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From the same source he partly derived his information 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 seriptis 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. K, 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, however, though not regularly arranged, must be traced to a much higher source. SAXON CHRONICLE. xxxi:f continued, at intervals, by the archbishops of Canterbury, cr 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 liatin. 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, afiK)rds 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 number and variety of king Alfred's works, that he should have neglected the history of Ins 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 * " Josselyn 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 our series C. T. A vi. ; the latter the Benet or Plegmund MS. + " Wanley observes, that the Benet MS. is written in one and the same hand to this year, and in hands equally ancient to the year 924 ; aftei ivhich ii i» continued in different hands to the end. Vid. Cat. p. 130. PREFACE. a few years after the Norman Conquest, these chronicle? 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 contemporary 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 professed antiquaries, 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 modern EngUsh, 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 oi that house SAXON CHRONICLE. xli 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 language — was happily exemplified at length in the laborious works of our English 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 chronology 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, | when it was introduced by Dionysius Exiguus ; whose code of canon law, joined afterwards with the decretals of the popes, became as much the standard 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 Playfair's ^stem of Chronology, p. 49. X " Playfair says 527 : but I follow Bede, Florence of Worcester, and others ; who affirm that the great paschal cycle of Dionysius commenced from 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. Se* tdso M. West. an. 532. xlii PREFACE. the Saxon mo«le 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 fis 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 indictton, 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. Gervase of Canterbury, whose Latin Chronicle ends in 1199, 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 falsifying 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. Gerard 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. Script, p. 1338„" SAXON CHRONICLE. xliii work is due to Wlieloc, professor of Arabic at Cambridge. His work entitled Chronologia A?iglo- Saxonica, [a.d. 1644], occupying about sixty folio pages, forms a supplement to his edition of Bede's Ecclesiastical 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 the editor had no opportunity 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, and afterwards 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 tliis historical record again attracted the notice of the public, or the labours of an editor. It was then translated into English throughout from the 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 Gurney'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 vai'ious readings, and he carried his mode of arrangement 2 BEDE'S ECCLESIASTICAL HJSTOllY. Lb. i. pbef. the Divine Authority has appointed you govc rnor, 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 leanied 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 adjacent parts, by the disciples of the blessed Pope Gregory, as he had learned the same either from written records, or the traditions of his ancestors. The same Nothelm, afterwards going to Rome, having, with leave of the present Pope Gregory, "j" 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 Nothelm through the industry of the aforesaid Abbot Albinus. They also partly inform&l 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. + Gregory the Third, who began to reign, a.d. 733, B. I. PREF.J CUNEBERT CUTHBERT. ii 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 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 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 partly took, and faithfully copied from what I found written of him by the brethren of the Church of Lindisfarne ;f 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 will 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 beseech 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. + Lindisfarne, now called Holy Island, is situated on the north of North- umberland, in its southern extremity. Here stood a monastpi-y in Bedy s iim% and it was for four centuries the seat of the present see ol Durnttm, B 2 4 bede's ecclesiastical history. Lb. r. c I. to the throne of Grace. And I further pray, that in recom- p€ ise 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. 1. 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 wliich its compass is made to be 3675 miles.f To the south, as you pass along 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 EngUsh corrupted into Reptacestir. J The distance from hence acr^ es 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 foi rivers abounding in fish, and plentiful springs. It has th;» 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 oe used to dis- tinguish Britain from the other islands known to the ancients, almost all of which were in the Mediterranean sea. f This total varies in different authors : some make it 4875. The first few pages of Bede are of not much value, being copied out of Pliny, Soli- )ms, and other Roman authors. See the Appendix to my History af tho Ancient Britons. t RichborTigh, Kent. § Boulogne, B. I. C f . I BRITAIN — ^ITS PRODUCTIONS. pearls of all colours, red, purple, violet, and green, but mostly white. 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 older 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 thenoiselves 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 modern origin. "t" The original of the FictSf has caused various opinions. Hectai Boo- 6 BEDE S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOKr. In. u c 1. own peculiar dialect cultivating tlie sublime study of Divine truth. The Latin tongue is, by the study of the Scriptures, become cominon 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, from 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 settle 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 them. 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 derives them from the Agaihyrsi, 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 originally Britons, who fled into the northern parts of the island from the Roman invasions, as tlie Welsh into the western. But this is opposed by Bishop Stillingfleet, Who waa of opinion that they came from Scandinavia, Orig. Brit c. 6» A. D. 54.-1 Cesar's invasion of Britain. 7 who, migrating from Ireland under their leader, Reuda, either by fair means, or hj force of arms, secured to them- selves those settlements among the Picts which they still possess. From the name of their commander, they are to tliis day called Dalreudins ; for, in their language, Dal signifies a part.* Ireland, in breadth, and for wholesomeness and serenity of climate, far surpasses Britain ; for the snow scarcely ever lies there above three days : no man makes hay in the summer for winter's provision, or builds stables for his oeasts of burden. No reptiles 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 honey, 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. Cuius Julius CcEsar, the first Roman that came into Britain. Britain had never been visited by the Romans, and was, indeed, entirely unknown to them before the time of Caius Julius Caesar, who, in the year 693 after the building of Rome, but the sixtieth j" year before the incarnation of our * Hence Dalrieta, or Dalreuda may be explained Dal-Ri~Eta, the. por- tion of Reuda or Rieia, i.e. king Eta. f This date, like many others in Bede, is not correct. Caesar's invasiiou happened, b. r. 54 8 BEDE*S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. r. 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. Returning into Gaul, he put his legions into winter- quarters, and gave orders for building six hundred sail of both sorts. With these he again passed 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 tribune, slain. In the second engagement, he, with great hazard to his men, put the Britons to flight. Thenc6 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 immovably 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,j' with its commander Androgeus, sur- * Cassibellaun, or as he is sometimes called, Cassibelinus, seems to have maintained an extent of power and territory superior to most of the British kings. His own possessions originally comprised that portion 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 GeolFery of Monmouth and his followera. CLAUDIUS* INVASION OF BRITAIN. 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, Ceesar returned into Gaul, 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. III. Claudius, the second of the Romans who came into Britain, brought the islands Orcades into subjection to the Roman empire ; and Vespasian, sent by him, reduced the Isle of Wight under their dominion. In the year of Rome TOS,! 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 rebelUon 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 sh()d, 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. f Claudius came to Britain, a.d. 44. X This also is a mistake ; it was probably Agricola who first subduoi the Orkneys. 10 BEI)E*S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORl. [b. 1. C 4, 5. end, and three only at tlie west. Nero, succeeding Claudiu3 in the empire, attempted nothing in martial affairs ; and, therefore, among other innumerable detriments brought upon the Roman state, he almost lost Britain ; for under him two most noble towns were there taken and destroyed. CHAP. IV. Lncixis, king of Britain, writing to Pope Eleutherus, desires to be made a Christian. In the year of our Lord's incarnation 156, Marcus Antoninus Verus, the fourteenth from Augustus, was made emperor, together with his brother, Aurelius Commodus.* In their time, whilst Eleutherus, a holy man, presided over the Ro- 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 ot the Emperor Diocletian. CHAP. V. Hoio the Emperor Severus divided that part of Britain, which he subdued from the rest by a Rampart. In the year of our Lord 189, Severus, an African, born at Leptis, in the province of Tripolis, received the imperial purple. He was the seventeenth from Augustus, and reigned seventeen years. Being naturally stern, 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 is 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; tad Marcus Antoninus was made emperor ad. 161. k.n. 286.1 CARAUSIUS AND ALLECTUS. 11 Stones, but a rampart, with which camps are fortified to repel the assaults of enemies, is made of sods, cut out of the earth, and raised above the ground all round like a wall, having in front 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 Geta ; of whom Geta died, adjudged a public enemy ; but Bassia- nus, having taken the surname of Antoninus, obtained the empire. CHAP. YI. The reign of Diocletian, and how he persecuted the Christians 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- named 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 ti e Franks and Saxons, acted more to the pre- judice than to the advantage of the commonwealth ; and from his not rest ring 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 Herculiu'e 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 all the others before it ; for it was carried on incessantly for the space of ten years, with burning of churches, outlawing of 12 bede's ecclesiastical history. [B. I. c. 7. innocent persons, and the slaughter of martyrs. At length, it reached Britain also, and many persons, with the coi:- Btancy of martyrs, died in the confession of their faith. CHAP. VII. TTie Passion of St, Alhan and his Companions, who at thai time shed 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 born. 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 o Christ, whose time of martyrdom had not yet come, was con- cealed at Alban's house. Whereupon he sent some soldiera 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 Alban 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 Allectus, and was then under Con- Btantius and his son Constantino the Great. It is difficult to believe that either of those would sanction a bloody persecution in their dominions. &.D. 305.] ST. ALBAN MARTYilED. 13 images of the devils, before which lie stood, saying, "Because you have chosen to conceal a rebellious and sacrilegious person, rather than to deliver him up to the soldiers, that his contempt 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 j udge, hearing these words, and being much incensed, ordered this holy confessor of Grod to be scourged by the executioners, believing 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. I believe the text above gives the intended meaning 14 bede's ecclesiastical history. [a 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 all 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 all 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 Grod would give him water, and immediately a living spring broke out before his feet, the course being conlined, 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 God has promised to those wlio love him. But he who gave the wicked stroke, was not permitted to rejoice over the deceased ; for liis eyes dropped upon the ground together with the blessed martyr's head. At the same time was also beheaded the soldier, who A.D. 305.] ST. ALBAN MAHTYliED. 15 before, through the Divine admonition, refused to give the stroke to the holy confessor. Of whom it is apparent, that though lie 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 ihey 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 Yerlamacestir, or Yarlingacestir, where afterwards, when peaceable Christian times were restored, a church of wonderful workmanship, and suitable to his martyrdom, was erected, f In wliich place, there ceases not to tliis day the cure of sick persons, and the frequent work- ing of wonders. At the same time suffered Aaron and Jufius, 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 was called Holmhurst, 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 ; since when, Offa, king of the Mercians, anno 793, foimded in this place the stately monastery of St. Alban, and procured and gi'anted 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 time 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 make 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 t3 their mem,ory. 16 bede's ecclesiastical history. [b. I. C. 8, 9. CHAP. vni. The persecution ceasing, the Church in Britain enjoys peace tul the time of the Avian 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 ismples of the holy rcartyrs, and, as it were, displayed their conquering ensigns in all places ; they celebrated festivals, and performed their sacred rites with clean hearts and mouths. This peace con- tinued 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 immediately 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, born of Helen his concubine, emperor of the Cauls. 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 c octrines. CHAP. IX. How during the reign of Gratian, Maximus, being created Emperor in 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 Yalens, and his brother Valentinian. Finding the state of the commonwealth much impaired, and almost gone to ruiEij he looked around for some one whose abilities mmht A.D. 394."; ARCADIUS EMPEROR.. 17 remedy tli3 s^sting evils ; and his choice fell on Th(,odcsius, 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 the army, passed over into Gaul, and there by treachery slew the 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 of Arcadius, Pelagius, a Briton, insolently impugned the Grace of God. 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 catholic 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 ! 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 sulphiir reigns." * Pelagius was a native of Wales ; his real name is supposed to have been Morgan. He ;^as a man of learning, and is said to have written the following works — ' A Commentary on the Epistles of St. Paul, attributed C 18 bede's ecclesiastical history. Tb. r. c. U. CHAP. XI. flow during the reign of Honorius, Gratian and Constantine were created tyrants in Britain ; and soon after the former was slain 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 tlie Goths, when the nations of the Alani, Suevi, Vandals, and many others with them, having defeated the Franks and passed the Rhine, 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 Commonwealth. 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 Caesar, 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, 1164. 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 over 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 volume 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 like^dse a Treatise of the Power of Nature, and several books concerning Free Will, which are lost." — Collier's Eccles^ Hist. vol. i. p. 42, folio. For further particulars respecting Pelagius, see Du Fin's Hist, of the Church, vol. ii. pp. 184—194, 12mo. 1724. A.D. 400—414.] PiCTs AND score* 19 CHAP. XII. The Britons, being ravaged hy the Scots and Picts, sought sue eour 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. The 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 modern Dunbarton : the situation of Giudi is not known, q2 20 bede's ecclesiastical history. [b. ucVL 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 Abercurnig,* on the west, at a place called in the Pictish language, Peanfahel,! but in the English tongue, Penneltun, and running to the westward, ends near the city Alcluith. But the former enemies, when they perceived that the Koman soldiers were gone, immediately coming by sea, broke into the borders, trampled and overran all places, and like men mowing ripe corn, bore down all before them. Hereupon messengers are again sent to Rome, imploring aid, lest their wretched country should be utterly extirpated, and the name of a Roman province, so long renowned among them, overthrown by the cruelties of barbarous foreigners, might become utterly contemptible. 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 Romans 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 enemy, and not far from the trench of Severus. This famous wall, which is still to be seen, was built at the pubHc and private expense, the Britons also lending their assistance. It is eight feet in breadth, and * Now called Abercorn, a village on the south bank of the Frith of Forth. + 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," of beginning of the wall. Pen means head in the Celtic dialect; thus, Pen- deunis in Cornwall. A D. 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, tbey gave 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 waU. 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 cowardly 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. xin. In the reign of Theodosius the younger^ Palladius was sent to the Scots that believed in Christ ; the Britons begging assistance of JEtiuSj the consul, could not obtain it. [a.d. 446.] In the year of our Lord 423, Theodosius, the younge-r, next to Honorius, being the forty-fifth from Augustus, governed the Roman empire twenty-six years. In the eighth year of * This wall extended from Consin's House, near the mouth of the river Tyne, on the east, to Boulness on the Solway Frith on the west, and was jsxty -eight English miles in length. For an account of this wall consult Horaley's Brit. Romana, b. i. c 8 pp. 121 122, and Whitaker's Manches- ter, b. i. c. 12. 22 BEDE S ECCLESIASTICAL EISTOSY. Lb i c. 14 his reign, Palladius was sent by Celestinus, the Roman 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 Symmachus 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 tliis 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 ^nd pestilential state of the air destroyed thousands of men And cattle. CHAP. XIV. The Britons, compelled hy famine , drove the barbarians out of their terri- tories ; soon after there ensxied plenty of corn, 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 D. 4.?a-456.1 AURIVAL or THE SAXONS. 23 fartliest 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, could 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 Vortigern 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 them for their wicked deeds. CHAP. xy. The Angles, being invited into Britain, at first obliged the enemy to rettrt to a distance ; but not long after, joining in league with ihem, turned their weapons upon their confederates. [a.d. 450 — 456.] In the year of our Lord 449, Martian being made emperor with Yalentinian, 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 310 w beginning to be general 'f understood that tlie Saxona 24 BEDL S ECCLESLLSTICAL HISTOKT. Tb. i. c. 15. 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 enemy, 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 still 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 with pay. Those who came over were of the three most powerful nations of Germany — 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. From the Saxons, that is, the country which is now called Old Saxony, came the East- Saxons, the South- Saxons, and the West- Saxons. 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 commanders 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 long course cf predatory inroads than in the rapid, and somewhat dramatic manner rei ted by ouj? native historians. * This battle was fought between Vortimer, the eldest son of Vortigeru, and Hengist, at Aylesford in Kent. A. n. 450.1 DEPRESSED STATE OP 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 witli the Picts, whom they had by this time repelled by the force of their arms, they began to turn their weapons against their confederates. At first, they obliged them to furnish a greater quantity of provisions ; 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, ov 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 almost 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 destined to undergo perpetual servitude, if they were not killed 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 mountains, with scarcely enough food to support life, and expecting every moment to be their last. CHAP. XVT. TJie Britons obtained their first victory over the Angles, under the com^ mand of Ambrosius, 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 strengtli^ 26 bede's ecclesiastical history. [n. 1. c. 17. sallying out of the lui'king 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 Aurelius,* 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, had perished. Under him the Britons revived, and offering battle to the victors, by the help of God, came off victorious. From that day, sometimes the natives, and sometimes their enemies^ prevailed, till the year of the siege of Baddesdown-hill, when they made no small slaughter of those invaders, about forty-four years aftsr their arrival in England. But of this hereafter. CHAP. XVII. How Germanus the Bishop, sailing into Britain ivith Liipus, first quelled the tempest of the sea, and afterwards that 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 Christ, 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 Callican 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, Cermanus, bishop of Auxerre,f 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 inhabitants of Devon, Cornwall, and the west of Somerset. Their capital was I sea Damnoniorum, supposed to be the present Exeter. + 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, ent^«.led, Commonitorium, for the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith against the Profane Novelties of all Heretics. .D.429.] GERMANUS AND LUPUS. 27 malevolence of demons, who were jealous that such men sliould be sent to bring back the Britons to the faith. They raised storms, and darkened the sky with clouds. The sails could not bear the fury of the winds, the sailors' skill was forced to give way, the ship was sustained by prayer, not by strength, and as it happened, their spiritual commander and bishop, 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 by 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 themselves 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 been overcome by the merits and authority of the saints. In the meantime, the apostolical priests filled 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 Catholics were everywhere confirmed, and those who had gone astray, corrected. Like the Apostles, they had honour and authority through a good conscience, obedience to their doctrine through their sound learning, whilst the reward of virtue attended 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 thai': were rescued from them. At length, after 28 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. [b. I.e. 18. mature deliberation, they had 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 combat, 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. Yanity 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. xvin. The same holy man gave sight to the blind daughter of a Tribune, and then coming to St. Alban's, there received some of his relics, and left others of the blessed Apostles, and other martyrs. Aft^ee, 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 informs us, that this conference was held at St. Alban's, where, says Camden, near the ruins of the old city, stands a chapel dedicated to St. Germanus, built upon the spot where be held this dispute. A.i> 429.J LABOLtRS OF GEKMJLNUS. 29 to yield, made a short prayer, and then Germanus, 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 from darkness and filled with the light of truth. The parents rejoiced, and the people were astonished at the miracle ; after which, the wickld opinions were so fully obHterated from the minds of all, that they ardently embraced the doctrine of the priests. This damnable heresy being thus suppressed, and the authors thereof confuted, and all the people's hearts settled in the ourity of the faith, the priests repaired to the tomb of the riartyr, St. Alban, to give thanks to God through him. There Germanus, having with him relics of all the Apostles, and of several martyrs, after oiFering 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 together 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. XIX. How the same holy man, being detained there by an indisposition, by his prayers quenched a fire that had broken out among the houses, and was himself cured of a distemper by a vision. [a.d. 429.] As they were returning from thence, Germanus fell and broke his leg, by the contrivance of the Devil, who did not know that, like 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, tlie protomartyr of Britain." It was in lead, ana supposed to hare been laid in king Offa'd time. 30 BEDE'S ECCLESIASTIC.4X HISTORY. [B. I.e. 20. affliction of his body. Whilst he was thus detained seme 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 wliich 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 God. 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 sufler 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 same 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 429.] MIRACULOUS OF.FEAT OF THE PICTS. 31 himself commanded in their camp. The holy days of Ler t were also at hand, and were rendered more rehgictus by the presence of the priests, insomuch that the people being in- s^tructed 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 human power had before been despaired of, the Di\-ine 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, Germanus 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 ^vith hills.* 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 Flintshire, near the village called Mold, t r Guid Cruc in "Welsh ; the name of the field where the armies met sti^i retains the name of Maes Garmon, or the Field of Gennanua. Llanarmoc Church now occupies the site of the wattled edifice. 32 BEDe's ecclesiastical history. [b. I.e. 21. their vengeance complete, and became inactive spectators of their victory.