was repaired.
A. 908. This year died Dffliewulf, who was bishop at
WinchestOT.
A. 909. This year St. Oswald's body was removed from
Bardney into Mercia.
A. 910. This year FritJistan succeeded to the bishc^Hic
at Winchester : and, after that, bishop Asser died ; he was
bishop at Sherborne. And that same year king Edward
sent out a force both of West- Saxons and of Mercians, and
they greatly spoiled the army of the north, as well of men as
of every kmd of cattle, and slew many of the Danish-men :
and they were therein ^ye weeks. In this year the Angles
and the Danes fought at Tootenhall on the eighth before the
Ides of August, and the Angles obtained the victory. And
that same year Ethelfled built the fortress at Bramsbury.
A. 910. This year the army of the Angles and of the Danes fought at
Tootenhall. And Ethelred ealdor of the Mercians died ; and kmg Edward
took possession of London, and of Oxford, and of all the lands which
owed obedience thereto. And a great fleet came hither from the south,
from the Lidwiccas, [Brittany,] and greatly ravaged by the Severn ; but
they there, afterwards, almost sdl perished.
A. 911. This year the army among the North-humbrians
broke the peace, and despised whatever peace king Edward
and his *witan' offered them, and overran the land of Mercia.
And the king had gathered together some hundred ships, and
was then in Kent, and the ships went south-east along the
sea-coast towards him. Then thought the army that the
f reatest part of his forqe was in the ships, and that they
should be able to go, unfought, wheresoever they chose.
When the king learned that, that they were gone out to
plunder, then sent he his forces after them, both of the West-
Saxons and of the Mercians ; and they overtook the army as
they were on their way homewards, and then fought against
them, and put them to flight, and slew many thousands of
them ; and there were slain king Ecwils, and king Halfdene
and Ohter the earl, and Scurf the earl, and Othdf the hold,
A.D. 911— 81«.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 369
and Benesing the hold, and Anlaf the black, and Thorferth
the hold, and Osferth the collector and Guthferth the hold, and
Agmund the hold, and Guthferth.
'a. 911. Then the next year after this died Ethelied lord of the
Mercians.
A. 912. This year died Ethered ealdorman of the
Mercians ; and king Edward took possession of London and
of Oxford, and of aU the lands which owed obedience thereto.
This year Ethelfled lady of the Mercians came to Scaergate
on the holj eve, * Invention of the H0I7 Ooss,' and there
built the fortress ; and the same year, that at Bridgenorth.
A. 913. In this year, about Martinmas,* king Edward
commanded the northern fortress to be built at Hertford,
between the Memer, the Benewic, and the Lea. And then
after that, during the summer, between Bogation-days and
midsummer, king Edward went with some of his forces to
Maldon in Essex, and there encamped, whilst the fortress at
Witham was wrought and built ; and a good part of the
people who were before under the dominion of the Danish-
men submitted to him : and in the meanwhile some part of
his force constructed the fortress at Hertford, on the south side
of the Lea. This year, by the help of God, Ethelfled lady
of the Mercians went with all the Mercians to Tamworth,
and there built the fortress early in the summer ; and after
this before Lanmias, that at StadSbrd.
A 914. Then after this, in the next year, that at
Eddesbury, early in the summer ; and afterwards, in the
same year, late in harvest, that at Warwick.
A. 915. Then after this, in the next year, after mid-
winter, that at Cherburg, and that at Warburton ; and
that same year, before mid-winter, that at Buncom.
A. 91 5. This year was Warwick built.
A 916. This year abbat Egbert was guiltlessly slain, be-
fore midsummer, on the sixteenth before the Kalends of July :
the same day was the feast of the martyr St. Ciricius and
his fellows. And about three days after this, Ethelfled sent
her forces among the Welsh, and stormed Brecknock,
* Florence of Worcester seems to understand this as relating to the
festival of St. Martin of Tours, 11 Nov. and places Maldon, &c. as well as
the events of 917 of the text, under the year 914, GooqIc
870 THE ANGLO-SAXON CBSOmCLB. Ua «7,«lft
and there took the king's Tfife, and some four and thirty
persons.
A. 917. In this year, after Easter, the army rode forth
from Northampton and Leicester, and broke the peace, and
slew many men at Hockerton, and there about And then reiy
speedily after that, when the one came home, then they got
ready another troop which rode out against Leighton : and then
the inhabitants were aware of them, and fought against them,
and put them to full flight, and retook all which they had
seized, and also* a great pcntion of their horses and of their
weapons. This year, before Lammas, Ethelfled, lady of the
Mercians, God helping her, got possession of the fortress which
is called Derby, with all that owed obedience thereto ; and
there also were slain, within the gates, four of her thanest
which to her was a cause of sorrow.
A. 918. This year, in the early part of the year, by Grod's
help, she got into her power, by treaty, the fortress at Leicester,
and the greater part of the army which owed obedience
thereto became subject to her ; and the people of York had
also covenanted with her, some having given a pledge, and
some having bound themselves by oath, that they would be
at her command. Li this year a great fleet came over hither
from the south, from the Lidwiccas, [Brittany,] and with it
two earls, Ohtor and Rhoald : and they went west about till
they arrived within the mouth of the Severn, and they
spoiled the North- Welsh everywhere by the sea-coast where
they then pleased. And in Archenfield they took bishop*
Cameleac, and led him with them to their ships ; and then
king Edward ransomed him afterwards with forty pounds.
Then after that, the whole army landed, and would have gone
once more to plunder about Archenfield. Then met them the
men of Hereford and of Gloucester, and of the nearest towns,
and fought against them and put them to flight, and slew the
earl Rhoald, and a brother of Ohter the other earl, and many
of the army, and drove them into an inclosure, and there
beset them about, until they delivered hostages to them that
they would depart from king Edward's dominion. And the
king had so ordered it that his forces sat down against them
on the south side of Severn-mouth, from the Welsh coast
westward, to the mouth of the Avon eastward 5 so that on
Digitized by VjOOQ Ic
A.i>.9i&-e21.] THE ANGLO-SAX(»r CHBONICLE. . 871
that side they durst not anywhere attempt the land. Then,
nevertheless, they stole away hj night on some two occasions ;
once, to the east of Watchet, and another time to Porlock.
But they were beaten on either occasion, so that few of them
got away, except those alcme who there swam out to the
ships. JLad then they sat down, out on the island of Bradan-
relice, [Flat-holms,] until such time as they were quite desti-
tute g£ food ; and many men died of hunger, because they
could not obtain any food. Then they went thence to Deo-
mod, [S. Wales,] and then out to Ireland : and this was
during harvest. And then after that, in tiie same year,
before Martinmas, king Edward went with his forces to
Buckingham, and diere sat down four weeks ; and, ere he
went thence, he erected both the forts on either side of the
river. And Thurkytel the earl sought to him to be his lord,
and all the captains, and almost all the chief o^n who owed
obedience to Bedford, and also many of those who owed
obedience to Northampton.
A. dl8. But veiy shortly after they had become so, she died at Tarn-
worth, tweWe days b^ore midsummer, the eighth year of her having rule
and right lorddiip over the Mercians ; and her body lies at Gloucester,
within the east porch of St. Peter's church. [See end of a.p. 922.]
A. 918. This year died Ethelfled the lady of the Mercians.
A. 919. In this year, before Martinmas, king Edward
went with his forces to Bedford, and gained the town ; and
almost all the townsmen who formerly dwelt there submitted
to him : and he sat down there four weeks, and commanded
the town to be built on the south side of the river before he
went thence.
A. 919. This year also the daughter of Ethelred, lord of the Mercians,
was derived of all dominion over the Mercians, and carried into Wessex,
three weeks before mid-winter : she was called jSlfwina.
A. 920. In this year, before midsumma*, king Edward
went to Maldon, and built the town, and fortified it before he
departed thence. And that same year Thurkytel the earl
went over sea into France, together with such men as would
follow him, with the peace and aid of king Edward.
A. 921. In this year, before Easter, king Edward gave
orders to take possession of the town at Towcester, and to
fortify it. And again, after that, in the same year, during
Rogation days, he commanded the town at Wigmore to
bb2
372 THE ANOLO-BAXON CHRONIGLE« [a. o. UL
be built That same summer, between Laimnas and mid-
summer, the arm7 ^m Northampton and from Leicester,
and thence north, broke the peace, and went to Towcester,
and fought against the town the whole day; and they thought
that they should be able to take it hj stonn. But, neverthe-
less, the people who were within defended it until a larger
force came to them : and then they departed from the town
and went away. Then, again very soon after that, they went
out once more by night with a predatory band, and came
upon men who were unprepared, and took no small number
as well of men as of cattle between Bumham wood and Ayles-
bury. At that same time went out the army from Hunting-
don and from the East- Angles, and constructed the fortress
at Tempsford, and abode, and built there ; and forsook the
other at Huntingdon, and thought that from thence they
could, by warfare and hostility, get more of the land again.
And they went forth until they arrived at Bedford : and
then the men who were there within went out against them,
and fought with them and put them to flight;^ and slew a
good part of them. Then again, after tliat, a large army
once more drew together from East- Anglia and from Mercia,
and went to the town at Wigmore, and beset it round
about, and fought against it the greater part of the day,
and took the cattle thereabout. And nevertheless, the
men who were within the town defended it ; and then the
army left the town and went away. Then, after that, in
the same summer, much people, within king Edward's
dominion, drew together out of the nearest towns, who could
go thither, and went to Tempsford, and beset the town, and
fought against it till they took it by storm, and slew the king,
and Toglos the earl, and Mann the earl, his son, and his
brother, and all those who were there within and would de-
fend themselves; and took the others, and all that was
therein. Then, very soon after this, much people drew
together during harvest, as well from Kent as from Surrey
and from Essex, and from each of the nearest towns, and
went to Colchester, and beset the town, and fought against
it until they mastered it, and slew all the people there within,
and took eXL that was there, except the men who fled away
over the wall. Then after that, once again during the
same harvest, a large army drew together out of Eost-Ajo^ia,
A.0. 982.J THE ANGLO-SAXON OHBONICLE. 373
as well of the land-force as of the pirates whom they had en-
ticed to their aid ; and they thought that they should be able
to avenge their wrongs. And they went to Maldon, and
beset the town, and fought against it until more aid came to
the help of the townsmen from without ; and then the army
left the town and went away. And then the men from the
town went out after them, and those also who came from
without to their aid ; and they put the army to flight, and
slew many hundreds of them, as weU of the pirates as of
the others. Then, very shortly after, during the same
harvest, king Edward went with the forces of the West-
Saxons to Passoham, and sat down there while they encom-
passed the town at Towcester with a stone wall. And Thur-
ferth the earl, and the captains, and all the army which owed
obedience to Northampton, as far north as the Welland, sub-
mitted to him, and sought to him to be their lord and pro-
tector. And when one division of the forces went home,
then another went out, and took possession of the town of
Huntingdon, and repaired and rebuilt it, by command of
king Edward, where it had been previously demolished ; and
all who were left of the inhabitants of that country submitted
to king Edward, and sought his peace and his protection.
And after this, still in the same year, before Martinmas, king
Edward went with the forces of the West- Saxons to Col-
chester, and repaired the town, and rebuilt it where it had
been before broken down; and much people submitted to
him, as well among the East-Anglians as among the East
Saxons, who before were imder the dominion of the Danes.
And all the army among the East-Anglians swore union
with him, that they would all that he would, and would
observe peace towards all to which the king should grant his
peace, both by sea and by land. And the army which owed
obedience to Cambridge chose him specially to be their
lord and protector ; and confirmed it with oaths, even as he
then decreed it. This year king Edward built the town at
Gladmouth. This year king Sihtric slew Neil his brother.
A. 922. In this year, between Rogation days and mid-
summer, king Edward went ivith his forces to Stamford,
and commanded the town to be built upon the south side of
the river: and all the people which owed obedience to the
northern town submitted to him, and sought to him t to be
Dig'litzedbyVljOOgle
874 THE ANGLO-SAXON OHBONICLE. [a.d.
their lord. And then, during the sojourn which he th^re
made, Ethelfled his sister died there, at Tamworth, twelve
days before midsummer. And then he took possession of
the town at Tamworth ; and all the people of the land of
Mercia, who before were subject to Ethelfled, sulnnitted to
him ; and the kings of the North- Welsh, Howel, and Cle-
dauc, and Jothwel, and all the North- Welsh race, sought to
him to be their lord. Then went he thence to Nottingham
and took possession of the town, and conmianded it to be
repaired and occupied as well by English as by Danes.
And all the people who were settled in Merely as well Dan-
ish as English, submitted to him.
A. 923. In this year, after harvest, king Edward went
with his forces to Thelwall, and commanded the town to be
built, and occuined, and manned; and commanded another
force also of Mercians, the while that he sat there, to take
possession of Manchester in North-humbria, and repair and
man it. This year died archbishop Pl^mund. This year
king Reginsdd won York.
A. 924. In this year, before midsummer, king Edward
went with his forces to Nottingham, wid commanded the
town to be built on the south side of the river, over against'
the other, and the bridge over the Trent, between the two
towns: and then he went thence into Feakland, to Bake-
well, and commanded a town to be built nigh thereunto,
and manned. And then chose him for father and for lord,
the king of the Scots and the whole nation of the Scots, and
Reginald and the son of Eadulf and all those who dwell in
North-humbria, as well English as Danes, and North-men
and others, and also the king of the Strath-clyde Britons,
and all the Strath-clyde Britons.
A. 924. This year Edward was chosen for father and for lord by the
king of the Scots, and by the Scots, and king Reginald, and by all the
North-humbrians, and also the kmg of the Strath-clyde Britons, and by
all the Strath-clyde Britons.
A. 924. This year king Edward died amon^ the Mercians at Famdon;
and very shortly, about sixteen days after this, Elward his son died at
Oxford; and their bodies lie at Winchester. And Athelstan was chosen
king by the Mercians, and consecrated at Kingston. And he gave his sister
to Ofsse [Otho], son of the king of the Old-Saxons.
A. 925. This year king Edward died, and Athelstan his
son succeeded to the kingdom. And St. Dttn8tajQ^|was bom:
A.». »«4— 937.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONIOLBU 375
and Wulf helm succeeded to the archbishopric of Canterbury,
This year king Athelstan and Sihtric king of the North-
humbrians came together at Tamworth, on the 3d before the
Kalends of February; and Athelstan gave him his sister.
A« 925. This year Bishop Wulfhehn was consecrated. And that same
fetar king Edward died.
A. 926. This year fiery lights appeared in the north part
of the heavens. And Sihtric perished: and king Athel*
Stan obtained the kingdom of the North-humbrians. And
he ruled all the kings who were in this island : first, Howel
king of the West- Welsh ; and Constantine king of the Scots ;
and Owen king of the Monmouth people ; and Aldred, son of
Ealdul^ of Bambrough: and they confirmed the peace by
pledge, and by oaths, at the place which is called Eamot,
on the 4th before the Ides of July ; and they renounced all
idolatry, and after that submitted to him in peace.
A. 927. This year king Athelstan expdled king Guth-
frith. And this year Archbishop Wulf hdm went to Rome*
A. 928. William succeeded to Normandy, and held it
fifteen years.
A. 929. 930.
A. 931. This year Brinstan was ordained bishop of Win-
chester on the 4th before the Kalends of June ; and he held
the bishopric two years and a half.
A. 931. This year died Frithstan bishop of Winchester, and Brinstan
was blessed in his place.
A. 932. This year died bishop Frithstan.
A. 933. This year Edwin the etheling was drowned at
sea. This year king Athelstan went into Scotland, as well
with a land army as with a fleet, and ravaged a great part
of it. And bishop Brinstan died at Winchester on the
feast of All-Hallows.
A. 934. This year bishop Elphege succeeded to the
bishopric of Winchester.
A. 935. 936.
A. 937.
Here Athelstan, king, and his brother eke,
of earls the lord, Edmund etheling,
of heroes the bracelet-giver, life-long-glo
gitized b
tized ^Googk
S76
THE AKGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE.
[A.». M7.
in battle won
with edges of swords
near Brumby.
The board-walls they clove,
they hewed the war-lindens,
Hamora lafan'
offspring of Edward,
such was their noble nature
from their ancestors,
that they in battle oft
*gainst every foe
the land defended,
hoards and homes.
The foe they crushed,
the Scottish people
and the shipmen
fated fell
The field 'daeniede'
with warriors' blood,
since the sun up
at morning-tide,
mighty planet,
glided o'er grounds,
God's candle bright,
the eternal Lord's,
till the noble creature
sank to her settle.
There lay many a warrior
by javelins strewed ;
northern man
over shield shot ;
so the Scots eke,
weary, war-sad.
West- Saxons onwards
throughout the day,
in bands,
pursued the footsteps
of the loathed nations.
They hewed the ftigitives
behind, amain,
with swords mill-sharp.
Mercians refused not
the hard hand-play
to any heroes
who with Anla^
over the ocean,
in the ship's bosom,
this land sought
fated to the fight
Five lay
on the battle-stead,
youthful kings,
by swords in slumber laid :
so seven eke
of Anlaf's earls i
of the army countless,
shipmen and Scots.
There was made flee
the North-men's chieftain,
by need constrained,
to the ship's prow
with a little band.
The bark drove afloat :
the king departed
on the fallow flood,
his life preserved.
So there eke the sage
came by flight
to his country north,
Constantino,
hoary warrior.
He had no cause to exult
in the communion of swords.
Here was his kindred band
of friends o'erthrown
on the folk-stead,
in battle slain ;
and his son he left
on the slaughter-place,
mangled with wounds,
young in the fight :
^D. 937>M1.1
THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE.
377
hero grizzly-haired,
of the bill-clashing,
the old deceiver;
nor Anlaf the moor, [mies;
with the remnant of their ar-
thej had no cause to laugh
that they in war's works
the better men were
in the battle-stead,
at the conflict of banners,
meeting of spears,
concourse of men,
traffic of weapons ; [field
that they on the slaughter-
with Edward's
offspring played.
The North-men departed
in their nailed barks ;
bloody relic of darts, *
on roaring ocean
o'er the deep water
Dublin to seek,
again Ireland,
shamed in mind.
^So too the brothers,
both together,
king and etheling,
their country sought,
West-Saxons' land.
in the war exulting.
They left behind them,
the corse to devour,
the sallowy kite
and the swarthy raven
with homed nib,
and the dusky ' pada,'
erne white-tailed,
the corse to enjoy,
greedy war-hawk,
and the grey beast,
wolf of the wood.
Carnage greater haa not been
in this island
ever yet
of people slain,
before this,
by edges of swords,
as books us say, '
old writers,
since from the east hither.
Angles and Saxons
came to land,
o'er the broad seas
Britain sought,
mighty war-smiths,
the Welsh o'ercame,
earls most bold,
this earth obtained.
A. 937. This year king Athelstan and Edmund his brother led a force
to Brumby, and there fought against Anlaf; and, Christ helping^ had
the Tictoiy: and they there slew five kings imd seven earlSb
A. 938. 939.
A. 940. This year king Athelstan died at Gloucester on
the 6th before the Kalends of November, about forty-one years,
except one day, after king Alfred died. And Edmund the
etheling, his brother, succeeded to the kingdom, and he was
then eighteen years of age : and king Athelstan reigned
fourteen years and ten weeks. Then was Wulf helm arch-
bishop in Kent.
A. 941. This year the North-humbrians were false to
378
THE A^aLO-SAXON CHBONIOLE.
[▲jn.M8~04ff.
their plighted troth, and
king.
Here Edmund king^
ruler of Angles,
protector of men,
Merda obtained,
dear deed-doer,
as the Dor flows,
course of the white-well,
and Humberts river,
broad sea-stream.
Five towns,
Leicester,
and Lincoln,
and Nottingham,
ohoBe Anlaf of L*eland to be their
so Stamford eke^
and Derby,
to Danes were erewhile;,
under North-men,
hj need constrained,
of heath^inMn
in captive chains,
a long time ;
until again redeemed them,
for his worthiness,
the bulwark of warriors,
offspring of Edward,
Edmund king.
A. 941. This year king Edmund received king Anlaf at baptism ; and
that same year, a good long space after, he received king R^gmald at the
bishop's hands.
A. 942. This year king *Anlaf died.
A. 943. This year Anlaf stormed Tamworth, and great
carnage was on either hand ; and the Danes had the victory,
and much booty they led away with them : there during the
pillage was Wulfrun taken. This year king Edmund be-
sieged king Anlaf and archbishop Wulfstan in Leicester ;
and he would have taken them, were it not that they broke
out by night from the town. And, after that, Anlaf acquired
king Edmund's friendship ; and king Edmund then re-
ceived king Anlaf at baptism, and he royally gifted him.
And that same year, after a good long time, he received king
Reginald at the bishop's hands. This year king Edmund
delivered Glastonbury to St. Dunstan, where he afterwards
became the first abbat.
A. 944. This year king Edmund subdued all Northum-
berland under his power, and expelled ,two kings, Anlaf,
son of Sihtric, and Reginald, son of Guthferth.
A. 945. This year king Edmund ravaged all Cumber-
land, and granted it all to Malcolm king of the Scots, on the
♦ See Hen. Huntmgdon and Simeon of Durham. A. 941. There were
several chiefs of that name at this period : Anlaf the son of Guthferth,
Anlaf the son of Sihtric, and Anlaf Cuaran, mentioned(AQ^4§Jp
M,1K M»-OM.] TH£ JMGLO-SAXOS CHBONICLE. Z79
condition, that he should be his fellow-worker as well hj sea
as by land.
A. 946. This jear king Edmund died on St Augustine's
mass-daj. That was widely known how he his days ended :
that Leofa stabbed him at Puekle-church. And Aelfleda
at Damerham, Elgar's daughter, the ealdorman, was then
his queen : and he had the kingdom six years and a half.
And then after him his brother Edred the etheling suc-
ceeded to the kingdom, and subdued all Northumberland
under his power : and the Scots gave him oaths, that they
would all that he would.
A. 947. This year kmg Edred came to Tadden's-cliff,
and there Wulfstan the archbishop and all the North-hum-
brian ^^witan" plighted their troth to the king : and within
a little while they belied it all, both pledge and also oaths.
A. 948. This year king Edred ravaged all Northum-
berland, because they had taken Eric to be their king : and
then, during the pillage, was the great minster burned at
Ripon that St. Wilfrid built. And as the king went
homewards, then the army of Tork overtook him : the rear
of the king's forces was at Chesterford ; and there they
made great slaughter. Then was the king so wroth that he
would have marched his forces in again and wholly destroyed
the land. When the North-humbrian "witan" understood
that, then forsook they Eric, and made compensation for
the deed with king Edred.
A. 949. This year Anlaf Curran came to Northumber-
land.
A. 950.
A. 951. This year died Elphege bishop of Winchester, on
St Gregory's mass-day. This same blessed St Dunstan. . . .
A. 952. In this year king Edred commanded archbishop
Wulfstan to be brought into the fastness at Jedburgh,
because he had beep oft accused to the king : and in this
year also the king commanded great slaughter fo be made in
the town of Thetford, in revenge of the abbat Edelm, whom
they had before slain. This year the North-humbrians ex-
pelled king Anlaf, and received Eric, Harold's son.
A. 953.
A. 954. This year the North-humbrians expelled Eric,
and Edred obtained the kingdom of the North-humbrians.
380
THE AKOLO-SAXON CHBOMICLE.
[A.O. 005-908.
This year archbishop Wulfstan again obtained a bishopric
at Dorchester.
A. 955. This year died king Edred on St. Clement's
mass-day, at Frome, and he rests in the Old-minster [Win-
chester] ; and he reigned nine years and a half. And then
Edwy succeeded to the kingdom, king Edmund's and St
Elfgiva's son. And he banished St Dunstan out of the
land.
A. 955. And Edwy succeeded to the kingdom of the West-Saxons, and
Edgar his brother succeeded to the kingdom of the Mercians : and thej
were the sons of King Edmund and of S. Elfgiva.
A. 956.
A. 957. This year died Wulfstan archbishop of York, on
the 17th before the Kalends of January, and he was buried at
Oundle. And in the same year abbat Dunstan was driven
away over sea. This year Edgar the etheling succeeded to
the kingdom of the Mercians.
A. 958. In this year archbishop Odo* separated king
Edwy and Elfgiva, because they were too nearly related.
This year died king Edwy on the Kalends of October ; and
Edgar his brother succeeded to the kingdom, as well of the
West- Saxons as of the Mercians, and of the North-hum-
brians ; and he was then sixteen years of age.
In his days
it prospered well,
and Grod him granted
that he dwelt in peace
the while that he lived ;
and he did as behoved him,
diligently he earned it.
He upreared Grod's glory wide,
and loved God's law,
and bettered the public peace,
most of the kings
who were before him
in man's memory.
And God him eke so helped,
that kings and earls
gladly to him bowed,
and were submissive
to that that he willed ;
and without war
he ruled all
that himself would.
He was wide
throughout nations
greatly honoured,
because he honoured
Gk)d's name earnestly,
and God's law pondered
much and oft,
and God's glory reared
wide and far,
and wisely counselled,
most oft, and ever,
for God and for the world,
of all his people.
• Of Canterhuiy.
d by Google
4j».8ff9-«e3.] THE AHOLO-SAXON OHBONICUB. BBl
and harmful people
allured to this land.
But Gk)d grant him
that his good deeds
be more availing
than his misdeeds,
for his soul's protection
on the longsome course.
One misdeed he did
all too much
that he foreign
vices loved,
and heathen customs
within this land
brought too oftj
and outlandish men
hither enticed,
A. 959. This year Edgar sent after St Dunstan, and
gave him the bishopric at Worcester ; and afterwards the
bishopric at London.
A. 960.
A. 961. This year departed Odo the Good, archbishop ;
and St. Dunstan succeeded to the archbishopric.
A. 962. This year died Elfgar, the king's kinsman, in
Devonshire, and his body rests at Wilton. And king Sif-
ferth killed himself, and his body lies at Wimbome. And
then, within the year, there was a great mortality, and the
great fever was in London ; and Paul's minster was burnt,
and that same year was again built up. Li this same year
Athelmod the mass-priest went to Home, and there die4 on
the 18th before the Kalends of September.
A. 963. This year died Wulfstan the deacon, on Childer-
mass-day, and after that died Gyric the mass-priest* Li this
same year abbat Ethelwold* succeeded to the bishopric at
Winchester, and he was consecrated on the vigil of St.
Andrew : it was Sunday that day. Li the year after he was
consecrated, then made he many minsters, and drove the
clerks out of the bishopric, because they would not observe
any rule, and he set monks there. He made there two abba-
cies ; one of monks, one of nuns ; all which was within
Winchester. Afterwards, then came he to the king, Edgar,
and begged of him that he would give him all the minsters
which heathen men had formerly broken down, because he
would restore them : and the king cheerfully granted it. And
then the bishop came first to Ely, where St. Etheldrida lies,
and caused the minster to be made : then he gave it to one
of his monks, who was named Britnoth. He then conse-
crated him abbat, and there set monks to serve God where
• Of Abingdon. Digitized by CjOOQIc
382 THE AITGLO-BAXON CHBONICLE. (a.i>. 961L
previouslj had been nuns : lie bought then manj villages
of the ^iDgy and made it very rich. After that came bishic^
Ethelwold to the minster which was called Medeshamstede,
which formerly had been destroyed by heathen men : he
foimd nothing there but old walls and wild woods. TTiere
found he, hidden in the old walls, writings that abbat
Hedda had erewhile written, how king Wulf here and
Ethelred his brother had built it, and how they had freed it
against king and against bishop, and against all secular ser-
vices, and bow the pope Agatho had confirmed the samo by
his rescript, cmd the archUshop Deus-dedit. Then caused
he the minster to be built ; and set there an abbat, who was
called Adulf, and caused monks to be there where before
was nothing. Then came he to the king, and caused him
to look at the writings which before were found j and the
king answered then and said :
"I, Edgar, grant and give to-day, before God and before
the archbishop Dunstan, freed<Hn to St. Peter's minster,
Medeshamstede, from king and from bishop : and all the
villages which lie thereto ; that is to say, Eastfield, and
Dodthorp, and Eye, and Paston. And thus J free it, that
no bishop have there any command, without the abbat of the
minster. And I give th© town which is called Oundle, with
all which thereto lieth, that is to say, that which is called
*the Eight-hundreds,' and market and toll, so freely, that
neither king, nor bishop, nor earl, nor sherifi^, have there
any command, nor any man except the abbat alone, and him
whom he thereto appointeth. And I give to Christ and St
Peter, and through the prayer of bishop Ethelwold, these
lands ; that is to say, Barro, Warmington, Ashton, Ketter-
ing, Castor, Eylesworth, Walton, Witherington, Eye, Thorp ;
and one moneyer in Stamford. These lands, and all the
others that belong to the minster, them declare I free : that
is, with sack and sock, toll and team, and infangthief ; these
rights, and all others, them declare I the shire of Christ and St
Peter. And I give the two parts of Whittlesey-mere, with the
waters and with the wears and fens, and so through Meer-
lade straight to the water which is called Nen, and so east-
ward to King's-delf. And I will that a market be in the
same town, and that no other be between Stamford and Hun-
tingdon. And I will that the toll be thus given : firsts from
4A. 96S.] THE AJYGLO-fiAXOir CHBOXICLB. 383
Whittlesej-mere all as far as the king's toll of Norman-cross-
hondred, and then back again from Whittlesey-mere, through
Meerlade, straight to the Nen, and so as the water runneth
to Crowland, and from Crowland to Must, and from Must
to King's-delf, and to Whittlesey-mere. And I will that all
liberties, and all the remissions that my predecessors have
given, that they stand ; and I sign and confirm it with
Christ's rood-token." ►Ji
Then Dunstan the archbishop of Canterbury answered,
and said : '^ I grant that all the things which here are given
and spoken of^ and all the things which thy predecessors and
mine have conceded, those will I that they stand ; and who-
soever this breaketh, then give I him the curse of God, and
of. all saints, and of all ordained heads, and of myself, unless
he come to repentance. And I give, in acknowledgment, to
St. Peter, my mass-hackel, and my stole, and my * reef,' for
the service of Christ." " I, Oswald, archbishop of York,
assent to all these words by the holy rood which Christ suf-
fered on.''^J^ "I, Ethelwold, bishop, bless all who shall
observe this ; and I excommunicate all who shall break this,
unless he come to repentance." Here was Elfstan bishop,
Athulf bishop, and Eskwi abbat, and Osgar abbat, and
Ethelgar abbat, and Elfere the ealdorman, Ethelwin the
ealdorman, Britnoth ; Oslac the ealdorman, and many other
great men : and all assented to it, and all signed it with
Christ's cross, y^ This was done after the birth of pur Lord
nine hundred and seventy-two years, of the king's reign the
sixteenth year.
Then the abbat Aldulf bought lands, numerous and many,
ihen greatly enriched the minster withal ; and then was
he there so long as until the archbishop Oswald of York
was dead, and then he was chosen archbishop. And then,
soon, another abbat was chosen of the self-same minster, who
was called Kenulf : he was afterwards bishop at Winchester.
And he first made the wall about the minster : then gave he
that to name Peterborough, which before was called Medes-
hamstede: he was there until he was appointed bishop
at Winchester. Then another abbat was chosen of the self-
same minster, who was called Elfsy : Elfsy was then abbat,
from that time, fifty years. He took up St. Kyneburg and
St Kyneswith, who lay at Castor, and St. Tibba, who lay at
384 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. [i.i>. 90S-O71.
Ryhall, and brought them to Peterborough, and made an
offering of them all to St. Peter in one day ; and preserved
them idl the while he was there.
A. 963. This year, bj king Edgar, St Etbelwold was chosen to the
bishoprick at Winchester. And the archbishop of Canterbury, St. Dun-
ttan, consecrated him bishop on the first Sunday of Advent ; that was on
the 3rd before the Kalends of December.
A. 964. This year king Edgar expelled the priests at
Winchester from the Old-minster and from the New-minster,
and from Chertsey; and from Milton, and filled them with
monks ; and he appointed abbat Ethelgar abbat to the New-
minster, and Ordbert to Chertsey, and Cyneward to Milton.
A. 964. This year were the canons driven out of the Old-minster by
king Edgar, and also from the New-minster, and from Chertsey and from
Milton ; and he appointed thereto monks and abbats : to the New-minster
Ethelgar, to Chertsey Ordbert, to Milton Cyneward.
A. 965. In this year king Edgar took Elfrida for his
queen ; she was daughter of Ordgar the ealdorman.
A. 966. This year Thored, Gunner's son, ravaged West-
moreland. And that same year Oslac obtained an ealdordom.
A 967.
A 968. In this year king Edgar ordered all Thanet-
land to be ravaged.
A. 969. 970.
A. 971. This year died archbishop Oskytel : he was first
consecrated bishop of Dorchester, and afterwards of York ;
by favour of king Edred, and of all his *witan,' he was
consecrated archbishop; and he was a bishop twenty two
years ; and he died on the mass-night of All-Hallows, ten
days before Martin-mass, at Thame. And abbat Thurkytel
his kinsman, carried the bishop's body to Bedford, because
he was then, at that time, abbat there.
A 972. This year died Edmund the etheling, and his
body lies at Rumsey.
A. 972. This year Edgar the etheling was consecrated king at Bath,
on Pentecost's mass-day, on the 5th before the Ides of May, the thirteenth
year since he had obtained the kingdom ; and he was then one less than
thirty years of age. And soon after that, the king led all his ship-foroeA
to Chester ; and there came to meet him six kings, and they all plighted
their troth to him, that they would be his fellow- workers bjr sea and by
land. Digitized by dOOQlt
A.U. 973.J
THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE.
385
A. 973.
Here was Edgar,
ruler of Angles,
in full assembly,
hallowed king,
at the old city
Akemanscester ;
but it the islanders,
beoms, by another word,
name Bath.
There was much bliss
on that blessed day
to all occasioned,
which children of men
name and call
Pentecost's day.
There was a heap of priests ;
of monks a large band,
as I have heard,
of sage ones, gathered :
and then agone was
ten hundred years,
told in numbers,
from the birth-tide
oi the glorious King,
Pastor of light,
but that there remaining
then still was,
of yearly-tale,
as writings say,
seven and twenty :
80 nigh had to the Victor-lord
a thousand run out
when this befel.
And himself, Edmund's
offspring, had
nine and twenty,
guardian 'gainst evil works,
years in the world
when this was done,
and then in the thirtieth, was
hallowed ruler.
A. 974.
A. 975.
Here, ended
the joys of earth,
Edgar, of Angles king
chose him another light,
beauteous and winsome
and left this frail,
this barren life.
Children of men name,
men on the earth,
every where, that month,
in this land,
those who erewhile were
in the art of numbers
rightly taught,
July month, •
when the youth departed,
on the eighth day,
Edgar, from life,
bracelet giver to heroes.
And then his son succeeded
to the kingdom,
a child un-waxen,
of earls the prince,
to whom was Edward name.
And him, a glorious chief,
ten days before,
departed from Britain,
the good bishop,*
through nature's course,
to whom was Cyneward name.
Then was in Mercia,
as I have heard,
widely and every where,
the glory of the Lord
laid low on earth :
many were expelled,
* Of Wdla.
oc
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386
THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLB.
tA.B.978:
sage servants of God ;
that was much grief
to him who in his breast bore
a burning love
of the Creator, in his mind.
Then was the Source of wonders
too oft contemned ;
the Victor-lord,
heaven's Ruler. [through
Then men his law broke
and then was eke driven out,
beloved hero,
Oslac ffom this land,
o'er rolling waters,
o'er the ganet's-bath ;
hoary-hwred hero,
wise and word-skilled,
o'er the water's throng,
o'er tlie whale's domain,
A. 975. The 8th hetwe the Ides of
July.
Here Edgar died,
ruler of Angles,
West-Saxons' joy,
and Mercians' protector.
Known was it widely
throughout many nations.
^ Thaet* ofispring of Edmund,
o'er the ganet's-bath.
of home bereaved.
And then was seen,
high in the heavens,
a star in the firmament^
which lofty-souled
men, sage minded^
call widely,
cometa by name ;
men skilled in arts,
wise truth-bearers.
Throughout mankind was
the Lord's vengeance
widely known,
famine o'er earth.
That again heaven's Guardian,
bettered, Lord of angels,
gave again bliss
to each isle-dweller.
through earth's fruits.
honoured &r,
Kings him widely
bowed to the king,
as was his due by kind.
No fleet was so daring,
nor army so strong,
that 'mid the English nation
took from him anghV
the while that the noble king
ruled on his throne.
And this year Edward, Edgar's son, succeeded to the king^pm ; and then
soon, in the same year, during harvest, appeared ^ cometa* the star ; and
then came in the following year a very great famine, and Y&ry manifold
commotions among the English people.
In his days,
for his youth,
Grod's gainsayen
God's law broke ; f
Eldfere, ealdorman, '
and others many ;
and rule monastic quashed.
and minsters dissolved,
and monks drove out,
and God's servants put down.
And at that time, also, was Oslac
whom Edgar, king, ordered erewbile
the holy bishop
Ethelwold to stablish ;
and widows they plundered,
many times and oft :
and many unnghteousnesses,
and evil unjust-deeds
arose up afterwards :
and ever after that
it greatly grew in eviL
the great earl banished fiom Jingland.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
A,D. 978—07^]
THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE.
387
A. 976. This year was the great famine among the Eng
lish nation.
A. 977.. This year, after Easter, was the great council at
Kirtlington; and there died bishop Sideman, by a sudden
death, on the 2d before the Kalends of May. He was bishop in
Devonshire, and he desired that the resting-place of his body
should be at Crediton, at his episcopal seat. Then commanded
king Edward and archbishop Dunstan that he should be borne
to St. Mary's minster, which is at Abingdon : and so too was
it done : and he is moreover honourably buried on the north
side, in St. Paul's chapel.
A. 978. In this year all the chief *witan' of the English
nation fell at Calne from an upper chamber, except the holy
archbishop Dunstan, who alone supported himself upon a
beam ; and there some were grievously maimed, and some
did not escape with life. In this year was King Edward
martyred ; and Ethelred the etheling, his brother, succeeded
to the kingdom, and he was in the same year consecrated king.
In that year died Alfwold ; he was bishop of Dorset, and his
body lies in the minster at Sherborne.
A. 979. In this year was Ethelred consecrated king at
Kingston, on the Sunday, fourteen days after Easter; and
there were at his consecration two archbishops, and ten suffra-
gan-bishops. That same year ^sa seen a bloody cloud, often-
times, in the likeness of fire ; and it was mostly apparent
at midnight, and so in various be^ns was coloured : when it
began to dawn, then it glided away.
A. 979. This year was king Edward slain at even-tide, at Corfe-gate,
on the 15th before the Kalends of April, and then was he buried at Ware-
ham, without any kind of kingly honours. "*
There has not been 'mid Angles
a worse deed done
than this was,
smce they first
Britain-land sought.
Men him murdeared,
but Grod him glorified.
He was in life
an earthly king ;
he is now after death
a heavenly saint.
Him would not bis earthly
kinsmen avenge,
but hhn hath his heavenly Father
one
but the 1
hath his me
in the heavens
and on earth wide-spread.
They who would not erewhile
to his living
body bow down,
they now humbly
on knees bend C^r^r^rs]r>
to his dead bdi^^^ ^^^8^^
c2
388 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. [▲.!>. 960—981.
Now we may understand I and their councils,
that men's wisdom I are like nought
and their devices, | 'gainst God's resolves.
This year Ethelred succeeded to the kingdom ; and he was' very quickly
after that, with much joy of the English witan; consecrated king at Kingston.
A. 980. In this year abbat Ethelgar* was consecrated
bishop on the 6th before the Nones of May, to the episcopal seat
at Selsey. And in the same year was Southampton rayaged
by a ship-force, and the most part of the townsmen slain, and
led captive. And that same year was Thanet-land ravaged
by a ship force, and the most part of the townsmen slain,
and led captive. And that same year was Legecester-shire
[Chester] ravaged by a northern ship-force. In this year St.
Dunstan and Alfere the ealdorman fetched the holy king's
body, St. Edward's, from Wareham, and bore it with much
solemnity to Shaftsbury.
A. 981. In this year St. Petroc's-stowe [Padstow] was
ravaged ; and that same year was much harm done every-
where by the sea-coast, as well among the men of Devon as
among the Welsh. And in the same year died El&tan
bishop of Wiltshire, and his body lies in the minster at
Abingdon ; and Wulfgar then succeeded to the bishopric.
And in the same year died abbat Womaref at Ghent.
A. 981. This year came first the s^ven ships, and ravaged Southampton.
A. 982. In this year landed among the men of Dorset
three ships of pirates ; and they ravaged in Portland. That
same year London was burnt ; and in the same year died two
ealdormen, Ethelmer in Hampshire, and Edwin in Sussex ;
and Ethelmer's body lies at Winchester, in the New-minster,
and Edwin's in the minster at Abingdon. This same year
died two abbesses in Dorset, Herelidu at Shaftesbury, and
Wulfwina at Wareham. And that same year went Otho the
Itoman emperor to Greek-land [Calabria], and there met he a
large force of Saracens, coming up from the sea, and they would
then go plundering the Christian people. And then the Empe-
ror fought against them, and there was great slaughter made
on either hand ; and the emperor had possession of the place oi
carnage : and nevertheless he was there much harassed be-
fore he turned thence : and as he homeward went, then died
* Of New-minster.
itizld by VjDr
A A 983-891.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 389
his brother's son, who was named Otho, and he was Leo-
dulf the etheling's son, and Leodulf was the elder Otho's
son and king Edward's daughter's son.
A. 983. This year died Alfere the ealdonnan, and
Alfric succeeded to the same ealdorman-ship.* And Pope
Benedict [VH.] died.
A. 984. This year died the benevolent bishop of Winches-
ter, Ethelwold, father of monks, on the Kalends of August ;
and the consecration of the succeeding bishop, Elphege [11.],
who by another name was called Godwin, was on the 14th
before the Kalends of November ; and he took the episcopal
seat at Winchester, on the day of the two apostles Simon
and Jude.
A. 985. This year was Alfric the eoldorman banished the
land. And in the same year was Edwin consecrated abbat
of the minster at Abingdon.
A. 986. This year the king laid waste the bishopric of
Rochester. This year first came the great murrain among
cattle in the English nation.