* The scattered spoils were gathered up, and the pious soldiers rejoiced in the success which Heaven had granted them. The prelates thus triumphed over the enemj* without bloodshed, and gained a victory by faith, without the aid of human force ; and, having settled the affairs of the island, and restored tranquillity by the 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 Severus, first healed a lame youth, then having condemned or converted the Heretics, they restored spiritual health to the people oj 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 calmly wafted over into Britain, j" In the meantime, the wicked spirits flying about the whole island, foretold by constraint that Germanus was coming, inosmuch, that one Elafius, 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 Whitaker in his Ancient Cathedral of Cornwall, (Appendix, No. III.) t This second voyage of St. Germanus is supposed to have taken place eighteen years after the firs-, A.D 447.] THE BISHOPS AGAIN DEPART. 33 limb was useless, and he could not walk. All the country followed this Elafius. The priests arrived, and were met hy the ignorant multitude, whom they blessed, and preached the word of G od 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 tlie 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 ^tius, 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. XXII. The BritoTtSy being for a time delivered from foreign invasions, waffled themselves by civil wars, and then gave themselves up to more heinous crimes. Tjj^ tlie meantime, in Britain, there was some respite fron* foreign, but not from civil war. There still remained the 34 BEUe's ecclesiastical HISTOTEY. [b. I.e. 23. ruins of cities destroyed by 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 remem])ering 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 sent 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 work, were, * Called BadfMiicus. He is supposed to have been bom in the year 520,. of a Bardic family and connexion, and to bave studied at the College of Lan twit Major, Glamorganshire. His querulous " History of the Britons," is all we have of his works. * t Augustine was prior of St. Gregory's Monastery dedicated to St. Andrew in Rome. L.D. 590.] GREGORYS LETTER. 35 on their journey, seized mtli a sudden fear, and began to tliink 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 tho 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 dangerous, toilsome, and uncertain 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, will, 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, see the 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 beloved 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. The fourteenth indiction." CHAP, xxiy; How he tvrote to the bishop of Aries to entertain them. [a.d. 596.] The same venerable pope also sent a letter to .^tlierius. d2 36 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTORr. [B. I. c. 25. oisliop of Aries,* exhorting liim to give favourable entertain- ment to Augustine on his way to Britain ; which letter was jn these words : — " To his most reverend and holy brother and fellow lishop j^therius, 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 yon 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 Ethelbert was at that time king of Kent ;"f * This is a palpable error in Bede, as it appears from the catalogues of the Archbishops of Aries and Lyons, that Vergilius filled that see at this time, and that ^Etherius was his contemporary Archbishop at Lyons. L>i. Lingard attributes the origin of the error to Nothelm, who was deputed by Bede to search the papal archives, and to copy from them document* for his work. The same error occurs in chaps. xx\di. xxviii. pp. 40, 53- t Ethelbert was the third Bretwalda, or dominant king. K.O.S07.] AUGUSTINE AUIUVES IN BRITAIN. 37 he liad extended his dominions as far as the great river Hu ru- 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 from the other land by the river Wantsum,* 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, f and 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 all necessaries, till he should consider what to do with them. For he had before heard of the Christian religion, having a Christian wife of the royal family of the Franks, called Bertha 4 whom he had received from her parents, upon condition that she should be permitted to practise her religion with the Bishop Luidhard,§ who was sent with her to preserve her faith. Some days after, the king came into the island, and sitting in the open air, ordered Augustine and his companions to be brought into his 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 were a channel nearly a mile in width, which received several streams besides the Greater and Lesser Stonr. This channel was called the Wantsum. + The Franks and English Saxons were equally German nations ; the former came 130 years earlier from beyond the Rhine ; the latter from the countries about the mouths of the Rhine and the Elbe, and about Hol- Ktein, on the continent of Denmark, still called Jutland. Hence the French and English both had the same language, as Bishop Godwin ob- t#?rves from the circumstance. This is confirmed by other clear prooia by the learned William Howel, in his Institution of General History. X Daughter of Charibert, king of Paris. § Bisfcop cf Senlis. 38 BEDE's ECOLESIA.STICAL HISTORY. [b. t. c. 25 came furnished with Divine, not with magic virtue, bearing a silver cross for their banner, and the image of our LorcS 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 come. When he had sat down, pursuant to the king's commands, and preached to him and his attendants there present, the word df 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 tliem so far as to forsake that which I have so long followed with the whole English nation. But because you are come from far into my kingdom, and, as I 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 allowing 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, O 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 ; Apocryphal Lives of the Apostles ; and expositions of certain Epistles and Gospels. The Canterbury Book, in the library of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, closes the brief catalogue in these expressive *vords: " These are the foundation, or beginning, of the library of the whole Englisl church, a.d. 601." See Wanley's Catalogue of Saxon maiiu- pcripts in vo]. ii, of Dr- Hickes's Thesaurus, p. 172. A.D. 597 ] Augustine's way of life. CHAP. XXVI. 67. August'uie in Kent followed the doctrine and manner of Uviruj of the p7imiiive church, and settled his episcopal see in the royal cily. [a.d. 597] 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 of life to as many as they could ; despising all worldly things, as not belonging to them ; 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, used 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 openly, 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 began 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 spoken of by 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- nal church were worked up in the masonry on its re-construction, the walls fasiiig still coDo posed in part of Roman bricks. 40 BEDE's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. |b. i. c.27. it long before he gave his teachers a settled residence in liis metropolis of Canterbury, with such possessions of different kinds as were necessary for their subsistence. CHAP. XXVII. St, Augustine, being made bishop, sends to acquaint Pope Gregory with what had been done, and receives his answer to the doubts he had pro- posed to him. [a.d. 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 iEtherius,f archbishop of that city. Then return- ing into Britain, he sent Laurentius 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 liimself 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 Augustine^ Bishop of 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, Pope of the City of Rome, answers. — Holy Writ, which no doubt you are well versed in, testifies, and particu- 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 apostolic 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 whatever 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 Humber. + For ^therius read Vergilius, see note at p. 36. Aries is situated in the extreme south of France, not far from the Mediterranean. Early in the fifth century, the emperor Honorius erected this city into a metropolis over seven of the sixteen provinces into which Gaul was at that time divided ; the bishop of Rome, apprehensive that the archbishop of Aries mieht elevate himself into a patriarch of the whole kingdom, appointed him hia apostolic vicar in Gaul. A»D. 597.1 auotstine'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, ray brother, being brought up under monastic rules, are not to live 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." Augustine^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, tho, 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 Etheltert, would use the GaJlican rites in the church of St. Martin, at Canterbuiv, and that this must have attracted the attention of St. Augustine on his landing in our island. It is not improbable too that St. Germanus effected a great change in the eccle- 42 BEDE'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. fB. 1. c. 27, cliurclij wliich may be more acceptable to Almighty God, you carefully make choice of the same, and sedulously teach the church of the Einglish, 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 charity 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 ? Gregory answers. — This may lawfully be done ; for rcc thing is found in holy writ that seems to contradict it. siastical customs of the ancient British chtirch, which he would naturally wish to regulate after the model of the Galilean. For an account of the Galilean Litm-g}-, and its variations from that of the Roman, consult Pal- mer's Origines Litargicse vol. i. page 144. *.D. 597.] Gregory's answers to st. augustlne. 43 Augustine^s Fifth Question. — To what degree may the faitliful marry with their kindred ? and whether it is lawful for men to marry their stepmothers and relations ? Gregory answers. — A certain worldly law in the Roman 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 offspring 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 J esus 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 wliich 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 this forbearance 44 bede's ecclesiastical histoht. Tb. I. c. 27 and connivance, suppress the evil which she disapproves. But all that come to the faith 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. Augustine'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 Gaul, 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 dijSiculty, but that other bishops, and pastors also, whose presence is necessary, may easily come together. Thus, when, by the help of God, 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 God, 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 God for his preservation ? Augustine'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 predecj^ssor, and we are not to * The pallium, or pall, consisted of a long strip of fine woollen clo&i ».n 597.] GREGORY'S A^TSWERS TO 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 discipline, 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, a,nd 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 corn of thy neigh- bours, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand ; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbours' standing corn." 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 correctei 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 born 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 shoulders, while the extremities before and behind hung down nearly to the feet. In the east it is called omophorion, 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 rLtcresting particulars, in hLs Ecclea. Hist. vol. i. 69, folio. * St. Gregory probably alludes to the third ceeumenica] council, held at Ephesus, A.D. 431. 46 bede's ecclesiastical history. [b.i. 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 oflence 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 of 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 all sin 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 child 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 all, "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 the very hour it A..D. 597.] GREGORrs AifSWERS TO ST. AUGUSTINE. 47 is born, is do way prohibited, because, as the grace of the holy 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 intervei ing, the person that is to be redeemed is dead and gone. Her husband is not to approach her, till the infant born 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 condemns 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. If, 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, la^r- fuUy 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 ; and what else is it to seek food against hunger, drink against thirst, air against heat, clothes against cold, ^est against weariness^ than to procure a remedy against distempers ? Thus to a woman her monthly courses are a distemper. K, therefore, 48 BEDE'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [B. !. c. 27 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 mystery 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 trheir 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 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 wliich is inwardly thought, in order to punish it by a discerning judgment. For whereas the Law forbids the eating of many things as unclean, yet our Lord, says in the Gospel, " 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- pounding 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, which proceeds from the root of a polluted thought. Whence also Paul the Apostle says, " Unto the pure all things are pure, but unto them tha^ are defiled and unbelieving, notliing is pure." And pre- A.T).597./ Gregory's answers to st. augustine-. 49 sently after, 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 clean 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 ts not to enter the church unless washed with water, nor is he to enter im- mediately although washed. The Law prescribed to the ancient 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 unlawful concupiscence ; for unless the fire of concupiscence be first driven from his mind, he is not to think himself worthy of the congregation 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 born of adultery or fornication, but of lawful marriage, who said, " Behold I was conceived in iniquity, and in sin my mother brought be forth." For he who knew himself to have been conceived in iniquity, lamented that he was born from sin, because the tree in its bough bears the moisture it drew froni the root. In which words, however, he does not call the union of the married couple iniquity, but the pleasure of the copulation. 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 discomposed. 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 mind can apply itself to contemplation, he grieved that his K 50 BEDE S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b. I.e. 27. eye was 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 vice is, therefore, commendable, and yet painful to a man, because he thinks that by his mind being agitated, he has incurred some 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 is 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 burn, 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 very 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." For that is not granted by way of indulgence which is lawful, be- cause it is just ; and, therefore, that which he said he in- dulged, he showed to be an offence. It is seriously to be considered, that when God 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 ; how much more ought women, who receive the body of Almighty God, to preserve themselves in cleanness of flesh, lest they be burdened with 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 ut all, had not David first declared them to be clean. Tlien 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. Augustine's Ninth Question, — Whether after an illusion, 4.D.597.j GREGORYS ANS^^TERS TO ST. AUGUSTINE. 5i such as happens in a dream, any man may receive the body of our Lord, or if he be a priest, celebrate the Divine mysteries ? 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 till the evening after being washed with water. Which, neverthe- 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 unless the fire of temptation depar; 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, suff"ers 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 from 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 ofiering the sacrifice of the mystery ; but not from receiving it, unless the mind of the person sleeping has been filled with some foul imagination. For there are some, who for the most part so sufler the illusion, that their mind, even during 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*;r to have seen any thing whilst the ^ody was sleeping, yet it £ 2 52 bede's ecclesiastical history. [B. r. c. 27. calls to mind that when waking it fell into bodily gluttony. But if the sleeping illusion proceeds from evil thoughts when waking, 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 delight. And whereas the flesh cannot be delighted without the mind, yet the mind struggling against the pleasures of the flesh is somewhat unwillingly 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 so, he was no captive. Thus, then, man is, as I may say, a captive and yet free. Free on account of justice, which lie Joves, a captive by the delight which he unwilhngly hee^x^ within him. A.B. 601.] GREGORY'S LETTER TO VERGILIUS. 63 CHAP. xxvm. Pope Gregory writes to the bishop of Aries to assist Augustine in She work of God. [a.d. 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 copj whereof follows : — " To his most reverend and holy brother and fellow bishop, Vergilius ; 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 ill name. God keep you in safety, most reverend brother. Given the 22nd day of J une, 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. The same Pope sends Augustine the Pall, an Epistle, and several Ministers of the word. [a.d. 601.] Moreover, 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 word of whom the first 54 BEDE S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [XJ.c.29. and principal were* MeUitus, Justus, Paulinas, and Rufinianus, and bj them all things in general that were necessary for the worship and service of the church, viz., sacred vessels and vestments for the altars, also ornaments for the churches, and vestments for the priests and clerks, as likewise relics of the holy apostles and martyrs ; besides many books. He also 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 : — " Ih his most reverend and holy brother and fellow bishop^ Augustine; Gregory, the servant of the servants of God. Though it be certain, that the unspeakable rewards of the eternal kingdom are res'^rved 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 regard 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- forming of the solemn service of the mass ; so that you in several places ordain twelve bishops, who shall be subject to your jurisdiction, so that the bishop of London shall, for the future, be always consecrated by his own synod, and that he receive the honour of the pall from this holy and apostolical see, which I, by the grace of God, now serve. But we will have you send to the city of York such a bishop as 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- pohtan ; for we design, if we live, by the help of God, to bestow on him also the pall ; and yet we will 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 succeeded Lauren ti us in the see of Canterbury, a.d. 619 ; in 624 Justus was translated feom Rochester to the primacy. In the following yearPaulinus was made archbishop of York. Rufinianus was the third abbatof St. Augustine's abbey. A.0.6O1J Gregory's letter to mellitus. 55 of the cities of London and York, that he may have the pre- cedence who shall be first ordained.* But let them unani- mously dispose, by common advice and uniform conduct, whatsoever is to be done for the zeal of Christ ; let them judge rightly, and perform wliat they judge convenient in a uniform manner. " But to you, my brother, shall, by the authority . f our God, and Lord Jesus Christ, be subject 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 from 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. God 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 of the letter which Pope Gregory sent to the Abbot MellituSy then going into Britain. [a.d. 601.] The 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 affair 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 tlie ancient Britons. On this account, probably, Gregory invested them with uietropolitical dignity on the re-establishment of Christianity in those pi aces. It was some time after the death of both Gregory and Augustine, how* ever, that this project, as respects York, was carried into effect. 56 BEDE's ECCLESIA.STICAL HISTORY. [B. I.e. 30. 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 God, 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 account, 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 feasting, and no more offer beasts to the Devil, but kill cattle to the praise of God in tlieir 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 of 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 I7th of June, in the nineteenth year of the reign of our lord, the most pious emperor, Mauritius Tiberius, the eighteenth year after the consulship of our said lord The fourth indiction. ** A.n. 601.] Gregory's letter to augustine. 57 CHAP. XXXI. Pope Gregory J by letter, exhorts Augustine not to gkry in his miracltSi [A.D. 601.] At which 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 not 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 wliich 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 understand both what you are yourself, and how much grace is in that same nation, for the conversion of which you have also received the gift of working miracles, A ad if you remember that you have at any time offended 58 BEDE's ecclesiastical niSTORT. [b. I. c. 32 our Creator, either by word or deed, that you always call it to mind, to the end that the remembrance of your guilt raav 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. XXXII. 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^ Ethelbert, 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 also be conferred on the nation that is subject to you. Therefore, my illustrious son, do you carefully 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 ; multiply 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, exhorting, 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, recx.>vering the Roman commonwealth from the perverse AD. 601.] Gregory's LETTER TO KING ETHELBERT. 59 worship of idols, subjected the same with himself to our Almighty God and Lord Jesus Christ, and was himself, with the people under Ids 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 renown 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 and merit, and become by so much the more secure against your own sins before the dreadful judgment of Almighty God, as you shall wdpe 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 w^ords 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 are 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 wdll 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 tliese signs of the end of the world are sent before, for this reason, that we may be solicit- dO BEDE's ecclesiastical KISTOKY. [b. 1. c. 33. 0U3 for our souls, suspicious of the hour of death, and may be 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 faith 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, xxxni. 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 cathedra, of Canterbury; but the present struo i ure, although ancient, is of date long subsequent to the age of St. Augustine, •j- Afterwards called St. Augustine's Abbey. A.O. WSJ BATTLE OF DEGSASTAJf. 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 light to be seen over his grave every night ; tiA 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. Ethelfrid, king of the Northumbrians, harmu/ vanquished the nations of the Scots, expels them from the territories of the English, [a.d. 803.] 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 Saul, "Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf ; in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall di- vide the spoil." Hereupon, ^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.f In which battle also Theodbald, brother to Ethel- frid, was 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 village about two miles to the north of Boulogne. f Terhaps Dalston, near Carlisle : or Dauston, near Jcvlburgh. 62 BEDE S ECCLESIi^ STICAL HISTORY. [B. ii.c. 1 . BOOK 11. CHAPTER I. On the death of the blessed Pope Gregory, [a.d. 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 at 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 placed 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 Gordian, 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. 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 ; tiiat he used to think of nothing but what was heavenly ; that whilst detained by the body, he by con- templation broke through the bonds of flesh ; and that ht * Felix IV. was bishop of Rome, a.d. 526. A.D. 605.] LIFE OF POPE GREGORY- 63 loved death, which is a terror to ahnost all men, as tlift entrance into life, and the reward of his 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 laymen, and, after so beautiful an appearance of repose, is defiled 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 qualified to enjoy them. I therefore consider what I endure, 1 consider what I have lost, and when I behold that loss, what 1 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 from 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 ; 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 heavenly life. For they persuaded him to give a mystical exposition of the book of holy Job, which is involved in great obscurity ; 64 bede's ecclesiastical history. [B. n. f Ir Ijor could he refuse to undertake that work, wliich 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 ; according 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." In 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 that, as he taught in his books of Expositions, what virtues ought to be laboured for, so by describing the miracles of saints, be might make known the glory of those virtues. He k O. COS.] LIFE OF POPE GREGROY. 65 further, in twenty- two homilies, discovered how mtch 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 ; auvi also familiar letters to certain persons. And it is the more wonderful that he could write so many and such large volumes,* in regard 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, v/hilst 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 much may be said of his immortal genius, which could not be restrained by such severe bodily pains ; for other popes applied 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 ; so 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 came 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 the 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," trays he, * St. Gregory's numerous works have been collected and published r>j *he Benedictines of St. Maur, in 4 vols. fol. Paris, 1707, and still more complete iu the reprints of Venice an: Yerona. F 66 BEDE'S ECCLESL4.S7ICAL HISTOKY. [b. ir. c. 1 •* 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 or holy Job, says, " Behold, a tongue of Britain, which only knew how to utter barbarous language, hf,s 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 God, 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 by 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 damnation, 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 wus written this epitaph : — LIFE OF POPE GREGORY. 67 Earth ! take that body which at first you gave, Till God again shall raise it from the grdve. 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 first th' example ied, 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 han Jed 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 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 islanders 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 be void of inward grace." He therefore again asked, what was the name of that nation ? and was answered, that they were called Angles. "Right," 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 was replied, that the ('S BEDE's ecclesiastical history. Lb. II. c. 2. 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 They told him his name was ^Ua ; and he, alluding to the name, said, " Hallelujah, the praise of God 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 miidsters of the word into Britain to the nation of the English, by v/hom 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 city ; as soon as he was himself made pope, he perfected the long-desired work, sending other preachers, but himself by 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. II. A ugmiine admonished the bishops of the Britons to Catholic peace and unity, 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, of the next province of the Britons, at a place which is to this day called Augustine's Ac, that is, Augustine's Oak,"|* 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. Gregory was made bishop of Rome, a.d. 590. t The date of this synod is not accurately known : Florence of Wor- cester gives A.D. 603 : Sigebert, a.d. 602 ; Spelman, a.d. 601 ; and Ran- dolph of Chester, a.d. 599. It was held probably near Aust, formerly called AuHre Clive, Gloucestershire, near the site of the ancient Veciis oi the Komanse CONfEJElENCE AT AUGUSTINE'S OAK. 69 iu^ 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- lution of eighty-four years. Besides, they did several othei 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 some 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 all." The adverse party unwillingly 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 knees 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. This being decreed, there came (as is asserted) seven* bishops of the Britons, and many most learned men, particu- larly from their most noble monastery, which, in the English * Modern writers enumerate the seven sees, to which these bishops be- longed : they are Worcester, Hereford, Chester, Bangor, St. Asa pit's, Lafk wards for the series of every distinct part of his history oi to work thiough a branch of it at once. A.o fl04.1 DEATH OF ST. AUGUSTINE, 7S the preachLig of Mellitus, King Ethelbert built the church of St. Paul, in the city of London, where he and his succes- sors should have their episcopal see. As for Justus, AuguS' tine ordained him bishop in Kent, at the city which the Eng- lish nation named Rhofescestir, * from one that was formerly the chief man of it, called Rhof. It was almost twenty-four miles distant from the city of Canterbury to the westward, and contains a church dedicated to St. Andrew, 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 God's assistance supported with miracles, reduced King Ethelbert and his na- * Now Rochester. A chapter of secular priests was first established here, which was endowed by Ethelbert with a portion of land called Priest- tield, 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- asticon, 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 tha iaigh altar in a sumptuous monument with this inscription : Inclytus Anglorum Praesul, pius, et decus altum. Hie Augustinus requiescit corpore sanctus ; Ad tumulum laudis Patris almi du-ctus amore Ab))ag hunc tumulum Thomas di:;tavit honore Dugdale's Mo?*nst. i. Hi^ 74 BP:DE's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. (b. ir. n. 4. tion from tlie worship of idols to the faith of Christ, and having ended the days of his otfice in peace, died the 26th day of May, in the reign of the same king." CHAP. IV. Laurenlius and his bishops admonish the Scots to observe the unity of llu Holy Church, particularly in keeping of Easter ; Mellitus goes to Rome. [a.d. 605.] Laurentius succeeded Augustine in the bishopric, having been ordained thereto by the latter, in his lifetime, lest, upon his death, the state of the church, as yet unsettled, might begin to falter, if it should be destitute of a pastor, though but for one hour. Wherein he also followed the examp\3 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 Gospel, 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 tliroughout the world. The beginning of which epistle is as follows : — " 2^0 our 7nost dear brothers, the lords bishops and abhait throughout all Scotland,* Laurentius, Mellitus, and JustUA^ * 'Ixeland. See ante, page 5. A.D. 605-610.] MELLITUS GOES TO ROME. 75 servants of the servo nts 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 Columbanusj 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 the 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, assembUng 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 t^e Emperor Phocas, the thirteenth indiction, on the 27 th of 1^'ebruary, 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 Hkewise 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 from the monastery of Banchor, Ireland, and was bishop to the Scots. Ba le says, he wrote a book on the British cHurches f Col^mbanus was the founder >f monasteries in France and Italy. 76 bede's ecclesiastical history. [b. II. c. 5, tion, dedicated a church to the holj mother of God, and to all Christ's martyrs, to the end that, the devils being ex eluded, the blessed company of the saints might have therein a perpetual memorial. CHAP. V. Hou\ after the death of the kings Ethelbert and Sabert, their successors restored idolatry ; for which reason, both Mellitus 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 fifty- 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 Redwald, king of the East-Angles, who, whilst Ethelbert lived, had been subservient to him. The fifth was Edwin, king of the na- tion of the Northumbrians, that is, of those who live on the north side of the river Humber, who, with great power, comm.anded all the nations, as well of the English as of the 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 ol * As IJretwolda, or paramount sovereign. t Anglesea and Man. \.D. 616.J DEATH OF KING ETHELBERT. 77 February, twenty-one years after he had received the failh, 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 Roman 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 Yortigern, first came into Britain, with his son Oisc, as has been said above. But after 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 denied 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 liberty 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 folly, were wont, as it is reported, to say to him, " Why do you not give us also that white breads -which Tou used to give to our father Saba, (fcr so they used to call The Witena- Gemot, the legislative and supieme judicial assembly. 78 bede's ecclesiastical history, [b u. c. a him,) and which you still continue to give to the people in tlie 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 v/as unani- mously agreed, that it was better for them all 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. VL Luurentius, being reproved by the apostle, converts King Eadhald to Christ; Mellitus and Justus are recalled, [a.d. 616.] Laurentius, being about to follow Mellitus and Justus, and f o quit Britain, ordered his bed to be laid the night before Id the church of the blessed apostles, Peter and Paul, which has been often mentioned before ; wherein having laid himself to * West SaxonSc k.O. 616.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 him, and scourging him a long time with apostolical 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 infidels 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 J ustus, 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 Northbourne. This chapel was taken down by the abbat Scot- land in the time of Lanfranc, and a new and more splendid church erected in its place. Thorn^ col. 176S 80 bede's ecclesiastical mSTOEY. [b. II. c, 7. CHAP. vn. Bishop Mellitus by prayer quenches a fire in his city. [A,r. CI 9.7 In this king's reign, the holy Archbishop Laurentius was 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 Eochester. These ruled the church of the English with much industry and labour, and received letters of exhortation from Boniface, bishop of the Roman 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, v/hich blowing from the south had spread the conflagration through- out the city, turning to the north, prevented the destruction 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 the air by his frequent prayers, from doing harm Boniface's epistle to justtts. 81 ^o^?;?^^^' ""L}'^ ^^''P^^' "^^^ deservedly allowed to prevail over the worldly winds and flames, and to obtain that thev snouid not injure him or his. den^rjLT^^''^''P also having ruled the church five years, tried with v""^'^ r ^'^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^Id' ^^^^^^ whIohZ I ' predecessors m the monastery and church, which we have so often mentioned, of the most blessed Drince 1 24trdt^^^^^^ ^'^'^ "^.^^'^ incarnation 624, on CHAP. vni. Pope Boniface sends the Pall and an Epistle to Justus, successor to Mellitus. [a.d. 624.] Justus, bishop of Rochester, immediately succeeded Mellitus in the archbishopric. He consecrated Romanus bishop of fehorfrn™ V™ ^tead having obtained leare of ordaining bishops from Pope Bomface, whom we mentioned above to thJform" ^ I'eusdedit: of which licence this is " Bonface, to his most beloved brother Justus. Not only the contents of your letter, but the perfection which your work has obtained, has infoi-med us how devoutlyC nZ^t ' God has not forsaken either the Zsemf"/'""' y<>" l^''""-' having himself faithfully promised to the preachers of the Gospel which ^""1^°" "'^^y' ™*« '^'^ ^-^d °f the worid ' mtoistrvT'' '"'^'■Py'^''^ Particularly manifested in this ZmvirvT''' «P''""g,.*he hearts of nations to receive !eceTw ^ ^''"J preaching. For he has enlightened the acceptable course of your endeavours, by the approbation of his grace; granting a plentiful increase to your fSthfu management of the talents committed to you, a/d wh ch you may secure for many generations. This is by thlt reward conferred on you, who, constantly adhering to the minTsfry tnat nation, whose salvation is set on foot that they may profit by your merits, our Lord himself saying, 'He Zt sived by the hope of patience, and the virtue of eDduranc^ 82 BEDE*S ECCLESIASTICAX, SISTORY. [e. ir. c. 9. to the end that the hf>arts of infidels, being cleansed from their natural and superstitious disease, might obtain tn« 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 faith. Therefore, firmly confiding in the long-suffering of the Divine clemency, we believe there will, through the ministry of your preaching, ensue most full salvation not only 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. " God preserve you in safety, most dear brother !" CHAP. IX. The reign of King Edwin, and how Paulinus, coming to preach the gospel, 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 bhrough A.D. 625.] MAEKIAGE OF EDWIN AND ETHELBERGA, 83 the preaching of Paulinus, 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 on earth, for he reduced under his dominion all the borders of Britain that were provinces either 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 sixty 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 King 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 God." 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 all 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 that he would embrace the same religion, if, being examined by wise persons, it should be found more holy and more worthy of God. Hereupon the virgin was promised, and sent to Edwin, and pursuant to what had been agreed on, Paulinus, 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. Paulinus was ordained bishop by the Archbishop Justus, on the 21st day of July, in the year of our Lord 625, and so he came to King Edwin with the aforesaid virgin as a companion of their union in the flesh. But his mind was wholly bent upon reducing the nation to which he was sent to the knowledge of truth ; according ii2 84 bede's ecclesiastical history. [B. n. c. 9. to che "^'ords 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 God, 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 says, 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 assassm, 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 the 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 liis 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 all sides with swords, he in that confusion also slew another soldier, whose name was Forthhere. On that same holy night of Easter Sunday, the queen had brought 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 victory * Supposed to be near the Roman city Derventione, on the Derwent, near Stamford Bridge, between seven and eight miles from York. It is now a viilage called Alby, i. e. the old habitation, and near it aro the ruins of aji ancient castle. A. D. 625.J LETTER OF POPE BONIFACE IV. 85 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 which 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 Paulinus, 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, ?ie often sat alone by himself 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, hy letter^ exhorts the same king to embrace the faith, [a.d. 625.] At this time he received letters from Pope Boniface [PV.] ex- horting him to embrace the faith, which were as follows : — COPY OF THE LETTER OF THE HOLY AND APOSTOLIC POPE OP THE CHURCH OF ROME, BONIFACE, TO THE GLORIOUS EDWIN, KINO OF THE ENGLISH. " To the illustrious Edwin, king of the English, Bishop Boniface, 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 Paris says thirty ; but several manuscripts of Bede have twelve. + This and the following chapter should have been placed before the for- aoer, which takes in the year 626 ; for Pope Boniface died on October 22,G2S 86 BEDE'S ecclesiastical history. [an. C.lO. and unsearchable eternity, so that no sharpness of wit cai» comprehend or express it ; yet in regard that the goodness of God, to give some notion of itself, having opened the doors of the heart, has mercifully, by secret inspiration, in- fused into the minds of men such things as he is willing shall be declared concerning himself, we have thought fit to extend our priestly care to make known to you the 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 nations, they might offer to you the cup of life and salvation. " Thus the goodness of the Supreme Majesty, which, 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-eternal Word, and the unity of the Holy Spirit, formed man after his own likeness, out of the slime of the earth ; and granted him such supereminent prerogative, as to place him above all others ; so that, observing the com- mand which was given him, his continuance should be^ to eternity. This God,— 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 all things, and their own 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 him, therefore, 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 lying so near, fully understood what the clemency of our Redeemer has effected in the enlightening of our glorious son. King Eadbald, and the nations under his subjection ; we therefore trust, with assured confidence of celestial hope, that his wonderful gift will be also conferred on you ; 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 regeneration of holy baptism. Wo fc-4ve, therefore, taken care by these presents, with all pos- LETTER OF POPE BONIFACE IV. 87 sible affection, to exhort your illusirious selves, tliat, abhor- ring idols and their worship, and contemning the follies of temples, and the deceitful flatteries of auguries, you believe in God the Father Almighty, and his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy G-host, to the end that, being discharged from the bonds of captivity to the Devil, by believing you may, through the co-operating power of the holy and undivided Trinity, be partaker of the eternal life. " How great guilt they lie under, who adhere to the per- nicious superstitions and worship of idolatry, appears by the examples of the perdition of those whom they worship. Wherefore it is said of them by the Psalmist, ' All 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 yourselves 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 all those arts and cunning of the Devil, 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 from the Lord, are certainly better than they, as Almighty God has appointed you to be descended, after many ages and through many generations, from the first man whom he 88 BEDe's ecclesiastical history, [b. n. c. 11. formed. Draw near, then, to the knowledge of Him whc created you, who breathed the breath of life into you, whc sent his only-begotten 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 Gospel 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 born 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 COPY OF THE LETTER OF THE MOST BLESSED AND APOS- TOIJC BONIFACE, POPE OF THE CITY OF ROME, TO ETHEL- 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 Redeemer 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 knoAvn 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 liie A.D. 625.J LETTER OF BONIFACE TO I.THELBERGA. 89 mind of your highness by God's bounty. Our mind, ther >. 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 understanding, 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 the 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 Trinity. 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 faith, by the interpositioh of dark and detestable error ? " Wherefore, applying yourself contirually to prayer, do not ijease to beg of the Divine Mercy the tenefit of his illumina- tion ; to the end, that those whom the iinion of carnal aflec- don has made in a manner but one body, may, after death, csontinue in perpetual union, by the bond of faith. Persisri 9()' BEDB'S ecclesiastical history. la. II. c. 12 therefore, illustrious daughter, and to the utmost of your power endeavour to srDften 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 birth, you have merited to obtain. Inflame the coldness of his heart by the knowledge of the Holy G-host, 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 faith, 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 perform 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 God, 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 will receive with the same kind affection as it is k lown to be sent by us." CHAP. xn. King Edwin is persuaded to believe by a vision which he had seen when he was in exile, [before a.d. 625.] Thus the aforesaid Pope Boniface wrote for the salvation of King Edwin and his nation. But a heavenly vision, which /KJ?, C26 .] VISION OF KING EDWIN. the Divine Mercy was pleased once to reveal to this king, when he was in banishment at the court oi Redwald, king of the Angles,* was of no little use in urging him to embrace and understand the doctrines of salvation. Paulinus, there- fore, perceiving that it was a A^ery difficult task ivy incline the king's lofty mind to the humility of the way of salvation, and to embrace the mystery of the cross of life, and at the same time using both exhortation 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 immediately admonished the king to perform the vow which he made, when he received the oracle, pro- mising to put the same in execution, if he was delivered from the trouble he was at that time under, and should be advanced to the throne. The vision was this. When Ethelfrid, his predecessor, was persecuting him, he for many years wandered in a pri- vate manner through several places and kingdoms, and at last came to Redwald, beseeching him to give him protection against the snares of his powerful persecutor. Redwald willingly admitted him, and promised to perform what he requested. But when Ethelfrid understood that he had appeared in that province, and that he and his companions were hospitably entertained by Redwald, he sent messengers to offer that king a great sum of money to murder him, but without effect. He sent a second and a third time, bidding more and more each 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 deliver him up to the ambassadors. This being observed by a trusty friend of his, he went into his chamber, where he was going to bed, for it was the first hour of the night ; and calling him out, discovered what the king had promised to do with him, adding, " If, there- fore, you think fit, I will this very hour conduct you out of this province, and lead you to a place where neither Redwald * Redwald, was king of East Anglia, which included Norfolk, Suffollj, Cambridge, and part of Bedfordshire. He was the fourth Bretwaida, ajjd rtHgned a.d. 617— 6? 3. 92 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. rB.ir.c. 19- nor Ethelfrid shall ever find jc u," He answered, " I thank 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 friend 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 silence, 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 all others were taking their rest, and were fast asleep ?" Edwin, in his turn, asked, "What it was to him, whether he spent the night within doors or abroad ?" 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 tell 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 much good as is to befall yon, can also give you better advice for your life and salvation Shan any of your progenitors or kindred ever heard of, do 826.} VISION OF KING EDWIN. 93 you consent tc submit to him, and to follow Ms wholesome counsel ?" Edwin did not hesitate to promise that he would in all things follow the directions of that man who should deliver him from so many calamities, and raise him to a throne. Having 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 comfort 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, " Rise," 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 Regnhere, 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 Gf.d at the preaching of Paulinus, and using for some ti^ne, • Near Retford in the southern part of Nottinghamshire. 94 BEDE 3 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [B. n. c. IS. 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 that sign V" The king in a trembling condition, was ready to fall 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 Viands of the enemies whom you feared. Behold you have of his gift obtained the kingdom which you desired. Take heed not to delay that which you promised to perform ; 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 you, he will not only deliver you from the everlasting torments of the wicked, but also make you partaker with him of his eternal kingdom in heaven." CHAP. xni. Of the Council he held with his chief men about embracing the faith of Christ, and how the high priest profaned his 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 confer 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 liis own priests, Coifi, immediately 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 pro- fessed has, as far as I can learn, no virtue in it. For none of your people has applied himself more diligently to the worship of our gods than I ; and yet there are many who receive greater favours from yoa, 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 a.v. 627.] coTJNCi- OF Edwin's nobles. 95 remains, therefore, that if upon examination you find those new doctrines, which are now preached to us, better and more efficacious, we inamediately receive them without any delay." Another 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 commanders 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." I'he other elders and king's counsellors, by Divine inspiration, spoke to the same effect. 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 and 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 Gospel, and renouncing idolatry, declared that he received the faith 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 those things w hich I worshipped through ignorance, for an example to all otiiers, through the wisdom which has been given me' by thti 96 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOKT. tB.ii,c.l4. true God ?" Then immediately, in contempt of his former superstitions, h ; 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 God, 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 from York, to the eastward, 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. XIV. King Edwin and his nation become Christians ; Paulinus baptizes them, [a.d. 627.] King Edwin, therefore, with all the nobility of the nation, and a large number of the common sort, received the faith, 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. Stukeley says, " Uhe Apostle Paulinus built the parish church of Godmundham, where is tb§ font in which he baptized the heathen priest Coifi." A.P. 627.] KING EDWIN'S FAMILY BAPTIZED. 97 he had first erected should be enclosed.* Hfiving, therefore, laid the foundation he began to build the. church square, en- compassing the former oratory. But before the whole was raised to the proper height, the wicked assassina' bn of the king left that work to be finished by Oswwn down by enemies, the walls are still 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 plcice. 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 ; 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 aquihne, his aspect both venerable and majestic. 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- born 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 affection which they boie him. His dignity was so great throughout liis dominions, that his banners were not only borne before • Or Parteney, a cell tr Bardney Abbey. Deda was the first abbat. Sout'iwell, Nottinghamshire. «..». 634.1 LETTER OF HONCmUS TO EDWIN. 101 bhn in battle, but even in time of peace, when he rode about Ids 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 Tufa,* and the English, Tuuf, was in like manner borne before him. CHAP. xvn. Edwin receives letters of exhortation from Pope Honorius, who also sendt Paulinus the Pall. [a.d. 634.] At that time Honorius, suecessor to Boniface, was prelate o2 the apostolic see, who, when he understood 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 fatherly 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 king 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 offer to our God, but in endeavouring to worship, and to pay him oui vows, persisting in good actions, and confessing him the Creator of mankind ? And, therefore, most excellent son, we exhort you with such fatherly charity ls 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 t»rlDfi; you to the knowledge Gf his name, may likewise * A globe, or a tuft of feathers f xed on a spear. 102 BEDE'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTOSY. prepare you mansions in the heavenly country. Employing yourselves, therefore, in reading the works of my Lord 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 privilege 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. XYIII. Honorius, who succeeded Justus in the bishopric of Canterbury, receives the pall and letters from Pope Honorius. [a.d. 634.] In the meantime, Ai^chbishop 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 of him that is departed ; that it might not be necessary always to travel to Rome, at fto great a distance by sea and land, to ordain an archbishop. * Bede does not mention the year of his death. The Saxon Chronicle places it in 627 and Dr. Smith ij- 630, THE POPE'S LETTER TO HONOPJUS. 103 Whicli letter we have also thought fit to insert in this out kistory : — " Honorius to his most beloved brother Honorius : Among the many good gifis which the mercy of our Redeemer is pleased to bestow oji 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 iove. For which gift we continually 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 head, 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 the 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 will 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 tilings 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 shall 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, •"hat no loss may happen to your church in any way, on pccount oi any pretence whatever, but that the devotion oi lli.e people committed to you may be more fully extend id. 104 bede's ecclesiastical history. ■f R. 11. r. 1© Ot)d 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, Heraclius, 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. Ho?v the aforesaid Honorius first, and afteriva.'ds John, wrote letters to the nation of the Scots, concerning the observance of Easter, and thi 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 modern 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,* whc succeeded Severinus,| 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 Council oJ Nice. I He also in the same epistle admonished them to be * John IV. + Wlio 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 assumed 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.), observes, ** that it ought to be particularly borne in mind, that those who think that the Britons were taught the paschal rite by the Oripntals, or Kastem church, and not by the Roman or Western church, give way to a A.D. 834.] THE pope's letter TO THE SCOTS. 