A. 987.
A. 988. This year was Watchet ravaged, and Goda, the
Devonshire thane, slain, and with him much slaughter made.
And this year departed the holy archbishop Dunstan, and
passed to the heavenly life : and bishop Ethelgar*!; succeeded,
after him^ to the archbishopric jj and little while after that
he lived, but one year and three months.
A. 989.
A. 990. This year Siric was consecrated archbishop, §
and afterwards went to Rome for his pall. And abbat Ead-
win|| died; and abbat Wulfgar succeeded to the abbacy.
A. 991. This year was Ipswich ravaged; and after that,
very shortly, was Britnoth the ealdomian slain at Maldon.
And in that year it was decreed that tribute, for the first
time, should be given to the Danish-men, on account of the
great terror which they caused by the sea-coast ; that was at
first ten thousand pounds : this counsel was first given by
archbishop Siric.
A. 992. This year Oswald the holy archbishop f left this,
and passed to the heavenly life: and Ethelwin the ealdor-
• Mercia. + Of Selsey. % Of Canterbury.
§ Of Canterbuiy. || Of Abingdon. f Of^M^Google
390 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. Lav. 992, 903,
man* died in the same year. Then decreed the king and
all his witan that all the ships which were worth anytliing
should be gathered together at London. And the king then
committed the forces to the leading of Elfric the ealdorman,
and of Thorod the earl, and of bishc^ Elfstan,f and of
bishop Escwy;^ aAd they were to try if they could any
where betrap the army about. Then sent the eaTdorman
Elfric and directed the army to be warned ; and then during
the night of which they should have joined battle by day,
then fled he by night frcwn the forces, to his great disgrace :
and the army then escaped, except one ship, whose crew
was there slain. And then the ships from East-Anglia, and
from London met the army, and there they made great
slaughter of them ; and took the ship, all armed and equip-
ped, in which the ealdorman was. And then after the de-
cease of archbishop Oswald, abbat Aldulf,. of Peterborough,
succeeded to the bishopric of York, and of Worcester ; and
Kenulf to the abbacy of Peterborough.
A. 992. This year Oswald the blessed archbishop died, and Abbat
Eadulf succeeded to York and to Worcester. And tins year the king and
all his witan decreed that all the ships which were worth anything shoidd be
gathered together at London, in onler that they might try if they could
any where betrap the army from without. But iElfric the ealdorman, one
of those in whom the king had most confidence, directed the army to be
warned; and in the night, as they should on the morrow hare joined battle,
the self-same ^Elfric fled from the forces; and then the army escaped.
A. 993. In this year was Bambrough entered by storm^
and much booty there taken. And after that the army came
to the mouth of the Humber, and there wrought much evil,
as well in Lindsey as in Northumbria. Then a very large
force was gathered together ; and as they should have joined
battle, then the leaders, first of all, began the flight; that
was Frene, and GU)dwin, and Frithgist. In this year the
king ordered Elfgar, son of Elfric the ealdorman, to be
blinded.
A. 993. In this year came Olave with ninety-three ships to Staines, and
ravaged there abont, and then went thence to Sandwich, and so thence to
Ipswich, and that all over-ran; and so to Maldon. And there Britnoth
the ealdorman came against them with his forces, and fought against them:
and they there slew the ealdorman, and had possession of the place of
* Of £. Anglia. f Of London. ^ ., ,± Of Dorc ester.
^ ' Digitized b ^
AJK 994, 995.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONTOLE. 391
cama^ And after that peace was made with them; and him [Anlaf]
the kmg afterwards received at the bishop's hands, through the instruction
of Sine bishop of the Kentish-men, and of ^Iphege [II.] of Winchester.
A. 994. In this year came Olave and Sweyn to London,
on the nativitj of St. Mary, with ninety-four ships; and
they then continued fighting stoutly against the city, and
would fdflo have set fixe to it. But they there sustained
more harm and evil than they ever supposed that any citizens
would be able to do unto them. But the holy mother
of God, on that day, shewed her mercy to the citizens
and delivered them firom their foes. And they then went
thence, and wrought the utmost evil that ever any army
could do, by burning, and plundering, and by man-slaying,
both by the sea-coast and among the East- Saxons, and in
the land of Kent, and in Sussex, and in Hampshire. And
at last they took to themselves horses, and rode as far as
they would, and continued doing unspeakable evil. Then
the king and his witan decreed that they should be sent to,
and promised tribute and food, on condition that they should
cease from their plundering : which terms they accepted.
And then all the army came to Southampton, and there
took up their winter-quarters: and there they were vic-
tualled from all the realm of the West- Saxons, and they
were paid sixteen thousand pounds of money. Then tfie
king sent bishop Elphege [II.]* and Ethelwerd the ealdorman
after king Olave, and the while, hostages were delivered to
the ships; and they then led Olave with much worship to
the king at Andover. And king Ethelred received him at
the bishop's hands, and royally gifted him. And then Olave
made a covenant with him, even as he also fulfilled, that he
never again would come hostilely to the English nation.
A 995. In this year appeared *cometa,' the star, and
archbishop Sigic died: and Alfric bishop of Wiltshire t
was chosen :( on Easter-day, at Amesbury, by king Ethelred
and by all his witan. This Alfric was a very wise man, so
that there was no sager man in England. Then went Alfric
to his archiepiscopal seat ; and when he came thither he was
received by those men in orders who were most unacceptable
to him, that was, by clerks. And soon (he sent for) all the
wisest men he anywhere knew of, and abo the old men who
• Of Winchester. t Afterwards Salisbury. i To> Canterbury.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
392 THE AKGLO-SAXOX CHRONICLE. [a j>. MS-
were able to say the soothest haw each thing had been in
this land in the days of their elders; in addition to what
himself had learned from books and from wise men. TTim
told the very old men, as well clergy as laity, that their
elders had told th^n how it had been established by law
soon after St. Augustine came to this land. When Augus-
tine had obtained the bishopric in the city,* then was he
archbishop over all king Ethelbert's kingdom, as it is re-
lated in Historia Anglorumf make (a bishop's) see by
the king's aid in ... . was begun by the old Romans . . . and
to sprout forth. In that company the foremost were Mel-
litus, Justus, Paulinus, Rufinianus. By these sent the blessed
pope the paU, and therewith a letter, and instruction how he
should consecrate bishops, and in which place in Britain he
should seat them. And to the king (also) he sent letters
and many worldly gifts of divers things. And the churches
which they had got ready he commanded to be consecrated in
the name of our Lord and Saviour Christ and St. Mary;
and for himself there fix a dwelling-place, and for all his
after-followers ; and that he (should) place therein men of
the same order that he had sent thither, and of which he
himself was, and also that each monks who should
fill the archiepiscopal seat at Canterbury, and that be ever
observed by God's leave and blessing and by St. Peter's, and
by all who came after him. When this embassy came again
to king Egelbert and to Augustine, they were very pleased
with such instruction. And the archbishop then conse-
crated the minster in Christ's name and St. Mary's, (on)
the day which is called the mass-day of the two martyrs,
Primus et Felicianus, and there within placed monks all as
St. Gregory commanded : and they God's service continently
performed ; and from the same monks bishops were taken for
each as thou mayst read in Historia Anglorum.:^ Then
was archbishop Alfric very blithe, that he had so many wit-
nesses (who) stood best at that time with the king. Still
more, the same witan who were with the archbishop said:
Thus abo we ... . monks have continued at Christ-Church
during Augustine's days, and during Laurentius', Mellitus',
Justus', Honorius', Deusdedit, Theodore's, Berthwold's, Tat-
wine's, Nothelm's, Cuthbert's, Bregwine's, Lambert's,
• Canterbury. t Bede, b. i. c. 25. J B^. b, i-j^ 33.
igi ize y ^
A.D.985J THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 893
Athelard's, Wulfred's, Theologild's. But the (first) year when
Ceolnoth came to the archbishopric, there was such a mor-
talitj that there remaiiied no more than five monks within
Christ-Church, During all his time there was war and sor-
row in this land, so that no man could think of anything else
but Now, God be thanked, it is in the king's power
and thine, whether they may be longer there within, because
they (might) never better be brought thereout than now may
be done, if it is the king's will and thine. The archbishop
then, without any staying, with all (these) men, went anon
to the king and showed him all, so as we here before have
related. Then was the king very glad (at these) tidings,
and said to the archbishop and to the others, *It seemeth
advisable to me that thou shouldst go first of all to Rome
after thy (pall, and that) thou show to the pope all this, and,
after that, act by his counsel :* And they all answered, that
that was the best counsel When (the priests) heard this,
then resolved they that they should take two from among
themselves and send to the pope ; and they should offer him
great gifts and silver, on condition that he should give them
the arch(-pall). But when they came to Rome, then would
not the pope do that, because they brought him no letter
either from the king or from the people, and commanded
them to go, lo ! where they would. (So soon as) the priests
had gone thence, came archbishop Alfric to Rome, and the
pope received him with much worship, and commanded him
on the morrow to perform mass at St. Peter's altar, and the
pope himself put on him his own pall, and greatly honoured
him. When this was done, the archbishop began telling the
pope all about the clerks, how it had happened, and how
they were within the minster at his archbishopric. And
the pope related to him again how the priests had come to
him, and offered great g^hsy in order that he should give
them the pall. And the pope said, *Go now to England
again with Grod's blessing, and St. Peter's and mine ; and as
thou comest home, place in thy minster men of that order
which St. Grregorius commanded Augustine therein to place,
by Grod's command, and St. Peter's and mine.' Then the
archbishop with this returned to England. As soon as he
came home, he entered his archiepiscopal seat, and aflier that
went to the (king) and the king and all his people thanked
394 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONIOLE. [a
Grod for his return, and that he so had succeeded as was
pleasing to them alL He then went again to Canterburj,
and drove the clerks out of the minster, and there withm
placed monks, aU as the pope commanded him.
-A. 996. In this year was Alfric consecrated archbishop
to Christ-Church.* This year was Wulstan ordained bishop
of London.
A. 997. In this year the army went about Devonshire
into Severn-mouth, and there ravaged, as well among the
Cornish-men as among the North- Welsh, and among the
men of Devon ; and then landed at Watchet, and there
wrought much evil by burning and by man-slaying. And
after that they again went about Penwithstert, on the south
side, and went then into the mouth of the Tamar, and then
went up until they came to Liddyford, and burned and de-
stroyed every thing which they met with ; and they burned
OrdulTs minster at Tavistock, and brought unspeakable
booty with them to their ships. This year archbishop Al-
fric went to Rome after his arch-palL
A. 998. This jg& the army went again eastward into
Frome-mouth, and everywhere there they went up as far as
they would into Dorset. Ajid forces were often gathered
against them ; but, as soon as they should have joined battle,
then was there ever, through some cause, flight begun ; and
in the end they ever had the victory. And then at another
time they sat down in the Isle of Wight, and got their food
the while from Hampshire and from Sussex.
A. 999. This year the army again came about into
Thames, and went then up along the Medway, and to
Rochester. And then the Kentish forces came there to meet
them, and they there stoutly joined battle : but alas I that
they too quickly yielded and fled ; for they had not the sup-
port which they should have had. And the Danish-men
had possession of the place of carnage ; and then they took
horse and rode wheresoever they themselves would, and full
nigh all the West-Kentish men they ruined and plundered.
Then the king, with his witan, decreed that, with a ship
force and also with a land force, they should be attacked.
But when the ships were ready, then the miserable crew delayed
from day to day, and distressed the poor people who lay in
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A ou lOeO, 1001. j THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 395
the sliips : and ever as it should have been forwarder, so was
it later from one time to another ; and ever they let their
enemies' forces increase, and ever the pec^le retired from the
sea, and they ever went forth after them. And then in the
end, these expeditions both by sea and land effepted nothing*,
except the people's distress and waste of money, and the
emboldening of their foes.
A. 1000. In this year the king went into Cimiberland,
and ravaged it well nigh all. And his ships went out about
Chester, and should have come to meet hun, but they were
not able : then ravaged they Anglesey. And the hostile
fleet went this summer to Richard's dominions.*
A. 1001. In this year was much hostility in the land of
the English through the ship-force, and well nigh every
where they ravaged and "burned, so that they advanced
in one course until they came to the town of Alton ; and
then there came against them the men of Hampshire, and
fought against them. And there was Ethelwerd the king's
high-steward slain, and Leofric at A/VTiitchurch, and Leofwin
the king's high-steward, and Wulfhere the bishop's thane, and
Godwin at Worthy, bishop Elfs/s son,! and of all men,
one and eighty ; and there were of the Danish-men many
more slain, though they had possession of the place of car-
nage. And they went thence west until they came to
Devon ; and there Paley came to meet them, with the ships
which he could gather, because he had fled from king Ethel-
red, contrary to all the plighted troth that he had given him ;
and the king had also weU gifted him with houses, and with
gold and with silver. And they burned Teignton, and also
many other good towns which we are unable to name ; and
there, afterwards, peace was made with them. And they
then went thence to Exmouth, so that they proceeded up-
wards in one course until they came to Pen : and there
Cole the king's high-reve, and Edsy the king's-reve, went
against them with the forces which they were able to gather
together ; and they there were put to flight, and there were
many slain : and the Danish-men had possession of the place
of carnage. And the morning after, they burned the village
of Pen and at Clifton, and also many goodly towns which we
are unable to name, and then went again east until they
• Nonnandy. t See note at ^^gl^
896 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 1002, 1003.
came to the Isle of Wight ; and on the morning after, they
burned the town at Waltham, and many other small towns ;
and soon after a treaty was entered into with them, and they
made peace.
A. 1001. This year the anny came to Exmouth, and then went up to
the town, and there continned fighting stoutly ; but they were very strenu-
ously resisted. Then went they through the land, and did all as was their
wont ; destroyed and burnt. Then was collected a vast force of the peo-
ple of Devon and of the people of Somerset, and they then came togethw
at Pen. And so soon as they joined battle, then the people gave
way : and there they made great slaughter, and then they rode over the
land, and their last incursion was ever worse than the one before : and then
they brought much booty with them to their ships. And thence they went
into the Isle of Wight, and there they roved about, even as they themselves
would, and nothing withstood them : nor any fleet by sea durst meet them ;
nor land force either, went they ever so far up. Then was it in every
wise a heavy time, because they never ceased from their evil doings.
A. 1002. In this year the king decreed, and his witan,
that tribute should be paid to the fleet, and peace made with
them, on condition that they should cease from their evil-
doings. Then sent the king to the fleet Leofsy the
ealdorman ; and he then settled a truce with them by the
king's word, and his witan's, and that they should receive
food and tribute. And that they then accepted : and then
were they paid twenty-four thousand pounds. Then during
this, Leofsy the ealdorman slew Eafy the king's high-steward ;
and the king then banished him the land. And then in the
same Lent came the lady, Richard's* daughter, Emma
Elfgive, hither to land : and in the same summer archbishop
Aldulf t died. And in that year the king ordered all the
Danish-men who were in England to be slain. This was
done on St. Brice's mass-day ; because it was made known
to the king that they would treacherously bereaye him of his
life, and afterwards all his witan ; and after that have his
kingdom without any gainsaying.
A. 1003. This year was Exeter entered by storm, through
the French churl Hugh, whom the J lady had appointed her
steward : and then the army entirely ruined the town, and
there took much booty. And in the same year the army
went up into Wiltshire. Then was gathered a very large
force from Wiltshire and from Hampshire, and very
Duke of Normandy. f Of York.
dby(SoS^
A.D.1004,1005.J THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 397
resolutely they came in presence of the army. Then should
the ealdorman ElMc have led the forces, but he then had
recourse to his old devices : as soon as they were so near that
either army could look on the other, then feigned he himself
sick, and began by retching to spew, and said that he was
grievously ill : and thus deceived the people whom he should
have led ; as it is said : When the leader groweth feeble,
then is all the army greatly hindered. When Sweyn saw
that they were not unanimous, and that they all separated,
then led he his army into Wilton ; and they spoiled the town,
and burned it ; and he went then to Salisbury, and thence
went to the sea again, where he knew that his sea-horses
were.
A. 1004. This year came Sweyn with his fleet to
Norwich, and entirely spoiled and burned the town. Then
decreed Ulf kytel, with the witan of East-Anglia, that it were
better that they should purchase peace of the army before
they did very much hann in the land ; because they had
come unawares, and he had not time that he might gather
his forces. Then during the truce which ought to have been
between them, then stole the army up from their ships, and
went their way to Thetford. When Ulfkytel understood
that, then sent he word that the ships should be hewed in
pieces, but they in whom he trusted failed to do it, and he
then gathered his forces secretly, as he best might. And
the army then came to Thetford, within three weeks of their
having before plundered Norwich, and were one day there
within, and plundered and burned the town. And then on the
morrow, as they would have gone to their ships, then came
Ulfkytel with his band, in order that they might there join
battle with them. And they there stoutly joined battle,
{md much slaughter was there made on either hand. There
were the chief among the East- Anglian people slain ; but if
the full force there had been, they never again had gone to
their ships ; inasmuch as they themselves said, that they
never had met a worse hand-phiy among the English nation
than Ulfkytel had brought to them.
A. 1005. In this year was the great famine throughout
the English nation ; such, that no man ever before recollected
one so grim. And the fleet in this year went from this land
to Denmark ; and staid but a little space ere it came again.
398 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLS. [a.i>. 100«.
A. 1006. This year died archbishop Alfric, and after him
bishop Elphege [DL] succeeded to the archbishc^ric : * and bi-
shop Brithwin succeeded to the bishc^ric of Wiltshire.f And
in the same year was Wul%eat deprived of all his possessions,
and Wulfeali and Ufgeat were blinded, and Elfelm the
ealdorman was slain ; and bishop Kenulf ^ died. And then,
after mid-summer, then came the great fleet to Sandwich, and
did all as they had been before wont ; they ravaged, and
bume/d, and destroyed, wherever they went. Then the king
commanded all the people of Wessex and of Mercia to be
called out ; and then they lay out all the harvest in the field
against the army. But it availed nothing the more than it
• oft before had done : but for all this the army went
wheresoever itself would, and the forces did every kind of
harm to the inhabitants ; so that neither profited them, nor
the home army nor the foreign army. When it became
winter, then went the forces home ; and the army then came,
ovei; St. Martin's-mass, to their quarters in the Isle of Wight,
and procured themselves there from all parts that which they
needed. And then, at mid-winter, they went to their ready
store, throughout Hampshire into Berkshire, to Beading:
and they did their old wont ; they lighted their war-beacons
as they went. Then went they to Wallingford, and that all
burned, and were then one day in Cholsey : and they went
then along Ashdown to Cuckamsley-hill, and there abode,
as a daring boast ; for it had heea often said, if they should
reach Cuckamsley-hill, that they would never again get to
the sea : then they went homewards another way. Then
were forces assembled at K^met, and they there joined battle :
and they soon brought that band to flight, and afterwards
carried their booty to the sea. But there might the
Winchester-men see an army daring and fearless, as they
went by their gates towards the sea, and fetched themselves
food and treasures over fifty miles from the sea. Then had
the king gone over Thames into Shropshire, and there took
his abode during the mid-winter's tide. Then became the
dread of the army so great, that no man could think or
discover how they could be driven out of the land, or this
land maintained against them ; for they had every shire in
* Of Canterbury. + Afterwards the diocese of Salisbtuy,
X Of Winchester. rooaIr>
A-D. 10<»-1000.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 399
Wessex sadly marked, by burning and by plundering. Tlien
the king b^an earnestly with his witan to consider what
might seem most advisable to them all, so that this land
might be saved, before it was utterly destroyed. Then the
king and his witan decreed, for the behoc^ of the whole
nation, though it was hateful to them all, that they needs
must pay tribute to the army. Then the king sent to the
army, and directed it to be made known to them, that he
would that there should be a truce between them, and that
tribute should be paid, and food given them. And then all
that they accepted: and then were they victualled from
throughout the English nation.
A. 1006. This year Elphege [II.] was consecrated archbishop.*
A. 1007. In this year was the tribute delivered to the
army, that was thirty-six thousand pounds. In this year
also was Edric appointed ealdorman over the kingdcmi of
Merda. This year bishop Elphege went to Bome after his
palL
A. 1008. This year the king commanded that ships should
be speedily built throughout the English nation : that is then,
&om three hundred hides and from ten hides, one vessel ; and
from eight hides, a helmet and a coat of maiL
A. 1009. In this year were the ships ready about which
we before spake ; and there were so many of them as never
before, according as books say unto us, had been among the
English nation in any king's days. And they were all
brought together to Sandwich, and there they were to lie
and defend this land against every foreign army. But still
we had not the good fortune nor the worthiness, that the
ship-force could Imb of any use to this land, any more than it
oft before had been. Then befell it at this same time, or a
little before, that Brihtric, Edric the ealdorman's brother,
accused [of treason] to the king Wulfnoth the " child " of the
South-Saxons, &ther of Godwin the earl. He then went out,
and enticed sldps unto him, until he had twenty ; and he then
ravaged every where by the south coast, and wrought every
kind of evil. Then it was told unto the ship-forces that
they might be easily taken, if they would go about it. Then
BrOitric took with him eighty ships, and thought that he
should acquire great fame if he could seize Wulfnoth alive
♦ Of Canterbury. Digitized by GoOglc
400 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. La-d. 10091
or dead. But as they were on their way thither, then came
such a wind against them as no man before remembered, and
the ships it then utterly beat, and smashed to pieces, and
cast upon the land ; and soon came Wulfhoth, and burned
the ships. When this was thus known in the other ships
where the king was, how the others had fared, then was it as
if it had been aU hopeless ; and the king went his way home,
and the ealdormen and the nobility, and thus lightly left
the ships ; and then afterwards, the people who were in the
ships brought them to London : and they let the whole
nation's toil thus lightly pass away ; and no better was that
victory on which the whole English nation had fixed their
hopes. When this ship-expedition had thus ended, then
came, soon aftier Lammas, the vast hostile army, which we
have called Thurkill's army, to Sandwich; and they soon
went their way to Canterbury, and the city would soon
have subdued, if the citizens had not first desired peace of
them : and ail the people of East-Kent made peace with the
army, and gave them three thousand pounds. And then,
soon after that, the army went forth till they came to the Isle of
Wight ; and thence every where in Sussex, and in Hampshire,
and also in Berkshire, they ravaged and plundered as their
wont is.* Then the king commanded the whole nation to be
called out ; so that they should be opposed on every side :
but lo ! nevertheless, they marched as they pleased. Then,
upon a certain occasion, the king had got before them with
aU his forces, as they would go to their ships ; and all the
people were ready to attack them. But it was then prevented
through Mric the ealdorman, cu it ever is stiU.* Then,
after St. Martin's-mass, they went once more into Kent,
and took up their winter-quarters on the Thames, and ob-
tained their food from Essex, and from the shires which
were there nearest, on both sides of the Thames. And oft
they fought against the city of London : but praise be to
God that it yet stands sound, and they there ever met
with ill fare. And then, after mid-winter, took they their
way upwards through Chiltem, and so to Oxford, and burned
the city ; and betook themselves then, on both sides of the
*^ These expressions in the present tense afibrd a strong proof that the
original records of these transactions are nearly coeval with the transactioM
themselTes, Later MSS. use the past tense. — iNGBiiGoOQle
A.ik lOia] THE AKGLO-aAXON CHBONICLE. 401
Thames, towards their ships. Then were they warned that
there were forces gathered at London against them : then
went they over at Staines. And thus they went the whole
winter ; and durii^ Lent they were in Kent^ and repaired
their sbips,
A. 1010. This year, after Easter, came the fore-mentioned
army into East-Anglia, and landed at Ipswich, and went
forthwith where they understood Ulf kytel was with his
loroes. This was on the day, called the fbrst of the ascension
of our Lord. The East Angles soon fled. Then stood Cam-
bridge-shire firmly against them. There was slain Athelstan
the king's son-in-law, and Oswy and his son, and WulMc,
Leofwin's son, and Eadwy, Ely's brother, and many other good
thanes, and numberless of the people : the flight first began
at Thurkytel Myrehead. And the Danes had possession of
the place of carnage : and there were they horsed ; and
afterwards had dominion over East-Anglia, and the land three
months ravaged and burned ; and they even went into the
wild fens, and they destroyed men and cattle, and burned
throughout the fens : and Thetford they burned, and Cam-
bridge. And after that they went southward again to the
Thames, and the men who were horsed rode towards the
ships ; and after that, very speedily, they went westward
into Oxfordshire, and thence into Buckinghamshire and so
along the Ouse until they came to Bedford, and so onwards
to Temsford ; and ever burning as they went. Then went
they again to their ships with their booty. And when they
went to their ships, then ought the forces again to have gone
out against them, until they should land ; but then the forces
went home : and when they were eastwards, then were the
forces kept westwards ; and when they were southwards,
then were our forces northwards. Then were aU the witan
summoned to the king, and they were then to counsel how
this land might be defended. But although something might
be then counselled, it did not stand even one month : at last
there was no chief who would assemble forces, but each
fled as he best might ; nor, at the last, would even one shire
assist another. Then before St. Andrew's mass-day, came
the enemy to Northampton, and they soon burned the town
and took there-about as much as they themselves would;
and thence they went over Thames into Wessex, and so by
DP
402 THE AKGLO-SAXOK CHXtCHnCI^. Laj>. 1011, lOU.
Cannings-marsb, burning all the way. When thej had
gone so far as they then would, then came they at mid-winter
to their ships.
A. 1011. In this year sent the king and his witan to the
army, and desired peadie, and promised them tribute aad £oody
on condition that they would cease firom their plundering.
They had then over-run, 1st, East-Anglia, and 2d, Essex,
and 3d, Middlesex, and 4th, Oxfordshire, and 5th, CamlMidge-
shire, and 6th, Hertfordshire, and 7th, BuekiBgharashuB,
and 8th, Bedfordshire, and 9th, half of Huntingdcmahire,
and 10th, much of Northamptonshire ; and south of
Thames, aQ Kent, and Sussex, and Hasdngs, and Surry, and
Berkshire, and Hampshire, and mudi of Wikshire. All
these misfo(rtunes befel us through unwise counsel, that they
were not in time offered tribute, or fought against ; but whan
they had done the most evil, then peace and truce were made
with them. And neverthdess, for all the truce. and tribute,
they went everywhere in bands, and plimdered <mr Bodserable
people, and robbed and slew them. And then in this year,
between the Nativity of St. Mary and St. Michael^s*mass>
they besieged Canterbury, and got into it Ihroi^h treachery,
because El&nar betrayed it, whose life the archbishop Elphege
had before saved. And there they took the archbishop
Elph^e, and Elfward Ihe king's steward, and the abbess Leo-
fnma,* and bishop Grodwin.f And abbat EIfinar| they let
go away. And they took there within all the men in orders,
and m&a. and women : it is not to be told to any man how
many there were. And they remained within the dty
afterwards as long as they would. And when they had
thoroughly searched the dly, then went they to their ships,
and led the archbishop witii them.
Was then captive erewhile saw bliss,
he who erewhdle was in that hapless city,
head of the English race whence to us came finrt
and Christendom. Christondom and bliss.
There might l^n be seen 'fore Gk>d, and 'fore the world,
misery, where men oft
And they k^ the ^urohbishop with them so long as until ibe
time that th^ martyred him.
A. 1012. In this year came Edric Hie «aldormaQ, «aiid aU
• Of S. Mildred'ifc f Godwin III. of Rochest^. (Jg^^^ugustine'i.
A.D.101B.] TB£ AHGLO-SAXON CHBONICLS. 403
the chief wttan, clergy and laity, of the English people to
London, before Easter ; Easter^^day was then on the Ides
of April; and th^ irere there then so long as tmtil all
the tribate was paid, after Easter ; that was eight and forty
thousand povncte. Then cm ^e Satorday was the army
greatly excited against the Hshap, because he would not pro-
mise them any mooey : but he f(»rbade that any thing should
be ^ven for him. They had also drunk deeply, for wine
had been brought there from the sout^. Then took they the
biah(^, led him to their hustings on the ere of Sunday, the
octares of Easter, which was on the 13th b^ore the S[alends of
May ; and there they then shameAiUy slaughtered him :
they cast upon him bones and the horns of ox^ and then
one of them struck him with an axe-iron on the head, so that
with the blow he sank down ; and his holy blood fell on the
earth, and his holy soul he sent forth to Grod*s kingdom.
And on the morrow the body was carried to Ixmdon, and
the bishops Ednoth* and Elfhun,f and the townsmen, re-
ceived it with all reverence, and buried it in St. Paulas
minster; and there God now manifesteth the miraculous
powers of the holy marlyr. When the tribute was paid, and
oaths of peace were sworn, theaa. the army separated widely,
in like manner as before it had been gathered together. Thai
became subject to the king &ve and forty ships of the army,
and covenanted with him that they would defaid this countiy,
and that he should feed and clothe them.
A« 1013. In the year after that in which the archbishop ,
Elphege was marked, the king appointed bishop Living to
be archbishop of Canterbury, ^d in this same year,
before the month of August, came king Sweyn with his
fleet to Sandwich, and went then, very soon, about East-
Anglia into the mouth of the Humber, and so upward along
Trent, imtil he came to Gainsborough. And then, soon,
Utred the earl and all the North-humbrians submitted to
him, and all the people in Lindsey, and afterwards the people
in the Five Boroughs,| and soon s^er, all the army north of
Watling-street ; and hostages were delivered to him from
every shire. After he had learned that all th^ people were
♦ OfDorcherter. t Of London. ^
t Namely, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, Stamford, and Derby. Seo
A. 942, 1016. Digitized by GoOQle
dd2 . ^
404 THE AKGLO-SAXOK CHB0NICLE. CAJ».l(aS^
obedient to him, then bade he that his army should be
victualled and horsed ; and he then afterwards went south-
ward with all the forces, and committed the ships and the
hostages to his son Canute. And after he came over Wading-
street, they wrought the most evil that any army could do.
Then went he to Oxford, and the townsmen soon submitted,
and delivered hostages ; and thence to Winchester, and they
did the like. Then went he thence eastward to London, and
much of His people was drowned in the Thames, because
they kept not to any bridge. When he came to the city,
then would not the townsmen submit, but held out against
him with ail their might, because king Ethelred was therein,
and Thurkill with hun. Then went king Sweyn thence to
WaUingford, and so over the Thames westward to Bath, and
sat down there with his forces. And Ethelmar the ealdor-
man came thither, and the western thanes with him, and they
all submitted to Sweyn, and delivered hostages for them-
selves. And when he had thus succeeded, then went he
northward to his ships ; and then all the people held him for
full king. And after that the townsmen of London sub-
mitted, and delivered hostages, because they dreaded lest he
should utterly undo them. Then Sweyn ordered a full-tri-
bute and provisions for his army during the winter ; and
Thurkill ordered the Hke for the army which lay at Green-
wich : and for all that, they plundered as oft as they would.
Then was this people nothing benefited either from the south
or from the north. Then was king Ethelred some while
with the fleet which lay in the Thames ; and the lady* then
departed over sea to her brother Richard,f and Elfsy, abbat of
Peterborough, with her. And the king sent bishop Elf hun
with the ethelings, Edward and Alfred, over sea, that he
might have charge of them. Then departed the king from
the fleet at mid-winter into the Isle of Wight, and was there
during that tide ; and after that tide he went over the sea to
Richard, and was there with him until such time as Sweyn
was dead. And the while that the lady was with her brother
beyond sea, Elfsy, abbat of Peterborough, who was therewith
her, went to the minster which is called Boneval, where St.
Florentine's body lay. There found he a poor place, agoor
abbat, and poor moiis ; for they had been plundered. Then
* Emma* f Duke of Norman^. j
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A.D. 1014.] THE AKGL0-8AX0N CHBONIGLE. 405
bought be there of the abbat and of the monks St. Floren-
tine's body, all except the head, for &ve hundred pounds ;
and then when he came home again, then made he an offer-
ing of it to Christ and St. Peter.
A. 1014. In this year king Sweyn ended his days, at
Candlemas, on the third before the Nones of February. And
that same year Alwy was consecrated bishop of London, at
York, on St. Juliana's mass-day. And all the fleet then
chose Canutefor king. Then counselled all the witan who
were in England, clergy and laity, that they should send
after king Fthelred ; and they declared that no lord were
dearer to them than their natural lord, if he would rule them
better than he had before done. Then sent the king his
son Edward hither with his messengers, and ordered them to
greet all his people ; and said that he would be to them a
loving lord, and amend all those things which they all ab-
horred, and each of those things should be forgiven which
had been done or said to him, on condition that they all, with
one consent, would be obedient to him, without deceit. And
they then established fuU friendship, by word and by pledge,
on either hal^ and declared every Danish king an outlaw
from England for ever. Then, during Lent, king Ethelred
came home to his own people ; and he was gladly received
by them all. Then, after Sweyn was dead, Canute sat with
his army at Gainsborough until Easter ; and it was agreed
between him and the people of londsey that they should find
him horses, and that afterwards they should all go out to-
gether, and plunder. Then came king Ethelred thither, to
Lindsey, with his fuU force, before they were ready : and
then they plundered, and burned, and slew all the people
whom they could reach. And Canute went away out with his
fleet, and thus the poor people were deceived through him,
and then he went southward until he came to Sandwich ;
and there he caused the hostages to be put on shore who had
been delivered to his father, and cut off their hands, and
ears, and noses. And besides all these evils, the king
ordered the army which lay at Greenwich to be paid twenty-
one thousand pounds. And in this year, on the eve of St.
Michael's mass, came the great sea-flood wide throughout
this land, and ran so far up as it never before had done, and
washed away many towns, and a countless number of people.
406 THE AKGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. l>.i>. 1015, 1016.
A. 1015. In this year was the great coundl at Oxford ;
«nd there Edric the ealdorman betrayed Sigeferth and
Morcar, the chief thanes in the Seven Boroughs. He allured
them into his chamber, and there within thSy were crudly
filain. And the king then took ail their possessions, and
•rdered'Sigeferth's relict to be taken, and to be brought to
Mahnesbury. Then, after a little space, Edmund the
etheling went there and took the womim, contrary to ibe
king's will, and had her for his wife. Then, before the
Nativity of St. Mwry, the ethding went thence, from ihe
west, n(M*th to the Five Boroughs, and soon took possession of
all Sigefertii's property, and Morcar^s ; and the peo{^ all
submitted to him. Am then, during the same time, c8b^
king Canute to Sandwich ; and soon after went about Ka:it
into Wessex, until he came to the mouth of the fVome : and
then he ravaged in Dorset, and in Wiltshire, and in Somer-
set. Then lay the king sick at Corsham. Then gathered
Edric ihe ealdorman forces, and the etheling Edmund in
the n(»th. When they came t(^Q[ther, then would the
ealdorman betray the etheling, but he was not able : and
they then parted without a battle on that account, and gave
way to thdr foes. And Edric the ealdorman then oiticed
forty ships from the king, and then went over to Canute. And
the m^i of Wessex sul^tted, and delivered hostages, and
horsed tBb anay ; and then was it there until mid-winter.
A. 1016. In this year came Canute with his army, and
Edric the ealdorman with him, over Tltames into Mercia at
Cricklade. And then diey went to Warwickshire, during
the midwinter's tide, and ravaged, and burned, and slew all
that they could eome at Then b^an the etheling Edmund
to gather his forces. When the forces were assembled, then
would it not content them except it so were that the king
were ihssre with them, and they might have the help of the
citizens of London : then gave they up the expedition,
and each man went him away home. Then a£ker that tide,
the forces were again called out, so that each man, who
was able to go, should come forth, under fall penalties ;
and they sent to the king at London, and prayed him
that he would come to meet the fcH*ces with such help as
he could gather. Wh^i they all had come together, then
it availed them nothing more than it oft before had done.
^.i>. lOiai THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 407
Then was it made known to the king that they would betray
liim ; they who ought to have been of aid to him. Then
left he the forces and returned to London. Then rode the
etheling Edmund into North-humbria to Utred the earl,
and every man thought that they would assemble fwces
against kmg Canute. Then marched they into Staffordshire,
and into Shropshire, and to Chester ; and they plundered on
tlieir part, and Canute oa his part He went out through
[Buckinghamshire into Bedfordshire, and thence to Hunting-
donshire, and so into Northamptonshire along the felis to
Stamford, and then into Lincolnshire ; then thence to
Nottinghamshire, and so to North-humbria towards York.
When Utred heard this, then left he off his plundering, and
hastened northwards, and then submitted, from need, and all
tlie North-humbrians with him ; and he delivered hostages :
and, notwithstanding, they slew him, through the counsel of
Cdric the ealdorman, and Thurkytel, son of Nafan, with
him. And then, after that, king Canute appointed Eric to be
his earl in North-humbria, in like, manner as Utred had
been ; and afterwards went southward, by another way, all
to the west ; and then before Easter, came all the army to
their ships. And the etheling Edmund went to London to
his father. And then, after Easter, went king Canute with all
his ships towards London. Then befell it that king Ethelred
died, before the ships arrived. He ended his days on St
Greorge's mass day, and he held his kingdom with great toil
and undar great difficulties the while that his life lasted.
And then, after his end, all the peers who were in London,
and the citizens, chose Edmund to be king : and he
strenuously defended his kingdom the while that his time
lasted. Then came the ships to Greenwich at Rogation days.
And within a little space they went to London, and they dug
a great ditch on the south side, and dragged their ships to
the west side of the bridge ; and then afterwards they ditched
the city around^ so that no one could go either in or out : and
they repeatedly fought against the city ; but the citizens
strenuously vdthstood them. Then had the king Edmund,
before that^ gone out ; and then he over-ran Wessex, and all
the people submitted to him. And soon after that he fought
against the army at Pen, near Gillingham. And a second
battle he fought, after mid-summer, at Sherstcm : and there
Digitized by VjOOQlt:
408 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. [aj>. lOlC
much slaughter was made on either side, and the armies of
themselves separated. In that battle was Edric the
ealdorman, and .£lmer darling, helping the army against
king Edmund. And then ^gathered he his forces for the-
third time, and went to London, all north of Thames, and so
out through Clayhanger ; and relieved the citizens, and
drove the army in flight to their ships. And then, two days
after, the king went over at Brentford, and there fought
against the army, and put them to flight : and there m^iy
of the English people were drowned, from their owa
carelessness ; they who went before the forces, and wouH^
take booty. And after that the king went into Wessex, and
collected his forces. Then went the army, soon, to London,
and beset the city around, and strongly fought against
it, as weU by water as by land. But the Almighty God
delivered it.
The enemy went then, after that, from London, with their
ships, into the Orwell, and there went up, and proceeded into
Mercia, and destroyed and burned whatsoever they over-ran,
as is their wont, and provided themselves with food : and
they conducted, as well their ships as their droves, into the
Medway. Then king Edmund assembled, for the fourth
time, aU his forces, and went over the Thames at Brentford,
and went into Kent ; and the army fled before him, with
their horses, into Sheppey : and the king slew as many of
them as he could overtake. And Edric the ealdorman went
then to meet the king at Aylesford : than which no measure
could be more ill-advised.
The army then went again up into Essex, and passed into
Mercift, and destroyed whatever it over-ran.
When the king learned that the army was upward, then
assembled he, for the fifth time, all the English nation, and
followed , after them, and overtook them in Essex, at the
down which is called Assingdon : and there they strenuously
joined battle. Then did Edric the ealdorman, as he had
oft before done, begin the flight first with the Maisevethians,
and so betrayed Ins royal lord and the whole people of the
English race. There Canute had the victory ; and all the
English nation fought against him. There was slain bishop
Ednoth,* and abbat Wulsy, and Elfric the ealdorman,
• Of DorchefitCT. Digitized by Google
AM. 1017.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONIOLK. 409
and Godwin the ealdorman of Lindsej, and Ulfkjtel of
East-Anglia, and Ethelward, son of Ethelwine* the ealdor-
man; and all the nobility of the English race was there
destroyed.
Then, after this battle, went king Canute up with his army
into Gloucestershire, where he learned that king Edmund
was.
Then advised Edric the ealdorman, and the counsellors who
were there, that the kings should be mutually reconciled.
And th^ delivered hostages mutually ; and the kings came
together at Olney near Deerhurst, and then confirmed their
friendship as weU by pledge as by oath, and settled the tribute
for the army. And they then separated with this recon-
cilement : and Edmund obtained Wessex, and Canute Mercia
and the northern district. The army then went to their
ships with the things they had taken. And the men of
London made a truce with the army, and bought themselves
peace: ai^ the army brought their ships to London, and
took up their winter-quarters therein. Then, at St. An-
drew's mass, died king Edmund; and his body lies at
Glastonbury, with his grandfather Edgar. And in the
same year died Wulfgar, abbat of Abingdon ; and Ethelsy
succeeded to the abbacy.
A. 1017. In this year king Canute obtained the whole
realm of the English race, and divided it into four parts:
Wessex to himself, and East-Anglia to Thurkill, and Mer-
cia to Edric, and North-humbria to Eric. And in this
year was Edric the ealdorman slain in London, very justly,
and Norman, son of Leofvnn the ealdorman, and Ethel-
ward, son of Ethelmar the great, and Britric, ami of
Elphege, in Devonshire. And king Canute banished Edwy
the etheling, and afterwards commanded him to be slain, and
Edwy king of the churls. And then, before the Kalends of
August, the king commanded the relict of king Ethelred,
Richard's daughter, to be fetched for his wife ; that was Elf-
give in English, Emma in French.
A. 1017. This year Canute was chosen king.
A. 1018. In this year the tribute was delivered through-
out the whole English nation ; that was altogether, two and
♦ Called Ethelsjr in some MSl^zed by Google
410 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONIOLE. [AAl019-102t
seventj thousand poands, besides that which the townsmen
of London paid, which was ten and a half thousand pounds.
And then some of the army went to Denmark, and forty
ships remained with king Canute. And the Danes and the
Angles agreed, at Oxford, to Hve under Edgar's law. And
this year abbat Etl^y died at Abingdon, and Ethelwine
succeeded him.
A. 1019. This year king Canute went with forty ships to
Denmark, and there abode all the winter.
A. 10 Id. And this winter died archbishop El&tan :* he mis named
Liring; and he was a very pioyident man, botJi as to God and as to the
world.
A. 1020. In this year died archbishop Living: and king
Canute came again to England. And then, at Easter, there
was a great council at Cirencester: then was outlawed
Ethelward the ealdorman, and Edwy, king of the churjs.
And in this year went the king to Assingdon, and arch-
bishop Wulstan [n.],t and Thurkyl the earl, and many bishops
and also abbats, and many monks with them, and consecrated
the minster at Assingdon. And Ethelnoth the monk, who
was dean at Christ-Church, was in the same year, on the
Ides of November, consecrated bishop at Christ-Church, J by
archbishop Wulfstan.
A. 1020. And caused to be built there a minster of stone and lime, for
the souls of the men who there were slain, and gave it to one of his priests,
whose name was Stigand.
A. 1021. In this year, at Martin-mass, king Canute out-
lawed Thurkyl the earL And bishop Elfgar,§ the alms-
giver, died on Christmas-morn.
A. 1022. This year king Canute went out with his ships
to the Isle of Wight. Archbishop Ethelnoth went to Rome,
and was there received by Benedict, the honourable pope,
with much worship ; and he, with his own hands, put his pall
upon him, and very honourably consecrated him archbishop,
and blessed him, on the Nones of October. And the arch-
bishop soon after, on the self-same day, sang mass therewith :
and then thereafter was honourably entertained by the same
pope, and also himself took the pall from St Peter's altar;
♦ Of Canterbury. f Of York.
:{: Canterbury. i Of iglwAnni, t
' ^ Digitized byTTOOQle
A.D. 1082, 10S9.] THE AKGLO-8AXOH C^SONICIJE. 41 1
told then afterwards he blithd:y irent home to his country.
And abbat Leofwine, who had been unjustly driven out
from Ely, was his companion; and he cleared himself of
everything that was said against him, as the pope instructed
bim, in the presence of the archbishop, and of all the fellow-
ship which was with him.
A. 1022. And afterwards with the pall he there performed mass as the
pope instructed him: and he feasted after that with the pope; and after-
wards went home with a full blessmg.
A. 1023. This year king Canute came again to England,
and Thurkyl and he were reconciled ; and he committed Den-
mark and his son to the keeping of Thurkyl ; and the king
took ThurkyFs son with him to England. This year died
archbishop Wulfstan :* and Elfric succeeded him ; and
archbishop Ethelnoth blessed him at Canterbury. This
year king Canute, within London, in St. Paul's minster, gave
full leave to archbishop Ethelnoth and Bishop Brithwine,f
and to all the servants of God who were with them, that
they might take up from the tomb the archbishop St. El-
phege. And they then did so, on the sixth before the Ides
of June. And the illustrious king, and the archbishop and
Buf&agan bishops, and earls, and very many clergy, and also
laity, carried, in a ship, his holy body over the Thames to
Southwark, and there delivered the holy martyr to the arch-
bishop and lus companions; and they then, with a worshipful
band and sprightly joy, bore him to Rochester. Then, on the
third day, came Emma the lady, with her royal child Harda-
Canute : and then they all, with much state and bliss, and songs
of praise, bore the holy archbishop into Canterbury; and then
worshipftdly brought him into Christ's Church, on the third
t)efore the Ides of June. Again, after that, on the eighth
day, the seventeenth before the Kalends of July, arch-
bishop Ethelnoth, and bishop Elfsv,J and bishop Brith-
wine, and aU those who were with them, deposited St.
Elph^e's holy body on the north side of Christ's altar, to
the glory of Crod, and the honour of the holy archbishop,
and the eternal health of all who there daily seek to his
holy body with a devout heart and with all humility. God
Almighty have mercy on all Christian men, through St.
Elphege's holy merits.
♦ Of York. t Of Sherborne. oigf ecOf Winchester.
412 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. Laj>. 1023—1031.
A. 1023. And he canied St Elphege's lemains to be borne from Lonckn
to Canterbiirjr.
A. 1023. And the same year archbishop Ethehioth bore St. £lph^e%
the archbishop's, remains to Canterbury, from London.
A. 1024.
A, 1025. This year king Canute went to Denmark, with
his ships, to the holm by the holy river. And there came
against him Ulf and Eglaf, and a very great army, as well a
land-army as a fleet from Sweden. And there very many men
were destroyed on king Canute's side, as well of Danish-men
as of English : and the Swedes had possession of the place
of carnage.
A. 1026. This year bishop Elfric* went to Rome, and
received his pall of Pope John, on the 2d before the Ides of
November.
A. 1027
A. 1028. This year king Canute went from England, with
fifty ships of EngHsh thiuies, to Norway, and drove king
Olave out of the land, and possessed himself of ail that land.
A. 1029. This year king Canute came home again to Eng-
land. And so soon as he came to England, he gave to Christ-
Church at Canterbury the haven at Sandwich, and all the
dues that arise thereof, on either side of the haven : so that,
lo! when the flood is all at the highest, and ail at the fuUest,
if a ship be floating so nigh the land as it nighest may, and
there be a man standing in the ship, and he have a taper ax
in his ... .
A. 1030. This year was king Olave slain in Norway by
his own people ; and afterwards was sainted. And in this
year, before that^ died Hacon, the doughty earl, at sea.
A. 1030. This year came king Olave again into Norway, and the people
gathered against lum, and fought against him ; and he was there slain.
A. 1031. This year king Canute went to Rome. And so
soon as he came home then went he into Scotland : and the
king of the Scots, Malcolm [IL], submitted to him, and be-
came his man, but that he held only a little while, and two
other kings, Macbeth and Jehmar. And Bobert, earl of Nor-
mandy, went to Jerusalem, and there died ; and William,
who was afterwards king in England, succeeded to Nor-
mandy, though he was a child.
• Of York. Digitized by Google
A.D. 1032-1036.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 413
A, 1032. In this year appeared the wild fire, such as no
man before remembered; and moreover on all sides it did
harm, in many places. And in the same year died Elfsy,*
bishop at Winchester ; and Alwyn, the king's priest, suc-
ceeded thereto.
A. 1033. This year died bishop Leofsy, and his body
rests at Worcester : and Brihtege was raised to his see.f In
this year died Herewith bishop of Somerset 4 and he is
buried at Glastonbury.
A. 1034. This year died bishop Etheric,§ and he lies at
Hamsey. This same year died Malcolm [11.], king in Scotland.
A. 1035. This year died king Canute ; and Harold, his son,
succeeded to the kingdom. He departed at Shaftesbury, on
the 2d before the Ides of November ; and they bore him thence
to Winchester, and there they buried him. And Elfgive,
Cnmia, the lady, then sat there within : and Harold, who
said that he was son of Canute and of the other Elfgive,
though it was not true ; he sent thither, and caused to be taken
from her all the best treasures, which she could not withhold,
that king Canute had possessed ; and nevertheless she still
sat there witl\in, as long as she could.
A. 1036. This year Alfred the innocent etheling, son of
king Ethelred, came in hither, and would go to his mother,
who sat at Winchester ; but that neither Gk)dwin the earl, nor
the other men who had much power, would allow him be-
cause the cry was then greatly in favour of Harold, though
that was unjust.
But Godwin him then let,
and him in bonds set ; [ed
and his companions he dispers-
and some divers ways slew ;
some they for money sold,
some cruelly slaughtered,
some did they bind,
some did they blind,
some did they mutilate,
some did they scalp :
nor was a bloodier deed
done in this land
since the Danes came,
and here accepted peace.
Now is our trust in
the beloved Gt)d,
that they are in bliss,
blithely with Christ,
The etheling still lived,
who were without guilt
so miserably slain,
every ill they him vowed,
until it was decreed
that he should be led
* Godwin and Dugdale make El% or Elsinus. to be translated to Ciiii^
terbury, 1038. f Worcester. t Wells. § Of Dorchester,
414 THE AN<H«0-SAXON CHBONICLE. [a.i». 1036— 1C3&
to Ely-bury,
thus bound.
Soon as he caiiae to land,
in the ship he was blinded ;
and him thus blind
they brought to the monks :
and he there abode
the while that he lived.
After that him they buried,
as well was his due
full worthily,
as he worthy was,
at the west end,
the steeple well-nigh,
in the south aisle.
His soul is with Christ.
A. 1036. This year died king Canute at Shaftesbury, and he is buried at
Winchester in the Old-minster : and he was king OTer all England veiy
nigh twenty years. And soon after his decease there was a meeting of aU
the witan at Oxford ; and Leofric the earl, and almost all the thanes north
of the Thames, and the < lithsmen' at London, chose Harold for chief of
all England, him and his brother Uaidecanute who was in Denmark. And
Godwin the eaid and all the chief men of Wessex withstood it as long as
thay could ; but they were unable to effect any thmg in opposition to it.
And then it was decreed that Elfgive, Hardecanute's mother, should dwell
at Winchester with the kingX her son's, household, and hold all Wessex in
his power ; and Grodwin the earl was their man. Some m^i said of
Harold that he was son of king Canute and of El^ire dau^ter of £l£elm
the ealdorman, but it seemed quite incredible to many men ', and he was
nevertheless full king over all England.
A. 1037. This year was Harold chosen king oyer all, and
Hardecanute forsaien, because he stayed too long in Den-
mark; and then they drove out his mother EHgive, tiM
queen, without any kind of mercy, against the stormy winter :
and she came then to Bruges beyond sea ; and Bsddwin the
earl* there well received her, and there kept her the while
she had need. And before, in this year, died Eafy the noble
dean at Evesham.
A. 1[037. This year was driven out Elfgive, king Canute's relict ; she was
king Hardecanute's mother ; and she then sought the protection of Bald-
win south of the sea, and he gave her a dwelling in Binges, and protected
and kept her, the while that £e there was.
A. 1038. This year died Ethelnoth the good archbishop,!
and bishop Ethelric in Sussex, J who desired of God that he
would not let him live, any while, after his beloved father
Ethelnoth ; and accordingly, within seven days after, he
departed, and bishop Elfric in East- Anglia, § and bishop
Briteagus in Worcestershire on the 13th before the Kalends o£
January. And then bishop Eadsine succeeded to the arch-
• Of Flanders. t Of Canterbury. J Selsey.^ SEknham.
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
A.D. 1038-1041.] THB ANGLO-SAXON CHEONICLE. 415
bishopric, and Grinketel to the bishopric in Sussex, and
bishop Living to Worcestershire and to Gloucestershire.
A. 1038. This year died Etbelnoth, the good archbishop, on the Ka-
lends of November, and a little after, Ethelric bishop in Sussex, and then
before Christmas, i^teagns luahop in Worcestershiie, and soon after, £ifiric
bishop in East-AogUa.
A. 1039. This year was the great wind: and bishop
Brithmar died at Lichfield.- And the Welsh slew Edwin
brother of Leofric the earl, and Thurkil, and Elfget> and
very many good men with them. And this year also came
Hardecannte to Bruges, where his mother was.
A. 1039. This year king Harold died at Oxford, on the 16th before the
Kalends of April, and he was buried at Westminster. And he ruled Eng-
land four years and nzteen we^s ; and in his days sixteen ships were re-
tained in pay, at the rate of eight marks for each rower, in like manner as had
been before done in the days of king Canute. And in this same year came
king HardeesBute to Sandwich, seven days before midsummer. And he was
soon acknowledged as well by English as by Danes ; though his advisers
afterwards grievously requited it, when they decreed that seventy-two ships
should be retained in pay, at the rate of eight marks for each rower. And
in this same year the sester of wheat went up to fifty^five p«ic% and even
further.
A. 1040. This year died king Harold. Then Beat they
affcer Hardecanute to Bruges ; thinking that they did well.
And 1^ then came hither with sixty ships before midsummer,
and then imposed a vay heavy trilmte, so that it could hardly
be levied ; that was eight marks for each rower, and all were
then averse to him who before had desired him ; and more-
over he did nothing royal during his whcde reign. He
caused the dead Harold to be taken up, and had him catfS into
a fen. This year archbishop Eadsine went to Rome.
A. 1040. This year was the tribute paid ; that was twenty-one
thousand pounds and ninety-nine pounds. And after that they paid to
thirty -two ^ ships, eleven thousand and forty-eight p(mnds. And, in
this same year, came Edward, son of king Ethelred, hither to land, from
Weal-land ; he was brother of king Hardecanute : they were both sons of
£l%ive ; £^nma, who was daughter of earl Richard.
A. 1041. This year Hardecanute caused all Worcestershire
to be ravaged, on account of his two household servants, who
demanded the heavy impost ; when the people slew them in the
town within the minster. This year, soon after, came from>
beyoiod sea Edward, his brother on the mother's side, king
416 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. Ia.d. 1041 1043.
Ethelred's son, who before for many years had been driven
from his country ; and yet was he sworn king : and he
then abode thus in his brother's family while he lived.
And in this year also Hardecanute betrayed Eadulf the earl,*
while under his protection : and he became then a belier of
his "wed." And this year bishop Egelricf was ordained at
York, on the 3rd before the Ides of January.
A. 1041. This year died king Hardecanute at Lambeth, on the 6th before
the Ides of June : and he was king over all England two jeais wanting ten
days ; and he is buried in the Old-minster at Winchester with king Canute
his father. And his mother, for his soul, gave to the New-minster the
head of St. Valentine the martyr. And before he was buried, all people
chose Edward for king at London : may he hold it the while that God
shall grant it to him ! And all that year was a very heavy time, in many
things and divers, as well in respect to ill seasons as to the fruits of the
earth. And so much cattle perished in the year as no man before remem-
bered, as well through various diseases as through tempests. And in this
same time died Elsinus abbat of Peterborough ; and then Amwius the monk
was chosen abbat, because he was a very good man, and of great simplicity.
A. 1042. This year died king Hardecanute as he stood at
his drink, and he suddenly fell to the earth with a terrible
convulsion : and then they who were there nigh took hold of
him ; and he after that spake not one word : and he died on
the 6th before the Ides of June. And all people then ac-
knowledged Edward for king, as was his true natural right.
A. 1043. This year was Edward consecrated king at Win-
chester, on the first day of Easter, with much pomp ; and
then was Easter on the third before the Nones of April.
Archbishop Eadsine consecrated him, and before all the people
well instructed him ; and for his own need, and all the peo-
ple's, well admonished him. And Stigand the priest was
blessed bishop of the East-Angles.J And soon after, the
king caused all the lands which his mother possessed to be
seized into his hands, and took from her aU that she pos-
sessed in gold, and in silver, and in things unspeakable, be-
cause she had before held it too closely with him. And soon
after, Stigand was deposed from his bishopric, and all that
he possessed was seized into the king's hands, because he
was nearest to his mother's counsel, and she went just as he
advised her, as people thought.
• Of Northumbria. f Of Durham.^ Co(^«
A.D. 100-1045] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 417
A. 1043. This jear was Edward consecrated king at Winchester on the
first day of Easter. And this year, fourteen days before Andrew's-maas,
the king was advised to ride from Gloucester, and Leofiic the earl, and
Godwin the earl, and Sigwarth [Siward] the earl, with their followers, to
Winchester, unawares upon the lady [Emma] ; and they bereaved her of
all the treasures which she possessed, they were not to be told, because
before that she had been very hard with the king her son ; inasmuch as
she had done less for him than he would, before he was king, and also
aince : and the^ suffered her after that to remain therein.
This year kmg Edward took the daughter [Edgitha] of Godwin the
eari for his wife. And in this same year died bi^op Brithwin, and he
held the bishofiHc thirty-eight years, that was the bishopric of Sher-
borne, and Herman the king's priest succeeded to the bishopric. And in
this year Wulfric was hallowed abbat of St. Augustine's at Christmas, on
Stephen's mass-day, by leave of the king, and, on account of his great infir-
mity, of abbat Elfstan.
A, 1044. This year archbishop Eadsine* gave up the
bishopric by reason of his infirmity, and he blessed thereto
Siward abbat of Abingdon, as bishop, by the king's leave
and counsel, and Godwin's the earl's : it was known to few
men else before it was done, because the archbishop thought
that some other man would obtain or buy it whom he could
less trust in, and be pleased with, if more men should know
of it. Ai^d in this year was a very great famine over all
England, and com was so dear as no man before remem-
bered ; so that the sester of wheat went up to sixty pence,
and even further. And in the same year the king went out
to Sandwich with thirty-five ships : and Athelstan the
churchwarden obtained the abbacy at Abingdon. And Sti-
gand re-obtained his bishopric. And in the same year king
Edward took Edgitha, daughter of Godwin the earl, to
wife, ten days before Candlemas.
A. 1 044. This year died Living bishop in Devonshire, and Leofiic suc-
ceeded thereto : he was the king's priest. And in this same year died
El&tan abbat of St. Augustine's, on the third before the Nones of July.
And in this same year was outlawed Osgod Clapa.
A. 1045. In this year died bishop Brithwin f on the 10th
before the Kalends of May ; and king Edward gave the
Inshopric to Herman his priest. And in the same sum-
mer king Edward went out with his ships to Sandwich ;
and there so great a force was gathered, tiiat no man had
• Of Canterbuiy.
t Of Bamsbury, afterwards removed to Salist^^j^^yGoOQle
418 THE AKGL0-8AX0N CHBOKICLE. [a^, 1045, lOML
seen a greater fleet in this land. And in this same year
died bishop Living* on the 13th before the Kalends of
April ; and the king gave the bishopric to Leofric his
priest. This year died Elfward bishop of London, on the
8th before the Kalends of August. He was first abbat of
Evesham, and greatly advanced the minster whilst he
was there. He went then to Ramsey, and there gave up
his life. And Manni was chosen abbat^f and ord^ned on
the 4th before the Ides of August. And in this year was
driven out Gunnilde, the noble woman, king Canute's niece ;
and she, after that^ stayed at Bruges a long while, and after-
wards wei^t to Denmark.
A. 1045. This jear died Grimkytel bishop in Sussex, and Heca the
king's priest succeeded thereto. And in this year died Alwyn, bishop of
Winchester, on the 4th before the Kalends of September ; and Stigand,
bishop to Ihe north,t succeeded thereto. And in the same year Sweyn
the earl went out to Baldwin's Iand§ to Bruges and abode thexe all tiie
winter ; and then in summer he went out.
A. 1046. In this year Sweya the earl went into Walea^
and Griffin the Northern king|| went with him ; and thej
delivered hostages to him. As he was on his way h(»ne-
wards, then commanded he to be brought unto him the ab-
bess of Leominster : and he had her as long as he listed ;
and after that he let her go home. And in this same year
Osgod Clapa was outlawed before mid-winter. And in this
same year, after Candlemas, came the severe winter, ynth
frost and with snow, and with all kinds of tempestuous wea-
ther, so that there was no man then alive who could remem-
ber so severe a winter as this was, as well through mortality
of men as murrain of cattle ; even birds and fishes perished
through the great cold and famine.
A. 1046. This year died Brithwin, bishop in Wiltshire, and Herman
was appointed to his see. In that year king Edward gathered a large ship-
force at Sandwich, on account of the threatening of Magnus in Norway :
but his and Sweyn's contention in Denmark hindered his coming here.
A. 1046. This year died Athelstan, abbat of Abingdon, and Spar>
hawk, monk of St. Edmund's-bury, succeeded him. And in this same
year died bishop Siward, and archbishop Eadsme again obtained the whole
bishopiicT Ajid in this same year Lothen and Irling came with twenty-
fiTi} ships to Sandwich, and there took unspeakable booty, in men, and in
♦ Of Crediton. f Of Evesham. t Of Ehnham.
$ Flanders. g Of North Walei. ^ Of Canterbury.
A.i>. 104S, 1047.] THE ANGLO-SAXOK CHRONICLE. 419
^old, and in mlver, ao that no man knew how much it all was. And they
then went about Thanet, and would there do the like ; but the land's- folk
strenuously withstood them, and denied them as well landing as water ;
and thence utterly put them to flight. And they betook themselves then
into Essex, and there they ravaged, and took men, and property, and what-
soever they might find. And they betook themselves then east to Bald-
wine's land, and there they sold what they had plundered ; and after that
went their way east, whence they before had come.
A. 1046. In this year was the great synod at St. Remi's [Rheims].
Thereat was Leo the pope, and the archbishop of Burgundy [Lyons], and
the archbishop of Be8an9on, and the archbishop of Treves, and the arch-
bishop of Rheims ; and many men besides, both clergy and laity. And
king Edward sent thither bishop Dudoc,* and Wulfiic abbat of St. Augus-
tin^s^ and abbat £lfiidn,f that they might make known to the king what
should be there resolved on for Christendom. And in this same year king
£dward went out to Sandwich with a great fleet. And Sweyn the earl,
son of Grodwin the earl, came in to Bosham with seven ships ; and he
obtained the king's protection, and he was promised that he should be held
worthy of every thing which he before possessed. Then Harold the earl,
his brother, and Beom the earl contended that he should not be held wor-
thy of any of the things which the kii^ had granted to them : but a pro-
tection of four days was appointed him to go to his ships. Then befell it
duzing this^ that word came to the king iSiat hostile ships lay westward,
and were ravaging. Thea went Godwin the earl west about with two of
the king's ships ; the one conmianded Harold the earl, and the other Tos«
ty his brother ; and forty-two of the people's ships. Then Harold the eaif
was removed from the king's ship which Harold the earl before had com-
manded.^ Then went they west to Pevensey, and lay there weather-bound.
Upon this, after two days, then came Sweyn the earl thither, and spoke
with his father, and with Beom the earl, and begged of Beom that he
would go with him to the king at Sandwich, and help him to the king's
fidend^p : and he granted it. Then went they as if they would go to the
king. Then whilst they were riding, then begged Sweyn of him that he
would go with him to his ships : saying that his seamen would depart from
bim unless he should at the soonest come thither. Then went fliey both
where his ships lay. When they came thither, then begged Sweyn the
earl of him that he would go with him on ship-board. He strenuously
refused, so long as until his seamen seized him, and threw him into the
boat, and bound him, and rowed to the ship, and put him there aboard.
Then they hoisted up their sails and ran west to Exmouth, and had him
with them until they slew him : and they took the body and buried it in a
church. And then his friends and litsmen came from London, and took
Imn up, and bore him to Winchester to the Old-minster: and he is there
buried with kmg Canute his uncle. And Sweyn went then east to Bald-
win's land, and sat down there all the winter at Bruges, with his full pro-
tection. And in the same year died Eadnoth [II.] bii^op^ of the north;
and Ulf was made bishop.
A. 1047. In this year died bishop Grinketel ; he was
• Of Wells. t Of Ramsey. ^ Of Dorchest^e
eb2 ^^
420 THE AKGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. Un. 1047, 1048.
bishop* in Sussex, and he lies in Christ-Church, at Canter-
bury ; and king Edward gave the bishopric to Heca his
priest. And in this same year died bishop Alwynf on the
4th before the Kalends of September ; and king Edward
gave the bishopric to bishop Stigand. And Athelstan
abbat of Abingdon died in the same year, on the 4th before
the Kalends of April: then was Easter-day on the 3rd before
the Nones of ApriL And there was over all England a Teiy
great mortality in the same year.
A. 1047. This jear died Living the eloquent bishop, on the 10th before
the Kalends of April, and he had three bishoprics; one in Devondiire,
and in Cornwall, and in Worcester. Then Leofric^ succeeded to Devon-
shire and to Cornwall, and bishop Aldred to Worcester. And in this year
Osgod, the master of the horse, was outlawed : and Magnus$ won Denmaric.
A. 1047. In this yean there was a great council in London at Mid-lent,
and nine ships of lightermen were discharged, and five remained behind.
In this same year came Sweyn the earl into England. And in this same
year was the great synod at Rome, and king Edward sent thither bishop
Heroman and bishop Aldred; and they came thither on Easter eve.
And afterwards the pope held a synod at Vercelli, and bishop Ulf came
thereto ; and well nigh would they have broken his staff, if he had not
given very great gifts ; because he knew not how to do his duty so well as
he should. And in tiiis year died archbishop Eadnne, on the 4th before
the Kalends of November.
A. 1048. In this year was a great earthquake wide through-
out England. In the same year Sandwich and the Isle of
Wight were ravaged, and the chief men that were there slain.
And after that king Edward and the earls went out with
their ships. And in the same year bishop Siward resigned
the bishopric on account of his infirmity, and went to Abing-
don, and archbishop Eadsine again received the bishopric :|
and he [Siward] died within eight weeks after, on the 10th
before the Kalends of November.
A. 1048. This year was the severe winter : and this year died Alwyn,
bishop of Winchester, and bishop Stigand was raised to his see. And be-
fore that, in the same year, died Grinketel, bishop in Sussex, and Heca
the priest succeeded to the bishopric. And Sweyn also sent hither, b^
ging assistance against Magnus, king of Norway ; that fifty ships diould be
sent to his aid. But it seemed unadvisable to all people : and it was then
hindered by reason that Magnus had a great ship force. And he thea
drove out Sweyn, and with much man-claying won the land : and the
• OfSelsey. + Of Winchester.
t Leofric removed the see to Exeter.
i King of Norway. || Of CanterbuiTGoOQlc
A.D. 1048.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBOKICLB, 421
Danes paid him much money and acknowledged him as king. And that
same year Magnus died.
A. 1048. In this year king Edward appointed Robert, of London,
archbishop of Canterbury, during Lent And in the same Lent he went to
Rome after his pall : and the king gave the bishopric of London to Spar-
hafoc abbat of Abingdon ; and the king gave the abbacy of Abingdon to
bishop Rodulf, his kinsman. Then came the archbishop from Rome one
day before St. PeterVmass-eve, and entered on his archiepiscopal see at
Christ's Church on St. Peter's mass-day ; and soon after went to the king*
Then came abbat Sparhafoc to him with the king's writ and seal, in order
that he should consecrate him bishop of London. Then the archbishop
refused, and said that the pope had forbidden it him. Then went the abbat
to the archbishop again for that purpose, and there desired episcopal ordi-
nation ; and the archbishop constantly refused him, and said that the pope
had forbidden it him. Then went the abbat to London, and occupied the
bishopric which the king before had granted him, with his ftill leave, all the
summer and the harvest. And then came Eustace* from beyond sea soon
after the bishop, and went to the king, and spoke with him that which he then
would, and went then homeward. When he came to Canterbury, east, then
took he refreshment there, and his men, and went to Dover. When he was
some mile or more on this side of Dover, then he put on his breast-plate,
and so did all his companions, and went to Dover. When they came
thither, then would they lodge themselves where they chose. Then came
one of his men, and would abide in the house of a householder against his
will, and wounded the householder ; and the householder slew the other.
Then Eustace got upon his horse, and his companions upon theirs ; and
they went to the householder, and slew him within his own dwelling ; and
they went up towards the town, and slew, as well within as without,
more than twenty men. And the townsmen slew nineteen men on
the other side, and wounded they knew not how many. And Eustace
escaped with a few men, and went again to the king, and made known
to him, in part, how they had fared. And the king became very wroth
with the townsmen. And the king sent off Godwin the earl, and bade him
go into Kent in a hostile manner to Dover : for Eustace had made it.
appear to the king, that it had been more the fault of the townsmen than
his : but it was not so. And the earl would not consent to the inroad, be-
cause he was loath to injure his own people. Then the king sent after all
his council, and bade them come to Gloucester, nigh the aftermass of St.
Mary. Then had the Welshmen erected a castle in Herefordshire among
the people of Sweyn the earl, and wrought every kind of harm and dis-
grace to the king's men there about which they could. Then came God-
win the earl, and Sweyn the earl, and Harold the earl, together at Bever-
stone, and many men with them, in order that they might go to their royal
lord, and to all the peers who were assembled with him, in order that
they might have the advice of the king and his aid, and of all this council,
how they might avenge the king's disgrace, and the whole nation's. Then
were the Welshmen with the king beforehand, and accused the earls,
so that they might not come within his eyes' sight ; because they said that
they were coming thither in order to betray the king. Thither had com*
• Earl of Boulogne. ^,g,,,^^^ ^^ GoOglc
422 THE AKGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. lOiSL
Siward the earl * and Leofiic the earl,t and much people with them, fiom
the north, to the king ; and it was made known to the earl Godwin and his
sons, that the king and the men who were with him, were taking counsel
concerning them : and they arrayed themselTCS on the other hand reso-
lutely, though it were loathful to them that they should stand agunst their
royal lord. Then the peers on eith» side decreied that erery ^d of evil
should cease : and the king gare the peace of Grod and his full firienddiip
to either side. Thai the king and his peers decreed tiiat a council of all
the nohles should be held for the second time in London at the harvest
equinox ; and the king directed the army to be called out, as well south
of the Thames as north, all that was in any way most eminent. Thai de-
clared they Sweyn the earl an outlaw, and summoned Grodwin the earl and
Harold the earl, to the coimcil, as quickly as they could effect it. When
tiiey had come thither, then were they sunmioned into the coundL Then
required he safe conduct and hostages, so that he might come, unbetrayed,
mto the council and out of the councU. Then the king demanded all the
thanes whom the earls before had ; and they granted them all into his
hands. Then the king sent again to them, and commanded them that they
riiould come with twdve mai to the king's council. Then the earl again
required safe conduct and hostages, that he mig^t defend himself against
«ach of those things which were laid to him. Then were the hostages re-
fused him ; and he waB allowed a safe conduct for five nights to go out of
the land. And then Grodwin the ear^ and Sweyn the earl went to
Bosham, and shoved out their ships, and betook themsrives beyond sea,
and sought Baldwin's protection, and abode there all the winter. And
Harold the earl went west to Ireland, and was there all the winter within
the king*s protection. And soon a^r this happened, then put away the
king the lady who had been consecrated his queen,:{: and caused to be tak^i
irom her all which she possessed, in land, and in gold, and in silver, and in
all things, and delivered her to his sister at Wherwell. And abbat Spai^
hafoc was then driven out of the bishopric of London, and William the king^s
priest was ordained thereto. And then Odda was appointed earl over
I)evonBhire, and over Somerset, and over Dorset, and over the W^h.
And Algar, the son of Leofiic the earl, was appointed to the earldom
which Harold before held.
A. 1049. In this year the emperor gathered a countless
force against Baldwin§ of Bruges : by reason that he had
destroyed the palace at Kimeguen, and also, that he had
done many other iiyuries to him : the force was not to be
told which he had gathered. There was Leo [IX.] the p<^
of Rome, and many great men of many nations. He sent
also to king Edwar^ and begged the aid of his ships, in
order that he should not suffer him to escape from him by
water. And he went then to Sandwich, and there continued
lying with a great fleet, until the emperor obtained of Bald«
♦ Of Northumbria. t Of Mercia.
t Editha. § Earl of Kanders-^^f^
A^ 10».] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLB. 423
•win all that lie would. Thither came back again Sweyn
die earl to kiiig Edward, and requested land of him, from
-which he might maintain himself. But Harold his brother
cont^ided, and Beom the earl, that thej should not give
up to him any thing which the king had given to them.
He came hither with false pretences ; saying that he would
1)6 his man, and begged of Beom the earl that he would aid
him : but the king refused him every thing. Then went
Sweyn to his ships at Bosham ; and Godwin the earl went
from Sandwich with forty-two ships to Pevensey, and Beom
the earl went forth with him ; and then the king gave leave
to all the Mercians to go home : and they did so. Then was
it made known to the king, that Osgod lay at Ulps with
thirty-nine ships. Then the king sent after the ships which
lay at the Nore, that he might send after him. But
Osgod fetched his wife from Bruges, and went back again
with six ships ; and the others landed in Essex, at Eadulf-
ness, and there did harm, and went agidn to their ships.
Then lay Godwin the earl and Beom the earl at Pevensey,
with their ships. Then came Sweyn the earl with ^ud,
and begged of Beom the earl that he would be his oompanicm
to the Hng at Sandwich ; saying that he would swear oaths
to him, and be Mthful to him. Then Beom concluded that,
on account of their kindred, he would not deceive him. Then
took he three companions with him, and they then rode to
Bosham, as if they would go to Sandwich, where Sweyn's
ships lay. And they soon bound him, and led him on ship-
board ; and then went to Dartmouth, and there caused him to
be slain and deeply buried. But him his kinsman Harold
thence fetched and bore to Winchester, and there buried with
king Canute his uncle. And then the king and all the army
declared Sweyn an outlaw. Eight ships he had before he
murdered Beom ; after that^ all forsook him except two :
and then he went to Bruges, and there abode with Baldwin.
And in this year died Eadnoth, the good bishop, in Oxford-
shire,* and Oswy abbat of Thomey, and Wulfiaoth abbat of
Westminster : and king Edward gave the bishopric to Ulf
his priest, and unworthily bestowed it. And in this same
year king Edward discharged nine ships irom pay; and
they went away, ships and sJl ; and five ships remained be-
• Dorchester.
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424 THE ANGLO-SAXON GHBONICLE. [a-d. VA^, 1O0O.
hind, and the king promised them twelve monUis' pay. And
in the same year went bishop Heroman* and bishop Aldredf
to Rome, to the pope, on the king's errand.
A. 1049. This year Sweyn came again to Demnark, and Harold, uncle of
Magnus, went to Norway after Magnus was dead ; and the NormaiiB
acknowledged him : and he sent hither to land concerning peace. And
Sweyn also sent from Denmark, and begged of king Edward the aid of
his ships. They were to be at least fifty ships : but all people opposed it.
And this year also there was an earthquake, on the Kalends of May, In
many places in Worcester, and in Wick, and in Derby, and elsewhere ; and
also there was a great mortltlity among men, and murrain among cattle :
and moreover, the wild-fire did much evil in Derbyshire and elsewhere.
A. 1050. In this year came the bishops home from Rome :
and Sweyn the earl was inlawed. And in this same year
died archbishop Eadsine, on the fourth before the Kalends of
November ; and also, in this same year, Alfric archbishop of
York, on the eleventh before the Kalends of February ; and
his body lies at Peterborough. Then king Edward held
a council in London at ^lid-lent^ and appointed Robert
archbishop of Canterbury, and abbat Sparhafoc to London. ;
and gave to bishop Bodulf, his kinsman, the abbacy at
Abingdon. And the same year he discharged all the
lightermen from pay.
A. 1050. Thither also came Sweyn the earl, who before had gone from
this land to Denmark, and who there had ruined himself with tihe Danes.
He came thither with false pretences; saying that he would again be
obedient to the king. And Beom the earl promised him that he would be
of assistance to him. Then, after the reconciliation of the anperor and of
Baldwin, many of the ships went home, and the king remained behind at
Sandwich with a few ships ; and Grodwin the earl also went with forty-two
ships from Sandwich to Pevensey, and Beom the earl went with him. Then
was it made known to the king that Osgod lay at Ulps with thirty-nine
ships ; and the king then sent a^r the ships which before had gone home^
that he might send after him. And Osgod fetched his wife from Bruges^
and they went back again with six E^ps. And the others landed in
Sussex:}: at Eadulf-ness, and there did harm, and went again to their ships:
and then a strong wind came against them, so that they were all destroyed,
except four, whose crews were slain beyond sea. WhUe Crodwin the eail
and Beom ^e earl lay at Pevensey, then came Sweyn the earl, and begged
Beom the earl, with fraud, who was his uncle's son, that he would be his
companion to the king at Sandwich, and better his afiairs with him. He
went then, on account of the relationship, with three companions, with
him ; and he led him then towards Bosham, where his diips lay : and then
they bound him, and led him on ship-board. Then went he thence with
• Of Ramsbury. Heroman removed the see to Salisbury.
t Of Worcester. J Ijafou j
Digitized byVLiOOQlC
A.D. lOSl, 1052.] THE AKGLO-SAXON CHBONICLB. 426
him to Dartmouth, and there ordered him to be slain, and deeply buried.
Afterwards he was foimd, and borne to Winchester, and buried with king
Canute his uncle. A little before that, the men of Hastings and thereabout,
fought two of his ships with their ships ; and slew all the men, and brought
the ships to Sandwich to the king. Eight ships he had before he betrayed
Beom ; after that all forsook him except two. In the same year arrived
in the Welsh Axa, from Ireland, thirty-six ships, and thereabout did harm,
with the help of Griffin the Welsh king. The people were gathered
together against them ; bishop Aldred * was also there with them 'f but
they had too little power. And they came unawares upon them at very
early morn ; and there they slew many good men, and the others escaped
with the bishop : this was done on the fourth before the Kalends of August.
This year died, in Oxfordshire, Oswy abbat of Thomey, and Wulfhoth
abbat of Westminster ; and Ulf the priest was appointed as pastor to the
bishopric which Eadnoth had held ; but he was after that driven away ;
because he did nothing bishop-like therein : so that it shameth us now to
tell more about it. And bishop Siward died : he lieth at Abingdon. And this
year was consecrated the great minster at Rheims : there was pope Leo [IX.]
and the emperor ;t and there they held a great synod concerning God's
service. St. Leo the pope presided at the synod : it is difficult to have a
knowledge of the bishops who came there, and how many abbats : and
hence, from this land were sent two — from St. Augustine's and from
Ramsey.
A. 1051. In this year came archbishop Robert hither
over sea with his pall. And in this same year were banished
Godwin, the earl, and all his sons from England ; and he
went to Bruges and his wife, and his three sons, Sweyn,
and Tosty, and Grith : and Harold and Leofwine went to
Ireland, and there dwelt during the winter. And in this
same year died the old lady, king Edward's mother, and
Hardecanute's, who was called Emma, on the second before
the Ides of March ; and her body lies in the Old-minster, J
with king Canute.
A. 1051. In this year died Eadsine archbishop of Canterbury ; and the*
king gave to Robert the Frenchman, who before had been bishop of Lon-
don, the archbishopric. And Sparhafoc abbat of Abingdon succeeded to
the bishopric of London ; and it was afterwards taken from him before he
was consecrated. And bishop Heroman and bishop Aldred went to Rome.
A. 1052. This year came Harold, the earl, from Ireland,
with Ids ships to the mouth of the Severn, nigh the bound-
aries of Somerset and Devonshire, and there greatly ravaged ;
and the people of the land drew together against him, as
well from Somerset as from Devonshire ; and he put them to
flight, and there slew more than thirty good thanes, besides
• Of Worcester. f Hen. III. % Wmchejter.
Digitized by V^OOQIC
426 THE ANaLO-SAXON CHBONICLB. [a jdu 20A.
Other people : and soon after that he went about Penwith-
stert. And then king Edward caused fortj vessels to be
fitted out. They lay at Sandwich many weeks ; they Trere
to lie in wait for Godwin, the earl, who had been at Bruges
during the winter ; and, notwithstanding, he came hither to
land first, so that they knew it not. And during the time
that he was here in the land, he enticed to him sdl the men
of Kent, and all the boatmen from Hastings and every-
where there by the sea-coast, and all the East-^id, and Sus-
sex, and Surrey, and much else in addition thereto. Then all
declared that they with him would die and live. When the
fieet which lay at Sandwich, learned this concerning Grod-
win's voyage, then set tiiey out after him. And he escaped
them, and concealed himself wherever he then could ; and
the fieet went again to Sandwich, and so homeward to Lion-
don. Then when Godwin learned that the fieet which lay
at Sandwich was gone home, then went he once more to the
Isle of Wight, and lay thereabout by the sea-coast so long as
until they came together, he and his son earl Harold. And
they did not much harm after they came together, except
that they seized provisions : but they enticed to them all ihe
land-folk by the sea-coast and also up the country ; and they
went towards Sandwich, and collected ever forth with them
all the boatmen which they met with, and then came to
Sandwich, with an overfiowing army. When king Edward
learned that, then sent he up after more help ; but th^ came
very late. And Godwin advanced ever towards Ixmdon
with his fieet until he came to Southwark, and there abode
some time until the fiood-tide came up. During that time
he also treated with the townsmen, that they should do
almost all that he would. When he had mustered all
his host^ then came the fiood-tide ; and they then soon drew
their anchors, and held their way through the bridge by the
south shore, and the land-force came from above, and arrayed
themselves along the strand : and they then inclined with
the ships towards the north shore, as if ^hey would hem the
king's ships about. The king also had a great land-force on
his side, in addition to his shipmen ; but it was loathM to
almost all of them that they should fight against m^ of
their own race ; for there was little else there which was of
much account except Englishmen, on either side ; and more-
Digitized by VwjOOQ It
A.D. 1052.3 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, 427
over tliej were unwiUing that this land should be still more
exposed to outlandish men, by reason that they themselves
destroyed each other. Then decreed they that wise men
should be sent between them ; and they settled a truce on
either side. And Grodwin landed, and Harold his son, and
from their fleet as many as to them seemed fitting. Then
there was a general council : and they gave his earldom
clean to Godwin, as full and as free as he before possessed it,
and to his sons also all that they before possessed, and to his
wife and his daughter as full and as free as they before pos-
sessed it. And they then established between them full
friendship, and to all the people they promised good law.
And then they outlawed all the Frenchmen who before had
instituted unjust law, and judged unjust judgments, and
counselled ill counsel in this land ; except so many as they
agreed upon, whom the king liked to have with him, who
were true to him and to all his people. And bishop Robert,*
and bishop William, f and bishop Ulf,$ with difiiculty
escaped, with the Frenchmen who were with them, and thus
got over sea. And Godwin, the earl, and Harold, and the
queen, § sat down in their possessions. Sweyn had gone
before this to Jerusalem from Bruges ; and he died on his
way home at Constantinople on Michael's-mass. It was on
the Monday after St. Mary*s-mass that Godwin with his
ships came to Southwark ; and the morning after, on the
Tuesday, they were reconciled, as it here before stands.
Godwin then grew sick soon after he landed ; and he after-
wards departed : but he did all too little penance for the
property of God which he held belonging to many holy
places. And the same year came the strong wind, on Tho-
mas's-mass-night, and did much harm in many parts. More-
over Bees, the Welsh king's | brother, was slain.
A. 1052. This year died Alfiic, archbishop of York, a veiy pious man,
and wise. And in the same year king Edward abolished the tribute,
which king Ethelred had before imposed : that was in the nine-and-
thirtieth year after he bad begun it. That tax distressed all the English
nation during so long a time, as it here above is written ; that was ever be-
fore other taxes which were variously paid, and wherewith the people were
manifestly distressed. In the same year Eustaee % landed at Dov^ : he
♦ Of Canterbury. t Of London. $ Of Dorchester.
. f Editha. II Of South Wales. ^^^^^ If EarLof ft>|ilogne.