105 careful to crush the Pelagian heresy, which he had been formed was reviving among them. The beginning of the epistle was as follows : — " To our most beloved and most holy Tomianus, Columba- nus* Cromanus, Dimanus, and Baithanus, bishops ; to Cro- manuSy Hernianus, Laistranus, Scellanus, and Segenus, priests ; to Saranui and the rest of the Scottish doctors, or abbats, health from Hilarius, the arch-priest, and keeper of the place of the holy Apostolic See ; John, the deacon, and elect in the name of God ; 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* tolic 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 heresy again springs up among you ; we, therefore, exhort 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 five without sin of his own free will, and not through God's grace V And in the first place, it is the folly of Uasphemy * Tliia Columbania, most likely, was bishop of Clunirard, wlio diad A.D. 652. 106 iiEDE S ECCLESIASTIOAX HISTORY. Lb-h. r, £0 fco say that man is without sin, which none can be, but only the Mediator of God and man, the man Christ Jesus, yvvx was conceived and born without sin ; for all other men, be- ing born in original sin, are known to bear the mark of Adam's prevarication, even whilst thej 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- ceive me.' " CHAP. XX. Edwin being slain, Paulinus returns into Kent, and has the bishopric of of 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 Iwenty-two years with various success. A great battle being Ibught 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 dispersed. In the same war also, before h\vr> fell Osfrid, one of his sons, a warlike youth ; Eanfrid, an- other of them, compelled by necessity, went over to King Penda, T.nd 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 ; r*iid 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 all the nation of the Mercians, was an idolater, and a stranger to the name of Christ ; but Cadwalla,J 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 iv, the Saxon Chronicle, the date is the second before the Ides of October, [Oct. 14.] J King of the Western Britons. For an account of Cadwalla's victories, gte Llewarch Hen, as quoted in Turner's History of the Anglo-Siaxona, i. m. m-: PAULINUS MADE BISHOP OF ROCHESTER. 107 tion and behaviour, that he neither spared the female ses, 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 paj any respect to the Cliristian 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. Grregory, Pope, from whose disciples he had received the word of life. The aifairs 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 many 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, by Archbishop Justus, as his legate, was drowned in the Italian Sea ; 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 ehurcii, he left there the pall which he had received from the 108 bede's ecclesiastical history. [B. III. G. I. pope of Home. He had left behind him in his chmeh at York, James, the deacon, a holy ecclesiastic, who continuing long after in that church, by teaching and baptizing, rescued much prey from the power of the old enemy of mankind ; from whom the village,* where he mostly resided, n^av 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. Jdow 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. Uou.J ED^^^N being slain in battle, the kingdom of the Deira, i/O 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 divided"!* — 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 bef-^-re nim, with many of the nobility, lived in banishm^iit among the Scots or Picts, and were there instructed according to tJie doctrine of the * Now called Akeburgh, near Richmond. f The kingdom of the Northumbrians was divided into two provinces, Deira and Bemicia. Deira reached from the Hurober to the Tyne ; Ber- iiicia from the Tyne to the Tweed. Though not united into one comEiu- uity, the two states were generally governed by one monarch, and became^ at such times, the mos+ powfful of iho A"nglo-Saxon kuigdoms. ».o 635] OSWALD'S VICTORY AT DENIS'S-BTtOOK. 109 Scots, and received the grace of baptism. Upon the deatfe of the kina, their enemy, they returned home, and Eanfrid, as the eldes. of them, mentioned above, became king of the Bernicians. 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 him and all his army. After this, for the space of a year, he reigned 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 all 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- burn, that is, Denis's-brook.* CHAP. II. How, among innumerable other miraculous cures wrought by the cross, which 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 tht * Dilston is identified with the ancient Denisesburn, but on no authority. Nennius says the battle took place at Catscaul. 110 BEDE's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [B. ru. c t. holy cross, and on his knees prayed to God that he wouU iLssist his worshippers in their great distress. It is furthei reported, that the cross being made in haste, and th'^, hole dug in which it was to be hxed, 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 h>s 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." All 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 off 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, th^t there the heavenly trophy would be erected, the heaven ij 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,"|" 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 olfer for him in the morning the sacrifice of the holy oblation. And since that good custom has spread, they have lately * Dr. Smith (App. to Bede, p. 730) says, that about a mile beyond Bingfield to the north is Hallington, anciently Havenfelth, or Heavenfield ; though probably the whole country for two miles from Hallington through Buig^eld to the wall was called Havenfelth. On the place where Oswald erected a cross a church was afterwards built. t Hexham. About 673, Wilfrid, archbishop of York, founded a monastery and erected a church at this place, which, according to Richard of Hexharr:, was the most beautiful and magnificent ecclesiastical edifice in the kingdom. The ancient name is also written Hagustald, A.o. 635 ] Oswald's cross. Ill built and consecrated a church there, whict 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 Bernicians, 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 living, a few years since, walking carelessly on the ice at night, suddenly fell and broke his arm ; a most raging pain commenced 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 God 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 something cold lying by his side, 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. III. The same king Oswald, asking a bishop of the Scottish nation, had Aidan sent him, and granted him an episcopal see in the Isle of Lindisfarnc. [a. d. 635 ] The same Oswald, as soon as he ascended the throne, being desirous that all his nation should receive the Christian faith, whereof he had found happy experience in vanquish- ing the barbarians, sent to the elders of the Scots, among whom himself and his followers, when in banishment, had received the sacrament of baptism, desiring they would send 112 BEDE'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b-ui. c.fc Ilim 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 all the nation of the Picts, celebrating Easter thsn after that man- ner, and believing that they therein followed tns writings of the holy and praiseworthy 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 buil ' 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 God 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 monastery of Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, all the churches of Bernicia, from the Tyne to the Tweed, had their beginning; as had also mme of those of the Deira, from the Tyne to the Humber. The prospect from the island is beautiful ; to the northward you command the town of Berwick, over 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 OB the other hand a narrow channel, by which this lancl is insulated, about two miles in widtTi. The distant shore exhibits a beavMful hanging landscape of cultivated country, graced with a multitude of hamlets, vil- lages, 5ind woodlands. «.o. 565."; CONYERSION OF THE PICTS. 113 Britain, and with great devotion preached the word to those provinces' of the English, over which King Oswahl reigned, and those among them that had received priest's orders, ad- ministered to them the grace of baptism. Churches were built in several places ; 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 that came to preach were monks. Bishop Aidan 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 all those of the Picts, and had the direction of their people. That island belongs to Britain, being divided from it by a small arm of the sea, but had been long since given by the Picts, who inhabit those parts of Britain, to the Scottish monks, because they had received the faith of Christ throuj^h their preaching. CHAP. IV. When the nation of the Picts 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 Roman 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 Picts, who are separated from the southern parts by steep and rugged mountains ; for the southern Picts, who dwell on this side of those mountains, had long before, as is reported, forsalien the errors of idolatry, and embraced the truth, by the preaching of Ninias,f a most reverend bishop and holy * The ancient name of lona was I, or Hi, or Aoi, which was Latinized into Hyona, or loim. The common name of it now is, I-colum-kill, the Island of Colum of the Cells. It is one of the most fertile and most romantic of the Scottish islands, separated from the west point of Ross by a narrow channel, called the Sound of I; and is about three miles long, and nearly a mile in breadth. A chart of the island may be seen in Pin- kerton's Collection of the Lives of the Ancient Saints in Scotland. + St. Ninias was a natiye of North Wales, where the British "church was then flourishing. His faith wfs rewarded by the conversion of tha 1 114 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. [B.iTi. c. 4. man of the British nation, who had been regularly in- structed at Rome, in the faith and mysteries of the truth ; whose episcopal see, named after St. Martin the bishop, and famous 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. Coiumba came into Britain in the ninth year of the reign of Bridius, who was the son of Meilochon,")" 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 of 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.| 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 advances. St. Ninias wrote a comment on the Psalms, and he visited and corre- sponded v^ith St. Martin, bishop of Tours. * Whitheme, or Candida Casa, Galloway. Usher supposes that St. Ninias's dioccse extended from the modern 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 ei the kingdom he resided. (Scottish Hist. Lib. p. 74.) t Elsewhere called Mailcjiin. X how Denj, A.D. 563.] EASTER CONTROVERSY. IJa priest and monk;* of whose life and discourses some ™tings 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 continencj, 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 in banishment in Ireland for the sake of Christ, and was most learned in the Scriptures, and renowned for long perfection of life, 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, God 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 controversy on Church government at the close of the seventeenth century. The reader may con- sult Mr Goodall's Preface to Keith's Catalogue of Scottish Bishops, and Hmhop Lloyd's Historical Account of Church Government. 1 See note, at page 104. 116 bede's ecclesiastical history. [b. ni. c. 5. CHAP. Y. Of the life of Bishop Aidan. [a.d. 635.] Fkom the aforesaid island, and college of monks, was Aidan sent 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 left 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 foUovfers 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, m rer 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 takfin 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 the ninth hour, throughout the year, except during the fifty days after Easter. He never gave money to the powerful men of the world, but only meat, if he happened to entertain them ; and, on the contrary, whatsoever gifts of money he received froir- the rich, he either distributed them, as has been said, to the jJiMi of the poor, or bestowed them in ransoming such as had * The fourth abbat from St. Coliunba. A.D. 6S5.1 oswajld's piety. 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 austere disposition, who, meeting with no success, and being unregarded by the English 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 that the nation should receive the salvation it demanded, and grieving that they had not received the preacher sent to them. 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 God'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 Oswald, to preach ; and he, as time proved, afterwards appeared to possess all other virtues, as well as the discretion for which he was before remarkable. CHAP. VL Of King Oswald's wonderful piety. [a,d. 635.] King 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 liis progenitors, but also obtained of 118 BEDE's ErCLESlASilCAL HISTORY. [b. ni. 7. the same one Almighty God, who made heaven and earth, larj^ier 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 full 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 immediately 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 Bernicians, 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. yn. 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 Gewissse,t * Bambrough, where the remains of a noble castle now stand on a bold promontory called Bambrough Head. + Smith observes, in his edition of Bede's Ecclesiastical History, that Gewissse is the Saxon word for " West" or " Occidentales he instances Vib^goths as a word of similar signification. A.l>. 635. J COINWALCH SUCCEEDS CYNl.GILS. 119 in the reign of Cynegils, embraced the faith of Christ, at the preaching of Bishop Birinus, who came into Britain bj 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 English, 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 Gewissse, 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 ; but many years after, when Hedda was bishop, J 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 lost the dominion of his earthly kingdom ; for he put away the sister of Penda, king of the Mercians, whom he had married, 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 ofispring, as we shall show hereafter. * The baptism of Cynegils, or Kingil, by Bishop Birinus, is still repre- sented on an old font in Winchester Cathedral. ■¥ Dorchester, 8^ miles from Oxford. From this see arose the bishopry of Lincoln, a.d. 1088. t See book iv. c. ±2. 120 BEDE*S ECCLESIA STICAL HISTORY. [B.m. c7. But when Coinwalch was restored to his kingdom, there came into that province ^ut 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 him to accept an episcopal see, and stay there as his bishop. Agilbert complied with the prince's request, and presided over those people many 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 ot 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 king 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 prote^.tion. He, therefore, sent messengers into France to Agilbert, humbly entreating him to return to the bishopric of his nation. But he excused himself, and affirmed that he could not go, because he was bound to the bishopric 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 bishop. A.i>. 640.] EARCORNBERT, KING OF KENT. 121 He was accordingly consecrated in the same city, and many years zealously governed the whole bishopric of the West Saxons by synodical authority. CHAP. VIII. How Earconbert, King of Kent^ ordered the idols to he destroyed ; and of his davghter Earcoiigota, 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 idols, 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 God 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 Gauls ; and they also sent their daughters there to be instructed, and delivered to their heavenly bridegroom, especially in the monasteries of Brie, of Chelles,| 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 virtue made abbesses of the monas- tery of Brie. Sexberga, that king's eldest daughter, wife to * Or Faremoutier monastery, founde ' a' out a.d. 6 16, by St. Fara, some- times called Burgundofara. When first established it followed the rule of St. Columban. t 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. X Called by the French St. Aubierge. Bede styles her the natural daughter of Anna, which in his time did not mean illegitimate ; but was ujied ki opposition to an adopted child. 122 BEDE's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b. m.c8. Earconbert, king of Kent, had a daughter called Earcongota, of whom we are about to speak. Many wonderful works and miracles of this virgin, dedi- cated to Grod, are to this day related by the inhabitants of that place ; but it shall suffice us to say something briefly 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 knov/ 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, all in white, come into the monastery, and 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, and to raise it higher in the same place, which whilst they were doing, so great a fragrancy of perfume rose from below, that 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 extent of her virtue became more conspicuous after her death. Whilst she wa,s abbess, 642.] DEATH 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. How miraculom cures have been frequently done in the place where King Oswald was killed ; and how, first, a traveller's horse was restored a?id afterwards a young girl cured of the palsy, [a.d. 642. J Oswald, the most Christian king 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 tlie 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 la an inscription on the outside of the south wall of the parish church. 124 BEDii's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. CB.m.c.9 able his devotion, has been made evident by miracles since his death ; for, i:i the place where he was killed by the pagans, fighting for his country, infirm men and cattle are healed to this day. Whereupon 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. This 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. Many 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, hajng 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 : wliich the man 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 liis 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. Upop 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. TTie 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 battle 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 some 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, ha sat down with them at the entertainment, hanging the cloth, in which he had brought the earth, on a post against the wail. They sat long at supper and drank hard, with a great fire in the middle of the room ; it hap- pened that the sparks flew 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 theirs. CHAP. XL Of the heavenly light that appeared all the night over the hones of King Oswald, and how persons possessed with devils were deliver td hy his bonet. [a.b. 697.} Among- the rist, I think we ought not to pass over, iu 126 bede's ecclesiastic »l history. [b. in. r. IL silence; the heavenly favours and iiiracles 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 Ethel- red much loved, and conferred upon it many honours fuid 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 all 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 his banner made of gold and purple ; and poured out the water in which they had washed the bones, in a corner 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 i« fixed bv Bishop Tanner before the year 697, because Oftl' rida, or Osthryda, queen lif Mercia, who caused Oswald's bones to be brou£ lit to it, was murdorad k sii&t year. A. p. 0-12.1 ST. OSWALD S RELICS. 127 etay in that 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 ; f 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. The 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 m m v 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 20uld 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. 1 00), he first abbat, and Aldwin the second. — Willises Mitred Abbeys^ :. 2^ 128 BEDE'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b. m. c. 12. present were silent, and stood attentive to see the end of the affair% After some time, the man that had been tormented sat up, and fetching a deep sigh, said, " Now 1 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, all the evil spirits that vexed me de- pfirted, 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. XII. Of a boy cured of an ague at St. 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 close 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 away." 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 God, he was wont always, wherever he sat, to hold Ms hands turned up on hia knees. *.!>. 642.1 OSWAl-D'S RELICS IN IRELAND. 129 It is also given out, and become a proverb, " That lie ended his life in prayer for when he was beset with weapons and enemies, he perceived he must immediately be killed, and prayed to God 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 mentioned, 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 vsdth his army, took them down, and buried his head in the church of Lindisfarne, and the hands and arms in his royal city.* CHAP. xni. Of a certain person in Ireland that was recovered, when at the point oj death, by the bones of King Oswald, [a.d. 642.] Nor was the fame 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,t is wont to relate, that when, in his journey to Rome, he and his bishop Wilfrid 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 only 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 tlie rest, which he 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 Ii^eland, among others, the infection reached a certain scholar of the Scottish race, a man indeed learned in worldly literature, but in no way soKcitous or studious of his eternal salvation ; who, seeing * Of the translation of these relics from Bardney to St. Oswald's, Glou- cestershire, A.D. 910, bv Ethelred, earl o^ Mercia, and Elfleda, the daughter of King Alfred, see Sim. Dunelm, coi. 152, Script x. Twysden. See t\m LeJand, Collectanea, London, 1770, vol. ii. 1). 367; and m. p. 299. t Bishop of ilexliam K 130 LEDE S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. fB-m. crt, his death near at hand, began to fear, lest, as soon as he was dead he should be hurried away to hell for his sins. He sent for rae, who was in that neighbourhood, and whilst hi was trembling and sighing, with a mournful voice made hii 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 I 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 working 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 liis 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 lie was killed, and if you believe, with a sincere heart, th« Di\ ine Goodness may, through the merit of so great a man, both grant you a longer term of life here, and render you \\-orthy of admittance into eternal life.' He answered im- mediately, 'That he had entire faith therein.' Then 1 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, aud, recovering of his sickness, lived a long time after ; and, being entirely converted to God in heart and actions, wherever h^-^. came, he spoke of the goodness of his mercifijl Creat4)r, aud the honour of his faithful servant." A.D. 642.' n.HAMAR, BISHuP Of EOOHEOTER. 131 CHAP. XIV. On the death of Paulinus, Ithamar was made bishop of Rochester h aa siead. Of the wonderful Ikumility of King Oawin, 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, Penda, 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 "^aulinus, formerly bishop of York, but then of the city of 'iochester, departed to our Lord, on the 10th day of October, saving 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 iirom the foundation, r'^ the same city of Rochester. In his place, Archb'^nop Honorius ordained Ithamar, of the Kent- ish 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 all the other northern part of the nation beyond the Humber, that is, the province of the Bernicians, could not live at peace with him ; but on the contrary, the causes of their disagree- ment being heightened, he mm uered him most cruelly. For when they had raised armies igainst one another, Oswin perceived that he could not maintain a war against one who had more auxiliaries than himself, and he thought it ^ettei at that time to lay aside all thoughts of engaging, a/id to preserve himself for better times. He therefore dismissed the army which he had assembled, and ordered all liis men to return to their own x:imes, from the place that is calie, G35.1 SIGEBERT, KING OF EAST ANGLIA. 237 f,,varice, and despising pride and vainglory ; his industry in keeping and teaching the heavenly commandments ; his dili- gence in reading and watching ; liis 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. These things I much love and admire in the aforesaid bishop ; because I do not doubt that they were pleasing to God ; 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 authority of his nation, not to follow the same. Yet this I approve in him, that in the celebration of his Easter, the object which he had in view in all he said, did, or preache'', 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, nol 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 after the Sabbath, and for the hope of our resurrection, wliich also he, with the holy Church, believed would happen on the same day after the Sabbath, now called the Lord's day. CHAP. XVIH. Of the life and death of the religious King Sigebert. [a.d. 635 J At this time, the kingdom of the East Angles, after the death of Earpwald, the successor of Redwald^ 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 Sedwald; and returning home, as soon as he ascended the throne, being desirous tc 138 bel t's ecclesiastical history. Lb. in.c. int imitate the good institutions which he had seen in France, ho 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 heavenly throne. Some time af'ter this, it happened that the nation of the Mercians, under King 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 commander as his predecessor had been. CHAP. XIX. How Fursey built a monastery among the East Angles^ and of his tnsions and sanctity, oftvhich, his flesh remaining uncorrupted after death, bore testimony, [a.d. 633. J 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 coming into the province of the East Saxons, he was honourably received by the aforesaid * Either at Seaham or Dunwich, according to later writers. A.D. 633./' ST. FURSEY ARRIVES FROM IRfiLAKD. 13^ king, and performing his usual employment of preacliing the G-ospel, 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 of 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 regu- 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, Anna, 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- cipline, 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, falling 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 which 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 God 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 theii Burgh castle in Suffolk. 140 BEDE's ECCLESIASTICAI HISTORY. [b. m. c 19. endeavours were in vain. Concerning which particulars, if my 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 thej 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 angels, 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, vrhen 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 tliird 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 immense flame. When it drew near, fearing for himself, he said to the angel, " Lord, behold the fire draws near me." The angel answered, " That which you did not kindle shall not burn you ; for though this appears to be a terrible and great fire, yet it tries every man according to the merits of his works ; for every man's concupiscence shall burn in the fire ; for as every one burns in the body through unlawful pleasure, so when discharged of the body, he shall burn 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, flj-ing about on both 6ides, defended him from the danger of that fire. He also A.D. 633.] FUHSEY'S ^ISiONS. 