428 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONIOLB. [a^. lOO,
had king Edward's sister to wife. Then went his' men inconsiderBtel/
after quarters, and a certain man of the town they slew ; and another man
of the town their companion ; so that there lay seven of his companions.
And much harm was there done on either side, by horse and also by
weapons, until the people gathered together : and then they fled away
until they came to the king at Gloucester ; and he gave them protection.
When Godwin, the earl, understood that such things should have hap-
pened in his earldom, then began he to gather together people over all his
earldom,* and Sweyn, the earl, his son, over his, and Harold, his other son,
over his earldom ; and they all drew together in Gloucestershire, at Lang-
tree, a great force and countless, all ready for battle against the king, un-
less Eustace were given up, and his men placed in their hands, and also
the Frenchmen who were in the castle. This was done seven days before
the latter mass of St. Mary. Then was king Edward sitting at Gloucester.
Then sent he after Leofiric,the earl,f and north after Siward the earl,!}: and
begged their forces. And then they came to him ; first with a moderate aid,
but after they knew how it was there, in the south, then sent they north oyer
all their earldoms, and caused to be ordered out a large force for the help
of their lord ; and Ralph, also, over his earldom : and then came they aU
to Gloucester to help the king, though it might be late. Then were they
all so united in opinion with the king that they would have sought out
Godwin's forces if the king had so willed. Then thought some of them
that it would be a great folly that they should jom battle ; because there
was nearly all that was most noble in England in the two armies, and they
thought that they should expose the land to our foes, and cause great de-
struction among ourselves. Then counselled they that hostages should be
given mutually ; and they appointed a term at London, and thither the
people were ordered out over all this north end, in Siward's earldom, and
in Leofric's, and also elsewhere ; and Godwin, the earl, and his sons were
to come there with their defence. Then came they to Southwark, and a
great multitude with them, from Wessex ; but his band continually dimin-
ished the longer he stayed. And they exacted pledges for the king from
all the thanes who were under Harold, the earl, his son ; and then they
outlawed Sweyn, the earl, his other son. Then did it not suit him to come
with a defence to meet the king, and to meet the army which was with him.
Then went he by night away ; and the king on the morrow held a council,
and, together with all the army, declared him an outlaw, him and all
his sons. And he went south to Thomey, and his wife, and Sweyn his son,
and Tosty and his wife, Baldwin's relation of Bruges, and Grith his son.
And Harold, the earl, and Leofwine, went to Bristol in the ship which
Sweyn, the earl, had before got ready for himself, and provisioned. And
ihe king sent bishop Aldred§ to London with a force ; and they were to
overtake him ere he came on ship-board : but they could not or they would
not. And he went out from Avonmouth, and met with such heavy weather
that he with difHculty got away ; and there he sustained much damage.
Then went he forth to Ireland when fit weather came. And G^win,
* Godwin's earldom consisted of Wessex, Sussex, and Kent : Sweyn'a
of Oxford, Gloucester, Hereford, Somerset, and Berkshire : and Harold's
of Essex, East-Anglia, Huntingdon, and Cambridgeshire.
, t Of Mercia. J Of Northumbria. § /Of^Worcester.
Digitized DyVJVJt
A.D. 1052.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHEONICLE. 429
and those who were with him, went from Thomey to Bruges, to Baldwin'i
land, in one ship, with as much treasure as they might therein best stow for
each man. It would have seemed wondrous to every man who was in
[England if any one before that had said that it should end thus ; for he had
been erewhile to that degree exalted, as if he ruled the king and all Eng-
land ; and his sons were earls and the king's darlings, and his daughter
^redded and imited to the king : she was brought to Wherwell, and they
delivered her to the abbess. Then, soon, came William, the earl,* from
beyond sea, with a great band of Frenchmen ; and the king received
him, and as many of his companions as it pleased him ; and let him away
again. This same year was given to William, the priest, the bishopric of
London, which before had been given to Sparhafoc.
A. 1052. This year died Elfgive, the lady, relict of king Ethelred and
of king Canute, on the second before the Nones of March. In the same
year Griffin, the Welsh king, plundered in Herefordshire, until he came
very nigh to Leominster ; and they gathered against him, as well the
landsmen as the Frenchmen of the castle, and there were slain of the
English very many good men, and also of the Frenchmen ; that was on
the same day, on which, thirteen years before, Eadwine had been slain by
his companions.
A. 1052. In this year died Elfgive Emma, king Edwards mother and
king Hardecanute's. And in this same year, the king decreed, and his
council, that ships should proceed to Sandwich ; and they set Balph, the
earl, and Odda, the earl,t as head-men thereto. Then Godwin, the ear^
went out from Bruges with his ships to Ysendyck, and left it one day before
Midsummer's-mass eve, so that he came to Ness, which is south of Rom-
ney. Then came it to the knowledge of the earls out at Sandwich ; and
they then went out after the other ships, and a land-force was ordered out
against the ships. Then during this,. Godwin, the earl, was warned, and
then he went to Pevensey ; and the weather was very severe, so that
the earls could not learn what was become of Godwin, the earl. And then
Godwin, the earl, went out again, until he came once more to Bruges ; and
the other ships returned again to Sandwich. And then it was decreed that
the ships should return once more to London, and that other earls and
commanders should be appointed to the ships. Then was it delayed so
long that the ship-force aU departed, and aU of them went home. When
Godwin, the earl, learned that, then drew he up his sail, and his fleet, and
then went west direct to the Isle of Wight, and there landed and ravaged so
.ong there, until the people jrielded them so much as they laid on them.
And then they went westward until they came to Portland, and there they
landed, and did whatsoever harm they were able to do. Then was Harold
come out from Ireland with nine ships ; and then landed at Porlock, and
there much people was gathered against him ; but he failed not to procure
himself provisions. He proceeded further, and slew there a great number
of the people, and took of cattle, and of men, and of property as it suited
him. He then went eastward to his father : and then they both went east-
ward until they came to the Isle of Wight, and there took that which was
yet remaining for them. And then they went thence to Pevensey, and
got away thence as many ships as were there fit for service, and so onwards
• Of Nonnandy. J,E J^?!togle
430 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a^d.KWS.
until he came to NesB, and got all the ships which were in Romnej, and in
Hythe, and in Folkstone. And then they went east to Dover, and ther»
landed, and there took ships and hostages, as many as they would, and so
went to Sandwich and did ^ hand " the same ; and everywhere hostages
were given them, and provisions wherever they desired. And then they
went to North-mouth, and so toward London ; and some of the ships went
within Sheppey, and there did much harm, and went their way to King's
Milton, and that they all humed, and betook themselves then towaid
London after the earls. When they came to London, there lay the king
and all the earls there against them, with fifty ships. Then the earls a&tt
to the king, and required of him, that they might be held worthy of ea<^
of those things which had been unjustly ti^en from them. Then the king^
however, resisted some while ; so long as until the people who were with
the earl were much stirred ag^unst the king and against his people, so that
the earl hunself with difficulty stilled the people. Then bishop Stigand
interposed with God's help, and the wise men as well within the town as
without ; and they decreed that hostages should beset forth on either side :
and thus was it done. When archbishop Robert and the Frenchmen
learned that, they took their horses and went, some west to Pentecost's
castle, some north to Robert's castle. And archbishop Robert and bishop
Ulf went out at East-gate, and their companions, and slew and otherwise
injured many young men, and went their way direct to Eadulf 's-ness ; and
he there put himseUT in a crazy ship, and went direct over sea, and left his
pall and all Christendom here on land, so as God would have it, inasmuch as
he had before obtained the dignity so as God would not have it. Then there
was a great council proclaim^ without London : and all tiie earls and the
chief men who were in this land were at the council. There Godwin bore
forth his defence, and justified himself, before king Edward his lord, and
before all people of the land, that he was guiltless of that which was
laid against him, and against Harold his son, and all his children. And
the kmg^ve to the earl and his children his full friendship, and frill earl-
dom, and all that he before possessed, and to all the men who were with
him. And the king gave to the lady* all that she before possessed. And
they declared archbishop Robert utterly an outlaw, and all the French-
men, because they had made most of the difiference between Godwin, the
earl, and the king. And bishop Stigand obtained the archbishopric of
Canterbury. In this same time Amwy, abbat of Peterborough, left the
abbacy, in sound health, and gave it to Leofric the monk, by leave of the
king and of the monks ; and abbat Amwy lived afterwards eight years.
And abbat Leofric then (enriched) the minster, so that it was called the
Gtolden-borough. Then it waxed greatly, in land, and in gold, and in silver.
A. 1052. And went so to the Isle of Wight, and there took all the ships
which could be of any service, and hostages, and betook himself so eastward.
And Harold had landed with nine ships at Porlock, and slew there much
people, and took cattle, and men, and property, and went his way eastward
to his father, and they both went to Romney, to Hythe, to Fo&stone, to
Dover, to Sandwich, and ever they took ail the ships which they found,
which could be of any service, and hostages, all as they proceeded ; and
went then to London.
• Editha.
d by Google
A.D 1003^1054.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBOMICLE. 431
A. 1053. In this year was the king at Winchester at
Easter, and Godwin, the earl, with him, and Harold, the
earl, his son, and Tosty. Then, on the second day of
E^ter, sat he with the king at the feast : then suddenly sank
he down by the footstool, deprived of speech, and of all his
power, and he was then carried into the king's chamber, and
they thought it would pass over : but it did not so ; but he
continued on, thus speechless and poweriess, until the Thurs-
day, and then resigned his life : and he lies there within the
Old -minster. And his son Harold succeeded to his earldom,
and resigned that which he before held ; and Elgar suc-
ceeded thereto. This same year died Wulfsy, bishop of
Lichfield, and Leofwine, abbat of Coventry succeeded to the
bishopric ; and Egelward, abbat of Glastonbury, died, and
Godwin, abbat of Winchcomb. Moreover, the Webhmen
slew a great number of the English people, of the wardmen,
near Westbury. In this year there was no archbishop in
this land ; but bishop Stigand held the bishopric of Canter-
bury at Christchurch, and Kynsey of York ; and Leofwine
and Wulfwy went over sea, and caused themselves to be there
ordained bishops ; Wulfwy obtained the bishopric which Ulf
had,* he being yet living and driven from it,
A. 1053. This year was the great wind on Thomas's-mass-night, and
also the whole midwinter there was much wind ; and it was decreed that
Rees, the Welsh king's brother, should be slain, because he had done harm;
and his head was brought to Gloucester on Twelfth-daj eve. And the
same year, before All Hallows-mass, died Wulfsy, bishop of Lichfield,
and Godwin, abbat of Winchcomb, and Egelward, abbat of Glastonbury,
all within one month, and Leofwine succeeded to the bishopric of Lich-
field, and bishop Aldredf took the abbacy at Winchcomb, and £gel-
BOth succeeded to the abbacy at Glastonbury. And the same year died
Elfdc, Odda's brother at Deorhurst ; and his body resteth at Fershore.
And tile same year died Godwin the earl ; and he fell ill as he sat with
the king at Winchester. And Harold his son succeeded to the earldom
which his Either before held ; and Elgar, the earl, succeeded to the earl-
dom which Harold before held.
A. 1053. In this year died Godwin, the earl, on the 17th before the
Kalends of May, and -he is buried at Winchester, in the Old-minster ; and
Harold, the earl, his son, succeeded to the earldom, and to all that which
his father had held : and Elgar, the earl, succeeded to the earldom which
Harold before held.
A. 1054. This year went Siward the earlj with a great
army into Scotland and made mueh slaughter of the Scots,
• Dorcheeter. f Of Worcester. t Of Northumbria.
432 THB ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. [ad-IOHIO^.
and put them to flight : and the king escaped. Moreover,
many fell on his side, as well Danish-men as English, and also
his own son.* The same year was consecrated the minster
at Evesham, on the 6th before the Ides of October. In the
same year bishop Aldredf went south over sea into Saxony,
and was there received with much reverence. That same
year died Osgod Clapa suddenly, even as he lay on his
bed. In this year died Leo [IX.] the holy pope of Borne.
And in this year there was so great a murrain among cattle,
as no man remembered for many years before. And Victor
[n.] was chosen pope.
1054. This year went Siward the earl with a great army into Scotland,
both with a ship-force and with a land-force, and fought against the Scots,
and put to flight king Macbeth, and slew all who were the chief men in the
land, and led thence much booty, such as no man before had obtained.
But his son Osbom, and his sister's son Siward, and some of his house-carlai,
and also of the king's, were there slain, on the day of the Seven Sleep^s.
The same year went bishop Aldred to Cologne, over sea, on the king's
errand ; and he was there received with much worship by the emp«or;,J
and there he dwelt well nigh a year ; and either gave him entertainment,
both the bishop of Cologne and the emperor. And he gave leave to
bishop Leofwine§ to consecrate the minster at Evesham on the 6th before the
Ides of October. In this year died Osgod suddenly in his bed. And this
year died St. Leo the pope ; and Victor was chosen pope in his stead.
A. 1055. In this year died Siward the earl at York, and his
body lies within the minster at G-almanho, || which himself had
before built, to the glory of Grod and of all his saints. Then,
within a little time after, was a general council in London,
and Elgar the earl, Leofric the earl's son, was outlawed
without any kind of guilt ; and he went then to Ireland, and
there procured himself a fleet, which was of eighteen e^ps^
besides his own : and they went then to Wales, to king
Griffin,T with that force ; and he received him into his pro-
tection. And then, with the Irishmen and with Welshmen,
they gathered a great force : and Ralph the earl gathered a
great force on the other hand at Hereford-port And they
sought them out there : but before there was any spear
thrown, the English people fled because they were on horses ;
♦ Osbom. + Of Worcester.
t Henry III. § Of Lichfield.
fl A Saxon abhey, meiged afterwards in St. Maiy's at York.
t Of North Wales. ^ j
Digitized by VjOOQlC
A.i>. 1109.] THB ANGLO-SAXON OHBONICLE. 483
and there great slaughter was made, about four hundred
men or five ; and thej made none on the other side. And
thej then betook themselves to the town, and that they
burned ; and the great minster which Athelstan the vene-
rable bishop before caused to be built, that they plundered
and bereaved of relics and of vestments, and of all things ;
and slew the people, and some they led away. Then a force
was gathered from well nigh throughout all England, and
they came to Gloucester, and so went out, not far, among
the Welsh ; and there they lay some while : and Harold the
earl caused the ditch to be dug about the port* the while.
Then, during this, then spoke they concerning peace ; and
Harold the earl, and those who were with him, came to
Bilsley : and there peace and friendship was established
between them. And then they inlawed Elgar the earl,
and gave him all that before had been taken from him ; and
the fleet went to Chester, and there awaited their pay, which
Elgar had promised them. The man-slaying was on the
ninth before the Kalends of November. In the same year
died Tremerin the Welsh bishop,f soon after that ravaging ;
he was bishop Athebtan's coadjutor fr<»n the time that he
had become infirm.
A. 1055. In this year died Siward the earl at York, and he lies at
Galmanho, in the minster which himself caused to be built, and consecrated
in GrodlB and Olave's name. And Tostj succeeded to the earldom which he
had held. And archbishop Kynseyt fetched his pall irom pope Victor.
And soon thereafter was outlawed Elgar the earl, son of Leo&ic the eaH,
well-nigh without guilt. But he went to Ireland and to Wales, and pro-
cured himself there a great force, and so went to Hereford : but there came
agamst him Ralph the earl, with a large army. And with a slight conflict
he put them to flight, and much people slew in tne flight : and thej went then
into Hereford-port, and that they ravaged, and burned the great minster
which bishop Athelstan had built, and slew the priests within the minster,
and many in addition thereto, and took aU the treasures therein, and carried
them away with them. And when they had done the utmost evil, this
counsel was counselled : that £lg^ the earl should be inlawed, and be
given his earldom, and all that had been taken from him. This ravaging
happened on the 9th before the Kalends of November. In the same year
di^ Tremerin the Welsh bishop,$ soon after that ravagmg : and he was
bishop Athelstan's coadjutor from the time that he had become infirm.
A. 1055. In this year died Siward the earl : and then was summoned a
general council, seven days before Mid-lent ; and they outlawed Elgar the
earl, because it was cast upon him that he was a traitor to the king and to
• Hereford. f Of St, David's. $ Of York. J Of St. David's.
FF
434 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.i>. 105M0S7.
all the people of the land. And he made a confetaion of it befcnre all the
men who were there gathered ; though the word escaped him uninten-
tionally. And the king gave the earldom to ToBkj, 8on of earl Godwin,
which Siward the earl before held. And Elgar the earl sought Griffin's
protection in North-Wales. And in this year Griffin and Elgar burned St.
EUthelbert's minster, and sSl the town of Herefbrd.
A. 1056. Thia year bishop Egelric gave up his bishopric
at Durham, and went to St. Peter's minster, Peterborough ; and
Ids brother Egelwine succeeded thereto. This year died
Athelstan the venerable bishop, on the 4th before the Ides
of February, and his body lies at Hereford-port ; and Leof-
^ar was appointed bishop ; he was the mass-priest of Harold
the earl. He wore his knapsack during his priesthood
until he was a bishop. He forsook his chnsm and his rood,
his ghostly weapons, and took to his spear and his sword,
after his bishophood ; and so went to the field against Griffin
the Welsh king: and there was he slain, and his priests
with him, and Elnoth the sheriff and many good men with
them ; and the others fled away. This was eight days
before midsummer. It is difficult to teU the distress, and
all the marching, and the camping, and the travail and de- <
struction of men, and also of horses, which all the English
army endured, until Leofric the earl* came thither, and
Harold the earl, and bishop Aldred,"|* and made a reconciKa-
tion there between them ; so that Griffin swore oaths that he
would be to king Edward a faithful and unbetraying under-
king. And bishop Aldred succeeded to the bishopric
which Leofgar had before held eleven weeks and four days.
In the same year died ConaJ the emperor. This year
died Odda the earl,§ and his body lies at Pershore, and he
was ordained a monk before his end ; a good man he was
and pare, and right noble. And he died on the 2nd before
the Kalends of September.
A. 1057.
Here oatne Edward etheling
to Angle-land ;
he was king Edward's
brother's son,
Edmund king,
who Ironside was called
for his valour.
This etheling Canute king
had sent away
to Unger-landjl
to be betrayed :
but he there grew up
to a good man,
♦ Of Mercia. f Of Worcester. J Hen. III.
$ Of Devon. J Hungary. .-..^..^GoOgle
A.D. 1057.1058.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 435
his kinsman Edward
king behold.
Alas ! that was a rueful case
and harmful
for all this nation
that he so soon
his life did end [came
after that he to Angle-land
for the mishap
of this wretched nation.
as God him granted.
and him well became ;
so that he obtained [wife,
the emperor's kinswoman to
and by her, fair
offspring he begot :
she was Agatha hight.
Nor wist we
for which cause
that done was,
that he might not
In the same year died Leofric the earl,* on the second before
the kalends of October ; he was very wise for God and also
for the world, which was a blessing to all this nation. He
lies at Coventry ; and his son Elgar succeeded to his govern-
ment. And within the year died Ralph, the earlf on the
12th before the kalends of January ; and he lies at Peter-
borough. Moreover, bishop Heca cfied in Sussex, and Agel-
ric was raised to his see.J And this year pope Victor died,
and Stephen [IX.] was chosen pope.
A. 1057. In this jeax Edward etheling, king Edmunds son, came hither
to land, and soon after died : and his body is buried within St. Paul's min-
ster at London. And pope Victor died, and Stephen [IX.] was chosen
pope : he was abbat of Mont-Cassino. And Leofric the earl died, and
Elgar his son succeeded to the earldom which the father before held.
A. 1058. This year Elgar, the earl,§ was banished ; but
he soon came in again, with violence, through Griffin's || aid.
And this year came a fleet from Norway : it is tedious to
tell how all these matters went. In the same year bishop
Aldred1[ consecrated the minster at Gloucester, which himself
had raised to the glory of God and of St. Peter ; and so he
went to Jerusalem with such splendour as none other had
displayed before him, and there devoted himself to God : and
a worthy gift he also offered at our Lord's tomb ; that was a
golden chalice of five marks of very wonderful work. In
the same year died Pope Stephen [IX.], and Benedict
[X.] was appointed pope : he sent a pall to bishop Stigand.
♦ Of Mercia. + Of Hereford.
t Selsey. § Of Mercia. Cc^c-^n]f>
II King of North Wales. % Of Worcester. ^OOglC
ff2
436 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHEONICLB. [a^. 1058-1063.
Algeric was ordained bishop of Sussex,* and abbat Siward
of Rochester.
A. 1058. Thif jear died Pope Stephen, and BeiMdlct was conaecrated
pope : the same Bent hither to land a pall to aichbishop StigancL And
in this year died Heca, bishop of Sussex ; and archbishop Stdgand
ordained Algeric, a monk at ChriBtchurch, bishop of Sussex, and i^bat
Siward bishop of Rochester.
A. 1059. In this year was Nicholas [II.] chosen pope,
he had before been bishop of the town of Florence ; and
Benedict was driven away, who had there before been pope.
And in this year was the steeple consecrated at Peter-
borough, on the 16th before the Kalends of November.
A. 1060. In this year there was a great earthquake on
the Translation of St. Martin : and king Henry died in
France. And Kynsey, archbishop of York, departed on the
11th before the Kalends of January, and he lies at Peter-
borough ; and bishop Aldred succeeded to the bishopric, and
Walter succeeded to the bishopric of Herefordshire: and
bishop 'Dudoc also died ; he was bishop in Somerset ;f and
Giso the priest was appointed in his stead. ^
A. 1061. This year bishop Aldred went to Rome after
his pall, and he received it from Pope Nicholas. And Tostj
and his wife also went to Home : and the bishop and the
earl suffered much distress as they came homeward. And
this year died Godwin, bishop of St. Martin's 4 and Wulfiric
abbat of St. Augustine's, on the 14th before the Kalends of
April [May?]. And Pope Nicholas died, and Alexander
[II.] was chosen pope : he had been bishop of Lucca.
A. 1061. In this year died Dudoc, bishop of Somerset, and Giso succeedea.
And in the same year died Godwin, bishop of St. Martin's, on the 7th
before the Ides of March. And in tlra self-same year died Wulfiic, abbat
of St. Augustine's, within the Easter week, on the 14th before the
Kalends of May. When word came to the king that abbat Wulfric was
departed, then chose he Ethelsy the monk thereto, from the Old-Min-
ster, who then followed archbishop Stigand, and was consecrated abbat at
Windsor, on St. Augustine's mass-day.
A. 1062.
A. 1063. In this year, after midwinter, Harold, the earl,
went from Gloucester to Khyddlan, which was Griffin's, and
burned the viU, and his ships, and all the stores which
thereto belonged, and put him to flight. And then, at Boga-
• Selsey. f Wells. t At Canterbu^le
A.i>.10IO-10«5.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 437
tion-tide, Harold went with his ships from Bristol about
"Wales ; and the people made a truce and delivered hostages ;
find Tosty went with a land-force against them : and they
subdued the land. But in this same year, during harvest,
"was king Griffin slain, on the Nones of August, by his own
men, by reason of the war that he warred with Harold the
earl. He was king over all the Welsh race : and his head
Tvas brought to Harold the earl, and Harold brought it to the
king, and his ship's head, and the rigging therewith. And
king Edward committed the land to his two brothers, Bleth-
gent and Rigwatle ; and they swore oaths, and delivered
hostages to the king and to the earl, that they would be
faithful to him in all things, and be everywhere ready for
him, by water and by land, and make such renders from the
land as had been done before to any other king.
A. 1063. This year went Harold the earl, and his brother Tosty the
earl, as well with a land-force as a ship-force, into Wales, and they sub-
dued the land ; and the people delivo^ hostages to them, and submitted ;
and went afterwards and slew their king Griffin, and brought to Harold his
head: and he appointed another king thereto.
A. 1064.
A. 1065. In this year, before Lammas, Harold the earl
ordered a building to be erected in Wales at Portskeweth,
after he had subdued it ; and there he gathered much good ;
and thought to have king Edward there for the purpose of
hunting. But when it was all ready, then went Caradoc,
Griffin's son, with the whole force which he could procure,
and slew almost all the people who there had been building ;
and they took the good which there was prepared. We wist
not who first devised this ill counsel. This was done on St.
Bartholomew's mass-day. And soon after this, all the thanes
in Yorkshire and in Northumberland gathered themselves
together, and outlawed their earl, Tosty, and slew his house-
hold men, all that they might come at, as weU English as
Danish : and they took all his weapons at York, and gold,
and silver, and all his treasures which they might any where
there hear of, and sent after Morkar, the son of Elgar the
earl, and chose him to be their earl : and he went south with
all the shire, and with Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire,
and Lincolnshire, until he came to Northampton : and his
brother Edwin came to meet him with the men who were
438
THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICUB.
U.i».106l.
in his earldom, and also many Britons came with him.
There came Harold, the earl, to meet them ; and they hud
an errand upon him to king Eklward, and also sent mess^i-
gers with him, and begged that they might have Morkar for
their earl. And the king granted it, and sent Harold again
to them at Northampton, on the eve of St. Simon's and
St. Jude's mass ; and he made known the same to them, and
delivered a pledge thereof unto them : and he there renewed
Canute's law. But the northern men did much harm
about Northampton whilst he vent on their errand, inas-
much as they slew men and burned houses and corn ; and
took all the cattle which they might come at, that was many
thousand : and many hundred men they took and led nor^
with them ; so that that shire, and the other shires which
there are nigh, were for many years the worse. And Toetj
the earl, and his wife, and fdl tho^ who would what he
would, went south over sea with him to Baldwin, the eari,
and he received them all ; and they were all the wint^
there. And king Edward came to Westminster at midwin-
ter, and there caused to be consecrated the minster which him-
self had built to the glory of God and of St. Peter, and of
all God's saints ; and the church-hallowing was on Childer-
mass-day. Ajid he died on Twelfth-day eve, and him they
buried on Twelfth-day eve, in the same minster, as it here-
after sayeth.
Here Edward king,
of Angles lord,
sent his stedfast
&oul to Christ,
in Grod's protection,
spirit holy.
He in the world here
dwelt awhile
in royal majesty
mighty in council.
Four-and-twenty,
lordly ruler I
of winters numbered,
he wealth dispensed ;
and he a prosperous tide,
ruler of heroes,
distinguished governed,
Welsh and Scots,
and Britons also,
son of Ethelred,
Ajigles and Saxons,
chieftains bold.
Where'er embrace
cold ocean-waves,
there all to Edward,
noble king I
obeyed faithfully,
the warrior-men.
Aye was blithe-mind
the harmless king,
though he long erst
of land bereave^ Tp
A.D. loss, lOM.] THB AMOLO-SAXOM CaBONICUt.
43d
. in exile dwelt
wide o'er the earth,
since Canute o'ercame
the race of Ethelred,
and Danes wielded
the dear reafan
of Angle-land,
oght-and-twenty
of winters numbered,
wealth dispensed.
After forth-came,
m vestments lordly,
king with the chosen good,
chaste and mild,
Edward the noble :
the realm he guarded,
land and people,
until suddenly came
death the bitter,
and so dear a one seized.
This noble, from earth
angels carried,
stedfast soul,
into heaven's light
And the sage ne'ertheless,
the realm committed
to a highly-born man,
Harold's self,
the noble earl !
He in all time
obeyed faithfully
his rightful lord
by words and deeds,
nor aught neglected
which needful was
to his sovereign-king.
And this year also was Harold consecrated king ; and he with
little quiet abode therein, the while that he wielded the
realm.
A. 1065. And the man-slaying was on St. Bartholomew's mass-daj.
And then, after Michael's-mass, all the thanes in Yorkshire went to York,
and there slew all earl Tostj's household servants whom they might
hear of, and took his treasures : and Tosty was then at Britford with the
king. And then, very soon thereafter, was a great cowicil at Northamp-
ton ; and then at Oxford on the day of Simon and Jude. And there was
Harold the earl, and would work their reconciliation if he might, but he could
not : but all his earldom him unanimously forsook and outlawed, and all
who with him lawlessness upheld, because he robbed Grod first, and all
those bereaved over whom he had power of life and of land. And they then
took to themselves Morkar for earl ; and Tosty went then over sea, and his
wife with him, to Baldwin's land, and they took up their winter residence
at St. Omer's.
A 1066. In this year king Harold came from York to
Westminster, at that Easter which was after the mid-winter
in which the king died ; and Easter was then on the day,
16th before the Kalends of May. Then was, over all Eng-
land, such a token seen in the heavens, as no man ever
before saw. Some men said that it was cometa the star,
which some men call the haired star ; and it appeared first
on the eve litania Msgor, the 8th before the Kalends ofjMay,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
440 THE A]fGL0*SAX01ff OHBOHICLB. [Aa>. »ML
snd so shone all tlie seren nights. And soon after came in
Tosty the earl from beyond sea into the Isle €i Wight, with
so great a fleet as he might procure ; and there th^ yielded
him as well money as food. And king Hardd, his brothery
gathered so great a ship-force, and also a land-foree, as no king
here in the land had before done ; because it was made known
to him that William the bastard would come hither and wis
this land ; all as it afterwards happened. And the wbik^
came Tosty the carl into Humber with sixty ships ; and
Edwin the earl came with a land-force and c&ore him out
And the boatmen forsook him ; and he went to Scotland
with twelve vessels. And there met him Harold king of
Norway with three hundred ships ; and Tosty submitt^ to
him and became his man. And they then went both into
Humber, until they came to York ; and there fought against
them Edwin the earl, and Morkar the earl, his lax)ther:
but the Northmen had the victory. Then was it made known
to Harold king of the Angles that this had thus happened :
and this battle was on the vigil of St. Matthew. Thea came
Harold our king unawares on the Northm^ and met with
them beyond York, at Stanford-bridge, with a great army
of English people ; and there during the day was a very
severe fight on both sides. There was slain Harold the Fair-
haired, and Tosty the earl ; and the Northmen who were there
remaining were put to flight ; and the English from behind
hotly smote them, until they came, some, to their ships, some
were drowned, and some also burned ; and thus in divers
ways they perished, so that there were few left : and the
English had possession of the place of carnage. The king
then gave his protection to Olave, son of the king of the Nor-
wegians, and to their bishop, and to the earl of Orkney, and
to all those who were left in the ships : and they then went
up to our king, and swore oaths that they ever would observe
peace and friendship towards this land ; and the king let
them go home with twenty-four ships. These two general
battles were fought within five days. Then came William
earl of Normandy into Pevensey, on the eve of St. MichaeFs-
mass : and soon after they were on their way, they construc-
ted a castle at Hasting's-port. This was then made known
to king Harold, and he then gathered a great force, and came
to meet him at the estuary of Appledore j^ a^^^U^mi came
▲.o. 1086.] THE AKGLO-aAXON OHBONIOLE. 441
against him nnawares, before his people were set in order.
But the king nevertheless strenuously fought against him
with those men who would follow him ; and there was great
slaughter made on either hand. There was slain king
Harold, and Leofwdn the earl, his brother, and Girth the
earl, his brother, and many good men ; and the Frenchmen
had possession of the place of carnage, all as Grod granted
th^n for the people's sins. Archbishop Aldred and the
townsmen of London would then have cMld Edgar fwr king,
all as was his true natural right : and Edwin and Morcar
vowed to him that they would fight together with him. But
in that degree that it ought ever to have been forwarder, so
was it from day to day later and worse ; so that at the end
aU passed away. This fight was done on the day of Calix-
tus the pope. And William the earl went afterwards again
to Hastings, and there awaited to see whether the people
would submit to him. But when he understood that they
would not come to him, he went upwards with all his army
which was left to him, and that wluch afterwards had come
firom over sea to him ; and he plundered all that part which
he over-ran, until he came to Berkhampstead. And there
came to meet him archbishop Aldred,* and child Edgar,
and Edwin the earl, and Morcar the earl, and all the
chief men of London ; and then submitted, for need, when
the most harm had been done : and it was very unwise that
they had not done so before ; since God would not better it,
for our sins : and they delivered hostages, and swore oaths
to him ; and he vowed to them that he would be a loving
lord to them : and nevertheless, during this, they plundered
all that they over-ran. Then, on mid-winter's day, arch-
bishop Aldred consecrated him king at Westminster ; and he
gave him a pledge upon Christ's bo^ and also swore, before
he would set the crown upon his head, that he would govern
this nation as well as any king before him had at the best
done, if they would be faithful to him. Nevertheless, he
laid a tribute on the people, very heavy ; and then went, du-
ring Lent, over sea to Normandy, and took with him arch-
bishop Stigand, and Aylnoth, abbat of Glastonbury, and
child Edgar, and Edwin the earl, and Morkar the earl,
and Waltheof the earl, and many other good men of Eng-
• Of York.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
442 THE AK6LO-SAXON CHROmCLB. [aj>.IO»
land. And bishop Odo* and William the earl remained be^
behind, and thej built castles wide throughout the nation,
and poor people distressed ; and ever after it greatly grew
in eviL May the end be good when Grod will I
A. 1066. This year died king Edward, and Harold the earl succeeded
to the kingdom, and held it forty weeks and one day. And this year came
William, and won England. And in this year Christr Church f was burned.
And this year appeared a comet on the 14th before the Kalends of May.
A. 1066. . . . t And then he [Toety] went thence, and did harm everywiiere
by the sea-coast where he could hmd, as £eur as Sandwich. Then watit
made known to king Harold, who was in London, that Tosty his brother
was come to Sandwich. Then gathered he so great a ship-force, andain
a land force, as no king here in the land had Wore gathered, fcttnif it
had been soothly said unto him, that WiUiam ti» ^aA from Normandj,
kiHg Edward's kinttias, would oone faidier and subdue this land : all at
it afterwards happened. When Tosty learned that king Harold mt
on his way to Sandwich, then went he from Sandwich, and took some of
the boatmen with him, some willingly and some unwillingly ; and went
then north into Humber, and there ravaged in Lindsey, and there slew
many good men. When Edwin the earl and Morcar tiie earl understood
that, then came they thither, and drove him out of the land. And he went
then to Scotland : and the king of Scots protected him, and asdsted lum
with provisions ; and he there abode all the summer. Then came king
Harold to Sandwich, and there awaited his fleet, because it was long before
it could be gathered together. And when his fleet was gathered together,
then went he into the hie of Wifjbt, and there lay all the summer and the
harvest ; and a land-force was kept every where by the sea, though in the
end it was of no benefit. When it was the Nativity of St. Mary, then were
the men's provisions gone, and no man could any longer keep them there.
Then were the men allowed to go home, and the king rode up, and the
ships were despatched to London ; and many perished before they came
thither. When the ships had reached home, then came king Harold from
Norway, north into Tyne, and unawares, with a very large E&p-force;, and
no sm^ one ; that might be, or more. And Tosty the earl came to him
with all that he had gotten, all as they had before agreed ; and then they
went both, with all the fleet, along the Ouse, up towards York. Then was
it made known to king Harold in the south, as he was come from on ship-
board, that Harold king of Norway and Tosty the earl were landed near
York. Then went he northward, day and night, as quickly as he could
gfAhet his forces. Then, before that king Harold could come thither, then
gathered Edwin the earl and Morcar the earl from their earldom as great a
force as they could get together ; and they fought against the army, and
made great slaughter : and there was much of the English people slain,
and drowned, and driven away in flight ; and the Northmen had posKssiflo
of the place of carnage. And this fight was on the vigil of St. Matthev
the apostle, and it was Wednesday. And then, after the fight, went Ha*
rold king of Norway, and Tosty the earl, mto York, with as much peojde
♦ Odo, bishop of Bayeux, half brother of king William, and William
Fitz Osbert, created earl of Hereford. f Canterbunr.
X Continued after « money as food," in page J-jp^^ GoOglc
A.l>.10ee.] THB ANGLO-SAXOV CHRONICLE. 443
as fleemed meet to them. And they delivered hostages to them from the
citjr, and also assisted them with proTWons ; and so they went thence to
their shipsj, and they agreed upon a full peace^ so that they should all go
wiUi him south, and tliis land subdue. Then, during this, came Harold
king of the Angles, with all his forces, on the Sunday, to Tadcaster, and
there drew up his force, and went then on Monday tiuoughout York ; and
Harold king of Norway, and Tosty the earl, and their forces, were gone
firom their ahijps beyond York to Stanfordbridge, because it had been pro-
mised them for a certamty, that there, from all the shire, hostages should
be brought to meet them. Then came Harold kuig of the English Ǥfainst
them, unawares, beyond the bridge, and they there joined batde, and veiy
strenuously, for a long time of the day, continued fighting : and there was
Harold kmg of Norway and Tosty the earl slain, and numberless of the
people with them, as well of the Northmen as of the English : and the
Northmen fled from the English. Then was there one of the Norwegians
who withstood the English people, so that they might not pass over the
bridge, nor obtain the victory. Then an Englishman aimed at him with a
javelin, but it availed nothing ; and then came another under the bridge, and
pierced him terribly inwards under the coat of mail. Then came Harold,
king of the English, over the bridge, and his forces onward with him, and
there made great slaughter, as well of Norwegians as of Flemings. And
the king's son, Edmund, Harold let go home to Norway, with all the ships.
A. ] 066. In this year was consecrated the minster at Westminster, on
Childer-mass-day. And king Edward died, on ^he eve of Twelfth-day ;
and he was buried on Twelfth-day, within tiie newly consecrated church at
Westminster. And Harold the earl succeeded to the kingdom of England,
even as the king had granted it to him, and men also had chosen him
thereto ; and he was crowned as king on Twelfth-day. And that same year
that he became king, he went out with a fleet against William ;• and the
while, came Tosty the earl into Humber with sixty ships. Edwin the earl
came with a land-force and drove him out; and the boatmen forsook him.
And he went to Scotland with twelve vessels ; and Harold the king of Nor-
way met him with three hundred ships, and Tosty submitted to him ; and
they both went into Humber, until they came to York. And Morcar the
earl, and Edwin the earl, fought against them ; and the king of the Norwe-
gians had the victory. And it was made known to king Harold how it
there was done, and had happened ; and he came there with a great army
of English men, and met him at Stanfordbridge, and slew him and the earl
Tosty, and boldly overcame all the army. And the while, William the
earl landed at Hastings, on St. Michael's-day : and Harold came from the
north, and fought against him before all his army had come up : and there
he fell, and his two brothers, Girth and Leofwin ; and William subdued
this land. And he came to Westminster, and archbishop Aldred conse-
crated him king, and men paid him tribute, and delivered him hostages,
and afterwards bought their land. And then was Leofric abbat of Peter-
borough in that same expedition ; and there he sickened, and came home,
and was dead soon thereafter, on All-hallows-mass-night ; God be merciful
to his soul ! In his day was all bliss and all good in Peterborough ; and
he was dear to all people, so that the king gave to St. Peter and to him
the abbacy at Burton, and that of Coventry, which Leofric the earl, who
♦ Earl of Normandy. 013^,3^ by GoOglc
444 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [aoil I067.
was his uncle, before had made, and that of Ciowland, and that of Tbor-
ney. And he conferred so much of good upon the minster of Peter-
borough, in gold, and in silver, and in yestments, and in land, as never anj
other did before him, nor any after him. After, Grolden^borough became
a wretched borough. Then chose the monks for abbat Brand tiie prowMt,
by reason that he was a Tery good man, and rery wise, and sent hhn then
to Edgar the etheling, by reason that the people of the land supposed that
he should become king: and the etbelmg granted it him then gladlj.
When king William heard say that, then was he very wroth, and said thai
the abbat had despised him. Then went good men between them, and
reconciled them, by reason that the abbat was a good man. Then gave he
the king forty marks of gold for a reconciliation ; and then thereafter,
lived he a little while, but three years. After that came every tribulation
and cTeiy eyil to the minst^. God have mercy on it I
A. 1067. This year the king came back to England on
St Nicolaa's day, and on the same day Christ's Church,
Canterbury, was consumed by fire. Bishop Wulfwy also
died, and lies buried at his see of Dorchester. Child Edric
and the Britons were unsettled this year, and fought with
the men of the castle at Hereford, to whom they did much
harm. The king t}^a year imposed a heavy tax on the
unfortunate people ; but, notwithstanding, he let his men
plunder all the country which they passed through : after
which he marched to Devonshire and besieged Exeter
eighteen days. Many of his army were slain there : but he
had promised them welh and performed ill : the citizens
surrendered the city, because the thanes had betrayed them.
This summer the child Edgar, with his mother Agatha, his
listers Margaret and Christina, Merlesweyne and several
good men, went to Scotland under the protection of king
Malcolm, who received them all. Then it was that king
Malcolm desired to have Margaret to wife: but, the child
Edgar and all his men refused for a long time ; and
she herself also was unwilling, saying that she would have
neither him nor any bther person, if God would allow her to
serve him with her carnal heart, in strict continence, during
this short life. But the king urged her brother until he said
yes ; and indeed he did not dare to refuse, for they were now
in Malcolm's kingdom. So that the marriage was now
fulfilled, as God had foreordained, and it could not be
otherwise, as he says in the Gospel, that not a sparrow falls
to the ground, without his foreshowing. The prescient
Creator knew long before what he would*, do with her,
Digitized by V^OOQlC
▲J». 1007.] TH£ AKGLO-a^XON CHRONICLE. 445
namely that she should increase the glorj of God in this
land, lead the king ont of the wrong into the right path,
bring him and his people to a better way, and suppress all
tiie bad customs which the nation f<»rmerly followed. These
things she afterwards accomplished. The king therefore
married her, though against her will, and was pleased with
ber manners, and thanked Grod who had given him such a
-wife. And being a prudent man he turned himself to God
and forsook all impurity of conduct, as St. Paul, the apostle
of the Gentiles, says : " Salvabitur vir" ^. which means in
our language '^ Full offe the unbelieying husband is sanctified
and healed through the believing wife, and so belike the wife
through the believing husband." The queen above-named
afterwards did many things in this land to promote the glory
of Gt)d, and conducted herself well in her noble rank, as
always was her custom. She was sprung from a noble line
of ancestors, and her father was Edward Etheling, son of
king Edmund. This Edmund was the son of Etheked, who
was the son of Edgar, the son of Edred ; and so on in that
royal line. Her maternal kindred traces up to the emperor
Henry, who reigned at Rome.
This year Harold's mother, Githa, and the wives of many
good men with her, went to the Steep Holmes, and there
abode some time ; and afterwards went from thence over sea
to St. Omer's.