141 saw devils flying through the fire, raising conflagrations oi" wars against the just. Then followed accusations of the wicked spirits against him, the defence of the good angels m his favour, and a more extended view of the heavenly troops ; as also of holy men of his own nation, who, as he had long since been informed, had been deservedly ad- vanced 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 whom we have spoken before, and who were to bring him back to his body. And when they approached the aforesaid immense fire, the angel divided the flame, as he had done before ; but when the man of God came to the passage so opened amidst the flames, the unclean spirits, laying hold of one of those whom they tormented in the fire, threw him at him, and, touching his shoulder and jaw, burned them. He knew the man, and called to mind that he had received his garment when he died ; and the angel, immediately laying hold, threw him back into the fire, and tlie malignant enemy said, "Do not reject him whom you, before received ; for as you accepted the goods of him who was a sinner, so you must partake of his punishment." The angel replying, said, " He did not receive the same through avarice, but in order to save his soul." The fire ceased, and the angel, turning to him, added, " That which you kindled burned in you ; for had you not received the money of this person that died in his sins, his punishment would not burn in you." And proceeding in his discourse, he gave him wholesome advice for what ought to be done towards the salvation of such as repented. Being afterwards restored to his body, throughout the whole course of his life he bore the mark of the fire which he had felt in his soul, visible to all men on his shoulder and jaw ; and the flesh publicly showed, in a wonderful manner^ what the soul had suffered in private. He always took care, as he had done before, to persuade all men to the practice of virtue, as well by his example, as by preac.hing. But as for the matter of his visions, he would only relate them to those who, from holy zeal ^nd desire of reformation, wished to 142 BEDE'S ecclesiastical history. Lb. m. c. 19. 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 from 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 summer, either through excessive fear, or spiritual consolation. To return to what we were saying before, when, aftei preaching the word of God 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 liis 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 left 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 called Ultan, who, after a long monastical probation, had also adopted the life of an anchorite. Repairing all alone to him, he lived a whole year with him in continence and prayer, and laboured daily with liis 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 Paiis on the Marne, A,D. C53.| DEATH OP HONOKIUS. 143 body to the eastward of the altar, it was still found free from (corruption, and translated thither with due honour ; where it is well known that his merits, through the divine opera- tion, have been declared bj many miracles. These things and the incorruption of his body we have taken notice of, 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. Honorius dying, Deusdedit is chosen archbishop of Canterbury, of those who were at that time bishops of the East Angles, and of the church of Rochester, [a.d. 653.] In 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, surnamed 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 26tb of March, and he ruled nine years, four months, and two days ; when he also died. Ithamar consecrated in his place Damian,! who was of the race of the South Saxons. CHAP. XXI. tloio 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, ant^ Huntingdon, with part of Lincolnshire, and had their own princes, depend- ent on the kings of Mercia. t The see of Canterbury was vacant four years between the death of Deusdedit and the consecration of Damian. X The Southern Mercians, or Middle Angles, whom he governed as king I'jring the life of his father 144 BEDe'S ecclesiastical HISTOKY. rs. :n.c. 2» the truth. Being an excellent youth, and most worthy of tiie 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 Oswy'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 W all.* 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 Grateshead.+ 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 liis people, the Mercians, 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," is 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 is only a corruption of es tan polin. Gateshead is supposed to have been a Roman station called Gahrosen- Sum. which signifies Goat's IIeae a good Christian, but continue as he is, or else be recon- ciled to his own wife« * Cliff, in Kent, or Abingdon Berks- A.D* 674.J SEXWULF MADE BISHOP. 183 " These chapters being thus treated of and defined bj all, to the end, that for the future, no scandal of contention might arise from any of us, or that things be falsely set forth, it was thought fit that every one of us should, by subscribing 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 all sacerdotal functions, and from our society. May the Divine Grace preserve us in safety, living in the unity of his holy church." This synod was held 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 throne, which he had 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- face, before spoken of, a man of much sanctity and religion ; for when Boniface died, after having been bishop seventeen years, he was by Theodore substituted in his place. Whilst he was still alive, but hindered by much sickness from ad- ministering his episcopal functions, two bishops, Ecci and Badwin were elected and consecrated in his place ; from which time to the present, that province has had two bishops. CHAP. VI. Win/rid being deposed, SexwuJf was put into his See, and Earconwald made bishop of the East Saxons, [a. D. 674.] Not long after, Theodore, the archbishop, taking offence at some disobedience of Winfrid, bishop of the Mercians, j" de- posed him from his bishopric when he had been possessed of it but 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 divided, Bishop Badwin being placed at North Eltnham, md Bishop Ecci at Dunwich. In 955 the two sees were reunited; in 107S it was removed to Thetford, and finally in 1094 to Norwich. + Bishop of Lichfield. 184 BEDF-'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. Lb. rv. 0. A who was founder and abbat of the monastery of Medesham- stead,* in the country of the Girvii. Winfrid, thus deposed, returned to his monastery of Ad Barve,| and there ended hia life in holy conversation. He then also appointed Earconwald bishop of the East 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 dignity, 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 his disciples, and continues to cure many of agues and other distempers ; and not only sick persons who are 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,:f that is, the Island of Ceorot ; that for his sister in the pro- vince of the East Saxons, at the place called Bercingum,§ wherein she might be a mother and nurse of devout women. Being put into the government of tliat 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 Chron. a.d, 657, and Chronicon Anglise Petriburgense, 8vo. Londini, 184:5, passim. f Seeb^ok iv. ch. 3, page 174. t Chertaey. § Barking in Esaex. ». B 676.1 MIRACLE AT BARKING. 185 CHAP. VIL How it was indicated by a heavenly light where the bodies of the Nuns should bf buried in the monastery of Barking, [a.d. 676.] In this monastery many miracles were wrought, which have been committed to writing by 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 God, 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 praises to our Lord, on a sudden a light 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 light, 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, withdi*ew itself up again to heaven, leaving conviction in the minds of all, that the same light, which 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 bede's ecclesiastical history. fa IV. c 8. 'jf light which came in at the crannies of the doors and windows, seemed to exceed the utmost brightness of day- light itself. CHAP, vni A little loy, dying in the same monastery, called upon a virgin that was t< » follow him ; another at the point of leaving her body, saw some small part of the future glory, [a d, 6/6.] There was, in the same monastery, a boy, not above three years old, called Esica ; who, by reason of his infant age, was bred up among the virgins dedicated to God, and there to pursue his studies. This child being seized by the afore- said pestilence, when he was at the last gasp, called three times upon one of the virgins consecrated to God, directing his words to her by her own name, as if she had been present, Eadgith ; Eadgith ! Eadgith ! and thus ending his temporal life, entered into that which is eternal. The virgin, whom he called, was immediately seized, where she was, with the same distemper, and departing this life the same day on which she had been called, followed him that 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 out to them that 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 speak this in a raving fit, but let me inform you it is not so ; for I tell you, that I see this house filled with so much light, that your candle there seems to me to be dark." And when still no one regarded what she said, or returned any answer, she added, " Let that candle burn as long as you will ; but take notice, that it is not my light, for my light will come to me at the dawn of the day." Then she began to tell, that a certain man of God, who had died that same year, had appeared to her, telling her that at the break of day she should depart to the heavenly light. The truth of which vision was made 0"it by the virgin's dying as soon as the day appeared. A.D. 676.J MIRACLES AT ETHELBERGA's DEATH. 187 CHAP. IX. Of the signs which were shown from heaven when the mother of that con- gregation departed this life. [a. d. 676.] When Ethelberga, the pious mother of that holy congrega- tion, was about to be taken out of this world, a wonderful vision appeared to one of the sisters, called Tortgith ; who, having lived many years in that monastery, always en- deavoured, in all humility and sincerity, 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 sun, wrapped up in a sheet, and lifted up on high, being taken out of the house in which 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 cords, which accordingly happened ; for ^ 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 known 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, for many years, been so disabled in all her body, that she could not move a single limb. Be- ing informed that the venerable abbess'* body was carried 188 BEDE S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORr. LB maia 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, began 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 talked, 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, praying in the burial-place of that monastery, was re- stored to her sight, [a.d. 676.] HiLDELiTH, a devout servant of God, succeeded Ethelberga in the oflPice of abbess and presided over that monastery SEBBI, KING OF THE EAST SA:xuirS. 189 many years, till she was of an extreme old age, with exem- ;iary conduct, in the observance of regular discipline, and m 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 cf Christ, which had been there buried, should be taken up, and translated into the church of the blessed mother of God, and interred in one place : whoever wishes to read it, may find in the book from which we have gathered these things, ho^Y 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-yard of the said religious house. There lived in that neighbourhood a certain earl, whose wife was seized with a dimness in her eyes, which at length be came so bad, that she could not see the least glimpse o: Hght : 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 faith that she should be there healed, she was led into the. burial-place, and having long prayed there on her knees, slie did not fail 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. XI. 6^^6-1', king of the same province, ends his life in a monastery, [a.d. 694.] At that time, as the same little book informs us, Sebbi, a devout man, of whom mention has been made al>ov<^ 190 BEDE-S ECCl^ESl^tSTlCAL HISTORY. [B IT o. 11 governed the kingdom of the East Saxons. He was mucb addicted to religious actions, ahnsgivings, 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 wife 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 bishop than a king. When he had been thirty years a king, and a soldier of the heavenly kingdom, he fell into a violent sick- ness, of which he died, and admonished his wife, that they should then at least j ointly devote themselves to the service of God, since they could no longer enjoy, or rather serve, the world. 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 to him a 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, when under pain, and at the approach of death, he might be guilty of anything unworthy of his person, either in words, or any motion 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 death, besides the bishop himself, and two of his attendants. The bishop having promised that he would most willingly perform the same, not long after the man of God composed himself to sleep, and saw a comforting 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 w^as sitting in front of the bed &aid, that his soul should depart his body without any pain, and with a great splendour of light ; and declared that be should die the third day after ; both which particulars A.1). 673.1 HEDDA SUCCEEDS ELEUTHERIUS 191 happensd, as lie had been informed by the vision ; for on tLe third day after, he suddenly fell, as it wer3, into a slumber, and breathed out his soul without any sen.^^s or pain. A stone coffin having been provided for burying his body, when they came to lay it in the same, they found his body a span longer than the 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 coffin, or else to shorten the body, by bending it 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 brother Suefred, and of a considerable number of men, that same coffin was found to answer the length of the body, insomuch that 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 the blessed Apostle of the Gentiles,* by whose instructions \w had learned to hope for heavenly things. CHAP. xn. Hedda succeeds Eleutherius in the bishopric of the West Saxons ; Cuichelm succeeds Putta in that of Rochester, and is himself succeeded by Gebmund ; 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 Theodore, in the city of London ; during whose prelacy, Cadwalla,J having sul3dued and removed those rulers, took upon him the government. When he had reigned two years, and whilst the same bishop still governed the chuirch, he quitted his sovereignty for the love of the hea zenly kingdom, * St. Paul's, London. f Winchester bishopric, f King of Wessex, 192 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. [b. IV. c. la and, going away to Rome, ended his days there, as shall be fsaid more fully 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 city 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 Sexwulf, bishop of the Mercians,* and having received of him a certain church, and a small spot of land, 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 ; serving God 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 long after, departing from his bishopric for want of necessaries, and withdrawing to other parts, Gebmund 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 dissension"! 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, to preside over the nation of the Deiri ; and Eata over that of the Bernicians ; the former having his see in the city of York, the latter in the church of Hagulstad, or else Lindisfarne ; 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,J 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. t It appears that this dissension was caused by Ermenburga, Egfrid 's queen, who was jealous lest the splendour of Wilfrid's monasteries and hifi Rtafcely buildings should diminish the regal honours of her husband. X Sidnacester. See page 127. A.D.681.J CONVERSION OP 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 government 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 Lindisfarne ; 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. xin. Bishop Wilfrid converts the province of the South Saxons to Christ, [a.d. 681.] Being expelled from his bishopric, and having travelled in several parts, 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 wes/t 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 venerable historian, respecting the division of Wilfrid's diocese. Some maintain (Wharton, Anglia Sacra, i. 693,) that the diocese of Lindisfarne, with Hexham severed from it, was left to Wilfrid ; while others make Hex- ham and Lindisfarne to have been one diocese conferred on Eata. It seems more probable that Theodore divided the diocese into four bishoprics, giving York to Bosa, Hexham and Lindisfarne to Eata, (which were again divided in 684, when Tumbert was appointed to Hexham,) Lindsey to Edhed (whose see was at Sidnacester), and Abercorn, or Whitherne, in the Pictish territory, 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 marstes from communication with the rest of the island. O 194 bede's ecclesiastical history. [b. IV. c. li before, baptized in the province of the Mercians, by the per- suasion of King Wulfhere, 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.j She was the daughter of Eanfrid, 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 God. There was among them a certain monk of the Scottish na- 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 liad 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 formerly rvm up into the land on both the east and west of this county ; and in many districts of t>ie county primaeval manners still are found. * A district comprehending almost the eastern moiety of Hampshire. + Inhabitants of Gloucester, Worcester, and part of Warwickshire. :J: One of the companions of Fursey, mentioned in book iii. c. 19. Was he also the Dicuil, author of a geogxaphical work still extant ? ^ Bosham, or Bosanham, foiir niiles from Chichester, in Sussex, stijl retains its ancient name. A b. 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, througli 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, chiefiy 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 Chiche'feter, Sussex, Eadbert, abbat of this monastery, in 711, was consecrated first bishop of the South Saxons, and tixed his see at this place ; but Bishop Stigand, in 1 070, procured if translation to Chichester. o2 196 BEDE's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b. it. c.14. Devil, but gave tliem tlieir bodily liberty also, and exempted them from the yoke of human servitude. CHAP. XIV. How a pestilential mortality 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 tyranny 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 brethren, in consequence, though fit to keep a fast of three days, an(^ 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 dehvering 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 most affec- tionate manner, said, " My child, do not fear death, about which you are so uneasy ; for we will this day conduct you to A.D. 681.1 PESTILENCE STAYED 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 ap 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 King 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 PetrT, the [98 BEDE*S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. Fb- iv. c. Iff, other Paul ; and both of them the servants of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, sent by him from heaven to protect Dur monastery." Tlie 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 honoured with the celebration of masses, not only in that monastery, but in many other places. CHAP. XV. King Ccedioalla, having slain Elhelwalch, 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 Gewissae,"]* 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 : Ina, likewise, who reigned after Caedwalla, 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, tliey were subject to the bishop of the Gewissae, i. e. the West Saxons, in the city of Winchester. J * This should be South-Saxons. See page 193. + West Saxons. X The churches of Sussex were only subject to the Winchester see ft,?* about twenty-five years. See book v. ch. 18. A.D. 636.] ISLE OF WIGHT CONVERTED. 199 CHAP. XVI. How the Isle of Wight received Ohristian inhabitants ^ and two royal youths of that island were killed immediately after baptism. [a.d. 686.] After Caedwalla had possessed himself of the kingdom of the GewissaB, he also took the Isle of Wight, which till then was entirely 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 ; haAdng bound himself by a vow, though he was not yet, as is re- ported, regenerated in Christ, 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 come thither out of his own nation. The measure of that island, according to the computation of the English, is of twelve hundred 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 Bernwin, 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 think 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, f as they thought to be concealed from the victorious king, they were betrayed and ordered t-o 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,J 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. t Now Redbridge, situated at the head cf the Southampton water. 200 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. [b. it.c. 1Y. begged of him, tliat 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 did 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 ; yst being under the affliction of foreign subjec- tion, no man there received the ministry, or rank of a bishop, before Daniel, who is now bishop of the West Saxons.* The island is situated opposite the division between the South Saxons and the Gewissce, 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,f which runs into that narrow sea, from the lands of the J utes, which belong to the country of the Gewissie ; after this meeting and strugghng together of the two seas, they return into the ocean from whence they come. CHAP. XVII. Of the Synod held in the plain of Heathfield., where Archbishop 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 CathoHc faith. This he took care to have committed to writing by the autho- rity of the synod* as a memorial, and for the instruction ol •Winchester. f Th3 Hamble. - Called Monothelitism, which maintained that the divme and human namre of Jesus Christ were so united, as to form only one nature, vet witli- out any change, confusion, or mixture of the two natures. A.I), CS-j.. SYNOD OF HEATHFIELD 20] succeeding geuerations ; the beginning of which mstrmnent 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, Egfrici. 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 together, 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 3 1 8 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 360, against Eutyches and Nestorius, and their tenets ; ana again, at Constantinople, in a fifth council, in the reign of Justinian the younger, against Theodoras 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 Hertfordshire. 202 bede's ecclesiastical history. [e. rv. c 18 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- rilied him, neither adding nor diminishing any thing ; anatliematizing those with our hearts and mouths whom they anathematized, and receiving those whom they received, glorifying God the Father, who is without beginnin9,-, 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 have above-mentioned, did declare. And all we, who, with Archbishop Theodore, have thus expounded the Catholic faith, have also subscribed thereto." CHAP. XYIII. Of John^ the singer of the apostolic see, who came into Britain to teach, [a.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, surnamed Benedict, oi 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 had 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 called Monk-Wearmouth. Venerab.e Bede passed the earlv part of his monastic life in this estabiis ^ment. A.D. 6S0.] ABBAT JOHN ATTENDS THE SYNOD. 203 tised at St. Peter's at Rome. The Abbat John did as he had been commanded bj the pope, teaching the singers of the said monastery the order and manner of singing and reading aloud, and committing to writing all that was requisite throughout the whole course of the year for the 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 singing 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 been directed by the pope, carefully to inform himself concerning the faith ot' 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 &ick 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 take 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 the faith of the 204 BEDE S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b. IV. u. la Eiigliili nation was carried to Rome, and most agreeably received by the apostolic pope, and all those that heard or read it. CHAP. XIX. How Queen Etheldrida always preserved her virginity, and her body suf- fered no corruption 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 o .' perfect virginity, as I was informed by Bishop Wilfrid, Oi 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 would 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 serve 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,| 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 she * See note at page 143 t Ebba was the daughter of King Ethelfrid, and the sister of Oswald, and hiilf-sister of King Oswv. J Coldingham, Berwicksliirc. A.D. 660 ] QUEEN ETHELDRIDA, ABBESS. 206 was herself made abbess in the country called Elj, where, having built a monastery,* she began, by works and exam- ples of a heavenly life, to be the virgin mother of very many virgins dedicated to God. It 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 having, with the assistance of those about ner, 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,! who had 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 EngKsh, is called Grantchester,J and presently, near the city walls, • Aldwulf, king of the East Angles, and brother to Etheldrida, supplied the funds for building this moii'istery. Bentham conjectures that the superintendence of the wall was committed to Bishop Wilfrid, from whom Etheldrida received the benediction as abbess. After the Norman Con- quest, Ely was made a bishop's see, a.d. 1107. + 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 Ermenilda, queen dowager of Mercia. t Near Cambridge. The coffin found here was a relic of ancient Rc>niau ait. 206 bede's ecclesiastical history. Tb. IV. c. 19. tliey found a white marble coffin, most beautifully wrought, and neatly 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 virgin and 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 bote there the needless A.D. eeo. BEDe'c HOtX ON VIKGINITY. 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 the linen, devils were expelled from bodies possessed, and other distempers were sometimes cured ; and the coffin she was first 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 iiL 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 Idstory many poetical pieces are inserted which are knowu to be composed in metre. Hail, Triune Power, who mlest every age. Assist the numbers which my pen engage. Let Maro wars in loftier numbers ein?, 1 sound the praises of our heavenly EjDg, 20^ bede's ecclesiastical ihistoey. B. IV. C 2l> Chaste is my verse, nor Helen's rape I write ; Light tales like these, but prove the mind as I'ghi^ 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 born, who gave e'en nature birth ! 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. Tecla and chaste Euphemia overcame The fear of beasts to save a virgin 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 ! arose to bless our time. Born 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 ? 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 nun 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 Entomb 'd, whose flesh no putrid damps invade. Thy grace, 0 Christ ! for in the coffin's found No tainted vest wrapping the corpse around. The swelling dropsy, and dire atrophy, A pale disease from the blest vestments fly. Rage 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 ! with her God she reigns I Behold ! the spouse, the festal torches shine, He comes ! behold ! what joyful gifts are thine ! Thou a new song on the sweet harp shalt s?ng, A hymn of praise to thy celestial King. None from the flock of the throned Lamb shall raove; Whom grateful passion bind, and heavenly love- EEESS ST. HILDA. 211 peveral sorts of bonds on him, thej 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 him 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. xxni. Of the life and death of the Abbess Hilda, [a.d. 680.] In 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 froni thence to receive the rewards of the heavenly life, on the 17th of November, at the. age of sixty-six years; the first * Whitby, see pages 151, 155. 