This Easter the king came to Winchester ; and Easter was
then on the tenth day before the Kalends of April. Soon
affcer this the lady Matilda came to this country, and arch-
bishop Eldred consecrated her queen at Westminster on
Whitsimday. It was then told the king, that the people in
the North had gathered together and would oppose him
there. Upon this he went to Nottingham, and bmlt a castle
there, and then advanced to York, where he built two castles :
he then did the same at Lincoln, and everywhere in those
parts. Then earl Gospatric and all the best men went into
Scotland. During these things one of Harold's sons came
with a fleet firom Ireland unexpectedly into the mouth of the
river Avon, and soon plundered aU that neighbourhood.
They went to Bristol, and would have stormed the town, but
tiie inhabitants opposed them bravely. Seeing they could
get nothing from the town, they went to their ships with the
446 THE ANGLO-SAXON OHBONIOLE. [a.i>. 1008, KM
booty they had got by plundering, and went to Somersetshire,
where they went up the country. Ednoth, master of the
horse, fought with them, but he was slain there, and many
good men on both sides ; and those who were left departed
thence.
A. 1068. This year king William gave the earldom of
Northumberland to earl Robert, and the men of that country
came against him, and slew him and 900 others with him.
And then Edgar etheling marched with all the Northum-r
brians to York, and the townsmen treated with him ; on
which king William came from the south with all his troq)6,
and sacked the town, and slew many hundred persons. He
also profaned St. Peter's minster, and all other places, and
the etheling went back to Scotland.
After this came Harold's sons from Ireland, about Mid-
summer, with sixty-four ships and entered the mouth of the
Taff, where they incautiously landed. Earl Beom came
upon them unawares with a large army, and slew all their
bravest men : the others escaped to their ships, and Harold's
sons went back again to Ireland.
A. 1069. This year died Aldred archbishop of York, and
he lies buried in his cathedral church. He died on the
festival of Protus and Hyacinthus, having held the see witii
much honour ten years, all but fifteen weeks.
Soon after this, three of the sons of Sweyne came from
Denmark with 240 ships, together with earl Osbem and
earl Thorkill, into the Humbar ; where they were met by
child Edgar and earl Waltheof, and Merle- Sweyne, and
earl Cospatric with the men of Northumberland and all the
landsmen, riding and marching joyfully with an immense
army ; and so they went to York, demolished the castle, and
found there large treasures. They also slew many hundred
Frenchmen, and carried off many prisoners to their ships ;
but, before the shipmen came thither, the Frenchmen had
burned the city, and plundered and burnt St. Peter's minster.
When tlie king heard of this, he went northward with all
the troops he could collect, and laid waste all the shire ;
whilst the fleet lay all the winter in the Humber, where the
king could not get at them. The king was at York on
midwinter's day, remaining on land all the winter, and at
Easter he came to Winchester. Digitized by Google
A.i>. 1«70.] THE AlfGLO-SAXOK CHBONICLB. 447
This year bishop Egelric being at Peterborough, was
accused and sent to Westminster; and his brother bishop
I^elwin was outlawed. And the same year Brand abbat
of Peterborough died on the fifth before the Kalends of
December.
A. 1070. This year Lanfranc abbat of Caen came to
England, and in a few days he was made archbishop of
Canterbury. He was consecrated * at his metropolis on the
* In the second year after Lanfiranc's consecration he went to Borne,
pope Alexander so greatly honoured him, that contrary to his custom he
rose to meet him, and gare him two palls in token of especial favour :
Lan£ranc received one of them fiK>m the altar after the Roman manner,
and the pope, with his own hands, gave hiin the other, in which he himself
had been accustomed to perform ma3B. In the presence of the pope,
Thomas brought forwards a calumny touching the primacy of the see of
Canterbury, and the subjection of certain bic^ops. Lanfranc briefly and
clearly states the conclusion to which this affair was afterwards brought in
England, in an epistle to the aforesaid pope Alexander. This year a
general council was held at Winchester, in which he deposed Wulfnc,
abbat of the new monastery, and made many r^ilations touching Chnstian
discipline. A few days aiterwards, he consecrated Osbem at London as
bishop of Exeter, and Scotland at Canterbury as abbat of St. Augustine's.
In his third year he consecrated Peter at Gloucester as bishop of Lich-
field or Chester. This year also a great council was held at a place called
Pennenden Heath [near Maidstone], in which Lanftanc proved that he
and his church held their lands and their rights by sea and by land, as
freely as the king held his : excepting in three cases : to wit, if the highway
be dug up ; if a tree be cut so as to fall upon it ; and if murder be com-
mitted and blood spilt : when a man is taken in these misdeeds, the fine
paid shall belong to the king ; otherwise their vassals shall be free from
regal exactions.
In his fourth year he consecrated Patrick at London as bishop of Dublin,
in Ireland, from whom he received a profession of obedience, and he
moreover gave him very memorable letters to the kings of Ireland.
In his fifth year a general council was held at London, the proceedings
of which Lanfranc committed to writing, at the request of many.
In his sixth year he gave the bishopric of Rochester to Emost, a monk
of Christ church, whom he also consecrated at London. A council was
held at Winchester : and the same year Emost departed this life.
In his seventh year, he gave the bishopric of Rochester to Gundulph,
whom he consecrated at Canterbury. This year Thomas archbishop of
York sent letters to Lanfranc, requesting that he would send two bishops
to consecrate a certain priest, who had come to him -with letters from the
Orkneys, to the intent that he might be roade bishop of tliose islands.
Lanfranc consenting to this, commanded Wolstan bishop of Worcester,
and Peter bishop of Chester, to go to York, and to assist Thomas in com-
pleting the ceremony.
In his eighth year, a council was held at London, in which Lanfranc
deposed Ailnoth abbat of Glastonbury.
448 THB ATOLOHSAXOir CSBOmCfLE. Laj>. IHT*.
fourth before the Kalends of September, by eight Hshops
his sufiragans ; the rest who were absent Mgnifying
through messengers, and by writing, why they oonld no* ^*i
In his eleventh year, a council was held at Gloucester, whotdn, 17 the
king's order, and with the consent of Lanfisnc, Thomas archbisu op of
Yoik consecrated William to the bishopric of Durham ; and becaaae he
coidd not be attended by the Scotch bishops his suffiragans, tiie bidiops
Wolstan, Osbero, Giso, and Robert asosted at tins ceremony by the etma-
mand of Lanfranc. At this time Lan&anc sent letters rich in sacred lore
to bishop Donald in Ireland.
In his sixteenth year Lanfranc consecrated Donatns, his monk at
Canterbury, to the bishopric of Dublin, by the desire of the king, cleigy,
and people of Ireland. This year a council was held at Gloocester,
wherein Lanfranc deposed Wulstoetel abbat of Cioyland. He conaecKated
Robert to the bishopric of Chester, and William to that of Elmham, in
one day, at Canterbury. At Winchester also he consecrated Maurice as
bishop of London, who brought noble gifts to his mother church at Can-
terbury a few days afterwards.
In the eighteenth year of Lan&anc's prelacy, on ^e death of king
William beyond sea, he acknowledged his son William, as he had done his
fiither, and consecn^ed and crowned him in St. Peter's church, which is in
the western part of London. The same year, and at his metropolitan city
of Canterbury, he examined and consecrated Godfrey as bishop of
Chichester, Wydo also as abbat of St. Augustine's and John as bishop of
Wells. The next day Lanfranc on his own authority, and taking with him
Odo bishop of Bayeux the king's brother, who was th«i at CanteiiMiiy,
conducted the abbat Wydo to St. Augustine's and commanded the brothos
of the order to receive him as their own abbat and pastor ; but they, with
one accord, answered that they would neither submit to him nor receiTe
hinu Thus Lanfranc came leading the abbat, and when he found that the
monks were obstinate in resistance, and that they would not obey him, be
commanded that all the refractory should come out one by one. When
therefore nearly all had left the monastery, Lanfrunc and his suite led in
the abbat with much pomp, placed him in the chair, and deliveied the
church up to him. He also seized the prior, Elfiin by name, and as many
others as he thought fit, and he put them forthwith into claustral imprison^
ment at Canterbury ; but he sent those who had the greatest influence^ and
were the authors of this scandal, to the castle to be confined tiiere. After-
he had returned home having finished all, he was informed that the monks
who had left the monastery were assembled, near St. Mildred's churcb«
Hereupon he sent to them, saying, that if they would, they might returxx
to the church before the ninth hoiv, but that if they delayed longer, thefy
would not be allowed free entrance, but he treated as renegadoes. Having
heard this message they doubted whether to retum or to remain, but at th«
hour of refection, when they became hungry, many repenting of theirj
obstinacy sent to Lanfranc and promised submission. These he treated *
with lenity, and desired that they should retum directly and confirm bA
oath their profession of obedience to the aforesaid abbat Thus tho3
returned and swore Mthfiilness and obedience to the abbat Wydo, up
ft.i». WTaj TBB AK6L0-SAJC0N CHBONICLE. 449
tliere. This year Thomas, who had been chosen as bishop
>f York, came to Canterbury, that he might be consecrated
ti)i9^ a^ter the old form, but when Lanfirano craved ike
the filierof St. Augustine. Lanfranc seued those who remaiaed behind
and yh^ed them in various monasteries of England, confining them till be
broa^ them to profess their submission. About the same time, he seized
one of them named Alfred, who had attempted to flee, and confined him
loaded with irons at Canterburj, together with some of his fellows : and he
Qserased upon them the utmost severity of their order. But when these
iBonks were thought to be sufficiently humbled and had promised tdnend-
m^d, Lanfranc taking pity on them, had them brought from the several
fiBcm whither he had bamshed them, and reconciled them to their abbat.
TlMsame year the dissensions were renewed, and the monks plotted the
deatt ff their abbat, but one of them, named Columban, being taken,
lajtilMic caused him to be brought to him. As he stood there before him,
laaftnic asked if he desired to murder his abbat And the monk forth-
w til rsplied, ^ Yes ! if I could I would certainly kill him." Then Lui-
fenc fommanded that he should be tied up naked by the gates of St.
Aifosline't and suffer flagellation before all the people, that his cowl
A/rnH. then be torn off, and that he should be driven out of the city. This
<»d«rwas executed, and thenceforth, during Lanfianc's life, sedition was
reprwed by the dread of his severity.
In 9ie nineteenth year of his prelacy, died the venerable archbishop
Lantec, and he was buried at his metropolitan see of Canterbury, of
whiet he had been possessed eighteen years, nine months, and two days.
Hif deeds, his buildings, alms, and labours, are only in part recoimted in
t2e writing which is r^ on his anniversary, for they were very numerous.
After Ins death the monks of St. Augustine's, openly rebelling against their
ftf<Mwid abbat Wydo, stirred up the citizens of Canterbury, who, with an
armed force, attempted to slay him in his house. But his fiunily made
resistance, and when many had been wounded, and some killed on both
sides, tile abbat with much difficulty escaped unhurt from amongst them,
and fled for refuge to the mother church of Canterbury (Christ's church.)
On tii» report (^ this disturbance Walkdin bishop of Winchester, and
Uundolf bishop of Rochester, sufliagans to the see of Canterbury, with
some noblemen sent by the long, hastened to Canterbury, that they might
take vengeance on the delinquents ; and when they had inquired into the
causes of the sedition, and had found the monks unable to clear themselvei^
diey condemned them to suffer public punishment because they had trans-
gressed openly. But the prior and monks of Christ's church, moved with
piety, pleaded against the sentence, lest, iC they were to receive their
iiscipl^ before all the people, they should henceforth be aoeounted
in&jnous, and so their profession and office come to be despise. Where-
fore it was granted on their interoessbn, that the punishment should take
place in the church, into which the populace should not be admitted, but
those oBiy iHio were appcsnted to see it executed. And two monks of
Chrisfa church, Wydo and Norman, were called in, and they inflicted the
punishment at the command of the bishops. Then the rebelliois monks
vere dispersed into various monasteries of England : and twentv-^yur niqnlra
^ Q Q gitized by Google
450 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLR. [a^ 1«I
COTifirmation of his subjection by oath, he refused, and saiJ
that he was not obliged to give it. Then was the arctibislM^
Lanfranc wroth, and he commanded the bishops, who were
there at his behest to assist at the^ ceremony, and all the
monks, to unrobe themselves ; and they did as he desired :
so this time Thomas returned home without consecration. '
happened soon after this, that the archbishop Lanfranc went
to Rome, and Thomas with him : and when they were come
thither, and had said all that they desired on other subjects,
Thomas began his speech, saying how he had come to
Canterbury, and how the archbishop had defeired of him an
oath of obedience, and that he had refused it Then Ae
archbishop Lanfranc began to make manifest with dear
reasoning, that he had a right to demand that which le
required : and he proved the same with strong argumens
before the Pope Alexander, and before all the council thai
assembled : and thus they departed home. After ths,
Thomas came to Canterbury, and humbly performed all Jiat
the archbishop required, and thereupon he received the
blessing. This year earl Waltheof made peace with the
king. And during Lent in the same year the king causd all
the monasteries in England to be despoiled of their treasu*e3.
The same year king Sweyn came from Denmark into te
Humber, and the people of those parts came to meet him ana
made an alliance with him, for they believed that he would
conquer the land. Then the Danish bishop Christien, and
earl Osbem, and their Danish retainers, came into Ely, and
all the people of the fens joined them, for they believed that
they should conquer the whole country. Now the monks of
Peterborough were told that some of their own men, namely,
of Christ^s church were substituted in their place, together with the prior,
named Anthony, who had been sub-prior at Christ's church. The townanen
who entered the abbat's hall in arms were seized, and those who wa« con-
▼icted of having struck him lost their eyes.
After the death of Lanfranc the see remained vacant four years, nine
months, and nine days, during which time it suffered much adversity. At
length, in the year of our Lord's incarnation 1093, and on the second before
the Nones of March, the archbishopric of Canterbury was given to Anaelm
ubbat of Bee, a good and an upright man, of great learning, and amongst
the most noteid of his time. He came to Canterbury on the seventh befrae
the Kalends of October, his earlier arrival having been prevented by many
sufficient causes^ and he was consecrated on the second before the Nones of
December.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A.i>. 107a] THE AlfGLO-SAXOM CHRONICLE. 451
Hereward and his train, would pillage the monastery, because
they had heard that the king had given the abbacy to a
French abbat named Turold, and that he was a very stem
man, and that he was come into Stamford with all his French
followers. There was, at that time, a church-warden named
Ywar ; who took all that he could by night, gospels, mass-
robes, cassocks, and other garments, and such other small
things as he could carry away, and he came before day to the
abbat Turold, and told him that he sought his protection, and
told how the outlaws were coming to Peterborough, and he
said that he had done this at the desire of the monks. Then
early in the morning all the outlaws came with many ships,
and they endeavoured to enter the monastery, but the monks
withstood them, so that they were not able to get in. Then
they set fire to it, and burned all the monks' houses, and all
those in the town, save one : and they broke in through the
fire at Bolhithe-gate,* and the monks came before them and
desired peace. However they gave no heed to them, but
went into the monastery, and climbed up to the holy crucifix,
took the crown from our Lord's head, which was all of the
purest gold, and the footstool of red gold from under his
feet. And they climbed up to the steeple, and brought down
the table f wluch was hidden there ; it was all of gold and
silver. They also seized two gilt shrines, and nine of silver,
and they carried oflf fifteen great crosses of gold and silver.
And they took so much gold and silver, and so much treasure
in money, robes, and books, that no man can compute the
amount ; saying they did this because of their allegiance to
the monastery : and afterwards they betook themselves to
their ships and went to Ely, where they secured their
treasures. The Danes believed that they should overcome the
Frenchmen, and they drove away all the monks, leaving only
one named Leofwdn the Long, and he lay sick in the hospitid.
Then came the abSat Turold, and eight score Frenchmen
with him, all well armed ; and when he arrived he found all
burnt both within and without, excepting the church itself ;
and all the outlaws were then embarked, knowing, that he
would come thither. This happened on the fourth day before
• Bulldyke Gate.
t Ingrain so tiunslates the word, referring to a Gallo-Nonnan poem
published by Sharpe. Gibson, Lye, and Mias Gumey read <<fu>p9^[e
oo2 ^^
4JS2 TSE UfGLO-SAXOK €»BOMIGLB. [▲.!>. MTL
the Nones of June. Then the two kings, William and Sweya,
made peace with each other, on which the Danes departed
fixMn Ely, canying with them all the aforesaid treasure.
' When they were come into the midst of the sea, there arose
a great storm, which dispersed all the fihips in which the
treasures were: some were driyen to Norway, soHie to
Irehind, and others to Denmark, and all the spoils tiuU
reached the latler country, being i^e table * and some of tite
shrines and crosses, and many of the other treasures, ihej
brought to one of the king's towns called y and laid it all
up in the church. But one night, through their carelessneee
and drunkenness the church was burned, with all that yrta in
it. Thus was the monastery of Peterborough burned and
pillaged. May Almighty Glod have pity on it in his great
mercy : and thus the abbat Turold came to Peterborough,
and the monks returned thith^ and performed Christiaii
wor^p in the church, which had stood a full week without
service of any kind. When bi^op Egehicf heard this, be
excommunicated all the men who had dcme Ihis eviL There
was a great famine this year ; and this summer the fleet from
the Humber sailed into the Thames, and lay there two nights,
and it afterwards held on its course to Denmark. And earl
Baldwin died, and his son Amidf succeeded Inm ; and earl
William I and the Freach king should have been his sujj^pcn-t:
but earl Bobert came and slew his kinsman Amulj^ and the
earl ; put the king to flight, and slew n^my thousands di his
men.
A. 1071. This year earl Edwin and earl Morcar fled, and
wandered through the woods and Adds. Th^i earl Morcar
took ship and went to Ely ; and earl Edwin was slain
treacherously by his own men : and bishop Egelwine,§ and
Siward Bam, and many hundreds with them, came into Ely.
And when king William heard this, he called out a fleet and
army ; and he surrounded that land, and he made a Inridge
and entered in, his fleet lying off the coast. Hien all the
outiaws surrendered ; these were, bishop Egelwine and earl
Morcar, and all who were with them, excepting <mty
Hereward, and his followers whom he led ofl* with great
valour. And the king seized their ships, and arms^ and much
• Or cope : see the Ia«t note. f Of Selsey.
t Fhi-OBbeme. d g t zed t ^ Of Durham.
JL. 6, 1071— 10r4.J THE AWaLO-SAXON CBBOmOLE^ 453,
treasure ; and he disposed of the men as he would ; and he
sent bishop Egelwine to Abingdon, where he died earlj in
the Trinter,
A^ 1072. This year king William led an armj and a fleet
against Scotland, and he stationed the ships along the coast
and crossed the Tweed with his army ; but he found nothing
to re^ward his pains. And king Malcolm came and treated
-with king William, and delivered hostages, and became his
liege-man ; and king William returned home with his forces.
Bishop Egelric died this year ; he had been consecrated to
the archbishopric of York, of which he was unjustly
deprived, and the see of Durham was given to him ; this he
held as long as he chose, and then resigned it and went to
the numastery of Peterborough, and there he spent twelve
years. Then after king William had conquered England,
he removed Egelric from Peterborough, and sent him to
Westminster, and he died on the Ides of October, and he is
buried in the abbey, in the aisle of St. Nicholas.
A. 1073. This year king William carried an army o^
English and French over sea, and conquered the province of
Maine : and the English did great damage, for they destroyed
the vineyards and burned the. towns, and they laid waste that
province, the whole of which submitted to William ; and
they afterwards returned home to England.
A. 1074. This year king William went ctver sea to
Normandy; and child !E^ar came into Scotland from
Flanders on St. Grimbald's mass-day. King Malcolm
and Margaret his sister received him there with much
pomp. Also Philip, king of France, sent him a letter
inviting him to come, and offering to give him the castle
of Montreuil, as a place to annoy his enemies from. After
this, king Malcolm and his sister Margaret gave great
presents and much treasure to him and his men, skins
adorned with purple, sable-skin, grey-skin and ermine-skin-
pelisses, mantles, gold and silver vessels, and escorted them
out of his dominions with much ceremony. But evil befell,
them at sea ; for they had hardly left the shore, when such
rough weather came on, and the sea and wind drove tiiem
with such force upon the land, that their ships went to pieces
and they saved their lives with much difficulty. They lost
nearly all their riches and some of Himr men were taken by
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
454 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLS. C^d. 1074» 103&
the French : but the boldest of them escaped back to Scot-
land, some on foot and some mounted on wretched horses.
King Malcolm advised Edgar to send to king William
beyond the sea, and request his friendship. Edgar did so,
and the king acceded to his request and sent to fetch him.
Again, king Malcolm and his sister made them handsome
presents, and escorted them with honour out of thdr
dominions. The sheriff of York met him at Durham, and
went all the way with him, ordering him to be provided with
meat and fodder at all the castles which they came to, until
they reached the king beyond the sea. There king William
received him with much pomp, and he remained at the court,
enjoying such privileges as the king granted him.
A. 1075. This year king William gave the daughter <rf
William Fitz-Osbeme in marriage to earl Ralph : the said
Ralph was a Welchman on his mother's side, and his father
was an Englishman named Ralph, and bom in Norfolk.
Then the king gave the earldom of Norfolk and Suffolk to
his son, who brought his wife to Norwich, but
There was that bride-ale
The source of man's bale.
For earl Roger and earl Waltheof were there, and bishops
and abbats, and they took counsel to depose the king of
England. And this was soon reported to the king then in
Normandy, and it was told him withal that earl I^^er and
earl Ralph were the heads of the conspiracy, and that they
had brought over the Britons to their side, and had sent
eastward to Denmark for a fleet to assist them. And eaii
Roger departed to his earldom in the west, and gathered his
people together in rebellion against the king, but he was
checked in his attempt. And earl Ralph also being in his
earldom would have marched forth with his people ; but the
garrisons of the castles of England, and the inhabitants of
the country came against him, and prevented his effecting
any thing, on which he took ship at Norwich : and his wife
remained in the castle, and held it till she had obtained terms,
and then she departed from England with all her adherents.
And after this the king came to England, and he took his
kinsman earl Roger and put him in prison ; and earl
Waltheof went over the sea and betrayed himself but he
Digitized by V^OOQ IC
1075, 107«.] THE ANGLO-SAXON OHBONIOLE. 455.
asked forgiveness and offered a ransom. The king let him
off lightly until he came to England, when he had him
seized. And soon afterwards two hundred ships arrived
from Denmark, commanded by two chieftains, Canute the
son of Sweyn, and earl Hacco, but they durst not risk a
battle with king William, but chose rather to go to York,
where they broke into St. Peter's minster, and having taken
thence much treasure, went away again. They then crossed
over the sea to Flanders, but all who had been concerned in
the act perished, namely earl Hacco and many others with
him. And the lady Edgitha died at Winchester seven nights
before Christmas, and the king caused her to be brought to
Westminster with great pomp, and to be laid by her lord
king Edward. And the king was at Westminster during
Christmas,^ and there all the Britons who had been at the
bridal feast at Norwich were brought to justice ; some were
bUnded, and others banished. Thus were the traitors to
William subdued.
1076. This year Sweyn king of Denmark died, and Harold
his son succeeded to the kingdom. And the king gave
Westminster to Vitalis, who had before been abbat of Bernay.*
Earl Waltheof was beheaded at Winchester on the mass-day
of St. Petronilla, f and his body was carried to Croyland,
where it now lies. And the king went over sea and led his
army into Brittany, and besieged the castle of Dol, and the
Britons defended it till the king of France came up, and then
William departed, having lost both men and horses and
much treasure.
• Or Bemeges. A cell to the abbey of Fescamp, in tformjndj.
t «II. Kal. Jun. or the 31 at of May. This notice of St. Petronilla,
whose name and existence seem scarcely to have been known to the Latin
historians, we owe exclusively to the valuable MS. c. T. b. iv. Yet if ever
female saint deserved to be commemorated as a conspicuous example of
early piety and Christian zeal, it must be Petronilla. She was no less a
person than the daughter of St. Peter himself; who, being solicited to
marry a nobleman at Rome of the name of Flaccus, and on her refusal
allowed three days to deliberate, after passing the whole time in fasting and
prayer, and receiving the sacrament at the hands of Nicomedes the priest,
expired on the third day ! This is no Romish legend of modem growth,
for her name appears in the martyrology of Bede, and in 'the most
venerable records of primitive Christianity." — Ingram. And yet, the
reader, who shall receive even the existence of Petronilla in any other light
than as a fable^ must possess a credulity which will enable him to realize
all the impostures with which ecclesiastiad history aboundik^ t
454 THB AKOLO-SAXON CHBOIfI0I.K. [a^ 1077— KMl
1077. This jear a peace was made between the kiii^ of
France and William king of England, but it lasted oi^j a
little while. And this year, one night before the assuni^ydoii
of St Mary, there was a more dreadfol fire in LondMi tbaa
had ever happened since the town was built. And the moon
was eclipsed, three nights before candlemas : the same year
died Egelwig abbat of Evesham, on the fourteenth day
before the Kalends of March, which was the mass-day of St
Juliana ; and Walter became bishop in his stead. Kshop
Herman also died on the t^ith day before the Kalendai^
March. He*was Inshop in B^kshire, Wiltshire, and Dorset*
shire. Also in this year king Malcolm won lAkQ mother of
Malslaythe and all his best men and all his to^asure and his
oxen and himself hardly escaped .... There was ^so this
year a dry summer, and wild-fire burned many towns^ and
many cities were mined by it.
A. 1078.
A. 1079. This year king William's son Robert, fied from
his father to his uncle Robert in Flanders, because his fat^r
would not let him govern his earldom in Nonnandy ; which
fie himself, and with his consent I^iilip king <^ Frfflice, had
given to him. The best men of that land had sworn
allegiance to him and taken him for their lord. And Hm
same year king William fought against his son Robert
without the borders of Nwrnandy near a castle called
Grerberoy, and there king William was wounded, and the
horse on which he sat was killed, and he that brought him
another horse, namely, Tookie Wiggodson, was killed vri^ a
dart, and his son William was also wounded, and many
men were slain, but Robert returned to Flanders. We will
not say more at present of the harm that he did to his
father.
This year, between the two festivab of St Mary, king
Malcohn invaded England with a lai^e army, and laid waste
Northumberland as far as the Tyne ; and he slew many hun-
dred men, »id carried home much mon^ and treasure and
many prisoners.
' A. 1080. This year Walcher bishqp of Durham was slain
at a gemot, and a hundred French and Flemings with him :
Walcher himself was bom in Lorraine. The Northumbrians
perpetrated thia in the month of May.,^^^^ Google
A.». lQ81^10e«^ THB AX&LO'SAXOK OHBOKICXB. 457'
A. 1081. This year the king led an army into Wales, and
there he set free many hundred persons.
A. 1082. This year the king arrested bishop Odo. And
there was a great famine this year.
A. 1083. This year a qumrrel arose in Glastonbury be«
twe^i the abbat Thurstan and his monks. It was first
caused by the abbat's unwise conduct, in that he treated his
monks iU in many respects, but the monks were lovingly-
minded towards him, and begged him to govern them in
right and in kindness, and they would be faithful and obe-
disat to him. But the abbat would none of this, and
wrought them eril, and threatened worse. One day the
abbat went into the chapter-house, and spoke against the
monks, and would have taught them amiss;* and he sent
for laymen, and they came in all armed upon the monks in
the chapter-house. Th^i the numks were greatly terrified
and knew not what to do, and some ran for refuge into the
church and locked the doors from within; but the others
followed them, and would have dragged them forth when
they durst not come out. Rueful things happened there on
that day, for the French broke into the choir and threw
darts towards the altar where the monks w^e collected,
and some of thdr servants went upon the upper fioorf and
shot down arrows towards the chancel, so that many arrows
stuck in the crucifix which stood above the altar, and the
wretched monks lay around the altar, and some crept under
it, and they called earnestly upon God and besought his
m^rcy, since they could obtain no mercy at the hands of
men. What can we say, but that they shot without ceasing,
and otibers broke down the doors, and rushed in, and they
slew some of the monks and wounded many, so that the
blood ran down from the altar on the steps, and from the
steps to the floor ? Three were smitten to death and eigh-
teen wounded. And the same year Matilda the wife of khig
William died on the day after the feast of All Saints. And
the same year after Christmas the king caused a great and
heavy tax to be raised throughout England, even seventy-
two pence upon every hide of land.
* He wished to substitute the chant of William of Feschamp for that
called the Gregorian.
t Probably along the open galleries in the upper. (||^|^X3fc the choir,
commonly called the trifoiium.
458 THE AlfGLO-SAXOK CHBOKICLE. [▲^lOQ^.lHtl
A. 1084. This year Wulfwold abbat of Cheaiaey died <»
the 13th day before the Kalends of May.
A. 1085. This year men said and reported as certain, that
Canute king of Denmark, the son of king Sweyn, was comiiig
hither, and that he designed to conquer this land, with the
assistance of Robert earl of Flanders, whose daughter he
had married. When king William, who was then in Nor-
mandy, heard thb, for England and Normandy were both
his, he hastened hither with a larger army of horse and foot,
from France and Brittany, than had ever arrived in this
land, so that men wondered how the country could feed
them alL But the king billeted the soldiers upon his sub-
jects throughout the nation, and they provided for them,
every man according to the land that he possessed. And
the people suffered much distress this year: and the king
caused the country near the sea to be laid waste, that if his
enemies landed they might the less readily find any plunder.
Afterwards when he had received certain information that
they had been stopped,* and that they would not be able to
proceed in this enterprise, he let part of his forces return to
their own homes, and he kept part in this land through the
winter. At midwinter the king was at Gloucester with his
witan ; and he held his court there five days ; and afterwards
the archbishop and clergy held a synod during three days ;
and Maurice was there chosen to the bishopric of London,
William to that of Norfolk, and Robert to that of Cheshire ;
they were all clerks of the king. After this the king had a
great consultation, and spoke very deeply with his witan
concerning this land, how it was held and what were its
tenantry. He then sent his men over all England, into
every shire, and caused them to ascertain how many hun-
dred hides of land it contained, and what lands the king
possessed therein, what cattle there were in the several
counties, and how much revenue he ought to receive yearly
from each. He also caused them to write down how much
land belonged to his archbishops, to his bishops, his abbats,
and his earls, and, that I may be brief, what property every
* Because there was a mutiny in the Danish fleet; which was cairied
to such a height, that the king, after his return to Denmark, was slain bj
his own soldiers. Vide Antiq. CeltoScand, p. 228. See also our Chron-
icle, A.D. 1087.— Inq&am. ^ ,
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
▲.D. lOSfip 10870 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 459
inhabitant of all England possessed in land or in cattle, and
how much money this was worth. So very narrowly did he
cause the survey to be made, that there was not a single
hide nor a rood of land, nor — ^it is shameful to relate that
which he thought no shame to do— was there an ox, or a
COW, or a pig passed by, and that was not set down in the
accounts,* and then all these writings were brought to him.
A. 1086. This year the king wore his crown and held his
court at Winchester at Easter, and he so journeyed forward
that he was at Westminster during Pentecost, and there he
dubbed his son Henry a knight. And afterwards he tra-
velled about, so that he came to Salisbury at Lammas ; and
his witan, and all the land-holders of substance in England,
whose vassals soever they were, repaired to him there, and
they all submitted to him, and became his men, and swore
oaths of allegiance, that they would be faithful to him
against all others. Thence he proceeded to the Isle of
Wight because he was to cross over to Normandy; and
this he afterwards did; but first, according to his custom,
he extorted immense sums from his subjects, upon every
pretext he could find, whether just or otherwise. Then he
went over to Normandy, and king Edward's kinsman Edgar
etheling left liim, because he received no great honour from
him : may Almighty God give him glory hereafter. And
the ethefing's sister Christina went into the monastery of
Eomsey, and took the holy veil. And the same was a very
heavy year, and very disastrous and sorrowful ; for there was
a pestilence among the cattle, and the com and fruits were
checked; and the weather was worse than may easily be
conceived: so violent was the thunder and lightning, that
many persons were killed : and things ever grew worse and
worse with the people. May Almighty God mend them,
when such is his will !
A. 1087. The year 1087 after the birth of Christ our
Saviour, and the one and twentieth of king William's reign,
during which he governed and disposed of the realm of Eng-
land even as God permitted him, was a very grievous time
of scarcity in this land. There was also so much illness,
• This is the famous Doomsday Book, or Rotulus Wintonia, called also
Liber Wintoniee. At the end of it is the date, Anno miUetvmo octogenmo
9t9to ab incamalione Dei, vigesimo vero regni WHieimu 4*gQOQle
460 THE AKChLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. f^.i). 1087.
thai almost every other man was afflicted with the worst
of evils, that is, a fever ; and this so severe, that many died
of it. And afterwards, from the badness of the weathCT
which we have mentioned before, there was so great a famine
throughout England, that many hundreds died of hunger.
Oh, how disastrous, how rueful were those times! when
the wretched people were brought to the point of death by
the fever, then the cruel famine came on and finished them.
Who would not deplore such times, or who is so hard-hearted
that he will not weep for so much misery ? But such things
are, on account of the sins of the people, and because they
will not love God and righteoui^ess. Even so was it in
those days ; tiiere was Httle righteousness in this land
amongst any, excepting the monks alone, who fared well.
The king and the chief men loved much, and over much,
to amass gold and silver, and cared not how sinfully it was
gotten, so that it came into their hands. The king sold out
his lands as dear as dearest he might, and then some other
man came and bid more than the first had given, and the
king granted them to him who offered the larger sum ; then
came a third and bid yet more, and the king made over the
lands to him who offered most of all ; and he cared not how
iniquitously his sherifib extorted money from the miserable
people, nor how many unlawful things they did; And the
more men spake of rightful laws, the more lawlessly did
they act. They raised oppressive taxes, and so many were
their unjust deeds, it were hard to number them. And the
same year, before harvest, St. Paul's lioly minster, the resi-
dence of the bishops of London, was burnt, together with
many other monasteries^ and the greater and handsomer part
of the whole city. At the same time likewise almost all the
principal towns of England were burnt down. Oh, how sad
and deplorable was tins year, which brought forth so many
calamities!
The same year also, before the assumption of St. Mary,
king William marched with an army out of Normandy into
France, and made war upon his own lord king Philip, and
slew a great number of Ids people, and burned the town of
Mante, and aU the holy monasteries in it, and two holy men
who served God as anchorites were burned there. This
done king William returned into Normandy. BueM deecb'
4b.i>.]087.] THE ANCULO-SAXON CHBONICLC. 461
Ym^ did, and ruefully he suffered. Wherefore ruefully? He
f dil sick and becariie grievously ilL What can I say ? The
sharpness of death, that spareth neither rich nor poor, seized
tipon him. He died in Normandy the day aftar the nativity
of St. Mary, and he was buried in Caen, at St Stephen's
monastery, which he had built and had richly endowed.
Oh, how false, how unstable, is the good of this world!
He, who had been a powerful king and the lord of many
territories, possessed not then, of all his lands, more than seven
feet of ground ; and he, who was erewhile adorned with gold
and wi^ gems, lay then covered with mould. He left Ihree
sons: Robert the eldest was earl of Normandy after him;
the second, named William, wore the crown of England after
his father's death ; and his third son was Henry, to whom he
bequeathed immense treasures.
If any would know what manner of man king William
was, the glory that he obtained, and of how many lands he
was lord ; then will we describe him as we have known him,
we, who have looked upon him, and who once lived in his
court.* This king William, of •whom we are speaking, was
a very wise and a great man, and more honoured and more
powerful than any of his predecessors. He was mild to
those good men who loved God, but severe beyond mea-
sure towards those who withstood his will. He founded a
noble monastery on the spot where God permitted him to
eonquer England, and he established moi^s in it, and he
made it very rieh. In his days the great mimastery at Can-
t^bury was built, and many others also throughout Eng-
land; moreover this land was illled with monks who lived
after the rule of St. Benedict; and such was the state of
religion in his days that all that would, might observe that
which was prescribed by their respective orders. King
William was also held in much reverence : he wore his
crown three times every year when he was in England: at
Easter he wore it at Winchester, at Pentecost at Westmm-
ster, and at Christmas at Gloucester. And at these times,
all the men of England were with him, archbishops, bishops,
abbats, and earls, thanes, and knights. So abo, was he a rery
stem and a wrathful man, so that none durst do anything
* From this we learn that this part of the Chronicle was written by a
contemporary and eye-witness of the facts which he relatei^^^^jTp
462 THE ANGLO-SAXOK CHBOiaCLE. [jl^IO^.
against liis will, and he kept in prison those earls who acted
against his pleasure. He removed bishops from their sees,
and abbats from their offices, and he imprisoned thanes, and
at length he spared not his own brother Odo. This Odo
was a very powerful bishop in Normandy, his see was that
of Bayeux, and he was foremost to serve the king. He
had an earldom in England, and when William was in
Normandy he was the first man in this country, and him
did he cast into prison. Amongst other things the good
order that William established is not to be forgotten ; it
was such that any man, who was himself aught, might tra-
vel over the kingdom with a bosom-full of gold unmolested ;
and no man durst kill another, however great the injury he
might have received from him. He reigned over England,
and being sharp-sighted to his own interest, he surveyed the
kingdom so thoroughly that there was not a single hide of
land throughout the whole, of which he knew not the pos-
sessor, and how much it was worth, and this he afterwards
entered in his register.* The land of the Britons f was
under his sway, and he built castles therein ; moreover he
had full dominion over the Isle of Man (Anglesey) : Scot-
land also was subject to him from his great strength; the
land of Normandy was his by inheritance, and he possessed
the earldom of Maine ; and had he lived two years longer
he would have subdued Ireland by his prowess, and that
without a battle. Truly there was much trouble in these
times, and very great distress ; he caused castles to be built,
and oppressed' the poor. The king was also of great stern-
ness, and he took from his subjects many marks of gold, and
many hundred pounds of silver, and this, either witii or
without right, and with little need. He was given to
avarice, and greedily loved gain. He made large forests
for the deer, and enacted laws therewith, so that whoever
killed a hart or a hind should be blinded. As he forbade
killing the deer, so also the boars; and he loved the tall
stags as if he were their father. He also appointed oon-
* This is certainly an evident allusion to the compilation of Doomsday
Book already described, a.d. 1085, as Gibson observes; and it is equally
cl^HT to nje, that the composition of this part of the Chronicle is by a
different hand. — Ingram.
r Wales. ^ .
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A.D.1087.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 463
ceming the haxes, that they should go free. The rich com-
plained and the poor murmured^ but he was so sturdy that
he recked nought of them ; they must will all that the king
willed, if they would live; or would keep their lands; or
would hold their possessions; or would be maintained in
their rights. Alas! that any man should so exalt himself^
and carry himself in his pride over all ! May Almighty
God show mercy to his soul, and grant him the forgive*
ness of his sins! We have written concerning him these
things, both good and bad, that virtuous men might follow
after the good, and wholly avoid the evil, and might go in
the way that leadeth to the kingdom of heaven.
We may write of many events which happened during this
year. In Denmark, the Danes who were formerly accounted
the most loyal of people, turned to the greatest possible per-
fidy and treachery, for they chose king Canute, and submit-
ted to him, and swore oaths of allegiance, and afterwards
they shamefully murdered him in a church.* It also came
to pass in Spain, that the heathen men went forth, and made
war upon the Christians, and brought great part of the
country into subjection to themselves. But the Christian
king, whose name was Alphonso, sent to all countries and
begged assistance. And allies flocked to him from every
Christian land, and they went forth, and slew or drove away
all the heathens, and they won their land again by the help
of God. The same year also many great men died in this
land: Stigand bishop of Chichester, and the abbat of St.
Augustine's, and the abbats of Bath and of Pershore, and the
lord of them all William king of England, concerning whom
we have spoken above.
After his death, his son William, of the same name with
his father, took to himself the government, and was conse-
crated king in Westminster by archbishop Lanfranc three
days before Micha&lmas : and all the men of England acknow-
ledged him, and swore oaths of allegiance to him. This
done, the king went to Winchester and examined the
treasury, and the hoards which his father had amassed ; gold
and silver, vessels of plate, palls, gems, and many other valu-
* A church at Odensee, dedicated to St. Alban, whose relics had been
brought from England by this Canute.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
464 TBB AHCO^HIAXOM CHBONICLB. Laj». 1M8.
ables that are hard to be numbered. The king did as his
father before he died commanded him ; he distributed trea-
sures amongst all the monasteries of England, for the sake
of his fiather^s soul : to some he gave tai marks of gold, and
to others six, and sixty pennies to every country church, and
a hundred pounds of money was sent into every county to
be divided among the poor for his soul's sake. And before
he died he had also desired that all who had been imprisoned
during his reign should be released. And the king was at
London during midwinter.
A. 1088. This year the land was much disturbed, and
filled with treason, so that the principal Frenchmen here
would have betrayed their lord the king, and have had his
brother Robert instead, who was earl of Normandy. Bishop
Odo was the chief man in the conspiracy, together with
bishop Gosfrith, and William bishop of Durham. The king
esteemed the bishop so highly, that the affairs of all England
were directed after his counsel, and according to his pleasure,
but the bishop purposed to do by him as Judas Iscariot did
by our Lord. And earl Roger was concerned in this con-
spiracy, and many others with him, all Frenchmen. This
plot was concerted during Lent ; and as soon as Easter came
they marched forth, and plundered, and burned, and laid
waste the lands of the crown ; and they ruined the estates of
those who remained firm in their allegiance. And each of
the head conspirators went to his own castle, and manned
and victualled it, as best he might. Bishop Grosfrith and
Robert the peace-breaker went to Bristol, and having plun-
dered the town, they brought the spoils into the castle ; and
afterwards they sallied forth and plundered Bath, and all the
surrounding country, and they laid waste all the lordship
of Berkeley. And the chief men of Hereford and all that
county, and the men of Shropshire, with many from Wales,
entered Worcestershire, and went on plundering and burning,
till they approached the county town, and they were resolved
to bum this also, and to plunder the cathedral, and to seize
the king's castle for themselves. The worthy bishop Wul-
stan seeing this, was much distressed in mind, because the
castle was committed to his keeping. Nevertheless his re-
:tainers, few as they were, marched out, and through the
mercy of God, and the good desert of the bishop^ they slew
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A.0. 1088.] THB ANaLO-8AXON OHBONICUB. 46iS
or took captive five hundred men, and put all the rest t<>
flight. The iHshop of Durham did as much harm as he
could in all the northeam parts : one of the conspirators
named Roger, threw himself into Norwich castle, and spread
devastation throughout that country : Hugo also was in no
respect less formidable to Leicestershire and Northampton.