212 BEDe's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, [b.iv. c.2» thirty-tk^e of wliicli she spent living most nobly in the secular habit ; and more nobly dedicated the remaining half to our Lord in a monastic life. For she was nobly born, being the daughter of Hereric, nephew to King Edwin, with which king she also embraced the faith and mysteries of Christ, at the preaching of Paulinus, the first bishop of the Northumbrians, of blessed memory, and preserved the same undefiled till she attained to the sight of him in heaven. Resolving to quit the secular habit, and to serve him alone, she withdrew into the province of the East Angles, for she was allied to the king ; being desirous to pass over from thence into France, to forsake her native country and all she had, and so live a stranger for our Lord in the monastery of Cale,* that she might with more ease attain to tlie eternal kingdom in heaven ; becaus-e her sister Here- suid, mother to Aldwulf, 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 province, Avith the design of going abroad ; afterwards. Bishop Aidan being recalled home, he gave her the land of one family on the north side of the river Wear ; where for a year she also led a monastic life, with very few companions. After this she was made abbess in the monastery called Heruteu,"!* which monastery had been founded, not long be- fore, by the religious servant of Christ, Heiu,J who is said to have been the first woman that in the province of the Northumbrians took upon her the habit and life of a nun, being consecrated by Bishop Aidan ; but she, soon after she 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 other rehgious men that knew her and loved her, frequently visited and diligently instructed her, because of her innate wisdom and inclination to the service of God. When she had for some years governed this monastery, * Chelles, ten miles from Paris. See iii. 8, p. 121, f Hartlepool Dee p. 151. X Leland and Cressy confound Heiu with St. Bega or Beea. § Tadcaster, Newton Kyme, or Ingleby Abberforth. A. D. 680.] LD'E OF ST. HILDA. 213 wholly intent upon establishing a regular life, it happened that she also undertook either to build or to arrange a monastery in the place called Streaneshalch, [Whitby,*] which work she industriously performed ; for she put this monastery under the same regular discipline as she had done the 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 in common to all, and none having any property. Her pru- dence was so great, that not only indifferent persons, but even kings 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, John, and Wilfrid.j 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- secrated : the first was bishop of Hagulstad, the second of 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, being 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- * Camden, speaking of Whitby, says, " Here are found stones resembling snakes rolled up, the sports of nature, which she, as one observes, amuses herself with creating when weary of producing realities and serious pro- ductions. You would think they had once been snakes, covered over wtli a crust of stone. Report ascribes them to the prayers of Hilda, as if changed by her, who in the early Saxon church opposed with all her might the tonsure of priests and the celebration of Easter according to the Romao ritual." 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 Beveri^Tj feook V. c. 2,) of Hexham, translated to York ; Wilfrid of York, 214 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTORr. 'o 1V.&23. solved 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 all that saw and heard him. At that time, Bosel, the bishop of that province,! laboured under such weakness of body, that he could not perform the episcopal functions ; for which reason, this Oftfor was, by universal consent, chosen bishop in his stead, and by order of King Ethelred, consecrated by Bishop Wilfrid, J 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 that 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 ; 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 where ; but, after having used all 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. * Osric probably had the supremacy of the whole of the province of Wiccii, or Magesetania, (Gloucestershire and Worcestershire) ; althoi;gL Oswald may have held Worcestershire as an appanage. t Bosel was appointed the first bishop of Worcester, a.d. 679. 4 Wilfrid was now restored to the sec of York. DEATH OF ST. HILDA.. 215 When she had gcverned this monastery many years, it pleased Him 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 wsls 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,"]* 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 contained four monks of the Benedictine order. Hilda erected several cells or smaller convents as appanages to Whitby. t 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, M. 122—139, as v^ell as in the Lives of English Saints, No. VI. 216 BEDe's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [err. c.J?3. Upon that light, she saw the soul of the afoi'esaid ser- vant of God in that same light, attended and conducted to heaven by angels. Then awaking, and seeing the other sisters lying round about her, she perceived that what she had seen was either in a dream or a vision ; and rising imme- diately 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 this life, and had in her sight ascended to eternal bliss, and to the company of the inliabitants of heaven, with a great light, and with angels 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 ; which they did during the remainder of the night ; and at break of day, the brothers came with news of her death, from the place where she had died. They an severed that they knew it before, and then related how and when they had heard it, by which it appeared 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 life which is eternal. These monasteries are about thirteen miles distant from each other. It is also reported, that her death was, in a vision, made known the same night to one of the holy virgins who loved her most passionately, in the same monastery where the said servant of God died. This nun saw her soul ascend to hea- ven in the company of angels ; and this she declared, the very same hour that it happened, 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 regularly instructed, ani taken into the sociaty of the congregation. auo. 680. j C^DMON INSPIRED TO WRITE POETRY. 217 CHAP. XXIV. There was in the same monastery a brother, on v;hom the gift 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 from men, but from Grod; for which reason he never could compose any trivial or vain poem, but only those which relate to religion suited his religious tongue ; for having lived in a secular habit tiU 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 time ; 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 shall I sing ?" rejoined he. "Sing the beginning of created beings," said the other. Hereupon he presently began to * From what Bede says of CeediiLon and his imitators, and from some ttt,her circumstances, it seems probable that the vernacular religious feeling was composed chiefly during the years which intervened between the age of the poet (a.d. 680,)' and that of the historian (a.d. 731.) — Wright* Sksay m the Literature of the A nglo-Saxons, 218 BEDE S ECCLESIASTICAL H STORY. Cb. 17. c. 24. sing verses to the praise of God, which he had never heard, the purport whereof was thus : — We are now to pi-aise 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 of 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 so 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 all that he had sung in his dream, and soon added much more to the same eifect 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; whereupon the abbess, embracing the grace of God in the man, 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 Egypt, and their entering * A part of one of Csedmon's poems is preserved in King Alfred's Saxoa version of Bede's History. The original may be seen in Turner's Anglf>- iSaxons, (book ix. c. 1, vo.. iii. p. 302,) with a literal translation A. 3 830. J DEATH OF C^DMON. 219 into the land of promise, with many other histories from holy writ ; the incarnation, passion, resurrection of our Lord, and his 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 ; iDesides many more about the Divine benefits and judgments, by which he endeavoured to turn away all men from the love of vice, and to excite in them the love of, and application to, good actions ; for he was a very religious mim humbly submissive to regular discipline, but full of zea- 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 infirmity which seemed to prepare the way, yet so moderate that he could talk and walk the whole time. In his neighbourhood was the house to which those that were sick, and like shortly to die, were carried. He desired the person that attended him, in the evening, as the night came on in wliich he was to de- part this life, to make ready a place there for him to take his rest. This person, wondering why he should desire it, because there was as yet no sign of his dying soon, did what he had ordered. He accordingly went there, and conversing pleasantly in a joyful manner with the rest that were in the house before, when it was past midnight, he asked them, whether they had the Eucharist there ? They answered, " What need of the Eucharist ? for you are not likely to die, since 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 wer« all in perfect charity, 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 God." Then strengthening himself with the heavenly viaticum, he prepared for the entrance into another life, and asked, how near the time was when the brothers were to be awakened to sing the nocturnal praises of our Lord ? They answered, " It is not far off." Then he said, " Well, let us T7ait that hour ;" and signing himself with the sign of the 220 BEDE*S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b, IV. c. 25. cross, lie laid his head on the pillow, and falling into a slumber, ended his life so in silence. Thus it came to pass, that as he had served God with a simple and pure mind, and undisturbed devotion, so he now departed to his presence, leaving the world by a quiet death j and that tongue, which had composed so many holy words in praise of the Creator, uttered its last words whilst he was iu the act of signing himself with the cross, and recommending himself into his hands, and by what has been here said, he seems to have had foreknowledge of his death. CHAP. XXV. Of the vision that appeared to a certain man of God before the monastery of the city Coludi was burned down, [a.d. 679.] At this time, the monastery of virgins, called the city of Coludi, above-mentioned, was burned down, through care- lessness ; and yet all that knew the same, might observe that it happened through 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 from tJie Divine goodness, by which they might have stood corrected, and by fasting, prayers, and tears, like the Ninevites, have averted the anger of the just Judge. There was in that monastery a man of the Scottish race, called Adamnan,* leading a life entirely devoted to God in continence and prayer, insomuch that he never took any food or drink, except only on Sundays and Thursdays ; but often 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 custom. For in his youth he had been guilty of some wicked 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. Eepairing, therefore, to a priest, who he hoped might show him the way of salvation, he confessed his guilt, and desired to be advised hovr he might avoid the future wrath of God. The priest having heard his offence, said, "A great sore requires much * Not the abbat of lona mentioned in book v. c. 1 5. It is said that tha monk of Coldingham survived the burnui^ of the monastery three years. 679 MONASTEEY OF COLDINGHAM BURNT. 221 attention in the cure ; and, therefore, give yourself up as fa? as you are able to fasting, reading of psalms, and prayer, to the end, that thus preventing the wrath of our Lord^ in confession, you may find him merciful." Being highly affected with the grief of a guilty conscience, and desiring, as soon as possible, to be loosed from the inward fetters of sin, which lay heavy upon him, he answered, " 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 sufiicient to fast two or three days ; do this till I come again to you in a short time, when I will more fully show you what you are to do, and how long tc 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 Ireland, whence he derived his origin, and returned no more to him, as he had appointed. Remembering this injunction and his own promise, he totally addicted himself to tears, penance, holy watching, and continence ; 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 Ireland, and had died there, he ever after observed that same abstinence, according to his direction ; and as he had begun that course through the fear of God, 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 certain day to a distance from the monastery, accompanied by one of the brothers ; and as they were returning from this journey, 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 reason, 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 they came into 222 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOKY. [b. it. c 25. the monastery, told them to Ebba, the mother of the congregation. She, with good cause, being much concerned at that prediction, called the man to her, and narrowly 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 God, 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 off 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 gecurity, they soon felt the effects of th: aforesaid judgment. A.D. 684.3 DEATH ;,P EGFRID. 223 ITiat all this fell out thus, was told me by my 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.] In 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 tlie avenging hand of God ; for the very next year, that same king, rashly leading his army to ravage the province of the Picts,"!" 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, Egbert, advising ♦ After the destruction of Coldingham monastery Edgils went to Wearmouth. t The Pritons of Strath Clyde. X At Drumnechtan, cou ity of Fortar. 224 BEDE S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. LB. jv. c 2G Ilim not to attack the Scots, who did him no harm, it wia laid upon him as a punishment for his sin, that he should not now regard 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 their own lands, which had been held by the English and the Scots that were in Britain, and some of the Britons their 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 of the country of the Picts, the most reverend man of God, Trumwine, who had been made bishop over them, withdrew with his people that were in the monastery of Abercurnig,* 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. I 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 often mentioned, of men and women servants of God, at Streanes- halch ;| and there he, for several years, led a life in all monastical austerity, not only to his own, but to the benefit of many, with a few of his own people ; 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 monastery ; 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 brother Egbert, who had reigned nine years : he was wounded in * Abercornig, i.e. Aber-Caran-ey, the "island on the Caron;" Abercom. See pp. 20, 193. + This passage leaves no doubt as to the boundary of the Pictish terri- tory. For the appointment of Trumwine, see book iv. c. 12, p. 193. * Whitby. LIFE OF ST. CUTHBERT. 225 battle with the South Saxons, whom Edric, the son of Eg- bert, had raised against him, and died whilst his wound was being drsssed. 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 Egbert, being settled in the throne, by his piety and zeal delivered his nation from foreign inva- sion. CHAP. xxyn. Cuthbert, a man of God, is made bishop ; and how he dved and taught whilst still in a monastic life. [a. d. 685.] The same year that King Egfrid departed this life, he (as has been said) promoted to the bishopric of the church of Lindisfarne, 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 Farne,| 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 Lindisfarne, | as has been said above, over which monastery at that time was 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, has been already published by the Editor in " Bede's Minor Historical Works," and will be again given in a volume of "Anglo-Saxon Biographies, Letters," &c., uniform witb the present. f See note at p. 135. | See pp. 192, 3. Q 226 BEDE's ecclesiastical HISTOKY. Tb. it. 0.27 the life of foolish custom, to the love of heavenly joys ; fo» many profaned the faith which they had received by theii wicked actions ; and some also, in the time of a mortality, neglecting the sacraments of faith which they had received, had recourse to the false remedies of idolatry, as if they could have put a stop to the plague sent from God, by en- chantments, spells, or other secrets of the helHsh 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 could 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 ofl^ 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 reveiend abbat, Kata, removed him to the isle of Lindisfarne, that he might there also, by the authority of a superior and his own example, instruct the brethren in the observance of reguiai 4.O. 664. MIRACLE OF ST CUTMBaiir. 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 Enghsh, 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 our ancestors in the primitive church, among whom, none called an/thing that he possessed his own ; but all things were in common to them." CHAP. XXVIII. Tfie same St. Cuthbert, being an Anchorite, by his prayers obtained a spring in a dry soil, and had a crop from seed sown by himself out oj 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 to repair to the 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 will willingly reside there ; but if not, I will, by God's permission, very soon return to you." The place was quite destitute of water, corn, 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 oratory, he ordered the . 687.] VIRTUE OF CUTHBERT's RELICS. *i35 a sudden, through the Divine Goodness, by the relics of the holy father, Cuthbert; for the bretliren, finding his body uncorrupted, after having been many years buried, took some part of the hair, which they might, at the request of friends, 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 as much as he thought fit, delivered the rest to tlie 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 faith 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 1. How Ethelwald, successor to Cuthbert, leading an eremetical life, calmed a tempest when the brethren were in danger at sea. [a.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 ol^e, succeeded the man of God, Cuthbert, in the exercise of a solitary life, having practised the same before he was bishop, in the isle oi Fame. For the more certain demonstration of the lifi * Ripon. 238 bede's ecclesiastical history- [b r. c. I. 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 tlie same was wrought; viz. Gruthfrid, the vener- able servant and priest of Christ, who, afterwards, as abbat, presided over the brethren of the same church of Lindis- farne, in which he had been educated. " I came," says he, " to the island of Farne, with two others of the brethren, 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 fair 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 behind 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 of his cavern to watch our course ; for, hearing the noise 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 is]^ of Lindisfarne, 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. A.D. 635.] ST. JOHN OF BEVEKLKY. 237 CHA1^ IT. How Bishop John cured a dumb man by blessing him. [a.d. 685.] In the beginning of the aforesaid reign, Bishop Eata died, and was 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- woodjf 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 aims, 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 circle round about. The bishop caused this young man to be brought, and a little cottage to be made for him within the enclosure of the dwelling, in which he might reside, and receive a daily allowance from him * Afterwards called St. John of Beverley. t 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 invasion of Caesar. The place, from the woods with which it was for- merly covered, was called Deirwalde, implying the forest of the Deiri. This monastery was erected for the use of both sexes, and placed under 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 collegiate, with privilege of sanctuary, and a charter of liberties to tho toAmsmen. 23h BEDB's ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 'jt.r.c.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 his tongue, directing him to draw it back into his mouth and U\ speak. " Pronounce some word," said he ; " say yea," which, in the language of the Angles, is the woi'd 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 lettei^, directed him to say A ; he did so, and afterwards B, which he also did. When he had named all the letters after the bishop, tlie 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 he 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 the 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 rather chose to return home. CHAP. m. The same bishop, JohUy by his prayers, healed a sick maiden, [a.d. d86.] The same Berthun told another miracle 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, appointed bishop of CUKli OF A SICK GIRL. 239 lork, lie 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 j 07, the abbess told us, that one of the virgins, who M^as 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. [b. v. 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, as if the bishop had carried it away with him ; 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 jhe 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. TJie same bishop healed an earVs wife that was sick, with holy water, [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 tiiree 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 being done, the woman immediately got up in health, and perceiving that she had not only been delivered from her tedious distemper, but at the same time recovered the strengtt. which she had lost, she presented the cup to tiis * At South Burton, Yorkshire. A ^AD NBAR DEATH RESTORED. 241 bishop and to us, and continued serving us with drink as she had begun till dinner was over ; following the example oi 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. 6B6.] 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 coffin 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 in, and saw him in a dying condition, and the coffin by his side, whilst all 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 hi,s presence, but that he had it from those who were there. * At North Bi^r^rn, Yorkshire. R 242 BEDE'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [e. v. c. 5, CHAP. VI IVte same bishop, by his prayers and blessing, delivered from death one qf his clerks, who had bruised himself by a fall. [a.d. 686.1 Nor do I tliink that this further miracle, which Herebald, ^he servant of Christ, says was wrought updh himself, is to be passed over in silence. He was 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 life, 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 will, 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 eould 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 waF in that place a stone, level with the ^round^ covered •vvith only a small turf, and no other stone to HEREBALD NEARLY KILLED. 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, w^hich 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. The 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, 'If 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 understanding, learn the ministry of catechising and baptizing ; for which reason I commanded him altogether to desist from his presumptuous 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- psned that he blew upon my face, on which I presently 244 BEDE*S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [a v. c. 7, found myself better. He called the surgeon, and ordered him to close and bind up my 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 liis 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. C(Bdwalla, king of the West Saxons^ went to Rome to be baptized; his successor Ina also devoutly repaired to the same church of the holy apostles, [a.d. 688.] In the third year of the reign of Alfrid, Caedwalla, king oi' 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 his white garments, he fell sick, and departed 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 nams 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 luo. 85d.] 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 inspir'd. For love of heaven hath left, and here retir'd; 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. Converted, 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 cleaO) 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 Casdwalla 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 like 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 upon earth in the neighbourhood of the holy place, that he 246 bede's ecclesiastical history. [B, V, C. 8. might be more easily received by the saints into heaven. The same tiling, 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. VIII. Archbishop Theodore dies, Berthwald succeeds him as archbishop, and, among many others whom he ordained, he made Tobias, a most learned man, bishop of the church of Rochester, [a.d. 690.] The year after that in which CaBdwalla died at Rome, that is, 690 after the incarnation of our Lord, Archbishop Theodore, of blessed memory, departed this life, old and full of days 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 having been revealed to him in a dream. He held the bishopric twenty-two years, and was buried in St. Peter's church, where all 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 aU 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 fam'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 taught. 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 Genlade.| He was a man learned in the Scriptures, and well instructed in ecclesiasti- * Reculver. f The Inlade. A t». 602.J BISHOP EGBERT. 247 cal and monastic discipline, yet not to be compared to liis 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 31st of August. Among the many bishops whom he ordained was Tobias,* a man learned in the Latin, Greek, and Saxon tongues, otherwise also possessing much erudition, whom he consecrated in the stead of Gebmund, bishop of that see, deceased. ClLiT. IX. Egbert, a holy man, would have gone into Germany to preach, but could not ; Wictbert went, but meeting with no success, returned into Ireland ^ from 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 Ire- land to obtain hereafter a residence in heaven, proposed to himself to do good to many, by taking upon Iiim 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 Frisons,"!* theRugins, the Danes, the Huns, the Ancient Saxons, and the BoructuarsJ (or Bructers). There are also in the same parts many other nations still following pagan rites, to whom the 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 Romans, with greater success and courage, than the Frisons, who having formerly occupied a large tract of country on the coasts of the German ocean, crossed the Hhine into Belgic Gaul, and possessed themselves of those provinces about the mouth of the Rhine, which the Catti, who were also originally Germans, then held. X The Boructuars seem to have inhabited the territory of Berg, aiid the neighbouring country toward Cologne, 48 bede's ecclesiastical history. [B. IT. O. 9. could not be done, to go to Rome, to see and adore the 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 God, 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 will of God 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 hj 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 preparine^ 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 tell Egbert that which * I am happy to acknowledge an error which I had inadvertently cora- mitted in the former editions of this work by translating this passage as if the name Columbkill belonged to the island, instead of the abbat. My ncknowledgments are due to the reviewer, in the British Critic, who detected the mistake. Seep. 113. A.D, 690.* wilbrord's mission to frisland. 249 I enjoined you in so light and cold a manner ? However, go ^ow 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, Egbert 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 lived 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 250 bede's ecclestastical histoky. B. V. C , 1(V received 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 from idolatry to the faith of Christ. Two other priests of the English 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 altar, — 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 ; and thus by degrees all their province * Originally called " Ealdorman," or Senior. Satrap is the Latin temi, used by Bede. ».D. 690-1 MAETYEDOM OF THE HEWALDS. 25 i should change its old worship for a new. Hereupon they Dn a sudden, laid hold of them and put them to death ; the White Hewald they slew immediately with the sword ; 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 the venerable Swidlert in Britain, and Wilbrord at Rome, were or- dained bishops for Frisland. [a.d. 692.] At their first coming into Frisland, 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 tlie desired work 252 BEDE'S ecclesiastical history. '.b. t. c. 11. of preaching 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 v 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. Having 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- frid, 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 aJl, sent the venerable Wilbrord to Rome, where Sergius was still pope, desiring that he might be consecrated archbishop over the nation of the Prisons ; which was accordingly done, in the year of our Lord's incarnation 696. He was consecrated in ibe churfth oi the Holy Martyr Cecilia, on her feast-day ; * Or Keiserswerdt, six miles from Dusseldorf « A.D. 696.J VISION OP ONE FROM THE DEAD. 253 the pope gave him the name of Clement, and sent him back to his bishopiic, 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, surnamed 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 conflicts which he has waged. J CHAP. XII. Of one among the Northumbrians, who rose from the dead, and relate I 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 ; 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. f The church of our Saviour. Wilbrord also restored the church ol' St. Martin, which subsequently became the cathedral. J Wilbrord laboured in his diocese for about half a century, and died according to Mabillon in 740 or 741 ; but according to Dr. Smith, iij 745 254 BEDE S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [B. V. 0. 12 great fright, only his wife, who loved him best, though in a great consternation and trembling, remained with him. He, comforting 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 hereafter as I was wont, but from henceforward after a very ditFerent 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 till 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 notliing 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 all directions ; both places were full of men's souls, which seemed by turns to be tossed from one side to the other, as it were by a violent storm ; for when the wretches could 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 hell, of whose intolerable flames I had often heard talk. My guide, who went before me, answered to my thought, saying, ' Do 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 farther end, on a sudden Vacant. Leicester, a.d. 737 . $ South Saxons . Selsey Vacant. Northumbria York . . . . Wilfrid II. Lindisfame . Ethelwald. Hexham . . Acca. Whitherae • Pechthelna. A.D. 731.] THE SAXON SEES. 293 Saxons, Daniel and Forthere are bishops ; in the province; of the Mercians, Aldwin. Among those people who live be- jond the river Severn to the westward, Walstod is bishop ; in the province of the Wiccians, Wilfrid ; in the province of the Lindisfarnes, 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 Lindisfarne, Acca in that of Hagulstad, Pechthslm 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 dispositicfti 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 Avill * Bede here speaks of Pechthelm as the Jirst bishop of Whitheme, which must be understood as the first under the Saxon dynasty; for in book iii. ch. 4, page 114, he mentions St. Ninias as the founder of the see, A.D. 412. There was probably an interruption in the succession of the prelates during the three hundred years vhich intervened between the death of St. Ninias and the appointment of Pechthelm, owing to the civil wars and tlie invasion of the Saxons. 294 bede's ecclesiastical history. [h. r. c. 24 sliow. This is for the present the state of all Britain ; in the year since the coming of the English into Britain about 285, but in the 731st year of the incarnation of our Lord, in whose reign may the earth ever rejoice; may Britain exult in the profession of his faith ; and may many islands be glad, and sing praises in honour of his holiness I CHAP. XXIV. Chronological recapitulation of the whole work: also concerning the author himself. I HAVE thought 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, Caius Julius Csesar, first of the Romans, invaded Britain, and was victorious, yet could not gain the kingdom. In the year from the incarnation of our Lord, 46, Claudius, second of the Romans, invading Britain, had a great part of the island surrendered to him, and added the Orkney islands to the Roman empire. In the year from the incarnation cf our Lord 167, Eleu- therius, being made bishop at Rome, governed the Church most gloriously fifteen years. Lucius, king of Britain, ¥/riting to him, requested to be made a Christian, and suc- ceeded in obtaining his request. In the year from the incarnation of our Lord 189, Severus, being made emperor, reigned seventeen years ; he enclosed Britain with a trench from sea to sea. In the year 381, Maximus, being made emperor in Britain, sailed over into G-aul, and slew Cratian. In the year 409, Rome was crushed by the Goths, from which time Roman emperors began to reign in Britain. In the year 430, Palladius was sent to be first the bishop of the Scots that believed in Christ, by Pope Celestine. In the year 449, Martian being made emperor with Valen- tinian, reigned seven years ; in whose time the English, being called by the Britons, came into Britain. In the year 538, there happened an eclipse of the sun, on the 16th of February, fi )m the first to the third hour. In the year 540, an eclipse of the sun happened on the CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY. 295 20th of June, and tbe stars appeared during almost lialf an hour after the third hour of the day. In the year 547, Ida began to reign ; from 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, Pope Gregory sent Augustine vidth monks into Britain, to preach the word of God to the English nation. In 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 Gregory sent the pall into Britain, to Augustine, who was already 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 Mellitug. 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 Easter. In the year 633, King Edvon being killed, 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- eame Christians, In the year 664, there happened an ellipse of the sun ; 296 BEDE's ecclesiastical history. U it. c. 24, Earconbert, 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 synod 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 Wilfrid 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, Cgedwalla, king of the West Saxons, went to Rome from Britain. In the year 690, Archbishop Theodore died. In the year 697, Queen Ostritha was murdered by her own people, that is, the nobility of the Mercians. In 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, Coenred, king of the Mercians, having reigned six years, went to Rome. In the year 711, Earl Bertfrid fought with the Picts. In tke year 716, Osred, king of the Northumbrians, was killed ; and C K)lred, king of the Mercians, died ; and Egbert, A.D. 731.] WORKS OF BEDE. ^7 the man of God, brought the monks of Hii to observe the Catholic Easter 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 J arrow ; who being born 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 the 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 Vessels, and of the Priestly Vestments, three books. On the first Part of Samuel, to the Death of Saul, four books. 298 BEt?E'S ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. [b- v- 24 Of the Building of tlie Temple, of Allegorical Exposition, like the rest, two books. Item, on the Book of Kings, thirty Questions, On Solomon's Proverbs, three books. On the Canticles, seven books. On Isaiah, Daniel, the twelve Prophets, and Part of Jere- miah, Distinctions of Chapters, collected out of St. J erome'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 of Kings and Chronicles. 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 Gospel of Luke, six books. Of Homilies on the Gospel, two books. On the Apostle, I have carefully transcribed in order all that I have found in St. Augustine's Works. On the Acts of the Apostles, two books. On the seven Catholic Epistles, a book on each. On the Revelation of St. John, three books. Also, Chapters of Readings on all the New Testament, except the Gospel. Also a book of Epistles to different Persons, of which one 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 shall they be visited;" one of the Reason of the Bissextile, or Leap-Year, and of the Equinox, according to Anatolius. Also, of the Histories of Saints. I translated the Book of the Life and Passion of St. Felix, Confessor, 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, wlia WOKKS OF BEDE. 299 was both monk and prelate, first in heroic verse, and then in prose. The History of the Abbats of this Monastery, in which I rejoice to serve the Divine Goodness, viz. Benedict, Ceolfrid, and Huetbert, in two books. The Ecclesiastical History of our Island and Nation in five books. The Martyrology of the Birth- days of the Holy Martyrs^ in which I have carefully 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 metre, 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. A book of Orthography digested in Alphabetical 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 words of thy wisdom and knowledge, 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 ! HERE ENDS, BY GOD's HELP, THE FIFTH BOOK OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH NATION. (What follows appears to be by another hand.) [In the year from the incarnation of our Lord 732, Egbert was made bishop of York, in the room of Wilfrid [II.]; Cunebert, bishop of Lindisfariana [SidnacesterPJ died. A. D. 733, there happened an eclipse of the sun, on the 18th day before the kalends of September, about the third hour of the day ; so that almost all the orb of the sun seemed to be covered with a black and horrid shield. In the year from the incarnation of our Lord 733, archbishop Tatwine soo bede's ecclesiastical history. [a r. c. 21 saving received the pall by apostolical authority, ordained Alwich* and Sig- tndf 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, Nothelm was ordained archbishop; and bishop Egbert, having received the pall from the apostolic see, was the first confirmed archbishop after Paulinus, and ordained FrithbertJ and Frithwald || bishops ; and the priest Bede died. A. D. 737, too much drought rendered the land unfruitful, 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 stead. Ethelbald, king of the Mercians, through impious fraud, wasted part of the Northumbrians, their king Eadbert, with his army, being employed against the Picts. Bishop Ethel wald died also, and Conwulf was consecrated in his stead. Am win and Eadbert were slain. A.D. 741, first a great drought happened 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 our Lord. A. D. 747, the man of God, Herefrid, died. A.D, 750, Cuthred, 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. D. 756, in the filth 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 st^d, by pope Stephen. A. D. 757, Ethelbald, king of the Mercians, was miserably murdered, in the night, by his own tutors ; Beonred began his reign; Cynewulf, king of the West-Saxons, died ; and the same year, Offa, having vanquished Beonred, 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, being chosen the same year by his people, entered upon the kingdom ; in whose second year there happened a great tribulation of mortality, and con- tinued almost two years, several grievous distempers raging, but more espe- cially the dysentery. A. D. 761, Oeng, king of tne Picts, died; who, from the beginning to the end of his reign, continued a bloody tyrannical butcher : Oswin was also slain. A. D. 765, King Alcred was advanced to the throne. A. P. 766, Archbishop Egbert, of the royal race, and endued with Divine knowledge, as also Frithbert, both of them truly faithful prelates, departed to our Lord.] * Sidnacester. t Selsey. t Hexham. II Whitherne. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, THE ANGLO-SAXON CHEONICLE.* [The island •]■ of Britain is eight hundred miles long and two hundred miles broad : and here in this island are five tongues ; English, British, Scottish, Pictish, and Latin. The first inhabitants of this land were Britons ; they came from Armenia, J and first settled in the south of Britain. Then befell it that Picts came from the south from Scythia, with long ships, not many, and first landed in North Hibernia, and there entreated the Scots 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 easty^ard 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 successive hands, and extends in different copies from the time of Cesar'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 from the MS. designated by the letter A.; from that period to 1079 from MSS. A. C. D. E. F. and G., and from thence to the conclusion from MS. E. : and that such portions of the different MSS. as are concm-rent with the text, but will not conveniently admit of collation, are given 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 authority of this invaluable national record. f This description of Britain is taken from Bede's Ec( lesiasticaj History: ,4jmorica. 304 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.a 1— & that some part of the Scots departed frcm Hibernia into Britain^ and conquered some portion of the land. And their leader was called Reoda ; from whom they are named Dalreodi.*] Sixty years before Christ was born, 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,"]" 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 Gaul. 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 revertheless 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 born. 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. 5. § • See the etymology of this name in a note at page 7. + " This is an error, arising from the inaccurately written MSS. of Orosius and Bede ; where in Hybernia and in Hiberniam occur for in hiberna. The error is retained in Wheloc's Bede." — Ingr4M. Z " Tribune." — Ingram. § These blank dates are found in the MSS. of the Saxon Chronicle, and are retained in this volume, for the sake of references which occur between the MSS. where the date happens to be blank, and others in which facts Rie assigned to them. A.D. 6—47.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHEONICLE. 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 oi Antipater obtained the government of Judea. A. 12. Philip and Herod divided Lysia (between them), and Judea they divided into tetrarchies. A. 12. This year Judea was divided into four tetrarchies. A. 13.— 15. 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 blessed 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 subdued 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 ANGLO-SAXON OHKONICLE. [a d. 4?— 100. 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 Clau. eSfl. e.*;?.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 32 < there is a wliirpool at this place, which is called Meads welL And they began the foundations and wrought thereon, and then committed it to a monk who was called Sexwulf. He was greatly God's friend, and all the country loved him, and he was very nobly born, and rich in a worldly sense ; but he is now much richer, being with Christ. And king Peafe 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 Kyneswitli his sisters, and by the counsel of the archbishop, who was called Deus-dedit, and by the counsel of all his vsdtan, 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 I have sent for thee, beloved Sexwulf, for the behoof of my soul, and I will 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 I my prayer to thee is, beloved friend, that they work diligently on the work, and I will find thee gold and silver, land 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 he set a day on which the monastery should be hallowed. IT 322 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. f A.D. 657. At tlie hallowing of the monastery king Wulfhere was present, and his brother Ethelred, and his sisters Kyneburg 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 Grod 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, VV^ulf here, 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 Foleys, and thence all the fen straight to Esendic, and from Esendic to the place which is called Fetliermouth, and thence along the straight way ten miles to Ugdike, and thence to Ragwell, and from Pagwell 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 G-reat Cross through a clear water called Bradney, and thence six miles to Paxlade, 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 whicli 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 Welmsfoi-d, and from Welmsford to Clive, and thence to Easton, and from Easton to Stamford, and from Stamford even as the water runneth to the aforesaid North-borough.' These are the lands and the fens which the kmg gave to St. Peter's monastei7. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 323 Then said the king, ' This gift is little ; but it ig my will that they shall hold it so royally and so freely that neither geld nor tribute be taken from it, except for the monks alone. And thus free I will make this minster, that it be subject to Rome 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 nim 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, which is called Anchorets -isle, and my desire is, that we might build a ninster there to the glory of St. Mary, so that those may iwell therein who wish to lead a life of peace and rest.' Then the king answered, and said thus : ' Behold, Sexwulf, 0 ! not only that one which thou hast desired, but all things vhicli I know thee to desire on our Lord's behalf, I thus approve and grant. And I beg of thee, my brother iithelred, and my sisters Kyneburg and Kyneswith, that ye )e witnesses for your souls' redemption, and that ye write it vith. your fingers. And I beg all those who come after me^ >e they my sons, be they my brothers, or kings that come lifter me, that our gift may stand, even as they would be partakers of the life eternal, and would escape everlasting :orment. Whosoever shall take from this our gift, or the ^ifts 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 i+ 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 the cross of Christ. kJ< ' ' And I, Oswy king of the North-humbrians, the friend of this monastery and of abbat Sexwulf, approve of it with the cross of Christ. >J< ' * This word is rendered by Lye, " God-fearing," and by Ingram, simply good.** t2 o24 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 957 * Aiid I, king Sighere, grant it with the cross of Christ. ^ ' < And I, king Sibbi, subscribe it with the cross of Christ. ►J*' ' And I, Ethelred, the king's brother, grant it with the cross of Christ. ^' 'And I, Deus-dedit archbishop of Canterbury, grant it. ' 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 Rome 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 saying, 'I, pope Vitalian, concede to thee king Wulf here, and archbishop Deus-dedit, and abbat Sexwulf, all the things which ye desire, and I forbid that any king or any man have any claim thereon, except the abbat alone ; nor let him obey any man except the pope of Rome, and the archbishop ol 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 Medeshamstedc was begun, which since has been called Burh [Peterborough]. After that, another archbishop came to Canterbury, whc was called Theodore, a very good and a wise man, and he held his synod with his bishops and with the clergy. There was Winfred bishop of the M^^-cians deposed from his 4. D. 658-667.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 325 bishopric, aai abbat Saxulf was there chosen to be bi&Uop, 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 Wulfhere, the son of Penda, laid the coun- try waste as far as Ashdown. And Cuthred the son of Cuichelm and king Cenberff died in one year. And Wulfhere the son of Penda laid waste Wight, and gave the people of Wight to Ethelwald king of the South- Saxons, because Wulfhere had been his sponsor at baptism. And Eappa the mass-priest, by the command of Wilfrid and King Wulfhere, 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 king 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.^ 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 Wi^hard • Of Wessex, at Winchester. See p. 191. t « Father of Caedwalla, king of Wessex. See A. 685."—Petrie. X May 3. " This happened on the 1st of Mav ; but the error i^i Bede's." — Petrie. § Bishop of Lindisfarae. Ij Of Lindisfarne. If See no ie at p. 162 326 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. Ia.d. 667-675, 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 Wighard went to Rome, even as King Oswy and Egbert had sent him. A. 668. This year Theodore was ordained an archbishop, and sent to Britain. A. 669. TMs 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 Egfrid his son reigned after him ; and Hlothere,| the nephew oi bishop Agilbert, obtained the bishopric over the West- Saxons, and held it seven years. Bishop Theodore conse- crated him. And Oswy was the son of Ethelfrid, Ethelfrid of Ethelric, Ethelric of Ida, Ida of Eoppa. A. 671. This year was the great destruction among the birds. A. 672. This year king Kenwalk died, and Sexburga his queen reigned one year after him. A. 673. This year Egbert, king of the Kentish-men died ; and the same year there was a Synod at Hertford, and Saint 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- wulf of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic. A. 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 Rome 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 the abbat, 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 : * Febmaxy 15th. t Eleutherius, bishop of Winchester. Seep, l&i. A.D. 675.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 327 "T, Agatho, pope of Rome, greet well the worshipful Ethelred, king of the Mercians, and the archbishop Tlieo- dore of Canterbury, and the bishop of the Mercians Sexwulf, who was foimerly abbat, and all the abbats who are in Eng- land, with the greeting of God and my blessing. I have heard 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 all 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 monks, 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 from poverty, or be unable to come there from any other kind of need, be he of 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 Rome. Now I beseech thee, brother Theodore, that thou cause to be coromanded throughout aD England, that a synod be gathered, and this decree, be read and observed. In like manner I command thee bishop Sexwulf, that even as thou didst desire that the minster be free, so I forbid 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 tne abbat shall be wilhng. 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 vfich. all ths devils in hell, unless he turn to repentance. Aitxen !'* 328 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. La.d. 67& 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 called 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 Wulfhere, 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, Replugs, 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^" " 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, Cuthbald, 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 ;"(' Escwin died, and Kentwin succeeded to the kingdom * Bishop's Hatfield. See p. ^Ol. f Of Wcssex, or Winchester, k.D. 877-685.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 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 months ; 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 Bernicia. 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 Caedwalla, 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 fifteen years, and Alfrid his brother succeeded to • See p. 193. t See p. 220. t Whithem. § See p. 223. 330 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. L-».B. 685-C9a the kingdom after him. Egfrid was the son of Oswy, Oswy of Ethelfrid, Ethelfrid of Etheh^ic, 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 Derewood.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 by archbishop Theodore at York, because bishop Tumbert had been driven from the bishopric. A. 686. This year Caedwalla 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 Casdwalla 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 Rome, and there dwelt to the end of his days : and the same year Caedwalla went to Rome, and received baptism from the pope, 5: 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- lic, Cynric of Cerdic. A. 688. This year king Caedwalla went to Rome, and received baptisn> 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 afte him, and lie reigned twenty-seven years. A. 689. A. 690. This year archbishop Theodore died ; he was * Wilfrid II. See p. 293. t Beverley. See p. 237. J Sexghid. A.E. 691— 69V THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. £31 bishop twenty-two years, and he was buried at Canterbmy ; and Berthwald succeeded to the bishopric. Before this the bishops had been Romans, 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 commands i a great council to be assembled at the place which is called Baccancelde,J 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. t " The reading of MSS. B and F, however excessive the sum may ap- pear, has been placed in the text, because, unlike the ' thirty men ' of A.G, or the * thirty thousand ' of D.E, it is intelligible without having recourse to conjecture. The payment, whatever its amount may have been, was probably the legal compensation for the death of Mul ... Of the early Latin writers, Ethel wald says, it was 30,000 solidi, 'per singulis oonstanti numero sexdecim nummis Florence, of Worcester, 3750 pounds ; and Malmesbury, 30,000 mancuses, which, at eight to the pound, would agree with Florence." — Petrie. J Beckenham, Kent. 332 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.o. 695— 70* do SO remain to the glory of God, 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 apostles. 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 God'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 V/inchester 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 Drifiield on the nineteenth before the Kalends of A.D. 706—718.] THE ANc^LO-SAXOls' CHRONICLE. 333 January : and bisliop Sexwulf.* Then Osred his son succeeded to the kingdom. A. 706.— 708. A. 709. This year bishop Aldhelm 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 § Aldhelm. After Aldhelm, Forthhere succeeded to it. And king 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 ^ which before he had held ; and the same year Bertfrid the ealdorman fought against the Picts between Heugh and Carau. And Ina and Nun his 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 Dagobert. 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. + Winch<^^er. ^ Sherborne. See p. 267. |J Of Hexham. f Hexham. **A. 6-2S. 334 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.D 719- 731. built the monastery at Wimburn ; and she was given in marriage to AUrid king of the North-humbrians ; but they 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 John "f 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 Rochester 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 Ethelard 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 years : then Ceolwulf succeeded to the kingdom, and held it eight yeare. 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, J and Ceolwulf was the son of Cut ha, Cutha of Cuthwin, Cuthwin of Leodwald, Leodwald of Egwald, • Of Winton. + Of York. % Osric's death is rightly placed by another ISIS, in 729, ..D. 732—74].] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. S35 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 ;f he had been before a priest at Bredon among the Mercians. Daniel bishop of Winchester, and Ingwald 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.^ 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. § A. 735. This year bishop Egbert received his pall at 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 f j received Peter's tonsure, and gave his kingdom to Eadbert, his uncle's son ; he reigned twenty-one years ; and bishop Ethelwald | J 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 archbishcp ♦ The 13th of J Jiuary. § Of York. ** Of Wessex. Of Lindisfan.a. + Of Canterbury. J Hexham. 11 Greg. 111. 