Bishop Odo, with whom these commotions originated, de-
parted to his ewldom of Kent, which he ravaged, and he
wholly laid waste the lands of the king and the archbishops
and brought all the plunder into his castle at Rochester.
When the king had heard all this, and with what treason
they were acting towards him, he was greatly disturbed in
mind ; and he sent lor the English, and laid Ms necessities
before them, and entreated their assistance. He promised
th®ai better laws than had ever been in this land, and forbade
all unjust taxes, and guaaranteed to his subjects their woods
and hunting. But t^e concesaioais were soon done away«
Howbeit the English came to the aid of their lord the king,
and they then marched towards Rochester, desiring to seize
bishop Odo, for they thought that if they had him who was
the head of the conspiracy in their power, they mig^t with
greater ease subdue the others. Then they came to Tun-
bridge castle, in which were the knights of lHsh<^ Odo and
many others, who resolved to hold out against William. But
the English came on, and stormed the castle, and the giu^rison
-capitulated. They then proceeded towards* Rochester be-
lieving that the bishop was there : but the king was told
that he was departed to his castle at Pevensey, and the king
and his troops went after him, and he be^^ed that castte
full six weeks with a very large army.
In the meantime Robert earl of Normandy, the king'is
brother, gathered together a great multitucte, and thought
that he should win England with the aid of the disaffected df
this country. And he sent some of his troops to this land,
intending to follow them himself. But the English who
guarded the sea attacked these men, and slew and drowned
more than any one can number. At length ipsovisions be-
came scarce in the castle, on which the insuigents^iwayed for
a truce and surrendered the {dace io the king, and the bishop
took an oath that he would depart from England, and never
return unless the king sent for him, and that he. would &ho
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466 THB ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, Caj». 1089^ KM
give up Rochester castle. After this the bishop proceeded
thither that he might deliver up that fortress, and the king
sent his men with him, but then the soldiers who were in the
castle arose, and seized the bishop, and the king's men, whom
they put into confinement. There were very good knights
in this castle : Eustace the younger, the three sons of earl
Roger, and all the best bom of this land, and of Normandy.
When the king knew this, he set forth with all the troops
then with him, and he sent over all England and commanded
that every man of mark, French or English, from town and
from country, should come and join him. Many were those
who flocked to him, and he marched to Rochester and be*
sieged the castle till the garrison capitulated. Bishop Odo
and those who were with him departed over sea, and thus the
bishop lost the station he held in this land. The king after-
wards sent an army to Durham, and besieged the castie, and
the bishop capitulated, and surrendered it, and he gave up
his bishopric and went to Normandy. Many Frenchmen
also left their lands, and went over sea, and the king gave
their estates to those who had held fast to him.
A. 1089. This year the venerable father and patron <^
monks, archbishop Lanfranc, departed this life, but we trust
that he has entered into the kingdom of heaven. There
was also a great earthquake throughout England on the 3rd
day before the Ides of August* And it was a very late
year both as to the com, and fruits of all kind, so that many
men reaped their com about Martinmas, and even later.
A. 1090. Things being in the state we have described,
as regarding the king, his brother, and his people, William
considered how he might take the surest vengeance on his
brother Robert, harass him most, and win Normandy from
him. To this end, he guned the castle and port of St. Valery
by stratagem or bribery, and also Albemarle castle, and he
placed his knights in them, and they did much harm, ravag-
ing and burning the country. After this he got possession
of more castles in that land, and in these also he stationed his
knights. When Robert earl of Normandy found that his
sworn liege-men revolted and gave up their castles to his
great injury, he sent to his lord Philip king of France, who
* Thellthof Auguat ^ i
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A.o. lOOl.J THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLB. 467
came into Normandj with a large army ; and the king and
the earl with an innumerable force besieged a castle defended
by the king of England's soldiers : but king William of Eng-
lajid sent to Philip king of France, and he, for love of Wil-
liam or for his great bribes, deserted his vassal earl Eobert
and his land, and returned to France, leaving things as they
were. During all these transactions, England was greatly
oppressed by unlawful taxes, and many other grievances.
A. 1091. This year king William held his court at Westmin-
ster at Christmas, and the following Candlemas he departed
from England to Normandy, bent on his brother's ruin : but
whilst he was in that country, peace was made between them,
on condition that the earl should give up Feschamp, the earldom
of Eu, and Cherbourg, to William, and withal that the king's
men should be unmolested in those castles of which they h^
possessed themselves in the earl's despite. And the king, on
his side, promised to reduce to their obedience the many
castles conquered by their father, which had since revolted
£rom the earl, and also to establish him in the possession of
aU their father^s territories abroad, excepting those places
which the earl had then given up to the kmg. Moreover all
who had lost their lands in England on account of the earl
were to regain them by this treaty, and the earl also was to
receive certain estates in England then specified. It was
also agreed that if the earl died leaving no legitimate son the
king should be heir of all Normandy, and in like manner if
the king died, that the earl should be heir of all England.
Twelve of the chief men on the part of the king, and twelve
on that of the earl, guaranteed this treaty by oath ; yet it was
observed but a short time. During this peace Edgar etheling
was dispossessed of those lands which the earl had granted Mm,
and he departed and went from Normandy into Scotland, to
the king his brother-in-law, and his sister. Whilst king Wil-
liam was out of England, Malcolm king of Scotland invaded
this country, and ravaged great part of it, till the good men to
whom the keeping of the land was entrusted, sent their troops
against him and drove him back. When king William heard
this in Normandy, he hastened to return, and he came to Eng-
land and his brother earl Eobert with him. And they call^
out a fleet and army, but ahnost all the ships were lost, a few
I days before Michaelmas, ere they reached Scotland. And
j HH2 Digitized by VwjOOQIC
468 THE ANGLO-SAXOK CHBOinCLB. [a.d.109S;1<MI
the king and bis brother proceeded with tiie tamf i ftsd
when king Maloobn heard that they soi^ht to attack him, he
inarched with his array out of Scotland into LotMsn lA
England, and remained there. And when king WiMmmbi
i^proactrad, ecui Robert and Edgar eiheling mediaited a
peace between the kings, on condition that king Malcfofai
ahould repair to our kii^, and become his yassal, and m tdl
the like subjection as to his &ther before him ; and this he
oonfirmed by oath. And king William jNTomised him ^sH the
lands and possessions that he held under his &ther. By this
peace Edgar etheling was recondkd to the kii^. And the
idngs separated in great friendship, but this lasKbed during «
short time only. Earl Robert abode h^re with ihib king liU
Christmas drew near, and in this time he found little goiod
faith as to the fulfilment of the treaty, and two days before
the feast he took ship from the Isle of Wight mnd esoMi to
Normandy, and Edgar etheling with him.
A. 1092. This year king WilHam webt northward to
Carlisle with a lai^e army, and he repai'red Ihe oily, mid
built the castle. And he drove out Dolfbi, who had befbie
governed that country ; and having placed a garrison in ike
oastle, he returned into the south, and bent a great number
of rustic Englishmen thither, with their wives and oaMk,
that they might settle there and cultivate the land.
A. 109S. This year, in Lent, king William was very mck
at Gkxicest^, insommch that he was universal^ reported to
be dead: and he made many good fNromises m his illness;
that he would lead his future IHie in rightedusMfts — thaft th)e
churches of God he would guard and Ik^e-^-^nd never more
sdl them for money-«-and that he would have all jutt hnws
in his kingdom. And he gave the archbisbofnic of Oaater-
bury, which he had hitherto k^ in his own haada^ to
Anselm, who was before this abbat g£ Bee, and the biriuipnc
of Lincoln to his chancellor Robert; and he granted lands to
toKoy monasteries, but afterwards, when recovered, he 4kxk
them back, and he neglected all the good laws that he had
promised us. After t^is the king of Scotland aeaat destriug
that the stipulated conditions might be performed ; and king
WyMam susnmoned him to Gloucester, and sent hostage to
h^ in Scotland, and afterwards Edgar etheling and others
met him, and brought him with nmch honour to the eouH*
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A-i>. 1093;, 1094.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONIGLB. 469
Sat Trben lie came there, he could neither obtain a confer-
enee with our king nor the performance of the condition^
fonoerij promiaed him, and therefore thej departed in great
enmit J : and king Malcolm returned home to Scotland* and
as aoon as he came thither, he asseml^d his troopa and
in-vaded England, ravaging the eountrj with more i^rj than
behoved him : and Robert, earl of Northumberland* with his
men, lay in wait for him, and slew him unawares. He was
kiHed bj Morsel of Bambrough, the earl's steward, and king
Maloolm's own godfiither:* his son Edward, wh<v had he
Uved, would have been king after his father, waa killed with
him. When the good queen Margaret heard that her most
beloved lord, and her son, were thus cut oS, she was grieved
m spirit unto death, and she went with her priest into the
cbarch, and having gone through all befitting ritea, she
prayed of God that she might give up the ghost. And then
the 8cots chose f Dufenal, the brother of Malcolm, for their
king, and drove out all the English who had been T^tb king
Malcolm. When Duncan, the son of king Malcolm, heard
all this, for he was in king William's court, and h^d re-
mained h^re from the time that his father gave him as an
hostage to our king's father, he came to the king, and did
emch homage as the king required ; and thus, with his con-
sent, he departed for Scotland, with the aid that he cpuld
master, both English and French, and he deprived bis kins-
man Pufenal of the throne, and was received as king. But
then some of the Scotch again gathered themselves together,
^d slew nearly all his men, and he himself escaped with
few others. They were afterwards reconciled on this con-
dition, that Duncan should never more bring English or
Frenchmen into that country.
A. 1094. This year, at Christmas, king William hcild his
* Ingram translates tbe original ** goilsib" baptismal friend, an4 adds
the following note, " literally a gossip ; but such are the changes which
words undergo in their meaning as well as m their form, that a titl« of
honour, formeriy implying a spiritual relationship in God, is now applied
only to those whose conyersation resembles the contemptible tittle-tattle of
a christening :— Gibson translates it a * susceptor,' i. e. an undertake?."
t ** From this expression it is evident, that though preference w^
naturally and properly given to hereditary claims, the monarchy of Soot-
land, as well as of England, was in principle elective. The doctrine of
hereditary, of divine, of indefeasible right, is of modem growl^''— Imujeum.
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(
470 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. t^n. 1094
conrt at Gloucester ; and there came messengers to hini out
of Normandy, from his brother Robert, and they said that
his brother renounced all peace and compact if the king
would not perform all that they had stipulated in the treaty ;
moreover they called him peijured and faithless unless he
would perform the conditions, or would go to the place
where the treaty had been concluded and sworn to, and
there clear himself. Then at Candlemas the king went to
Hastings, and whilst he waited there for a fair wind, he
caused the monastery on the field of battle* to be conse-
crated ; and he took the staff from Herbert Losange, f bishop
of Thetford. — ^After this, in the middle of Lent, he went
over sea to Normandy. When he came thither he and his
brother, earl Robert, agreed that they would meet in peace,
and they did so, to the end that they might be reconciled.
But afterwards, when they met, attended by the same men
who had brought about the treaty, and had sworn to see it
executed, these charged all the breach of faith upon the
king ; he would not aUow this, neither would he observe the
treaty, on which they separated in great enmity. And the
king then seized the castle of Bures, and took the earPs men
who were in it, and he sent some of them over to this coun-
try. And on the other hand the earl, with the assistance of
the king of France, took the castle of Argences, in which he
seized Roger the Poitou and seven hundred of the king's
aeldiers ; and he afterwards took the castle of Hulme ; and
frequently did each bum the towns and take captive the
people of his rival. Then the king sent hither and ordered,
out 20,000 Englishmen to aid him in Normandy, but when
they reached the sea they were desired to return, and to give
to the king's treasury the money that they had received;
this was half a pound for each man, and they did so. And
in Normandy, frfter this, the earl, with the king of France,
and all the troops that they could collect, marched towards
Eu, where king William then was, purposing to besiege him
therein, and thus they proceeded untU they came to Lune-
• Battie Abbey.
t Commonly called Herbert de Loednga. His lettera are of much his-
torical interest : they were supposed to be lost, until they were recoitly
discovered by Robert Anstnither in the Brussels library, and published
8to, Bmxelliiai, apud Yandale, et Londini apud D* Nutt.
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AJK :<te5.1 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 471
ville, and there the king of France turned off through
treachery, and on this the whole army dispersed. In the
meantime king William sent for his hrother Hensy, who
vras in the castle of Damfiront, and because he could not pass
through Normandy in security, he sent ships for him, with.
Hugo, earl of Chester. And when they should have made
for Eu, where the king was, they directed their course in-
stead to England, and landed at Hampton* on the eve of
All Saints' day; and they then remained in this country,
and were in London at Christmas.
.. The same year also the Welsh gathered themselves to*
gether, and made war upon the French in Wales, or in the
neighbouring parts, where they had been before deprived of
their lands, and they stormed many fortresses and castles,
and slew the men, and afterwards their numbers increased
so much, that they divided themselves into many bodies;
Hugo, earl of Shropshire, fought with one division and put
it to flight, but nevertheless the others abstained not, during
the whole year, from committing every outrage in their
power. This year also the Scots conspired against their
king Duncan, and slew him, and they afterwards took his
uncle Dufenal a second time for their king ; through whose
instructions and instigation Duncan had been betrayed to
his death.
A. 1095. This year king William was at Whitsand during
the first four days of Christmas, and after the fourth day he
set sail and landed at Dover. And the king's brother Henry
remained in this country till Lent, and then he went over
sea to Normandy, with much treasure to be employed in the
king's service against their brother, earl Robert : and he
gained ground upon the earl continually, and did much damage
to his lands and subjects. Then at Easter the king held his
court at Winchester, and Robert earl of Northumberland
would not repair thither ; therefore the king's anger was
greatly stirred up against him, and he sent to Mm, and
sternly commanded that if he would remain in peace he
should come to his court at Pentecost. This year Easter
fell on the 8th before the Kalends of April, and after Easter,
* Now called Southampton, to distmguish it from Northampton; but
the common people, in both neighbourhoods, generallj say '^ Hampton'* to
this day. — Imgium.
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472 THE anglo-SuIlXON chboniclb. {>.]>. less,
on the Aight of the feast oi St Amhrose, the 2nd before the
Nones of April, there was seen all over the countiy a greal
mukitode e£ stars falling from heaven during nearly the whfAst
of Hie night, not one or two at a time, but so thickly that no
man might number them. A^ier this, at Pentecost, the king
was at Windsor, and all his witan with him, excepting the
earl of Northumberland, ^ the king would ndther give
host^es nor pledge his troth that he should come and ga in
security. On this the king cadled out an army, and marched
against the earl into Northumberland, and as soon aa he
came thither he seized ahnost all the chief men of the earl's
court in a certain iBuiTess, and he put them in confbiement
And he be»eged Tinmouth castle until he took it, and there
he seized ihe earl's brother, imd all who w^:^ wilii him :
thence he procee^d to Bambrough, and there he besieged
the eari ; and when the king found that he could not reduce
him, he caused a castle to be built over against BambrcKigh,
and called it in his speech, Malveisttiy which is in Engl^h,
"the evil ndghbour," and he garrisoned it strongly, and
afterwards he departed southward. Thea one night, soon
after the king's return into ^e south, the earl went out of
Bambrough towards Tinmouth : but those in the new castle,
being aware of his design, pursued and attacked him, and
they wounded him, and afterwards took him prisoner, and some
of his followers were slain, and some taken alive. In the
meantime the king was told that the Welsh had stormed a
certain castle in Wales, called Montgomery, and had slain
earl Hugo's men who defended it ; on this he commanded
another army to be called out in haste, and after Michaelmas
he proceeded into Wales. He divided his forces, and his
troops made their way through all parts of the country, and
met at Snowdon, on All Saints' day. But the Welsh ever
fled bef(M*e him to the mountains and moors, so titiat no man
could get near them, and the king at length returned home-
wards, because he could do no more there that winter. When
the king came back, he commanded his people to take Kobert
earl of Northumberland, and lead him to Bambrough, and to
put out both his eyes, unless the besi^ed would surrender
the castle, which was defended by his wife, and his steward
Morel, who was also his kinsman. On this, the castle wa,^
given up, and Morel was received at William's court j and
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A.D. 109&] THE AKGLO-SAXON CHBOfiriCLS. 473
tkrcnigh him manj were discovered, both clergy and laitj^
wfeo hiad aided this rebelKon with their counsel. Then the
king ordered some of them to be imprisoned before Christ*
msSy and he straightlj commanded throughout the kingdom,
that all who held lioids of him should be at his court, oq
iJiat festival, as they would retain his protection. And the
king had earl Robert brought to Windsor, and confined there
in the castle. This year also, a little before Easter, the
p<^pe's legate came to England ; this was Walter, bishop of
AUbano, a man of a very virtuous life, and at Pentecost he
presented archbishop Anselm with his pall from pope Urban,
and he received it at his metropolitan city of Canterbury.
And bishop Walter remained h\^re great part of this year,
and on his return the Homescot,* which had not been paid for
matiy years. befcHre, was sent with him. This year also the
weather was very unseasons^e, so that the fruits of the
earth were much injured over all the country.
A. 1096. This year king William held his Christma*
court at Windsor; and William bishop of Durham died
there on New Year's day. And the king and all his witan
were at Salisbury on the octaves of the Epiphany. There
Gteaffrj Bainard accused William of Eu, the king's relation,
saying that he had been concerned in the conspiracy against
the king, and for this cause he fought with hun and over-
came him in single combat, and after he was vanquished the
king commanded that his eyes should be put out ; and the
king also caused his steward named William, who was his
aunt's son, to be hanged on the gallows. Then also Eoda
earl of Champagne, the king's uncle, and many others, were
^rived of their lands, and some were brought to London,
and there executed. At Easter, this year, there was a very
great stir in this country and in many others also, through
Urban, who was called pope, though he was not in posses-
sion of the see of Rome ; and an innumerable multitude of
men, with their wives and children, departed to go and con-
quer the heathen nations. The king and his brother, earl
Robert, were reconciled in consequence of this expedition, so
that the king went over sea, and received from the earl all
Normandy for a sum of money, according to contract. And
thereupon the earl departed, and with him went the earls oi
• Commonly called Peter's pence, r^ t
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474 •THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLS. U©. 10«7.
Flanders and of Boulogne, and many other headmen.* And
earl Robert and those who accompanied him abode in Apulia
that winter. But of those who went by Hungary, many thou-
sands perished miserably there, or on the road, and many, rueful
and hunger-bitten, toiled homewards against winter. These
were very hard times to all the English, as well because of
the manifold taxes, as of the very grievous famine which sor^
afflicted the land. This year also the nobles who had charge
of this country frequ«itly sent forth armies into Wales, and
thus they greatly oppressed many, and for no purpose, but
with much loss of men and of money.
A. 1097. This year king William was in Normandy at
Christmas, and before Easter he sailed for this land, intend-
ing to hold Ids court at Winchester, but he was kept at sea
by bad weather till Easter eve ; and Arundel was the first
place to which he came, therefore he held his court at Wind-
sor. After this, he marched into Wales with a large army,
and his troops penetrated far into the country by means of
some Welshmen who had come over to him, and were his guides.
And William remained there from Midsummer till near Au-*
gust, to his great loss of men and horses and many Qther things.
When the Welsh had revolted from the king, they chose
several leaders from among themselves, one of these was
named Cadwgan, he was the most powerful of them all, and
was the son of king Griffin's brother. The king, seeing
that he could not effect his purpose, returned into England,
and he forthwith caused castles to be built on the marches.
Then at Michaelmas, on the 4th before the Nones of Octo-
ber, an uncommon star appeared shining in tha evening, and
soon going down: it was seen in the south-west, and the
light which streamed from it seemed very long, shining to-
wards the south-east; and it appeared after this manner
nearly all the week. Many allowed that it was a comet.
Soon after this, Anselm archbishop of Canterbury obtained
permission from the king, though against his incHnation, to
leave this country and go over sea, because it seemed to him
that in this nation little was done according to right, or after
his desires. And at Martinmas the king went over sea to
^ * ** Headmen or chiefs." The tenn is still retained with a slight varia-
tion in the north of Europe, as * the hetman PlatofF, of celebrated memoiy.*
— lNG&i.M.
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A.i>. 1097—1000.] THE ANGLO-SAXON OHBONICLE. 475
Normandy ; but whilst he waited for a fair wind, his train
did as much injury in the county in which they were de-
tained, as any prince's retinue, or even an army could have
Committed in a peaceable land.
This year was in aU respects a very heavy time, and the
weather was singularly bad at the seasons when men should
till their lands and gather in the harvest; and the people
had nevertheless no respite from unjust taxes. Many shires,
moreover, which are bound to duty in works at London,
were greatly oppressed in making the wall around the tower,
in repairing the bridge which had been almost washed away,
and in building the king's hall at Westminster. These
hardships fell upon many. This year also, at Michaelmas,
Edgar etheling, mth the king's ai^ led an army into Scot-
land, and won that country by hard fighting, and drove out
the king Dufnal, and established his kinsman Edgar the
son of Mng Malcolm and queen Margaret, as king in fealty
to William, and then he returned into England.
A. 1098. This year king William was in Normandy at
Christmas ; and Walkelin bishop of Winchester, and Bald-
win abbat of St. Edmund's, both died during this festival
This year also died Turold abbat of Peterborough. More-
over in the summer of this year a spring of blood burst out
at Finchamstead, in Berkshire, according to the declaration
of many men of credit, who said that they had seen it. And
earl Hugo was slain in Anglesey by foreign pirates; his
brother Bobert succeeded him, having obtained this of the
king. Before Michaelmas-day the heaven appeared as it
were on fire, almost aU the night. This was a year of much
distress, caused by the manifold oppressive taxes ; nearly all
the crops in the marsh lands failed also from the great rains,
which ceased not the whole year.
A. 1099. This year king William was in Normandy at
Christmas ; and at Easter he came hither ; and at Pentecost
he held his court for the first time in the new building at
Westminster, and there he gave the bishopric of Durham to
his chaplain Banulf, who had long been the chief manager
and director of all the king's councils held in England. And
soon afterwards William went over sea, and drove earl Elias
from Maine, and brought that province into subjection ; and
at Michaelmas he returned to this land. This/Vear also, on
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476 THE ANGLO-SAXOK CUBOSaCLIB. [aj>. lioa
St Martin's day, there was so T^y high a tide, fmd ihe
dunage was so great in consequence, that men remembered
not the like to^ have ever happened before^ and the same day
was the first of the new moon. And Osmond bishop of Salis-
bury died during Advent.
A. 1100. This year, at Christmas^ king William held hig
court in Gloucester ; and at Easter in Winchester ; and a^
Pentecost in Westminster. And at Pentecost blood wa«
observed gushing from the earth, at % certain town of
Berkshire, even as many asserted who declared that they
had seen it. And after this, on the morning after Lammas-daj^
king William was shot with an arrow by his own men, as ha
was hunting, and he was carried to Winchester and buried
there.* This was in the thirteenth year firom his accession.
He was very powerful, and stem over his lands and subjects^
and towards all his neighbours, and much tp be dreaded, an4
through the counsels of evil men which were always pleasing
to him, and through his own avarice, he was ever vexing tlw
people with armies and with cruel taxes ; for in his days all
justice sank, and all unrighteousness arose, in the sight of
God and the world. He trampled on the church of Giodt
and as to the bishoprics and abbacies, the incumbents d
which died in his reign, he either sold them outright^ or
kept them in his own hands, and set them out to renters ; for
he desired to be the heir of every one, churchman or laymaa,
so that the day on which he was killed he had in his own
hands the archbishopric of Canterbury, the bishoprics of
Winchester and Salisbury, and eleven abbacies, all let out to
farm, and in fine, however long I may delay mention of ii^f
all that was abominable to God and oppressive to men was
common in this island in William's time : and therefore hQ
was hated by almost all his people, and abhorred by God a9
his end showeth, in that he died in the midst of his
unrighteousness, without repentance or any repar^on made
for Us evil deeds. He was slain on a Thursday, and buried
the next morning : and after he was buried, the witaa who
were then near at hand, chose his brother Henry as king,
* His ihonoment k still to be seen there, a plain grayestaae of black
Barbie, of the common shape called "dos d'^ne," such as are now
frequently seen, though of inferior materials, in the church-jards of village^
and are only one remove from the grassy sod. — Ingram.
t Ingram renders this, « though I may be tedious." QoOqIc
A.D. 1100, 1101.] THE ANGLO^AXOK CHKONICLE. 477
mad he forthwith gave the bishopric of Winchester to William
Griffard, and then went to London ; and on the Sunday
following he made a promise to God and )^ the people,
b^re the t^tsac at Westminster, tibat 1^ woold abolish the
injustice whidi prevailed in his brother's time, and that he
tvould observe t^ most eqcdtable of the laws established in
the days of any of the kings before him : and after this
.Maurice bishop of London consecrated him as king, and all
tte men of th^ lazid sulmiitted to him, and swore oaths and
•became his Hege-men. And soon afterwards, the kii^ by
the advice of those about Mm, caused Ranulf bishop of
I>nrham to be taken and brought into the Tower of London,
and confined there. Then before Michaelmas Anselm
archbishop of -Casnterbary came to this land ; king H^iry
having sent for him by the advice of his witan, because he had
left tl^ country on account of the injustice done 1dm by king
William. And soon affcerwards the king Uk^ for his wife
Maud the daughter of Malcolm king of Scotlacnd and ei the
good queen Margaret king Edward's kinswoman, of the true
royal line of England ; and on Martinmas day she was given
to him with great pomp at Westminster, and archbishop
Anselm wedded her to Henry, and afterwards consecrated
her as queen. And soon after this Thomas archbishop of
York died. This year also, in ihe autumn, earl Robert came
home into Normandy, and Robert earl of Flanders and
Eustace earl of Boulogne also returned ft*om Jerusalem, :and
on earl Robert's arrival in Normandy he was joyfu^
received by all the people, excepting those m the castl^
which were garrisoned with king Henry's men, and against
these he hiEtd many contests and struggles.
A. 1101. This year, at Chrigtmas, king Henry held his
court at Westminster, and at Easter at Winchester. And
soon afterwards the chief men of this land entered into a
league against the king, both from their own great treachery,
and through Robert earl of Normandy who had hostfle
designs upon this land. And then the king sent out ships to
annoy and hinder his brother; but some of them failed at
time of need, and deserted ftom the king, and submitted to
earl Robert. At Midsummer the king posted himself with
all his troops at Fcvensey to oppose his brother, and he
waited for him there. And in the meantiiig^di^obert
478 THE AKGLO-SAXON CHBONICLS. [a.d. 1101, 11Q&
landed at Portsmouth twelve nights before Lammas, and the
king marched against him with aU his forces ; but the chief
men interfered and made peace between them, on condition
that the king should give up all those places in Normandj
which he then detained from his brother bj force of arms ;
and that aU who had lost their lands in England on the earl's
account should have them again, and that earl Eustace
should also have his father's estates in this country, and that
earl Robert should receive yearly 3000 marks of silver £rom
England ; and it was stipulated by this treaty that whichev^
of the brothers outlived the other, he should inherit all
England together with Normandy, unless the deceased left
legitimate issue. And twelve men of the highest rank on
either side confirmed this treaty by oath : and the eaii
afterwards remained here till after Michaelmas ; and his men
did much harm wherever they went, whilst the earl stayed in
this land. This year also, at Candlemas, bishop Banulf
escaped by night from the Tower of London, in which he
was confined, and went to Normandy. It was at his sugges-
tion chiefly, that earl Robert was incited to invade this
land.
A. 1102. This year king Henry was at Westminster
during the feast of the Nativity, and at Easter he was at
Winchester. And soon afterwards a difierence arose between
the king and Robert of Belesme, who held the earldom of
Shrewsbury in this country, which his father earl Roger had
enjoyed before him, and who had other great possessions
both here and abroad ; and the king went and besieged
Arundel Castle, and when he found that he should not be
able to take it speedily, he caused castles to be built before
it, and garrisoned with his men ; and then he led all
his troops to Bridgenorth, and remained there till he had
reduced the castle, and deprived earl Robert of his lands,
and he took from him all that he possessed in England ; so
the earl departed over sea, and the king's soldiers were
disbanded and returned home. On the Michaelmas following
the king was at Westminster, with all the head men of this
land, both clergy and laity ; and archbishop Anselm held a
synod, at which many decrees were made touching the
Christian religion; and many abbats, both French and
English, lost their staff's and their abbaciesj^ because they
gitized byVjtJ'' '
A.D. 1102-1104.] THE ANGIX)-SAXON CHBONICLE. 479
had obtained them unlawfully, or had lived unrighteously
therein. And the same year, in Pentecost week, there came
robbers, some from Auvergne, some from France, and some
from Flanders, and they brake into the monastery of Peter-
borough, and carried off much treasure of gold and silver ;
crosses, chalices, and candlesticks*
A. 1103. This year king Henry was at Westminster at
Christmas. And soon afterwards the bishop William Giffard
departed from this land, because he would not against right
receive consecration from Grerard archbishop of York. And
at Easter the king held his court at Winchester ; and after-
wards, Anselm archbishop of Canterbury journeyed to Rome,
as he and the king had agreed. This year also earl Robert
of Normandy came to this land, to speak with the king, and
before he departed hence he gave up the 3000 marks which
king Henry should have paid him yearly according to the
treaty. This year blood was seen gushing out of the earth
at Hampstead,* in Berkshii»e. This was a year of much
distress from the manifold taxes, and also from a mortality
among the cattle, and from the failure of the crops, both of
the com and all fruits of trees. In the morning also of St.
Lawrence's day, the wind did so much damage to all the
fruit of this land, that no man remembered the like to have
ever happened before. The same year died Matthias abbat
of Peterborough, who had not lived more than one year after
he was made abbat. After Michaelmas, on the 12th before the
Kalends of November, he was received in procession as abbat,
and the same day the year following he died at Gloucester,
and there he was buried.
A. 1 104. This year, at Christmas, king Henry held his
court at Westminster, at Easter at Winchester, at Pentecost
again at Westminster. This year the first day of Pentecost
was on the Nones of June, and on the Tuesday after, at mid-
day, there appeared four circles of a white colour round the
gun, one under the other as if they had been painted. All
who saw it wondered, because they never remembered such
before. An alliance was afterwards formed between Robert
earl of Normandy and Robert of Bele8me,t whom king
Hemy had deprived of his estates, and driven out of Eng-
* Finchamstead. f Hence the English name Bellunr.
gitizedbyVljOOQTe'
480 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 1104— IIM.
land, and from this, the king of England and the eari of
Normandy became at yariance. And the king sent his
people over sea into Normandy, and the head men of that
country received them, and admitted them into their castles
in treachery to their lord the earl, and they greatly annoyed
the earl by plundering and burning his territories. This
year abo, WUHam earl o£ Moreton (Mortaigne) departed to
Normandy, and being l^ere, he took arms against the king,
on which the king confiscated all his possessions and estates
in this country. It is not easy to describe the misery of this
land, which it suffered at this time through the various and
manifold oppressions and taxes that never ceased or slack-
ened : moreover wherever the king went his train fell to
plundering his wretched people, and withal there was much
burning and manslaughter. By all this was the anger of
God provoked, and this unhappy nation harassed.
A. 1105. This year, at Christoias, king Henry held his
court at Windsor, and the following Lent he went over sea
to Normandy against his brother earl Robert. And whilst
he remained there he won Caen and Bayeux from his brother,
and almost all the castles and chief men of that land became
subject to him ; and in the autumn he came again to this
country. And all that he had conquered in Normandy re-
mained to him afterwards in peace and subjection, excepting
those places which lay in the neighbourhood of William earl
of Moreton,* and wMch he harassed continually f^ much as
harass he might, in revenge for the loss of his estates in
England. Then before Christmas Robert de Belesme came
hither to the king. This was a year of great distress from
the failure of the fruits, and from the manifold taxes which
never ceased, either before the king went abroad, while he
was there, or again after his return.
A. 1106. This year at Christmas, king Henry was at
Westminster, and there he held his court, and during this
festival Robert de Belesme departed from the king in enmity,
and left this country for Normandy. After this, and before
Lent, the king was at Northampton, and his brother earl
^best of .Normandy came to him there ; and because the
• " De Moritonio" is the Latin title ; the town of Mortaigne in Nor-
mandy is the place from which it is take^ ^ j
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
JLD. 110«.l THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 481
king would not give up that which he had won from the earl
in Normandy, they separated in enmity, and the earl soon
went again over sea. In the first week of Lent, on the
evening of Friday, the 14th before the Kalends of March, a
strange star appeared, and it was seen a while every evening
for a long time afterwards. This star appeared in the south-
west, it seemed small and dim, but the light that stood from
it was very bright, and like an exceedingly long beam shining
to the north-east ; and one evening it seemed as if a beam
fix>ni over against the star darted directly into it. Some
persons said that they observed more unknown stars at this
time, but we do not write this as a certainty because we saw
them not ourselves. One night, the morrow being the day
of our Lord's supper, that is, the Thursday before Easter,
two moons appeared before day in the heavens, the one in
the east and the other in the west, both full ; and the same
day was the 14th of the moon. At Easter the king was at
Bath, and at Pentecost at Salisbury, because he would not
hold his court over sea during his absence from this country.
After this before August, the king went into Normandy, and
almost all the inhabitants bowed to his will, excepting Robert
de Belesme, and the earl of Mortaigne, and a few other
chiefs who yet held with the earl of Normandy : the king
therefore came with an army, and besieged a castle of the
earl of Mortaigne called Tinchebrai. Wliilst the king was
besieging this castle, Robert earl of Normandy and his army
came upon him on Michaelmas eve, and with him were
Robert de Belesme and William earl of Mortaigne, and all
who wished well to their cause, but strength and victory
were with the king. The earl of Normandy was taken,
together with the earl of Mortaigne and Robert de Stutte-
viUe ; and they were afterwards sent to England, and kept
in confinement ; Robert de Belesme was put to flight, and
William Crispin was taken, with many others ; Edgar ethel-
ing who had gone over from the Hng to the earl a short
time before, was also taken ; but the king afterwards let him
depart unhurt After this, the king subdued the whole of
Normandy, and brought it under his own will and power.
This year also there was a very terrible and sinful war
between the emperor of Saxony and his son, during which
the father died, and the son succeeded to the empuf.
J J Digitized by VwjOOQIC
482 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 1107-Ufla
A. 1107. This year king Henry was in Kormandy at
Christmas and reduced that land, and having settled the
government, he came to England the following Lent ; and he
held his court at Windsor at Easter, and at Pentecost he held
it at Westminster. And in the heginiiing of August he was
again at Westminster, and there he gave away bishoprics
and abbacies, disposing of such as were without elders and
pastors, both in England and Normandy; the number of
these was so great that no man remembered that so many
were ever before given away at one time. And amongst
others who then received abbacies, Emulf prior of Canter-
bury obtained that of Peterborough. This was about the
seventh year of king Henry's reign, and the one and fortietii
year that the French ruled in this land. Many said that
they saw various tokens in the moon this year, and his* light
waxing and waning contrary to nature. This year died
Maurice bishop of London, and Robert abbat of St. Ed-
mund's Bury, and Richard abbat of Ely. This year also
Edgar king of Scotland died on the Ides of January, and his
brother Alexander succeeded to the kingdom with king
Henry's consent.
A. 1108. This year, at Christmas, king Heniy was it
Westminster ; and at Easter at Winchester ; and at Pente-
,cost again at Westminster. After this, before August^ he
went into Normandy. And Philip king of France dying oh
the Nones of August, his son Louis succeeded him, and there
were afterwards many battles between the kings of France
and of England, whilst Henry remained in Normandy. This
year also Gerard archbishop of York died before Pentecost,
an^ Thomas was afterwards appointed as his successor.
A. 1 109. This year king Henry was in Normandy both it
. Christmas and at !E!aster ; and before Pentecost he came
hither and held his court at Westminster, at which place the
stipulations were ratified, and the oaths swoA, relative to
the marriage of his daughter with the emperor. There was
much thunder this year, and that very terrible. And An-
jselfn archbishop of Canterbury died on the 11th before the
Kaleiids of April, and the first day of Easter was on the
greater Litany.
* Thq moon is of the maflculine gender, and the son feminine, in
Anglo-Saxon, as in Arabic. See a.d. 1110. n^^^]^
Digitized by VjOOQ Ic
AAlUO^lUlO UBS ANGLO-SAXON GHBONICLE. 483
A. 1110. This year, at Christmas, king Henry held his
court at Westminster ; and at Easter he was at Marlbo-
rough ; and at Pentecost he held his court for the first time
in the New Windsor. This year, before Lent, the king sent
bis daughter with manifold treasures over sea, and gave her
to the emperor. On the fifth night of the month of May the
moon appeared shining brightly in the evening, and after-
wards lus light waned by little and little, and early in the
night he was so wholly gone that neither light, nor circle,
nor any thing at all of him was to be seen, and thus it con-
tinued till near day, and then he appeared shining full and
bright ; he was a fortnight old the same day : the sky was
Tery clear all the nighty and the stars shone very brightly all
over the heavens, and the fi^t trees were greatly injured by
that night's frost. After this, in the month of June, there
appeared a star in the north-^tst, and its light stood before it
to the south-west, and it was seen thus for many nights, and
ever as the night advanced it mounted upwards and was
seen going off to the north-west. This year Philip de Brause,*
and William Mallet, and William Baynard, were deprived of
their lands. This year also died earl Elias, who held Maine
in fee-tail t of king Henry ; but on his death the earl of An-
j<Ki took possession of that province, and kept it against the
king's wilL This was a year of much distress frcnn the
taxes which the king raised for his daughter's dowry, and
finmi the bad weather by which the crops were greatiiy in-
jured, and nearly all the fruit on the trees destroyed through-
out the country. — This year men first began to work at the
new monastery of Ohertsey,
A. 1111. This year king Henry wore not his crown at
Christmas, nor at Easter, nor at Pentecost. And in August
he was called over sea to Normandy, by the hostility of cer-
tain of his enemies cm the marches of France, and principally
by that of the earl of Anjou, who held Maine against him :
a^ after his arrival many were the intrigues and great the
'* This 18 the tenn used by Miss Gumej. Br. Ingram renders it
Braiose ; the Anglo-Saxon is Branse ; the Latin, Braiosa. Is not the
modem name Bnicj derived fix>m this root !
f That is, the territoiy was not a fee-simple, but subject to taiUage^ or
taxation ; and that particular species is probably here intended, which is
called in old French '* en queuage," an expression not yery different horn
that in the text above—IiiGBiM. ^ ^ ^ ^,^,,,^^^ ^^ Google
484 THE ANGLO-SAXOK CHRONICLE. Iaj>. llU-im
burning and plundering carried on by either party ag^nst
the other. — This year Robert eari of Flanders died and his
son Baldwin succeeded him. The winter was very long this
year, a heavy and a severe time, by which the fruits of the
earth were much injured ; and there was the greatest pesti-
lence among the cattle ever remembered.
A. 1112. All this year king Henry remained in Nor-
mandy, on account of the war in which he was engaged with
France, and with the earl of Anjou, who held Maine against
him. And whilst he was there he deprived the earl of Ev-
reux and William Crispin of their lands, and drove them out
of Normandy : and he restored to Philip de Brause the es-
tates which had been taken from him, and he caused Robert
de Belesme to be seized and put into prison. This was a
very good year as to the crops, the trees and fields being very
fruitful ; but it was a very heavy and a sorrowful time, by
reason of a dreadful pestilence among men.
A. 1113. This year king Henry was in Normandy at
Christmas, at Easter, and at Pentecost. And in the summer
he sent hither Robert de Belesme, to be confined in Wareham
castle, and he himself came to this land soon afterwards.
A. 1114. This year, at Christmas, king Henry held his
court at Windsor, and he held no court again this year.
And at Midsummer he entered Wales with an anny, and the
Welsh came and treated with the king, and he caused castles
to be built in that country. And in September he went over
sea to Normandy. In the end of May, this year, a strange
star with a long light was seen shining for many nights.
Thi5 year also there was so great an ebb of the tide every
where in one day, as no man remembered before, so that
men went through the Thames both riding and wa^ng, east
of London bridge. This year there were very high winds in
the month of October, and more especially on the night of
the octaves of St. Martin, as was apparait in all woods and
towns. This year also the king gave the archbishopric of
Canterbury to Ralph bishop of Rochester ; and Thomas [H.]
archbishop of York died, and the king's chaplain Thurstan
succeeded him. At this time the king went towards the sea,
and he would have gone over but he was detained by the
weather. In the meanwhile he sent his writ to Emulf ab-
bat of Peterborough, desiring him to^ cog^e(toJ|im with speed,
A.©. 1114-1116.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 485
for that he would speak with him on something of import-,
ance. On EmulTs arrival, the king and the archbishops
and bishops, and the English nobility who attended the king,
forced him to accept the bishopric of Rochester ; he with-
stood them long, but his resistance availed nothing. And
the king commanded the archbishop to take him to Canter-
bury, and to consecrate him as bishop whether he would or
not. This was done in the town called Burne* on the 17th
before the Kalends of October. When the monks of Peter-
borough heard this, they were so sorry as never before, be-
cause Emulf was a very good and a mild man, and did much
good within the monastery and out of it whilst he remained
there. May Almighty God be ever with him ! Soon after-
wards, at the request of the archbishop of Canterbury, the
king gave that abbacy to a monk of Sieyes named John.
And soon after this the king and the archbishop sent him to
Borne for the archbishop's pall, and with him a monk named
Warner, and the archdeacon John the archbishop's nephew,
and they sped weU on their journey. This was done on the
11th before the Kalends of October, at the town called Ruge-
nor (Bowner, near Grosport), and the same day the king took
ship at Portsmouth.
A. 1115. This year, during Christmas, king Henry was
in Normandy, and whilst he was there he caused oil the
chief men of Normandy to do homage and swear oaths of
allegiance to his son William, whom he had by his queen;
and afterwards in the month of July he returned hither.
This year the winter was so severe with snow and with
frost, that no man then living remembered a harder: and
it occasioned much disease among the cattle. This year
pope Paschal sent hither a pall to archbishop Ralph, and
he received it with much pomp at his see of Canterbury.
Anf^lm an abbat of Rome, the nephew of archbishop An-
selm, and John abbat of Peterborough, brought the pall
fix)mRome.
A. 1116. This year, at Christmas, king Henry was at
St. Alban's, and there he caused the monastery to be con-
secrated; and at Easter he was at Wudiham.! This year
* ** East Bourne, in Sussex, where the king was waiting for a fair wind
to cairy hun over sea.*'— Ingram. "Sitfcingbum/* — Miss Gvbnbt.
•(• Odiham. ^ i
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
486 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLB. [a.©. 1117.
also, the winter being severe and long, it was a very heayj
time for the cattle and all things. And soon after Casta*
the king went over sea, and much treachery was practised,
and there was plundering and taking of castles between
France and Normandy. The chief cause of dimity was
that king Henry aided his nephew earl Theobald de Blois,
who was then at war with his lord Louis king of !Frtttiee.
This was a very calamitous year, the crops being spoiled by
the heavy rains, which came on just before August tmd
lasted till Candlemas. Mast also was so scarce this year
that none was to be heard of in all this land, or in Wales :
moreover this land and nation were many times sorely op-
pressed by the taxes which the king raised both withiii the
towns and out of them. This year also the whole of the
monastery of Peterborough was burnt, with aU the houses,
excepting the chapter-house and the dormitory : and the
greater part of the town was burnt also. All tins happened
on a Friday, being the 2nd day before the Nones of August.
A. 1117. AH this year king Henry abode in Normandy,
because of the war with the king of France and his other
neighbours: then in the summer the king of France, and
the earl of Flanders with him, entered Normandy with an
army and remained in the country one night, and went away
again in the morning without fighting. And Normandy was
greatly oppressed by taxes and by the levies of troops that
king Henry raised to oppose them. This nation also was
sorely aggrieved in like manner, to wit, by the manifold
taxes. This year also there was a violent storm of thunder
and lightning, rain and hail, on the night before the Kalends
of December ; and on the 3rd night before the Ides of Decem-
ber the moon appeared for a long time as it were bloody, and
then it was darkened. Also, on the night of the I7th before
the Kalends of January the heaven appeared very red, as if
it were burning. And on the octave of St. John the Evan-
gelist's day there was a great earthquake in Lombardy, by
which many monasteries, towers, and houses were thrown
down, and the inhabitants suffered greatly. This was a very
bad year for the com, through the rains which ceased scarcely
at all. And Gilbert abbat of Westminster died on the 8th
before the Ides of December, and Farit* abbat of Abingdcm
* Faricius is the Latin name. Is he the same whg^iijQt^^ the life of
gitized by V
.T5?)B§tt<
A.i>. 1118. 1119,] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHEONICLB. 437
died on the 7tli before the Kalends of March. And in the
sapie year
A. 1118. All this year king Henry was in Normandy,
being at war with the king of France, and with the earl of
Anjou, and with the earl of Flanders. And the earl of
Fkuiders was wounded in Normandy, on which he returned
to Flanders. The king was greatly impoverished by this
war, and lost much money and Land, and he was most
harassed by his own men, who continually revolted and be-
trayed him, and went over to his enemies, and treacherously
gave up their castles in the king's despite. England paid
dearly for all this by the manifold taxes which ceased not all
this year. This year, one evening in Epiphany week, there
was dreadful lightning which caused many deaths. And
queen Matilda died at Westminster on the Kalends of May,
and was buried there. And Robert earl of Mellent died
also this year. This year also, on St. Thomas's day, there
was so exceedingly high a wind that none who then lived
remembered a greater, and this might be seen everywhere
from the state of the houses and of the trees. Pope Paschal
also died this year, and John of Gaeta, whose other name
"^vas Gelasius, succeeded to the popedom.
A, 1119. All this year king Henry remained in Normandy,
and was greatly perplexed by the war with the king of France,
and by the treachery of his own men, who were continually
. revolting from him, till at length the two kings with their
forces met in Normandy. The king of France was there put
to flight and all his best men taken, and many of king
Henry's vassals who with the garrisons of their castles had
been against him, now submitted, and were reconciled to
him, and some of the castles he took by force. This year,
William the son of king Henry and of queen Matilda went
to Normandy to his father, and the daughter of the earl of
Anjou was there given and wedded to him. On Michaelmas
eve there was a great earthquake in some parts of this land ;
and it was felt most in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.
The same year pope Gelasius died on this side of the moun-
tains, and he was buried at Cluny ; and the archbishop of
Vienne was chosen pope, his name was Calixtus. He
bishop Aldhelm, published in the end of my edition of Aldhelm's yrorks)
[Aldhelmi Opera, Oxon. Lond. et Cant. 1845.]
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488 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. La.i>. 111&— 112L
afterwards came to Bheims, in France, on the feast of St.
Luke the evangelist, and held a council there. And
Thurstan archbishop of York journeyed thither, and because
he received consecration from the pope, against right, and to
the prejudice of the see of Canterbury, and against the
king's will, Henry wholly forbade his return to England ;
and being thus deprived of his archbishopric, he proceeded
with the pope towards Rome. This year also Baldwin earl
of Flanders died of the wound which he had received in
Normandy, and was succeeded by Charles the son of bis
aunt and of St. Canute, king of Denmark.
A. 1 120. This year peace was made between the kings of
England and of France, and after this all king Hemy's own
men in Normandy made their peace with him ; also the earls
of Flanders and of Ponthieu. Then the king ordered and
disposed of his castles and land in Normandy after his own
will ; and so, before Advent, he returned to England. And
the king's two sons William and Richard were drowned in
the passage, together with Richard earl of Chester, and
Ottuel his brother ; and v^y many of the king's court,
stewards, and chamberlains, and butlers, and other men in
office, and an innumerable multitude of all ranks, were also
lost. The manner of their death was a twofold grief to their
friends, first because they lost their lives so suddenly, and
next that few of their bodies were ever found. And this
year that remarkable light twice came upon our Lord's
sepulchre at Jerusalem, once at Easter, and again on the
Assumption of St. Mary, according to the report of men of
uredit, who came from thence. And Thurstan archbishop of
York was reconciled to the king through the pope, and he
came to this land, and was put in possession of his arch-
bishopric, though much against the will of the archbishop of
Canterbury.
A. 1121. This year, at Christmas, king Henry was at
Bramton, and before Candlemas Athelis was given him to
wife at Windsor, and afterwards consecrated queen; she was
the daughter of the duke of Louvain. And the moon was
eclipsed on the night before the Nones of April, being the
fourteenth day of the moon. And the king was at Berkley
at Easter, and the Pentecost following he held a great court
at Westminster, and in the summer he entered Wales with
gitized by XjOOQIc
.A^. 1121-1123.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 489
an army, and the Welsh came to meet him, and made a
treaty with him on his own terms. This year the earl of
Anjou returned from Jerusalem to his own land, and after
this he sent hither to fetch away his daughter who had been
married to the king's son William. And on the' night of
Christmas eve there was a very high wind throughout this
land, as might be seen plainly in its effects.
A. 1122. This year king Henry was at Norwich at
Christmas, and at Easter he was at Northampton. And the
town of Gloucester was burned the Lent before, for while
the monks were singing mass, the deacon having begun the
gospel ^^ Prmteriens Jesus,*' the fire fell on the top of the
steeple,* and burned the whole monastery, and all the treasures
in it, excepting a few books and three vestments : this hap-
pened on the eighth before the Ides of March. And there
was a very high wind on the Tuesday after Palm Sunday,
the eleventh before the Kalends of April : after this many
strange tokens were noticed throughout England, and many
ghosts were seen and heard. And on the night of the eighth
before the Kalends of August, there was a great earthquake
throughout Somersetshire and Gloucestershire. Again on
the sixth before the Ides of September, St. Mary's day,
there was a very high wind, which continued from nine in
the morning till dark night. The same year Ralph arch-
bishop of Canterbury died on the thirteenth before the
Kalends of November. After this many shipmen were at
sea, and on the water, and said that they saw a fire in the
north-east, large and broad, near the earth, and that it grew
in height unto the welkin, and the welkin divided into four
parts and fought against it, as it would have quenched it ;
nevertheless the fire flamed up to heaven. Tb^y observed
this fire at day-break, and it lasted until it was light every
where : this was on the seventh before the Ides of December.
A. 1123. This year king Henry was at Dunstable at
Christmas, and the messengers from the earl of Anjou came
to him there, and he proceeded thence to Woodstock, and his
* By steeple we are here to imderstand not a spire, but a tower ; spires
not being then invented. I believe ' spear ' is the word in Saxon to express
what we mean by a spire ; 'stepel/ or 'steopel/ ngnifying only a steep,
lofty, or perpendicular structure ; and our old antiquarians very properly
make a distinction between a spire-steeple and a tower-iteeple. V-lMO&iif.
490 THE AKGLO*SAXON CHBONICLE. [a.d. 1123. .
bishops and all lus court with him. Now it fell out on a
Wednesday, being the fourth before the Ides of January,
that the king rode in his deer-park, and Roger bishop of
Salisbury was on one side of him, and Robert Bloet bishop
c^ Lincoln on the other ; and they rode there talking. Then
the bishop of Lincoln sank down, and said to the king,
*^ My lord king ! I am d3dng,'' and the king alighted from his
bf^se, and took him between his arms, and bade the^ bear
him to his inn, and he soon lay there dead ; and they took
his body with much pomp to Lincoln, and Robert bishop of
Chester,* who was called Pecceth, buried him before St.
Mary's altar. Soon after this the king sent his writs over
all England, and desired his bishops, his abbats, and his
thanes, that they should all come to the meeting of his witan
at Gloucester, on Candlemas-day, and they obeyed ; and
when they were there assembled the king bade them choose
to themselves whomsoever they would as archbishop of
Canterbury, and that he would confirm their choice. Then
the bishops spake among themselves, and said that they
would never more have a man of any monastic order as
archbishop over them. And they all with one accord went
to the king, and entreated that they might choose one of the
clergy for tiiieir archbishop, and to this the king consented.
All this had been set on foot by the bishop of Salisbury, and
by the bishop of Lincoln before he died, for they never loved
the rule of monks, but were ever ag^^inst monks and their
rule. And the prior and monks of Canterbury and all
others of the monastic order who were there, resisted this
proceeding two full days, but in vain, for the bishop of
Salisbury f was very powerful, and swayed all England, and
he was agai^ist them with all his might. Then they chose a
clerk named William of Curboil, he was a canon of a
monastery caUed Chiche ; $ and they brought him before the
king, who gave him the archbishopric, and he was received
♦ Or Lichfield. Peter, the bishop of that see in 1075 removed it to
Chester, where it remained for a short period. Hence the bishops are
frequently styled bishops of Chester. The present bishopric of Chester
was not founded till 1541.
f Roger, bishop of Salisbury, was Lord Chief Justice, Lord Chancellor,
and Lord Treasurer.
t "St. Osythe, in Essex ; a priory rebuilt a. 1118, for canons of the
Augustine. order, of which there are considerable reniain8;;V-lNG&AM.
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4.0. 11230 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHSOKICLE. 491
by all tiie bishops ; but the monks and earls, and almost all
the thanes who were there, would not acknowledge him.
At this same time the messengers of the earl departed from
the king dissatisfied, nothing regarding his gifts. At ^s
time also a legate arrived from Bome ; his name was Henry,
and he was abbat of the monastery of St. John of Angelo.
He came for the Bomescot ; and told the king that a clerk
had no right to be set over monks, and that therefore they
had formerly chosen the archbishop in the chapter, as was
befitting ; but, for love of the bishop of Salisbury, the king
would not undo his act. Soon afterwards, the archbishop
went to Canterbury, and was received, though unwillingly,
and he was forthwith consecrated there by the bishop of
Xiondon, and Emulf bishop of Bochest^, and William
Giffard bishop of Winchester, and Bernard bishop of Wales
(St. David's), and Boger bishop of Salisbury. Then early
in Lent the archbishop journeyed to Bome for his pall, and
Bernard bishop of Wales, and Sefred abbat of Glastonbury,
and Anselm abbat of St. Edmund's, and John archdeacon of
Canterbury, and Gifiard who was the king's court-chaplain,
went with him. Thurstan archbishop of York went to Bome
at the same time by order of the pope, and he arrived three
days before the archbishop of Canterbury, and was received
with much honour. Then came the archbishop of Canter-
bury, and it was a full week before he could obtain an
audience of the pope, because the pope had been given to
understand that he had received the archbishopric in opposi-
tion to the monks of the monastery, and against right ; but
that which overcometh all the world, namely gold and
silver,* overcame Bome also, and the pope relented and gave
* ^ How fortunate for the writer that the pope and his cardinals did not
understand Saxon ! The boldness of this remark might otiierwise haye
procured him the distinguished honour of an excommunication. Matthew
Pans has a sunilar remark, but less openly expressed, respecting the
venality of the Roman see : ' qua nulU deese eonsuevit, dummodo atH
aHquid v«l rubei interoedaU An. 1103.' Dr. Ingram might have quoted
an equally elegant compliment paid to the cardinals, ^qiun'um nare$
odor lucri gvasius causa infoecavit" by Alan of Tewkesbury, if the ortho-
dox editor of the Brussels edition of Vita Sancti Thomse had not carefully
expunged the passage : I have only done justice to historical accuracy by
restoring the offensive words in ** Vita Sancti Thomm, voL i. p. 359» ed&t*
Oaon, et Lond.* " ^ j
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492 THE AXGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.i>. 11S3, 1124.
liim his pall, and the archbishop swore obedience in all things
that he should impose, on the heads of St. Peter and St
Paul, and the pope then sent him home with his blessing.
Whilst the archbishop was abroad, the king gave the
bishopric of Bath to the queen's chancellor, named Grodfirey ;
he was of Louyain : this was done at Woodstock on tiie
Annunciation of St. Mary. Soon afterwards the king went
to Winchester, where he remained during the festival of
Easter ; and while there he gave the bishopric of Lincoln to
a clerk named Alexander, who was a nephew of the bishop
of Salisbury, and he did this all for love of that bishop.
Then the king proceeded to Portsmouth, and stayed there over
Pentecost week ; and as soon as he had a fair wind he sailed
for Normandy, having committed all England to the care
and administration of Roger bishop of Salisbury. The king
was in Normandy all this year, and a great war broke out
between him and his thanes, for earl Waleram of Mellent,
and Amalric, and Hugh of Montfort, and William of Bomare,
and many others revolted from him and held their castles
against him ; and the king on his part opposed them with
vigour, and the same year he won from Waleram his castle
of Pont-Audemer, and from Hugh that of Montfort, and
after this his affairs continued to prosper more and more. The
same year, before the bishop of Lincoln came to his see,
nearly the whole town of Lincoln was burnt, with a great
number of persons, both men and women, and so much harm
was done that no man could tell another how great the
damage was. This happened on the fourteenth before the
Kalends of June.
A. 1124. All this year king Henry was in Normandy,
being detained there by his great wars with Louis king of
France, and the earl of Anjou, and with his own subjects
most of all. Then it befell on the day of the annunciation of
St. Mary, that Waleram earl of Mellent was going from one
of his castles called Beaumont, to another, WatteviUe, and
Amalric the steward of the king of France, and Hugh the
son of Gkrvais, and Hugh of Montfort, and many other good
knights went with him. Then the king's knights from aU
the neighbouring castles came against them, and fought with
them, and put them to flight, and they took the earl Waleram,
and Hugh the son of Gervais, and Hugh c^J^ontfort^ and
A.D.1124.] THE AKGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 493
five and twenty other knights, and brought them to the king ;
and the king caused earl Waleram and Hugh the son of
Gervais to be confined in the castle of Rouen, and he sent
Hugh of Montfort to England, and caused him to be put in
strong bonds in that of Gloucester, and as many of the others
as he thought fit he sent north and south to his castles for
confinement. Then the king went on, and won all earl
Waleram's castles in Normandy, and all the others which his
enemies held against him. AU this was on account of the
son of Robert earl of Normandy named William. The same
William had married the younger daughter of Fulk earl of
Anjou, and for this cause the king of France, and all the
earls and great men held with him, and said that the king
did wrongfully keep his brother Robert in confinement, and
that he had imjustiy driven his son William out of Nor-
mandy. This year there was much unseasonable weather
which injured the com and all fruits in England, so that,
between Christmas and Candlemas, one acre's seed of wheat,
that is, two seedlips, sold for six shillings, and one of barley,
that is, three seedlips, for six shillings, and one acre's seed of
oats, being four seedlips, for four shillings. It was thus,
because corn was scarce, and the penny* was so bad, that
the man who had a pound at the market, could hardly, for
any thing, pass twelve of these pennies. The same year, the
holy bishop of Rochester Emulf, who had been abbat of
Peterborough, died on the Ides of March. After this died
Alexander king of Scotland, on the 9th before the Kalends of
May, and his brother David, then earl of Northamptonshire,
succeeded him, and held at the same time both the kingdom
of Scotland and the English earldom. And the pope of
Rome called Calixtus died on the 19th before the Kalends of
January, and Honorius succeeded to the popedom. The
same year, after St. Andrew's day, and before Christmas,
Ralph Basset, and the king's thanes held a witenagemot at
Huncothoe, in Leicestershire, and there they hanged more
thieves than had ever before been executed within so short
a time, being in all four and forty men : and they deprive^
six men of their eyes and certain other members.| Man
* The pennies were of silver at this time.
f ** Of here s^on and of here stanes." — Origmai te*L
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494 TBE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLB. [aj^. USA.
men of troth said that several of them suffered with great
injustice, but our Lord God Ahmghtj, who seeth and
knoweth all hidden things, seeth that the miserable pec^k is
oppressed with all unrighteousness ; first men are bereaved
of their property, and then they are slain. Full heavy a
year was this ; he who had any property was bereaved of it
by heavy taxes and assessments, and he who had mme,
starved with hunger.
A. 1125. Before Christmas, this year, king Henry sent
from Normandy to England, and commanded that all the
mint-men of England should be deprived of their limbi,
namely of their right hands and of certain other members.
And this because a man might have a pound, and yet not be
able to spend one penny at a market. And Roger bishop <^
Salisbury sent over all England, and desired aJ^ of them to
come to Winchester at Christmas ; and when they came
thither his men took them one by (me, and cut off theor right
hands. All this was done witHn the twelve days, and with
much justice, because they had ruined this land with the great
quantity of bad metal whidi they all bought. This year the
pope of Rome sent John of Crema, a cardinal, to this land. He
first came to the king in Normandy, and the king received him
with much honour, and commended him to William archbishop
of Canterbury, who conducted him to Canterbury ; and he was
there received with much pomp, and a great procession, and
he sang the high mass at Christ's altar on Easter day ; and th^i
he journeyed over aU England, to all the bishoprics and
abbacies, and he was honourably received every where, and
all gave him great and handsome gifts ; and in September
he held his council in London full three days, (banning) on
the Nativity of St. Mary, with the archbishops, bishops, and
abbats, and the clergy and laity, and he sanctioned the laws
Which archbishop Anselm had made, and he enacted many
others, though they remained in force but a little while.
Thence he went over sea soon after Michaelmas, and so to
Rome. William archbishop of Canterbury, and Thurstan
archbishop of Tork, and Alexander bishop of Lincoln, and
John bishop of Lothian (Glasgow), and Greoffrey abbat of
St. Alban's accompanied him, and were received with great
honour by the pope Honorius, and they remained there the
whole winter. The same year there was so great a fiood on
A-n. ia2«, 1027.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 495
St. Lawrence's day, that many towns were deluged, and men
drowned, the bridges were broken up, and the corn fields and
meadows spoiled ; and there was famine and disease upon
men and cattle ; and it was so bad a season for all fruits as
had not been for many years before. The same year John
abbat of Peterborough died on the 2nd before the Ides of
October.
A. 1126. This year king Henry was in Normandy till
Jifter harvest ; and he came to this land between the nativify
of St. Mary, and Michaelmas, accompanied by the queen,
and by his daughter whom he had before given in maiTiage
to the emperor Henry of Lorrain. He brought with hiih
the earl Waleram, and Hugh the son of Gervais, and he
imprisoned the earl at Bridge-north, and he afterwards sent
him to Wallingford, and he sent Hugh to Windsor, and
caused him to be kept in strong bonds. And after Michael-
mas David king of Scotland came hither, and king Heniy
received him with much honour, and he abode through the
year in this land. The same year the king caused his
brother Robert to be taken from Roger bishop of Salisbury,
and delivered to his son Robert earl of Gloucester, and he
caused him to be removed to Bristol, and put into the castle.
All this was done through the advice of his daughter, and of
her uncle David king of Scotland.
A. 1127. This year, at Christmas, king Henry held his
court at Windsor, and David, king of Scotland, was there,
and all the head men of England, both clergy and laity.
And the king caused the archbishops, bishops, abbats, earls,
and all the thanes who were present, to swear to place Eng-
land and Normandy, after his death, in the hands of Us
daughter the princess, who had been the wife of the emperor
of Saxony. And then he sent her to Normandy, accom-
panied by her brother Robert, earl of Gloucester, and by
Brian, the son of the earl Alan Fergan ; and he caused her
to be wedded to the son of the earl of Anjou, named
Geoffrey Martell. Howbeit this displeased aU the French
and the English, but the king did it to have the alliance* of
* Miss Gumey renders this " to obtain peace from/' following Gibaon,
who turns * sibbe' into Latin by pacem, which Ingram justly disapprovei
of, on the ground that the powerful Henry would hardly fear so small 'a
• potentate as the earl of Anjou. ^g,,,, ,y Google *
496 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. [aj). 1127.
the earl of Anjou and aid against his nephew William. The
same year Charles, earl of Flanders, was slain in Lent by his
own men, as he lay before the altar in a church, and prayed
to God during mass. And the king of France brought
William, the son of the earl of Normandy, and gave him the
earldom, and the men of Flanders received him. The same
William had before taken to wife the daughter of the earl of
Anjou, but they were afterwards divorced because of their
nearness of kin, and this through the interference of Henry,
king of England; he afterwards married the sister of the
king of France, and on this account the king gave him the
earldom of Flanders. The same year Henry gave the abbacy
of Peterborough to an abbat named Henry of Poitou, who
was in possession of the abbacy of St Jean d'Angeli ; and
aU the archbishops and bishops said that this grant was
against right, and that he could not have in hand two ab-
bacies. But the same Henry made the king believe that he
had given up his abbey on account of the great disquietude
of the land, and that he had done so by the order and with
the leave of the pope of Rome, and of the abbat of Cluny,
and because he was legate for collecting the Rome-scot
Nevertheless it was not so, but he wished to keep both
abbeys in his own hands, and he did hold them as long as it
was the will of God. In his clerical state he was bishop of
Soissons, afterwards he was a monk at Cluny, then prior of
the same monastery, and next he was prior of Sevigny;
after this, being related to the king of England and to the
earl of Poitou, the earl gave him the abbey of St Jean
d'Angeli. Afterwards, by his great craft, he obtained the
archbishopric of Besan9on, and kept possession of it three
day; and then lost he it right worthily, in that he had
gotten it with all injustice. He then obtained the bishopric
of Saintes, which was ^ve miles from his own abbey, and he
kept this for nearly a week, but here again the abbat of
Clugny displaced hun, as he had before removed him from
Besan9on. Now he bethought himself^ that if he could be
sheltered in England, he might have all his will, on which
he besought the king, and said to him that he was an old
man, and completely broken, and that he could not endure
the wrongs and oppressions of that land, and he asked the
king himseli^ and through all his friends, to name for the
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A.SW1128.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONIGPLB. 497
abbacy of Peterborough. And the king gruited it to him,
forasmuch as he was lus kinaman, and in that he had been
one of Uie first to swear oaths, and to bear witness, when the
Bon. of the earl of^Normandj and the daughter of the earl of
Anjou were divorced on the plea of kmdred. Thus vex-
ationsly was the abbacy of Peterborough given away at Lon-
don, between Christmas and Candlemas; and so Henry
frejat wit^ the king to Winchester, and thence he came to
Peterborough, and there he lived even as a drone in a hive 5
as the drone eateth and draggeth forward to himself all that
is brought near, even so did he ; and thus he sent over sea
all that he could take j&om religious or fr<»n secular, both
within and without; he did there no good, nor did he leave
any there. Let no man think lightly of the marvel that we
are about to relate as a truth, for it was full well known
over all the country. It is this; that as soon as he came
there,* it was on tlfe Sunday, when men sing ^^ Exurge
quare O Domine;^^ several persons saw and heard many
banters hunting. — These hunters were black, and large, and
loathly, and their hounds were all black, with wide eyes, and
ugfy) Ai^d they rode on black horses and on black bucks.
This was seen in the very deer-park of the town of Peter-
borough, and in all the woods from the same town to Stam-
ford; and the monks heard the blasts of the horns which
they blew in the night. Men of truth kept in the night
theu* watch on them, and said that there might well be about
twenty or thirty horn-blowers. This was seen and heard
from the time that the abbat came thither, all that Lent,
until Easter. Such was his entrance, of his exit we can say
notiiing yet : God knoweth it.
A. 1 128. All this year king Henry was in Normandy, on
account of the war between him and his nephew the earl of
Flanders ; but the earl was wounded in battle by a servant,
and being so wounded he went to the monastery of St Ber-
tin, and forthwith he was made a monk, and lived five days
after, and then died, and was buried there: God rest his
soul I He was buried on the 6th before the Kalends of
• * Thaer* in the origmal, not * thider.' Dr. Ingram remarks, that this
k the first instance of the negligent use of the word * there* for ** thither.'
But use is second nature, and in conversation at least, the former of these
voids has entirely n^peneded the latter.
K K Digitized by OOOglC
498 THE ANOLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. [a.& llSti
August. The same year died Bandulph Passeflambard
bishop of Durham, and he was buried ihere on the Nones
of September. And this year the aforesaid abbat Heniy
went home to his own monastery in Foitou, with the king's
leave. He had given the king to understand that he would
wholly quit that monastery, and that country, and abide
with him in England, and at his monastery at Peterborough.
But so it was not, for he spake thus guilefully, wishing to
remain there a twelvemonth or more, and then to return
again. May Almighty God have mercy upon this wretched
place ! The same year Hugh of the Temple came from
Jerusalem to the king in Normandy, and the king received
him with much honour, and gave him much treasure in gold
and silver, and afterwards he sent him to England, and
there he was well received by all good men, and all gave
him treasures ; and in Scotland also : and they sent in all a
great sum of gold and silver by him t6 Jerusalem. And he
invited the people out to Jerusalem, and there went with
him and after him so great a number, as never before since
the first expedition in the days of pope Urban. Yet this
availed little : he said that there was a furious war between
the Christians and the heathens, and when they came there
it was nothing but leasing. Thus were all these people
miserably betrayed.
A. 1129. This year the king sent to England after earl
Waleram, and after Hugh the son of Gervase; and there
they gave him hostages, and Hugh went home to France
his own country, and Waleram remained with the king, and
the king gave him all his lands, excepting his castle alone.
Then the king came to England in harvest, and the earl
came with him, and they were as great friends as they had
been enemies before. Then soon, by the king's counsel and
consent, William archbishop of Canterbury sent over all
England, and commanded the bishops, and abbats, and arch-
deacons, and all the priors, monks, and canons of all the
cells of England, and all who had the charge and oversight
of the Christian religion, that they should come to London
at Michaelmas, to hold conference upon all G^'s rights.
When they came thither, the meeting began on the Monday
and lasted till the Friday, and it came out that it was all
concerning the wives of archdeacons and jpriests, that they
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*.D. 11300 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHROmCLE. 499
should part with them hj St. Andrew's day; and that he
who would not do this, should forego his church, his house,
and his home, and never be permitted again to claim them.
This was ordered by William archbishop of Canterbury, and
all the bishops of England : and the king gave them leave to
depart, and so they went home, and these decrees were in no
respect observed, for all kept their wives, by the king's per-
mission, even as before. The same year William Giffard
bishop of Winchester died, and was buried there on the 8th
before the Kalends of February ; and after Michaelmas the
king gave the bishopric to his nephew Henry abbat of Glas-
tonbury, and he was consecrated by William archbishop of
Canterbury on the fifteenth before the Kalends of December.
The same year died pope Honorius, and before he was well
dead, two popes were chosen. The one was named Peter,
he was a monk of Clugny, and descended from the greatest
men of Rome, and the Romans and the duke of Sicily held
with him; the other was named Gregory, he was a clerk,
and he was driven from Rome by the other pope and his
kinsmen, and he was acknowledged by the emperor of Sax-
ony, by the king of France, by Henry king of England, and
by all on this side of the mountains. There was now so great
a division in Christendom, that the like had never been
before. May Christ appoint good counsel for his miserable
people! The same year there was a great earthquake on
St. Nicholas's night, a little before day.
A. 1130. This year the monastery of Canterbury was
consecrated by archbishop William, on the 4th before the
Nones of May. The following bishops were there : John of
Rochester, Gilbert Universal of London, Henry of Win-
chester, Alexander of Lincoln, Roger of Salisbury, Simon
of Worcester, Roger of Coventry, Godfrey of Bath, Ever-
ard of Norwich, Sigefrid of Chichester, Bernard of St.
David's, Owen of Evreux, in Normandy, and John of Sie-
zes. On the fourth day after this, king Henry was at Ro-
chester, and nearly the whole town was burnt down; and
archbishop William and the aforesaid bishops consecrated
St. Andrew's monastery. And king Henry went over sea
to Normandy during harvest. The same year Henry abbat
of Angeli came to Peterborough after Easter, and said that
he had wholly given up that monastery. After^^hinL the
"K. K. 2 gitizedby ^
i
500 THE AHCaX>-a4X0N CHBONICLE. {AJt. 113L
abbat of Clugnj named Peter came to England with the
king's leave, and he was received with much honour wher-
ever he went ; he came to Peterborough, and there the abbat
Henry promised that he would obtain for him the monastery
of Peterborough, and that it should be annexed to Clugnj ;
but as it is said in the proverb :
^ << The hedge stni stands
That parts the lands."
May Almighty Grod frustrate evil counsels ! And soon
afterwards the abbat of Clugny went home to his own
country. This year was Angus slam by Ihe Scottish army,
and a great number of persons with him. There was Grod's
right wrought upon him, for that he was all forsworn.
A. 1131. This year, on a moonlight night* after Christ-
mas, during the first sleep, the northern half of the heaven
was, as it were, a burning fire ; so that all who saw it were
more afearedf than ever they were before; this happened on
the 3rd before the Ides oi January. The same year there
was so great a pestilence amongst animals over all England,
as had not been in the memory of man; it chiefly fell on
cattle and on swine, so that in the town where ten or twelve
ploughs had been going, not one remained, and the man, who
had possessed two or three hundred swine, had not one left
him. After this the hens died ; and flesh-meat became
scarce, and cheese and butter. Grod mend the state of
things when such is his wiU ! And king Henry came home
to England before harvest, after the feast of St. Peter ad vin-
cula. The same year before Easter the abbat Henry went
from Peterborough over sea to Normandy, and there he
spoke with the king, and told him that the abbat of Clugny
lutd commanded him to come over, and resign to him the
abbey of Angely ; and that then, with his leave, he would
return home : and so he went to his own monastery and
abode there till Midsummer-day. And on the day after the
feast of St. John, the monks chose an abbat from among
themselves, and brought him into the church in procession ;
they sang Te Deum latuiamus, rang the bells, and set him
on the abbat's seat, and did all obedience to him, even as
• " Luna splendente."— Gibs. « Monday night."— -Imoram.
t The origmal Anglo-Saxon has it so, < offaerd.' n^r^^\^
gitizedby VjOOQIC
A.D. 1131—1135.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. -. 501
they would to their abbat; and the earl and all the chief
men and the monks drove the other abbat Henry out of the
monastery, and well they might, for in five and twenty years
they had never known a good day. AU his great craftiness
failed him here, and now it behoved him to creep into any
corner, and to consider if perchance there yet remained some
slippery device, by which he might once more betray Christ
and all Christian people. Then went he to Clugny, and
there they kept him, so that he could go neither east nor
west ; the abbat of Clugny saying that they had lost St.
John's minster through him, and his great sottishness ;
wherefore seeing he could give no better compensation, he
promised and swore on the holy relics, that if he might pro-
ceed to England he would obtain for them the monastery of
Peterborough, and would establish there a prior of Clugny,
a churchwarden, a treasurer, and a keeper of the robes, and
that he would make over to them all things both within and
without the monastery. Thus he went into France and
abode there all the year. May Christ provide for the
wretched monks of Peterborough, and for that miserable
place, for now do they stand in need of the help of Christ
and of all Christian people.
A. 1132. This year king Henry returned to this land:
then the abbat Henry came, and accused the monks of Peter-
borough to the king, because he desired to subject that mon-
astery to Clugny ; so that the king was well nigh beguiled,
and sent for the monks ; but by God's mercy, and through
the bishops of Salisbury and Lincoln, and the other great
men who were there, he found out that the abbat dealt
treacherously. When he could do no more, he wished
that his nephew might be abbat of Peterborough, but this
was not the will of Christ. It was not very long after
this that the king sent for him, and made him give up the
abbey of Peterborough, and depart out of the country, and
the king granted the abbacy to a prior of St. Neot's named
Martin, and he came to the monastery, right worshipfuUy
attended, on St. Peter's day.
A. 1135. This year, at Lammas, king Henry went over
sea : and on the second day, as he lay asleep in the ship, the
day was darkened untveraEdly, and the sun became as if it
were a moon three nights old, with the stars shining round it
502 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. La.d. 1137.
at mid-day. Men greatly marvelled, and great fear fell on
them, and they said that some great event should follow there-
after— and so it was, for the same year the king died in Nor-
mandy, (m the day after the feast of St. Andrew. Soon did
this land fall into trouble, for every man greatly began to rob
his neighbour as he might. Then king Henry's sons and
his friends took his body, and brought it to England, and
buried it at Beading. He was a good man, and great was
the awe of him ; no man durst ill treat another in his time :
he made peace for men and deer. Whoso bare his burden
of gold and silver, no man durst say to him ought but good.
In the meantime his nephew Stephen de Blois had arrived in
England, and he came to London, and the inhabitants re-
ceived 1dm, and sent for the archbishop^ William Corboil,
who consecrated him king on midwinter-day. In this king's
time was all discord, and evil-doing, and robbery ; for the
powerful men who had kept aloof, soon rose up against him ;
the first was Baldwili de Redvers, and he held Exeter against
the king, and Stephen besieged him, and afterwards Bsddwin
made terms with him. Then the others took their castles,
and held them against the king, and David, king of Scotland,
betook him to Wessington [Derbyshire], but notwithstanding
his array, messengers passed between them, and they came
together, and made an agreement, though it availed little.
A. 1137. This year king Stephen went over sea to Nor-
mandy, and he was received there because it was expected
that he would be altogether like his uncle, and because he
had gotten possession of his treasure, but this he distributed
and scattered foolishly. King Henry had gathered together
much gold and silver, yet did he no good for his soul's
sake with the same. When king Stephen came to Eng-
land, he held an assembly at Oxford; knd there he
seized Eoger bishop of Salisbury, and Alexand^^^ishop of
Lincoln, and Roger the chancellor, his nephew, and nos^pt
them all in prison till they gave up their castles. When the
traitors perceived that he was a mild man, and a soft, and a
good, and that he did not enforce justice, they did all wonder.
They had done homage to him, and sworn oaths, but they no
faith kept; all became forsworn, and broke their allegi-
ance, for every rich man built his castles, and defended them
against him, and they filled the land full ofv castles. They
, Digitized by VjOOQ IC
A.D. 11370 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONIGLE. 503
greatly oppressed the wretched people by making them work
at these castles, and when the castles were finished they filled
them with devils and evil men. Then they took those whom
they suspected to have any goods, by night and by day, seizing
both men and women, and they put them in prison for their gold
and silver, and tortured them with pains unspeakable, for never
were any martyrs tormented as these were. They hung some
up by their feet, and smoked them with foul smoke ; some by
their thumbs, or by the head, and they hung burning things on
their feet. They put a knotted string about their heads, and
twisted it till it went into the brain. They put them into dun-
geons wherein were adders and snakes and toads, and thus wore
them out. Some they put into a crucet-house, that is, into
a chest that was short and narrow, and not deep, and they
put sharp stones in it, and crushed the man therein so that
they broke all his Ihnbs. There were hateful and grim
things called Sachenteges in many of the castles, and which
two or three men had enough to do to carry. The Sachen-
tege was made thus : it was fastened to a beam, having a
sharp iron to go round a man's throat and neck, so that he
might no ways sit, nor lie, nor sleep, but that he must bear
all the iron. Many thousands they exhausted with hunger.
I cannot and I may not tell of all the wounds, and all the
tortures that they inflicted upon the wretched men of this
land ; and this state of things lasted the nineteen years that
Stephen was kiug, and ever grew worse and worse. They were
continually levying an exaction from the towns, which they
called Tenserie,* and when the miserable inhabitants had no
more to give, then plundered they, and burnt all the towns,
so that well mightest thou walk a whole day's journey nor
ever shouldest thou find a man seated in a town, or its lands
tilled.
Then was com dear, and flesh, and cheese, and butter, for
there was none in the land — ^wretched men starved with
hunger — some lived on alms who had been erewhile rich :
some fled the country — ^never was there more misery, and
never acted heathens worse than these. At length they
spared neither church nor churchyard, but they took all that
was valuable therein, and then burned the church and all to-
gether. Neither did they spare the lands of bishops, nor of
* A payment to the superior lord for protection. ,
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
504 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.D.1U7.
abbats^ nor of priests ; but they robbed the monks and the
clergy, and every man plundered his neighbour as much as
he could. If two or three men came riding to a town, all
the township fled before them, and thought that they were
robbers, llie bishops and clergy were ever cursing them,
but this to them was nothing, for they were all accur^sd, and
forsworn, and reprobate. The earth bare no com, you
might as well have tilled the sea, for the land was all ruined
by such deeds, and it was said openly that Christ and his
saints slept. These things, and more than we can say,
did we suffer during nineteen years because of our sins.
Through all this evil time the abbat Martin held his abbacy
for twenty years and a half and eight days, with many diffi-
culties: and he provided the monks and guests with all
necessaries, and kept up much alms in the house ; and withal
he vnrought upon the church, and annexed thereto lands and
rents, and enriched it greatly, and furnished it with robes :
and he brought the monks into the new monastery on St.
Peter's day with much pomp. This was in the year 1140
of our Lord's incarnation, the twenty*third year after the
fire. And he went to Rome and was well received there by
pope Eugenius, from whom he obtained simdry privileges, to
wit, one for all the abbey lands, and another for the lands
that adjoin the monastery, and had he lived longer he meant
to have done as much for the treasurer's house. And he re-
gained certain lands that powerful men possessed by force ;
he won Cotingham and Easton from WiUiam Malduit, who
held Rockingham castle, and from Hugh of Walteville he
won Hirtlingbery, and Stanwick, and sixty shillings yearly
out of Oldwinkle. And he increased the number o£ monks,
and planted a vineyard, and made .many works, and im-
proved the town ; and he was a good monk and a good man,
and therefore God and good men loved him. Now will we
relate some part of what befell in king Stephen's time. In
his reign the Jews of Norwich bought a Christian child
before Easter, and tortured him with all the torments where-
with our Lord was tortured, and they crucified him on Grood
Friday for the love of our Lord, and afterwards buried him.
They believed that this would be kept secret, but our Lord
made manifest that he was a holy martyr, and the monks took
him and buried him honourably in the monastery, and he
Digitized byVjOOQl^
A-D. 1138, 1140.] THE AJ7GL0-SAX0N CHRONICLE. • 505
performed manifold and wonderful miracles through the
power of our Lord, and he is called St. William.
A. 1138. This year David king of Scotland entered this
land with an immense army resolving to conquer it, and
William earl oi Albemarle, to whose charge the king had
committed York, and other trusty men, came against him
with few troops, and fought with him, and they put the king
to flight at the Standard, and slew a great part of his
followers.
A. 1140. This year Stephen attempted to take Robert
earl of Gloucester the son of king Henry, but failed, for
Robert was aware of his purpose. After this, in Lent, the
sun and the day were darkened about noon, when men eat,
so that they lighted candles to eat by. This was on the 13th
before the Kalends of April, and the people were greatly as-
tonished. After this William archbishop of Canterbury
died, and the king made Theobald, abbat of Bee, archbishop.
Then there arose a very great war between the king and
Bandolph earl of Chester, not because the king did not give
him all that he could ask, even as he did to all others, but
that the more he gave them, the worse they always carried
themselves to him. The earl held Lincoln against the king,
and seized all that belonged to the king there, and the king
went thither, and besieged him and his brother William de
Romare in the castle : and the earl stole out and went for
Robert earl of Gloucester, and brought him thither with a
large army ; and they fought furiously against their lord on
Candlemas-day, and they took him captive, for his men be-
trayed him and fled, and they led him to Bristol, and there
they put him into prison and close confinement. Now was
aU England more disturbed than before, and all evil was in
the land. After this, king Henrjr's daughter, who had been
empress of Germany, and was now countess of Anjou, ar-
rived, and she came to London, and the citizens would have
seized her, but she fled with much loss. Then Henry bishop
of Winchester, king Stephen's brother, spake with earl
Robert and with the empress, and swore them oaths that he
never more would hold with the king his brother, and he
cursed all those that did hold with him, and he said that he
would give up Winchester to them, and he made them come
thither. But when they were in that place Stephen's queen
506 THE AMQLO-SAXXBr CHBOMICLB. [a-d. 1140.
broQght up her strength and besi^ed them, till there was so
great a famine in the town, they could endure it no longer.
Then stole thej out and fled, and the besi^ers were aware
of them, and followed them, and they took Eobert earl of
Gloucester and led him to Rochester, and imprisoned him
there : and the empress fled into a monastery. Then wise
men. Mends of the king and of the earl, int^ered between
them, and they settled that the king should be let out of pri-
son for the earl, and the earl for the king ; and this was
done. After this the king and earl Randolph were recon-
ciled at Stamford, and they took oaths and pledged thdr
troth, that neither would betray the other : but this promise
was set at nought, for the king afterwards seized the earl in
Northampton through wicked counsel, and put him in prison,
but he set him free soon after, through worse, on condition
that he should swear on the cross, and find hostages that be
would give up all his castles. Some he did deliver up, and
others not ; and he did worse than he should have done in
this country. Now was England much divided, some held
with the king and some with the empress, for when the king
was in prison the earls and the great men thought that he
would never more come out, and they treated with the em-
press, and brought her to Oxford, and gave her the town.
When the king was out of prison he heard this, and he took
his army and besi^ed her in the tower, and they let her
down from the tower by night with ropes, and she stole
away, and she fled : and she went on foot to Wallingford.
After this she went over sea, and all the Normans turned
from the king to the earl of Anjou, some willingly, and some
against their will ; for he besieged them till they gave up
their castles, and they had no help from the king. Tlien the
king's son Eustace went to France, and took to wife the sis-
ter of the king of France : he thought to obtain Normandy
through this marriage, but little he sped, and that of right,
for he was an evil man, and did more harm than good wher-
ever he went : he spoiled the lands, and laid thereon heavy
taxes : he brought his wife to England, and put her into the
castle of ;* she was a good woman but she had little
bliss with him, and it was not the will of Christ that he
* *<The MS. 18 here deficient ; but .... b for < hyng' is diaeenuble."
— INGIUM.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
▲.i>.U40,llM.] THE ANGLO-SAXON OHBONIGLE. 507
should bear rule long, and he died, and his mother also.
And the eail of Anjou died, and his son Henry succeeded
him ; and the queen of France was divorced from the kin^,
and she went to the young earl Henry and he took her to
wife, and received all Poitou with her. Then he came into
England with a great army and won castles ; and the king
marched against him with a much larger army, howbeit they
did not fight, but the archbishop and wise men went between
them and made a treaty on these terms : that the king should
be lord and king while he lived, and that Henry should be
king after his death, and that he should consider him as his
father, and the king him as his son, and that peace and con-
cord should be between them, and in all England. The king,
and the earl, and the bishop, and the earls, and all the great
men swore to observe these and the other conditions that
were then made. The earl was received with much honour
at Winchester and at London, and all did homage to him, and
swore to keep the peace, and it soon became a very good
peace, such as never was in this land. Then the king was
more powerful here than ever he was ; and the earl went
over sea, and all the people loved him, because he did good
justice, and made peace.
A. 1154. This year king Stephen died, and he was buried
with his wife and his son at Faversham ; they had built that
monastery. When the king died the earl was beyond sea,
and no man durst do other than good for very dread of him.
When he came to England he was received with much hon-
our, and was consecrated king at London on the Sunday be-
fore Christmas, and he held a great court there : and on the
same day that Martin abbat of Peterborough should have
gone thither he sickened, and he died on the 4th before the
Nones of January. And that day the monks chose another
abbat from among themselves. He is named William de
Walteville, a good clerk, and a good man, and well beloved
of the king and of all good people : and they buried the
abbat honourably in the church, and soon afterwards the
abbat elect and the monks went to the king at Oxford, and
the king gave him the abbacy, and he departed soon after-
wards to Peterborough, where he remained with the abbat
before he came home. And the king was received at Peter-
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
508 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONIOLE. [a.d. 1154
borough with great respect, and in full procession ; so he
was also at Ramsey, at Thomey, and at ... . and Spalding,
and . . . .*
* The MS. is defectire. Bamsey and Thoniey are elicited from some
£unt traces in the Land MS. which seem to have escaped the penetration
of Gibson. The last paragraph, if Gibson's reading be correct, i^pears to
relate to some building which the abbat and monks of Peterborough had
begun about this time. See Gunton's History of Peterborough Minster ^
and Cont Hug. Candid, ap. Sparke, pp. 92, 93.
BND OF ANGLO-SAXON CHBONIOLS.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
INDEX.
Aaron, martTr, 15.
Abercumig (Abercom) monasteiy, 20, 224.
Abon, ealdorman, 324.
Aooa, bishop of Hexham, 129, 199, 274, 279,
292, 293, 333, 335. r^
Acha, Bioter to king^Edwin, 118.
Aeley, synod oi; 342.
Adamnan, abbat of lona, 292—299, 287, 288.
Adamnan, monk of ColdinghJEun, 220.
Ad Barre, 174, 184.
Adda, abbat of Gateshead, 144.' '
Addi, eiirl, 241.
Adgefiiin, Northumberland, a royal seat, 97.
Adrian, emperor of Home, 307.
Adrian, legate, in England 328.
Adrian, pope, 341, 342.
Adrian, abbat. See EaMdn,
.£dan, king of the Scots, 91.
^lla, king of the South Saxons, 98, 310.
JSlla, usurper of Northumbria, 351.
JSsc, king of Kent, 310.
JStherius, bishop of Lyons, 35, 39, 40, 53.
JStius, groans of the Britons to him, 22, 33.
Agelric, bishop of Selsey, 435.
AgUbert, bishop, 120, 155, 159, 190, 195, 271,
320, 325.
Aidan, bishop of Llndisfiime, 112—117, 132
—137, 153, 190, 191, 320.
Albinus, abbat of St. Augustine's, xxxyiii,
2, 279.
Alban (St.) 12—15, 307.
Alban's (St.) monastery, 485.
Alcluith, a British city, 7, 19, 20.
Alcred, king of Northumbria, 300, 339.
Alcuin. See Albinus.
Aldbert, bishop of Dunwich, 292.
Aldhelm, bishop of Sherborne, 297, 333.
Aldred, bishop, 420, 425, 428, 431, 434, 439,
a9.
Alduli; abp. of York, 382, 383, 390, 399.
Aldwich, bishop of Sidnacester, 300.
Aldwin, abbat of Pearteneu, 127.
Aldwin, bishop of Lichfield, 293.
Aldwulf, bp. of Rochester, 291, 292, 334, 335.
Aldwulf, king of the East Angles, 93, 212.
Alexander, bishop of Lincoln, 492.
Alexander, king of Scotland, 482, 493.
Alfric, archbishop of Canterbury, 391-^98.
Alfric, ealdorman, 389.
Alfred, king of England, 349—399.
Alfrid, king of Deira, 144, 154, 194, 224, 293,
299, 274, 329, 332.
Alfon, bishop of Dunwich, 344.
Alfwold, bishop of Sherborne, 387.
Alfwold, king of Northumbria, 340, 341.
Alhmund, bishop- of Hexham, 339, 340.
Alia, king of Northumbria, 312—314.
AUectus, usurps authority in Britain, 11, 12.
Alric killed, 344.
Alwy, bishop of London, 405.
Alwyn, bishop of Winchester, 413, 418, 420.
Ambrosius Aurelius, 29.
Androgens, commander of TrinoTantum, 8.
Anlaf Curran, 379.
Anla^ king of Northumbria, 379—378
Anla^ son of Sihtric, 378.
Anna, king of the East Angles, 119, 138,
139, 320.
Anselm, arohbishop of Canterbury, 450, 468,
473, 474, 477—479, 482.
Ansehn, abbat of Buiy St. Edmund's, 485.
Anwind, a Danish king, 355.
Arcul^ a Fronch bishop, 2(i3.
Arianism spreads in Britain, 19.
Aries, the principal see of Oaul, 39, 40, 44, 53.
Asclepiodotus, captain of the pretorian
bands, 11.
Asser, bishop of Sherborne, 398.
Athehird, abp. of Canterbury, 342—345.
Athelred, abp. of Canterbury, 352, 359.
Athelstan, bishop of Hereford, 434.
Athelstan, king of Kent, 347, 348.
Athelstan, king of Mercia, 374—377.
At the Wall, a regal village, 144, 149.
Attila, king of the Huns, 22, 308.
Athulf, bishop, 383.
Augustine, archbishop of Canterbury, 34—
74, 314, 315.
Augustine's abbey, 90, 73.
Baccaneelde fBeckenham) council, 331.
Badwin, bishop of North Elmham, 183.
Bagsao, a Danish king, killed, 353.
Baldred, king of Kent, 349.
Baldulf, bishop of Whitheme, 342.
Baldwin V. earl of Flanders, 422, 438.
Baldwin VI. earl of Flanders, 452.
Baldwin VII. earl of Flanders, 484—488.
Bambrou^ (Bebba), a royal city, 112, 134,
312, 472.
Bancombuig (Bangor-Iscoed^ 70, 71.
Barking monastery, 184—189.
Barton monastery, 174.
Bassianus, son of Severus, 11, 307.
Bass, mass-priest, 329.
Bassus, a soldier of king Edwin, 107.
Battle Abbey founded, 491, 470.
Beardney iBeardeneu) monastery, 129.
DOQle
dbyV^OOgle
510
INDEX.
Bm10 ( Ven«nbl«), hU lifo, t1— xxUi ; Eeele-
■iastieal Hlitoiy, xzili—xxx ; his other
worki, 297; death, xxi, 300, 335.
Bega, abbeu, 815.
Benediet Bisoop, abhat. Tii— ix, 202, 870.897.
Benedict (St) 310, 311, 401.
Beonna, abbat of Peterboiongh, 340.
Beom. earl, 410, 423-^425.
Beommod. bialiop of Boeheeter, 344.
Beort, ealdonnan, 329, 332.
Bernard, bishop of St. Darid's, 491.
Bemred, king of ICercia, 300, 338.
Bemol^ king of ICercia, 348.
Bertgils, or Bonifftce, bishop of Donwich,
143. 183.
Bertha, queen, 37, 38, 41, 77.
Berthon, abbat of Beverley, 237.
Berthwald, archbishop of Canterboir, 73,
246, 292, 297, 331, 334, 335.
Bethw^en, monk, 233.
Berthwulf; king of ICercia, defeated, 348.
Bertric, king of Weseex, 341, 344
fiereriey monastery, 237.
Bieda arrives in Britain, 311.
Birinos, bishop, 119, 318—320.
Bisi, bishop of Dnnwich, 183.
Blecca, governor of Lincoln, 100» 318.
Bledla, king of the Hans, 22.
Boisil, abbat, 225, 226, 248.
Boniface, pope, 75, 80, 81, 85, 88, 90.
Bosa, bishop of York, 192, 193, 276, 329,
330.
Bosanham monastery, 194.
Bosel, bishop of Worcester, 214.
Bothelm, a monk at Hexham, 111.
Br^owin, abp. of Canterbury, 338, 339.
Bridius, king of the Picts, 114.
Brie monastery, 121.
Brihtege, bishop of Worcester, 413, 414.
Brinstan, bishop of Winchester, 375.
Britain, its geography described, 4, 303;
under the Romans, 7—18; 304—308.
Brithmar, bishop of Lichfield, 415.
Brithwin, bishop of Sherborne, 411, 417, 418.
Britnoth, abbat of Ely. 381.
Briudun monastery, 292.
Brocmail, 72, 74, 315.
Barhred, king of Mercia, 349—354.
Burton Abbey, 443.
Cadwalla, king of the West Britons, 10),
109, 318.
Ciedmon the poet, 217.
Cadwalla, king of Wessex, 191, 198, 244—
246, 329, 330.
Caerleon-npon-lTsk, a Boman city, 15
Csssat's, Julius, invasion, 7—9, 304.
Campodonnm, 98.
Canterbury cathedral, 60, 499.
Canute, king of England, 404—415.
Canute, king of Denmark, 458, 463.
Canute, prince of Denmark, 455.
Carlegion (Chester), 71.
Carausius, a British general, 11, 12.
CassibeUaun, a British king, 8.
Cassibellaan's town (St. Alban's?), 9.
Cataract (Catteriek). 98, 108, 132.
Ceari, king of the Mercians, 97.
Ceawlin or Celin. king of Wessex, 76, 312
Cedd, bishop of the East Saxons, 3, 144 -
149, 155, 160. 165.
Celin, priest. 148.
Cenb«rt, father of Cadwalla, 325.
Ceolfrid, abbat of Wearmonth, 202,277,299
Ceol, king of Wessex, 314.
Ceollaeh, bishop of Bepton, 145, 152.
Ceolnoth, abp. of Canterbury, 317. 352.
Ceolred, king of Mercia, 268, 333.
CeolwnlA bishop of Lindsey, 342, 343.
CeolwnU; king of Northnmbria, xvii, 1, 29S,
293, 300, 334, 335, 338.
GeolwnlA king of Wessex, 31 i. 315.
Caownli; king of Mercia, 345, 346.
Cerdie, king of Wessex. 311.
Chad, bishop of Lichfield. 3, 149, 153, 165.
173, 174—178, 325.
Chalk-hythe synod, 341.
Charles, earl of Tlanders, 488, 496.
Charles (the Fat), 358, 359.
Chelles monastery, 121, 212.
Chertsey monastery, 184, 483.
Chester bishopric, 490.
Chiche (St Osythe) monastery, 490.
Cissa, king of the South Saxons. 310.
CUndius invades Britain, 9, 305.
Cloveshoo synod, 336, 346.
Cnobheresburg or Cnobher's town, 139.
Coenred, or Kenred, king of Mercia, 259»
268, 289, 332, 333.
Coifi,94— 96.
Coinwalch. See Kenwalk.
Colburga, abbess of Berkeley, 345.
Coldingham monastery, 204, 220, 329.
Colman, bp. of LindisfiEime, 154 — 163, 179.
Columba, abbat of lona, 113, 114, 159, 248,
313.
Columbanus, abbat, 75.
Constantino, emperor, 12, 16, 58.
Constantine, usurper, 18.
Constantius, count, defeats Constantine, 18
Constantius, emperor, 12, 16.
Conwulf, orCynewul^ bishop of Lindisfame.
300, 335, 340, 341.
Crida, king of Mercia, 314.
Cuiohelm, bishop of Rochester, 192.
Cuichelm, king of the West Saxons, 84.
315-^19.
Cunebert, or Cynebert, bishop of Sidnaoester,
3, 193, 293.
Cutha, 313, 314
Cuthbald, abbat, 274, 327, 323.
Cuthbert, bishop of Lindisfune and Hex*
ham, 3, 225—235, 239
Cuthbert, abp. of Canterbury, 300, 336, 338.
Cuthred, king, 319, 320, 325.
Cuthred, king of Kent, 345.
Cuthred, king of Wessex, 300, 335, 336.
Cuthwine defeats the Britons, 314.
CyUebeiga, daughter of king Penda^ 144, S33.
d by Google
INDEX.
511
Cyndbil, priest, 149.
CynegUa, king of Weasex, 119, 315-^19.
C^emond, priest, 134.
C^eward, bishop of Welis, 384, 385.
Cynewulf, king of Wessex, 300, 336-341.
Cynric, king of Wessex, 311, 312.
C^^dse, queen of Mercia, 151.
Daere monasteir, 234.
Dagan, bishop, 75.
Dagobert, king; 107.
Dalreudins, 7.
Damian, abp. of Canterbnrj, 143.
Danes arrive in England, 341.
Daniel, bUhop of Winchester, 2, 200, 267,
202 333 336.
David, king of Scotland, 493, 495, 502, 505.
Dearm-Ach (now Deny), 114. ^
Deda, abbat, 100.
D^;sastan, 61, 315.
Denewolf, bishop of Winchester, 368.
Denisesbum, or Denis's-brook, 109.
Deosdedit, abp. of Canterbuiv, 80, 81, 143,
165, 170, 321—325.
Dicnll, priest, 142, 194.
Dinood, abbat, 70.
Diocletian, emperor, 10, 11, 16.
Diuma, bishop of Bepton, 144, 145 152.
Dommoc (Dnnwich), 99.
Doomsday book compiled, 459.
Dorchester (Dorcio) bishopric, 119.
Dudoc, bishop of Wells, 419, 436.
Dunchad, abbat of lona, 290.
Dunstan (St.), abp. of Canterbury, 374, 378
—38a
Eadbald, king of Kent, 79, 81, 83, 86, 89,
107, 121. 316—319.
Eadbert, bishop of Lindisfkme, 153.
Eadbert, bishop of Selsey, 195, 268.
Eadbert, king of Kent, 334, 336.
Eadbert, k. of Northombria, 300, 335-338, 339.
Eadbert Pren, king of Kent, 342, 343.
Eadbert, a Mercian general, 153.
Eadborga, married to Bertric, 341.
Eadfrid, son of king Edwin, 97, 106.
Eadhed, bishop of Sidnacester, 165, 192, 329.
Eadnoth, bishop of Dorchester, 419, 423.
Eadsine, abp. of Canterbnry, 414—424.
Eafa, a Mercian general, 153.
Eafy, high-stewanl, murdered, 396.
EaUuu^ bishop of Dorchester, 365.
Ealstan, bishop of Sherborne, 346, 348, 351.
Eanbald I., archbishop of York, 340, 343.
Eanbald II., archbishop of York, 343, 344.
Eanbert, bishop of Hexham, 345.
Eanfled, daughter of king Edwin, 84, 107,
133, 152, 154, 224, 269, 317. 318.
EanMd, son of Ethelfrid. 108 ; king of Ber-
nicia, 109, 317, 318.
Eanwulf, earl of Somerton, 348.
Eappa, priest, 194, 196, 324. 325.
Earoonbert, king of Kent, 121, 170, 319, 325.
Earoongota, daughter of king Earconbert,
122, 319.
Earoonwald, bishop of London, 184.
Eardnlf, king of Northumbria, 343, 345.
Easter controversy, 104, 112, 115, 153—161,
262, 271, 277. 289.
Eata, bishop of Lindislkme, 161, 192, 225,
226, 229, 237, 329.
Ebb, the PrisisA, slain, 365.
Ebba, queen, 194.
Ebba, abbess of Coldingham, 204.
Ecci, bishop of Dunwich, 183.
Ecgric, king of the East Angles, 138.
EdWt, bishop of Lindisfame, 231—233.
Eddi, 173.
Edgar, king of Mercia, 380—386.
Edgar, etheling, 441—446, 453-481.
Edgar, king of Scotland, 475, 482.
Edgils, monk of Coldingham, 223.
Edgitha, Edward's queen, 417.
Edmund, St. king of East Anglia, 352.
Edmund, the son of Edgar, 384.
Edmund Ironside, 406—409.
Ednoth, bishop of Dorchester, 403, 40a
Edred, king, 379, 380, 384.
Edric, king of Kent, 225.
Edric, ealdormanof Mercia, 399, 406, 409.
Edward (the elder), king, 366—375.
Edward (the martyr), 368—388.
Edward (the confessor), 404, 405, 415—442.
Edward, son of Edmund, dies, 434 435^
Edwin, abbat of Abingdon, 389.
Edwin, etheling, drowned, 375.
Edsrin, king of Northumbria, 76, 82, 108,
•'^152, 315, 317, 318.
Edwy, etheling, banished by Canute, 409.
Edwj, kins of Wessex, 380.
Egbatd, ubbut itf IV^erborough, 330.
EftkTt, kiHg of K*'ii[, 170, 183, 325, 326.
Eubt^rt, kicig of Wes-sn\, 344—347.
Ejibert, blsbop M Ynrk. 299, 300, 335, 339.
Ei;b*?rt, nljbAE of lona, 163, 164, 178 247—
24^, 2SU, £91. 333, 334,
EjflMjrt, priest^ 11 J,
E^hurt 11. blihop of Llndisfame, 345.
Efrelric, 1]p. ttf Durhnmt 416, 434, 447, 453.
EiiiC'l wine^ biBlif>]> csf Durham, 434, 463.
E..r-*rf, kinfi! f>r Mt^rc^ia, 341, 342.
£.._.= 1^,.. v -v -hnribria, vU, 180, 192,
;l -330.
Eleutherins, bishop of Rome, 10, 307.
Eleutherius, bishop of Winchester, 120, 191,
326.
Elfgar, bishop of Elmham, 410.
Elfhun, bishop of London, 403, 404.
Elfleda, daughter of k. Oswy, 144, 151, 224.
Elfric, archbishop of York, 411, 412, 424.
Elfric, uncle to Osric I., 108.
Elfric, bishop of Elmham, 414.
Elfric, ealdorman, 389, 390, 397.
Elfrida, Edgar's queen, 384.
Elfstan, bishop of London, 383, 390-
Elfstan, bishop of Wiltshire, 388.
Elfsy, abbat of Peterborough, 383.
Elfsy, bishop of Winchester, 411, 413.
Elfward, bishop of London, 41&
d by Google
512
INDEX.
Elfwin, brother to lung Egfrid, 209, 320.
Elfwina, queen of M^da, 371.
Elgar, earl of Menda, 431- 435.
Ella, king of the South Saxons, 79.
Elmetewood, 08.
Elmond, king of Kent, 841.
Elphege, bishop of Winchester, 375, 370.
Elphege II., archbishop of Canterbury, 380,
301,306-403.
Elstan, bishop of London, 36^
Elswitha, Alfred's queen, 367.
EI7 monasteiy, 205, 326, 381.
Emma Elgiva, 306, 404, 400. 414, 417, 420.
Eolla, bishop of Selsey, 268.
Eorpwald, k. of East AngUa, 08, 00, 137, 3ia
Erconwald, the patrician, 142.
Brie, king of Northumbria, 370.
Eric, earl of Northumbria, 407, 400.
Ennenred, son of EadbalcC 310.
Eruost, bishop of Ro<diester, 447.
Emulf, bishop of Rochester, 485, 403.
Escwin, king of Wessez, 326, 32&
Escwy, bishop of Dorchester, 300.
Esius, abbat, 3.
Ethelard, king of Wessex, 300, 334, 335.
Ethelbald, king of Herda, 300, 333—338.
Ethelbald, king of Wessex, 348, 350.
Ethelberga, daughier of king Ethelbert, 83,
88, 07, 107, 3ia
Ethelberga, daughter of k. Anna, 121, 122.
Ethelberga, abbess of Barking, 187.
Ethelbert, archbishop of York, 330. 340.
Ethelbert, bishop of Whitheme, 340, 344.
Ethelbert, king of Kent, 36—40, 58, 60, 68,
72-77, 83, 312--316.
Ethelbert II. king of Kent, 336, 338.
Ethelbert, king of East Anglia, 342.
Ethelbert, k. of Kent, Essex, dec 350, 361.
Ethelboi^E^ Ina's queen, 334.
Etheldrid, queen, 175.
Etheldrida, daughter of king Anna, 204, 326,
320, 381.
Etheldrith, 07.
Ethelfled, lady of Mercia, 368-374.
Ethelfrid, king of Northumbria, 61, 71, 01
—03, 108, 314—317.
Ethelgar, abp. of Canterbury, 384, 388, 380.
Ethelhere, king of the East Angles, 148, 151.
Ethelhilda, abbess, 127.
Ethelhun, son of king Edwin, 07.
Ethelhun, monk, 163.
Ethelnoth, abp. of Canterbury, 410, 414.
Ethelred, k. of Mercia, 102, 200, 321—333.
Ethelred, son of Moll, 330—342.
Ethelred [Ethered], k. of Wessex, 351-3 4.
Ethelred, king of England, 387- 407.
Ethelric, king of Northumbria, 314.
Ethelric, bishop of Selsey, 414.
Ethelsvrith, queen of Mercia, 350.
Ethelwalch, king of the South Saxons, 103,
105 108 325. >
Ethelwald! king of Deira, 148. \
Ethelwald, prince, 366, 367. J
Ethelwald, bp. of Lindisfame, 202, 300, 335. I
Ethelwald. bishop of Lichfield, 347. j
Ethelwald, abUt, 82, 235.
Ethelwavd, k. of Wessex, 300, 334, 335.
Ethelwerd, high-steward, slain, 305.
Ethelwin, bp. of Sidnaoester. 127, 163. 192.
Ethelwold, bishop of Winchester, 357, 381,
384, 386, 380.
EthelwuU; king of Weesex, 347—350.
Ethered, ealdorman of Mercia, 350, 362, 369.
Etheric, bishop of Dorchester, 413.
Enmer, 84.
Eustace II., eail of Boulogne, 421, 466.
Para's monasterr, 121.
Fame, isle o^ 135.
FeUx, bishop of Dunwich, 90, 138, 143, 319,
Finan, bishop of Lindisfame, 136, 144, 153,
154, 160.
Fingale synod, 341.
Forthhere, 84, 268. 202, 333, 335.
Prithbert, bishop of Hexham, 300, 330.
Frithstan, bishop of Winchester, 368, 375.
Frithwald, bishop of Whitheme, 300, 339.
Fnllan, abbat, 142.
Fursey, abbat, 138—142.
Oebmund, bishop of Rochester, 102, 247, 331.
Gerard, archbishop of York, 482.
Germanus, bishop, 26—34, 41.
Gervii, 143, 204.
Gessoriacum (Boulogne), 4.
Geta, son of Seyerus, 11, 307.
Gewisstt (West Saxons), 7Q, 118, 108.
GUdas, the historian, 34.
Giso, bishop of Wells, 436.
Glastonbury minster, 330, 457.
Gobban, priest, 142.
Godfkey^ bishop of Bath, 402.
GodmundinghiuDa (Goodmanham), 06.
Godwin, earl, 413—431.
Godwin III. bishop of Rochester, 402.
GosMth, bishop, 464
Gothrun, a Danish kin& 355, 356, 350.
Gratian, emperor, 16, 17, 308.
Gratian, tyrant, 18.
Gregory I. pope, 2, 34 — 68, 314. .--^
Griffin, Welsh king, 418—437.
Grinketel, bishop of Selsey, 415, 419l
Gundulph, bishop of Rochester, 447
Gunnilde banished, 41&
GuthfHd, abbat of Lindisfame, 236.
Guthfrith, king of Northumbria, 375.
Hackness, a cell to Whitby, 215.
Hadrian, abbat of St. Augustine's, 2, 170—
172, 275, 301.
Hadulac, bishop of Elmham, 202.
Hagulstad (Hexham), HO, 111.
Halfdene, a Danish king, 353—355, 36&
Htuxlecanute, 411—416.
Harold Harfoger killed, 440.
Harold I. king of England, 413-41&
Harold II. 421—443.
Hasten invades England, 360—362.
Heahmund, bishop of Sherbome, 354.
Heandred, bishop of Hexham, 344.
Digitized
by Google
INDEX.
SIS
Heathfittld (Hatfield), lOe, 201, 328.
HeaYenfleld, or HaTvnfeltfa, 110.
Heea, bishop of Selsey, 418—420, 435.
Hedda, bishop 119, 191, 207, 328, 332.
Heia, abbeu, 212.
Hen^st, a Saxon chieftain, 24, 77, 143, 309,
Henry de Bloii, bp. of Winchester, 499, SOS.
Heniy I. 4«9, 461, 471, 476-502.
Herbert Loeange, bishop of Thetford, 470.
Merebald, abbi^ 242.
Herebert, priest, 230.
Herefrith, bUhop of Selsey, 347.
Hereward plnnders Peterboroogh, 451, 452
Herman, bp. of Sherborne, 417, 424, 425, 426.
Hertford ^od, 181.
Heraten (Hartlepool) monaateij, 151, 212.
Hewalds, missionaries, 250.
Higbald, bishop of Lindisluiie, 341, 345.
Higbert, bishop of Dorchester, 341.
Hilda, abbess, 151, 155, 211, 329.
Hildelith, abbess of Barking, 188.
Hingwar and Hubba, 352.
Houorioe, archbishop of Canterboir, 99—
104, 318, 320.
Honorias, emperor, 17, la
Honorius, pope, 15, 101—103, 318.
Horsa, a Saxon chieftain, 24, 309.
Howel, king of North Wales, 274.
Howel, king of West Wales (ComwaU), 375.
Huetbert, abbat of Wearmouth, xlv, xvUl,
299.
Ida, king of Northnmbria, 312.
Ittk, 97, 107.
Immin, a Mercian general, 153.
Ina, king of Wessex, 33^-344.
Ingethlingnm (Oilling), 132, 152.
Ingild, brother of Ina, 333.
Ingwald, bishop of London, 292.
lona monastery, 113—115, 313.
Ireland described, 6, 7.
Irminrio, 77.
Ithamar, bishop of Bochester, 131, 322,324.
James, deacon, 100, 108, 154, 172.
Jarrow monastery, viiL
Jaruman, bishop of Repton, 153, 169, 174,
o2Ks, 324.
John, abbat of St. Martin's, 202.
John IV., pope, 104, 105.
John (8U), of Beverley, x, xi, 237—244, 330,
Julias, martyr, 15.
Justus, abp. of Canterbury, 54, 72—74. 78—
83, 100, 102, 315. ' ^ ^
Kenebert, bishop of Windiester, 344.
Kenred, king of Merda. See Coenred.
Kentwln, king of Wessex, 328, 329.
Kenulf, king of Mercia, 343, 345.
Kenulf, bishop of Winchester, 383, 390, 39a
Kenwalk, k. of Wessex, 119, 120, 319—326.
Kineward, bishop of Winchester, 336.
Kyneboig, sister of Wulf here, 321—324.
Kyneiwith, skter of Wulfhere, 321^-324.
Kynsey, abp. of York, 431—436.
Lambert, abp. of Canterbury, 339—342.
Lanfranc, abp. of Canterbury, 447—450, 466.
Lastingham monastery, 3, 149.
Laurentlus, abp. of Canterbury, 40, 74, 75.
78—80,316,317.
Leofjgar, bishop of Hereford, 434.
Leofrlc, bishop of Devon, 417.
Leofric, earl, 417—435.
LeoMc, bishop of Exeter, 420.
Leofsy, bishop of Worcester, 413.
Leofwine, bishop of Lichfield, 432.
Leo IIL, pope, 344, 345.
Lilla,84.
Lindislame monasteiy, 3, 112.
Lindsey province, 99, 126.
Living, abp. of Canterbury, 403, 410.
Living, bishop of Worcester and Gloucester.
415, 417—420.
Loidis (Leeds) a regal seat, 98, 152.
Lothen and Irling arrive, 4ia
Lothere, king of Kent, 183, 224, 330.
Lucius, king of the Britons, 10, 307.
Ludecan, king of Mercia, 346.
Luidhard, bishop, 37, 38, 41.
Lupus, bishop, 26, 27.
Marcus Antoninus, emperor, 10.
Margaret, daughter of Edward, 444 4C9
Malcolm III., king of Scotland, 444, 453,
467 — 469
Maserfeld, 123.
Ma^H-priest, his duties, xii,
Maud, daughter of Malcolm, 477.
Maurice, bishop of London, 448, 47F, 482.
Maximian, emperor, 11, 30a
Maximus, usurper, 17.
MelUtus, abp. of Canterbury, 54. 56, 72—
75, 78-80, 315—317.
Melrose monastery, 254.
Merewith, bishop of Somereet, 413.
Milred, bishop of Worcester, 339.
Moll Ethelwald, king of Northumbria, 338.
Morcar, earl of Northumbria, 437—452.
Mull, brother of Ciedwalla, 329—331.
Naitan, king of the Picts, 277.
Natan-leod, a British king, 17.
Nero, emperor of Rome, 10, 11, 306.
Ninias, bishop, converts the Picts, 113, 313
Northumbria divided into two parts. Deira
and Bemicia, 108.
^o*« ^* abp. of Canterbury, 2, 36, 300,
335, 336.
Octa,77.
Odda, earl of Devon, 422, 429.
Odo, abp. of Canterbury, 380, 381.
Odo, bishop of Bayeux, 457, 462—466
Oeng, king of the Picts, 300.
Offa, son of king Sighere, 268, 333.
Ofla, king of Mercia, 338-342, 344.
, Oisc, 77.
614
INDEX.
OUfe, king of Norway, inradei England,
390, 391. 412.
Onadee (Orkney Islands), 3, 9.
OTric77.
Osbern, bishop of Exeter, 447.
Osbert, king of Norttanmbria, 351.
Osfiid, 97, 100.
Oskytel, a Danish king, 355.
Oskjriel, abp. of York, 384.
Oslac, ealdorman, 383—386.
Osred, king of Northnmbria, 2M, 289, 333.
Osred II., king of Northnmbria, 341, 342.
Osric I., king of Deira, 108, 109, 318.
Osric II., king of Northnmbria, 292, 333, 334.
Ostritha, queen of Mercia, 126, 209, 332.
Oswald, abp. of York, 383, 389.
Oswald, king of Northnmbria, 76, 97, 107,
10»— 113, 117, 119, 123-131, 196—198,
318 319 368.
Oswin, king of Deira, 131, 132, 319, 320.
Oswin, prince, 300, 339.
Oswy (Oswin), king of Northnmbria, 131—
133, 144—180, 319, 326.
Oswy, king of Northnmbria, 76.
Oswulph, king of Northnmbria, 300, 338.
Onndle monastery, 269, 274.
Owlni, monk, 175.
Palladius, his mission to Ireland, 22, 308.
Pallium or pall, described, 44.
Paulinas, abp, of York, 54, 83—85, 93, 97,
100—102, 107, 108, 131, 315-^19.
Paul's (St.) Cathedral burnt, 381, 460.
Peada, ealdorman, 320.
Peada, king of Mercia, 143, 152, 320, 321.
Pearteneu, or Parteney, cell, 100, 127.
Pechthelm, bishop of Whitheme, 267, 203.
Pegnaleth monastery, 162.
Penda, king of Mercia, 106, 107, 144, 150—
153, 317—320.
Pelagius, 17, 308; his tenets condemned,
26—34, 105.
Peter, bishop of Lichfield, 447.
Peterborough monastery, 184, 320—328, 340,
352, 382, 430, 444, 452, 497, 500.
Petronilla (St.), 455.
Petwine, bishop of Whiteme, 339.
Picts, their origin, 5, 6.
Plegmund, abp. of Canterbury, xxxix, 361,
Port arrives in England, 311.
Ptttta, bishop of Bocbeeter, 173, 192.
Quenberga, Edwin's queen, 97.
Ralph, abp. of Canterbuiy, 484, 489.
Ranulf, bp. of Durham, 475, 477, 478, 496.
Rathmelsigi monastery, 163.
Reculyer monastery, 24d, 326.
Redbridge monastexy, 199.
Bedwald, king of East Anglia, 91—93, 98,
Rees, the Welshman, 427.
Reginald, king of Northnmbria, 374, 37a
Begnhere killed, 93. ^
Rendlesham, or RendH's maadon, 148.
Reuda, leader of the Soots, 7.
Rheims, synod at, 419.
Rhofescester (Rochester), 73.
Richberf, 99.
Ripon monastery, 155, 271.
Ricula, Ethelbert's sister, 72.
Robert, abp. of Canterbury, 421, 424, 42S.
Robert Bloet, bishop of Lincoln, 468, 490.
Robert, bishop of Lichfield, 490
Robert de Belesme, 475, 478—484.
Robert de Limesey, bishop of Lichfield, 44 8.
Robert II., earl of Flanders, 474, 477--484.
Robert II., earl of Northnmbria, 471-473.
Robert, son of WUliam I., 456, 464—495.
Roger, bishop of Salisbury, 490, 494.
Romans, their inyasion,? ; and final depar-
ture from Britain, 18
Romaaus, bishop of Rochester, 107, 316.
Romanus, priest, 154.
Romescot, 473.
Rome taken by the Goths, 18.
Rufinianus, abbat, 54.
Rutubi Portus (Richborough), 4.
Saba, 77.
Sabert, k. of the East Saxons, 72, 76, 77, 31.5.
Saxon Chronicle, its compilers, xxx — xUr,
303.
Saxons settle in Britain, 23—25.
Scots & Picts ravage the Britons, 19—25, 30.
Soots, the ancient Irish, 5, 6.
Sebbi, king of the East Saxons, 169, 184,
189, 324.
Segenius, ablmt of lona, 116.
Selred, king of Essex, slain, 33&
Selsey monasteiy, 195—198, 268.
Sethrid, daughter of Anna, 12i.
Severus, bishop of Treves, 32.
Severus, emperor, 10, 11, 307 ; his wall, 18,
20,21.
Sexbeiga, eldest daughter of king Anna,
121, 205, 319, 326.
Sexwuir, bishop of Lichfield, 183, 192, 193,
321-328, 333.
Sideman, bishop of Crediton, 387.
Sigebert, king of Wessex, 336, 337.
Sigebert, k. of the East Angles, 99, 137—139
Sigebert (thegood),k of the East Saxons, 145.
Sigfrid, bishop of Selsey, 300.
Sighard, son of king Sebbi, 191, 324
Sighere, king of the East Saxons, 169, 184.
Sihtric, king of Northnmbria, 375.
Siric, king; of the East Angles, 344.
Slrio or Siglc, abp. of Canterbury, 389, 391.
Siward, abp. of Canterbury, 417, 420, 425.
Siward, bishop of Rochester, 436.
Siward, earl, 417, 428. 431-434.
Sparhafoe, bishop of London, 421, 424.
Stephen, king, 502—507.
Stigand, bishop of Elmham, 416, 417 ; trana.
to Winchester, 418, 420 ; to Canterboir,.
430, 431.
Stuff, lord of Isle of Wight, 311. 318.
Suebhard, king of Kent, 247, S3L
Digitized by VjOOQTC
INDEX.
515
Snefined, king of the East Saxoni, 191.
Saidbert, abbat, 234.
Saidbelm, king of the East Sazona, 148.
Sweyn, earl, 418— 42a
Sweyn, king of Denmark, invades England,
391 397 403—405.
Swejn III! k. of Denmark, inrades England,
iSO—455.
Swidbert, bishop of Frisland, 252.
Swithulf, bishop of Rochester, 365.
Swithon, bishop of Winchester, 351.
Tatwine, abp. of Canterbmy, 292, 299, 300,
335.
Theobald, abp. of Canterboiy, 505.
Theodbald, 61.
Theologild, abp. of Canterbury, 347.
Theodore, abp. of Canterbury, 2, 73, 153,
171—174, 180—183, 200—202, 246, 275,
324—330.
Theodosius, emperor, 17 ; the Younger, 21,
308.
Thomas, bishop of Dunwich, 143.
Thomas, abp. of York, 447, 477, 482, 484.
Thored, Gunner's son, 384, 390.
Thridred, abbat, 235.
Thridwulf, abbat, 98.
ThurkiU, 400, 404, 411
Thurkytel, a Danish earl, 371.
Thurkytel, son of Nafan, 407.
Tilbert, bishop of Hexham, 340.
Thurstan, abp. of York, 484, 488, 491.
Tidfrith, bishop of Dunwich, 344.
Tiovulfingacestir (Southwell), 100.
Tobias, bp. of Rochester, xxxviii, 247, 291,
331, 334.
Tonsure, ecclesiastical, 160, 171.
Tosty, son of Godwin, 425—443.
Tremerin, bishop of St. David's, 433.
Trinovantum (London ?), 8
Trumhere, bp. of Repton, 145, 152, 153, 177.
Trumwine, bishop of the PIcts, 193, 224, 329.
Tuda, bp. of Lindisfarne, 161, 162, 322—325.
Tumbert, bishop of Hexham, 193, 229, 329.
Tunnacester monastery, 210.
Twyford synod, 228.
TytUus, 99.
Ulf, bishop of Dorchester, 423, 425.
Ulf kytel, earl of East Anglia, 397, 401
Utred, earl of Northumbria, 403, 407.
Utta, priest, 133, 134, 144.
Unffa, 99.
Uoffings, or Uffingas, 99.
Valens, emperor, 16
Valentinlan, emperor, 23, 33, 308.
Vergillus, bishop of Aries, 36, 53.
Verulam (St. Albans), 15
Vespasian, emperor, 9, 306.
Vitalian, pope, letter to Oswy, 166.
Vortigem, king, 23, 77. 309.
Vortimer, 24.
Walcher, bishop of Durham, 4.56.
Waldhere, bishop of London, 190.
Waleram, earl of Mellent, 492—498.
Walkelin, bishop of Winchester, 475.
Walstod, bishop of Hereford, 292.
Waltheof, earl of Northumbria, 446, 450,
454, 455.
Watton monastery, 239.
Wearmouth monastery, viii, 202, 277.
Werburh, Ceolred's queen, 341.
Westminster Abbey, 438.
Whitby monastery, 151, 155, 213.
Whitgar, lord of Isle of Wight, 311, 312.
Whitheme bishopric, 114, 313.
Wiccii, 68, 194. 214.
Wictbert, monk, 249.
Wictred, king of Kent, 225, 291.
Wigbert, bishop of Sherborne, 345.
Wighard, bishop-elect, 166, 170, 326.
Wight, Isle of, 9, 309, 311, 325, 365, 396.
Wigthun, bishop of Winchester, 347.
Wilfares dun, or Wilfar's Hill, 132.
Wilfrid, abp. of York, 129, 154—159, 164—
166, 173, 174, 192—196, 214, 231, 238, 269
—2/6 322—333.
Wilfrid'll., abp. of York, 244, 293, 330.
Wilf^d, bishop of Worcester, 293, 300, 336.
Wilbrord, bp. of the Fresons, 129, 249—253.
William, bishop of Durham, 448, 464.
William, bishop of Elmham, 448.
William Curboil, abp. of Canterbury, 490,
498, 505.
William, earl of Moreton, 375.
William, earl of Normandy, 480.
William Giflkrd, bishop of Winchester, 477,
479 491 499.
William l! (the Conqueror), 412, 440—463.
William, prince, son of Heniy 1. 485, 487, 48a
William Rufus, 448, 463—476.
Winchester cathedral, 120, 319.
WinfHd, bishop of Lichfield, 153, 179, 183.
Wini, bishop, 120, 165, 322.
Withlaf, king of Mercia, 346, 347.
Withred, king of Kent, 247, 331—334.
Wulfgar, abbat of Abingdon, 389, 409.
Wulfgar, bishop of Wiltshire, 3ia
Wulf helm, abp. of Canterbury, 375.
Wulfhere, king of Mercia, 120, 153, 169, 174.
321 328.
Wulfhoth, child, 399. 400.
Wulfred, abp. of Canterbury, 345—347.
Wulfrio, abbat of St. Augustine's, 417.
Wulfstan, abp. of York, 378—380.
Wulfstan, deacon, dies, 381.
Wulfsy, bUhop of Lichfield, 431.
Wulfwy, bishop of Dorchester, 431, 444.
Wulstan, bishop of London, 394.
Wulstan, bishop of Worcester, 464.
Wulstan II., abp. of York, 410.
Wuscftea, 97, 107.
York minster. 96, 317.
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