1 OfWmtou. h+ Of Northmnbria. §§ Of York. 336 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 742-7ML Nothelm* died, and Cuthbert was consecrated archbishop ; and Dun bishop to Rochester. This year York was burnt. A. 742. This year a great synod was held at Cloveshou ; and there was Ethelbald king of the Mercians, and sirchbishop 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 the Kalends of May ; J he was bishop thirty years. A. 745. This year Daniel died : then forty-three years 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 Cuthred, 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 kingdom of the West- Saxons, and held it one year. A. 755. This year Cynewulf, and the West- Saxon 'witan ' • Of Canterbury. t Wilfrid the second, archbishop of York, is apparently confounded with the bishop of Worcester of the same name. The former -van iucceeded by Egbert in 734. See A. 734 and 776, and Bede, p. 299. t The 29th of April. *.D. 755.1 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 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 Welsh ; and after he had held the kingdom 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 aftray 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 life 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 he 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. And they then bade their kinsmen tnat 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 ' than jour companions who were z 338 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. fA.D. 755- '761. slnm with the king.' And then they continued fi^, or steward of the shire. — Ingram. 342 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 1a.d. 78^784 kingdom after him : he was his nephew. And a sjnod wa«* assembled at Acley. 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, aiwl driven from the kingdom ; and Ethelred, the son of Ethel- wald, again obtained the government. A. 791. This year Baldulf was consecrated bishop of Whitherne, on the 16th before the Kalends of August, by archbishop Eanbaldjj" and by bishop Ethelbert.ij: 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 v^ife, who was called Elfleda, on the 3rd before the Kalends of October. A. 793. This year dire forwarnings came over the land of the North-humbrians, and miserably terrified the people ; 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- farne through rapine and slaughter. And Siga died on the 8th before the Kalends 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 ^ 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 Kalends of Au- gust ; and the heathens ravaged among the North-humbrians, and plundered Egfert's monastery at the mouth of the Wear ; and there one of their leaders was slain, and also some oi their ships were wrecked by a tempest ; and many of them • Of Canterbury. t Of York. t Of Hexham. ^ Of East Anglia. Si Pope Adrian died Decembe ■ 23tl-, 795. <|I Of Lindsey. A.D 795—796.1 THE ANGLO-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,"]' and Badulf,J 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 God, and by his awful doom, I command, 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. If 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 Idea 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, $ Whitherae. + T^indisfarne. $ Of Lindaey. 344 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. U.B. 7&&- -8>3% bald was consecrated in the place of the other on the 19ta before the Kalends of September. A. 796. This year OfFa, king of the Mercians, died on the 4th before the Kalends 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 I7th 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 Athelard"]* 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. And the same day Ethelmund, ealdorman, rode over from the Wiccians, at Cynemasresford [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. $ Winchester. i| Placed in 801 by another MS ».!/ W>3 -S19.1 THE A^TGLO-SAXON OTTKONICLE. 34^. A. 803. This }'ear died Higbald bishop of Lindisfarne on the 8th before the Kalends of July, and Egbert II. 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 tht sun. A. 807. 808. A. 809. This year the sun was eclipsed .it 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 eastward to westward. A. 814. This year the noble and holy pope ^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 Eome § 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 th^ii Boruugh,' (burgus). V. Anastas. Bihliothecar. de Vita Scephani i V. 346 THE ANGLO-SAXON OHRONICLE. [A.D. 820-8S7. and Ceolwulf succeeded to the kingdom ; and Eadbert tlie ealdorman died. A. 820. A. 821. This year Ceolwulf was deprived of his king- v 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 :'\ and the same year Eg- bert king of the West- Saxons and Bernulf 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 Baldred 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 the same year the East-Angles slew Bernulf 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. iEUa 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 Do re * Mercia. + In Cornwall. X Sherborne. § The eclipse happened on the ■25th of December, 828. 828— 836.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. ao^ainst 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 pall. 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- Welsh, ^ 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 lie 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 tlie Kentish-men, and to Surrey, and to the kingdom of the South-Saxons. • Of Lichfield. + Of Canterbury. X Of Canterbury g Of Selsey. || Of Winchester. « Coxa wall. 348 THE ANGL0-3AX0N 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 slain 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. And Louis the emperor died. A. 841.— 844. A. 845. This 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 ealdoniian, with the men of Devonshire, fought against the heathen men at Wembury,f and there made great slaughter and got the victory. And the same year king Athelstan 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 imsiy of the West- Saxons, fought against them at OckJey, * Of Sherborne. t Near Plymouth. 852— 855.1 THE AJ^GiO-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 Ceolred, 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 minuter, 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, the ealdorman. and Hunbert, the ealdorman, and many others. A. 853. 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 [lY.] 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 slain, 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 Frapls 350 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLF. lA.v. 95/5— gave him liis daughter to wife ; and after that he came to Ids 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, Ceawlin 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, Geat of Tsetwa, Tastwa 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 born in Noah's ark ; Lamech, Methusalem, Enoh, Jared, Malalahel, Cainion, Enos, Seth, Adam the first man, and our Father, that is, Christ. Amen. Then Ethelwulf's two sons succeeded to the kingdom ; Ethelbald succeeded to the kingdom of the West- Saxons ; 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 SoiiTh- Saxons ; and then Ethelbald reigned five years. Alfred his third son he had sent to Rome : and when Pope Leo [IV.j heard say that Ethelwulf was dead, he consecrated Alfred king, and held him as his spiritual son at confirmation, even as his father Ethelwulf had requested on sending him thither. A. 855. And on his return homewards he took to {wife) the daughter of Charles, king of the French, whose name was Judith, and he came liome 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 Surry, and of the South-Saxons. And he reigned five years. A. 856.-859. A. 860. This year died king Ethelbald. and his body lies 4.C. 861— 868.1 THE A^fGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 351 at Sherborne ; and Etlielbert 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 laud, 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 five 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 Ethelred, 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 from East-Anglia over the mouth of the Humber to York in North-humbria. And there was much dissension among that people, and they had cast out their king Osbert, and had taken to themselves a king, MllsL, 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. And 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. A nd Burhred king of the Mercians, and his 'witan,' begged of Ethelred king of the West- Saxons, and of Alfi-ed his brother, * Winchester^ 362 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.D. 869. 870. that they 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 army 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 into 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 all the minsters which they came to. The names of their chiefs who slew the king were Hingwai 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 all 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 vills, 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 God 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 the archbishop A.D. 871.] THE Ai^GLO-SAXON CHKONICI-JB. 36a Ceolnoth thought, 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, an: 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 Half dene 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 orother against the division under the earls, and there earl Sidrac the elder was slain, earl Sidrac the younger, and earl Osbern, and earl Frene, and earl Harold ; and both divisions of the ^rmy 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- inodo possit ejicere clericos de ecclesia Christi, quos Ceolnothus pro tali ne- cessitate compulsus ibi posuit. Primo igitur anno ordinationis su£e 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 pragcepit capellanis clericis suis, ut essent cum eis usque quod Deus ^acificaret terram, quad tunc nimis erat turbata propter nimias tempestatea bellorum. Accepit etiam de villis suis presbyteros, ut essent cum monachis, ita tamen ut monachi semper haberent dominatum super clericos. Cogila- vit idem archiepiscopus et saepe suis dixit, quia statim cum Deus pacem nobis dederit, aut isti clerici monachi fient, aut ego ubicumque monachos inveniam quos reponam. Scit enim Deus, inquit quod aliter facere non possum. Sed nunqxiam temporibus suis pax fuit in Anglia, et ideo reman- serunt clerici cum monachis, nec ullo tempore ftiit ecclesia sine monachis, Sed rec iste iEthelredus archiepiscopus potuit laceie. S64 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHllONfOLE. U,i. 871—874. against the army at Basing, and there the Danes 'btained the victory. And about two months aft^r this, king Ethelred and Alfred his brother fought against the army at Marden ; and they were in two bodies, and tliey put both to flight, and during a great part of the day were victorious ; and there was great slaughter on either hand ; 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 Reading. And after this, over Easter, king Ethelred died ; and he reigned five years and Ms body lies at Winburn-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 for a good part of the day ; but the Danes had possession of the place of carnage. 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 Danish-men were overcome : and they had two heathen kings, Bagsac and Half dene, and many earls ; and there was king Bagsac slain, and these earls ; Sidrac the eider, and also Sidrac the yoimger, Osbern, Frene, and Harold ; and the army was put to flight. A. 872. This year the army went from Reading 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 tlie army went from Lindsey to Repton, 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 Rome, and there remained ; and his body lies in St. Mary's church at the English school. And that &mi& year they committed the kingdom of the Mercians tc * Of She-r^onie. A.O. 875-877.1 THE ANGLO-SAXON 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-humbria, 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 Repton 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 notwithstanding 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 RoUa 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 most 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 lot bt; come at. And they there delivered to him hostag-.'^ ^ A 2 356 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 878, 87«. as many as lie would have, and swore many oaths : and then they observed the peace well. And afterwards, during harvest, the army went into Mercia, and some part of it they apportioned, 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 beyond 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 difficulty retreated to the woods and to the fastnesses of the moors. And the same winter the brother of Hingwar and of Half dene 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 [Iley], 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 >^as his godfather at baptism ; and his chrism-loosing* was at \y edmore : 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 * A])pareTitly the removal of the fillet which, covering the chrism pn the forehead, was bound round the head at confirmation. 4..D. 880—885.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CIIRONICLia. 357 Chippenham, and sat there one year. And that year a body of pirates drew together, and sat down at Fulham on the Thames. And that same year the sun was eclipsed during 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 previously had sat down at Fulham, went over sea 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 Scheldt to Conde, 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 Rome 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 yearj the benevo lent bishop Ethelwold died. A. 885. J This 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. f The account of the death of Ethelwold bishop of Winchester, here inserted in MS. F., is anticipated a century by the carelessness of the scribe : the name of his successor in the Latin puts this beyond all doubt. See A. 98^ X A.sser omits tne erents of A. 884 of the Chronicle, and places those of 8&J under that year. At any rate the foreign transactions are rightly so placed. 353 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHKONICIE. \l d. 8ML to Rochester, and besieged the city, and wrought another fortress about themselves. And, notwithstanding tliis, 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 they 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 they came to the mouth of the SsDur, there met them sixteen ships of pirates ; and they 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 Marinus, 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 same year the army in East-Anglia broke the peace with king Alfred. A. 886. This 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 London ; and * Carloman. f Louis 11. t The Bald § The Faii A-D, 887-89C THK ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 359 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 Marne, and thence up the Marne 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 week^ before he died, Arnulf his brother's son bereaved him of the kingdom. And then was that kingdom divided into five^ and five kings were consecrated thereto. This, however, was done by permission of Arnulf : and they said that they would hold it from his hand, because none of them on the father's side was born thereto except him alone, Arnulf then dwelt in the land east of the Rhine : and Rodulf then succeeded to the middle kingdom, "j* and Oda to the western part, and Beorngar and WithaJ 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 general 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 Bernhelm carried the alms of the West- Saxons and of king Alfred to Rome. And Goth- run the Northern king died, whose baptismal name was Athelstan ; he was king Alfred's godson, and he abode in East-Anglia, and first settled that country. And that siame 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. • Tng Fat. Burgundv + Guido. § Of Wilts. 360 THE Als JLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, Ca.d. 891-804 and drowned many of tliem. This year Plegmund waa chosen of God and of all the people to be archbishop of Canterbury. A. 891. This year the army went eastward ; and king Axnulf, with the East-Franks and Saxons and Bavarians, 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 pilgrimage, they recked not where. The boat in which they came was made of two hides and a half ; and they took with them provisions sufficient for seven days ; and then about the seventh day they came on shore in Cornwall, and soon after went to king Alfred. Thus thej 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 cometa ; some men say in English that it is a hairy star, because a long radiance streams 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 from 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 soon after that Hasten with eighty ships landed at the mouth of the Thames, and wrought himself a fortress at Milton ; and the other 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 t. SSS-gOl. twenty. Then, however, 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 etlie- ling, his uncle's son, seized the castle at Wimborne* and that at Twineham,! without leave of the king and of his " witan." Then rode the king with his forces until he encamped at Badbury, near Wimborne ; 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 eaidurniim of J)^ivonslure, died, four weeks before king Alfred. * Dorsetshire. t ChrU';;hurch, New Forest aivision of Soiiuiamptou. 0J>. 602-906.] THE ANGL 3-SAXON CHRONICLE. 367 A. 902. And tliat 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 Virgilius, abb at 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 gel, and he was submitted to in Essex. This year the moon was eclipsed. A. 905. This 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 Novembei. A. 906. In this j(^ar died Alfred, who was goyernor of 368 " THE AlVGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. i'k.D.msri-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 vith the army of East-Anglia and of North-humbria. A. 907. This year Chester was repaired. A. 908. This year died Denewulf, who was bishop at Winchester. A. 909. This year St. Oswald's body was removed from Bardney into Mercia. A. 910. This year Frithstan succeeded to the bishopric 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 kind of cattle, and slew many of the Danish-men : and they were therein five 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 king 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 tTie Lidwiccas, [Brittany,] and greatly ravaged by the Severn ; but they there, afterwards, almost all 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 greatest part of his force 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 ot them ; and there were slain king Ecwils, and king Halfdene and Ohter the earl, and Scurf the earl, and Othulf th».>- hold A.D. 911—916.) THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 369 and Benesing the hold, and Anlaf the black, and Thurferth the hold, and Osferth the collector and Guthferth the hold„ and ^gmund the hold, and Guthferth. A. 911. Then the next year after this died Ethelred 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 all the lands which owed obedience thereto. This year Ethelfled lady of the Mercians came to Scsergate on the holy eve, ' Invention of the Holy Cross,' 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 Rogation-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 Lammas, that at Stafford. 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 Runcorn. A. 915. 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. .'i^ well -15 ihe events of 917 of the text, under the year 914, K B STO THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.n. 917, Wa and there took the king's wife, 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 very 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 portion 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 thanes, which to her was a cause of sorrow. A. 918. This year, in the early part of the year, by God'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. In 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 Arclienfield 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 Arclienfield. 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 cm the south side of Severn -mouth, from the Welsh coast iS'S^tward, to the mouth of the Avon eastward ; so that on * Of LlandafF. *.D. 818—921.] THE ANGLO- S.iXON CURONICLE. 571 fchat side they durst not anywhere attempt the land. Then, nevertheless, they stole away by 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 alone who there swam out to the ships. And then they sat down, out on the island of Bradan- relice, [Flat-holms,] until such time as they were quite desti- tute of 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 the same year, before Martinmas, king Edward went with his forces to Buckingham, and there 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 men who owed obedience to Bedford, and also many of those who owed obedience to Northampton. A. 918. But vei;y shortly after they had become so, she died at Tam- worth, twelve days before midsummer, the eighth year of her having rule and right lordship over the Mercians ; and her body lies at Gloucester, within the east porch of St. Peter's church. [See end of a.d. 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 deprived of all dominion over the Mercians, and carried into Wessex, three weeks before mid-winter : she was called Elfwina. A. 920. In this year, before midsummer, king Edward went to Maldon, and built the town, and fortified it before he departed thence. And that same year Tburkytel the earl went over sea into France, together with such men as would Collow 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 t.j THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 375 and Wulfhelni succeeded to the archbishopric of Canterbury. This year king Athelstan and Sihtric king of the North- humbrians came together at Tarn worth, on the 3d before the Kalends of February ; and Athelstan gave him his sister. A. 925. This year Bishop Wulfhelm was consecrated. And that same year 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 Ealdulf, 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 J uly ; and they renounced all idolatry, and after that submitted to him in peace. A. 927. This year king Athelstan expelled king Guth- frith. And this year Archbishop Wulf helm 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 4tli 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, of earls the lord, of heroes the bracelet-giver, and his brother eksj Edmund etheling, life-long-glory THE ANGLO-S. »n battle won with edges of swords /lear 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 ' dseniede ' 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 javehns 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 fugitives behind, amain, with swords mill-sharp. XON CHRONICLE. Ta-tv Mercians refused not the hard hand-play to any heroes who with Anlaf, 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 i so seven eke of Anlaf 's earls ; of the army countless, shipmen and Scots. There was made flee the North-men's chieftain, by need constrained, 10 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, Constantine, 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 : i he had no cause to botisL A.D. 937-941./ THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONlCUi. 377 hero grizzly-haired, of the bill-clashing, the old deceiver ; nor Anlaf the moor, [mies ; with the remnant of their ar- they 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 horned 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 has 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 forcf to Brumby, and tnere fought against Anlaf ; and, Christ helping, had the victory: and they there slew five kings and seven earls. 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 Wulfhelm arch- bishop in Kent. A. 941. This year tJ>e North-humbrians were false to 378 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. U.B. 042- -943. their plighted troth, and chose Anlaf of Ireland to be theii' kinj Here Edmund king, | so Stamford eke, ruler of Angles, ] and Derby, protector of men, j to Danes were erewhile, Mercia obtained, dear deed-doer, as the Dor flows, course of the white-well, and Humber's river, broad sea-stream. Five towns, Leicester, and Lincoln, and Nottingham, under North-men, by need constrained, of heathen men in captive chains, a long time ; until again redeemed them, for his worthiness, the bulwark of warriors, offspring of Edward, Edmund kine:. A. 941. This year king Edmund received king Anlaf at baptism ; and that same year, a good long space after, he received king Reginald at the bishop's hands. A. 942. This year king * Anlaf died. A. 943. This year Anlaf stormed Tarn worth, 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 Gruthferth. A. 945. This year king Edmund ravaged all Cumber- land, and granted it all to Malcolm king of the Scots, on the * See Hen. Huntingdon and Simeon of Durham. A. 941. There were several chiefs of that name at this period : Anlaf the son of Guthferthy Anlaf the sou of Sihtric, and Anlaf Cuaran^ mentioned A. 94S. A.D. 954.J THE AKGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 879 condition, that he should be his fellow-worker as well by sea as by land. A. 946. This year king Edmund died on St. Augustine's mass-day. That was widely known how he his days ended : that Leofa stabbed him at Puckle-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 king 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 York 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 been oft accused to the king : and in this year also the king commanded great slaughter to 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, fsnd Edred obtained the kingdom of the North-humbrians, 380 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.s, 9r,?- 058 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 they 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 God him granted that he dwelt in peace the while that he lived ; and he did as behoved him, diligently he earned it. He upreared God'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, mid 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 God'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 wor^ of all his people. • Of Canterbury. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. One misdeed he did all too much that he foreign vices loved, and heathen customs within this land brought too oft, and outlandish men and harmful people allured to this land. But God grant him that his good deeds be more availing than his misdeeds, for his soul's protection on the longsome course. 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- terth killed himself, and his body lies at Wimborne. 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. In this same year Athelmod the mass-priest went to Rome, and there died, 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. In 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. In 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, tizd there set monks to serve God ^ herc * Of Abingdon. 382 THE AKGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. .A.D. 96S. previously had been nuns : he bought then many villages of the king, and made it very rich. After that cams bishop Ethelwold to the minster which was called Medeshamstede, which formerly had been destroyed by heathen men : he found nothing there but old walls and wild woods. There found he, hidden in the old walls, writings that abbat Hedda had erewhile written, how king Wulfhere 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 how the pope Agatho had confirmed the same by his rescript, and the archbishop Deus-dedit. Then caused he the minster to be built ; and set there an abbat, who wasr 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 ; and the king answered then and said : " I, Edgar, grant and give to-day, before God and before the archbishop Dunstan, freedom 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 I free it, that no bishop have there any command, without the abbat of the minster. And I give the 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 bishoj:*, nor earl, nor sheriff, 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 : first, froiu *.n 963.J raE ANG1.0-SAX0N CHRONICLE. 383 Whittlesey-mere all as far as the king's toll of Norman-cross- hundred, 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." kJ^ 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, Etlielwin the ealdorman, Britnoth ; Oslac the ealdorman, and many other great men : and all assented to it, and all signed it with Christ's cross, This was done after the birth of our Lord nine hundred and seventy-two years, of the king's reign the sixteenth year. Then the abbat Aldulf bought lands, numerous and many, then 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-sam£ 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. Tie took up St. Kyneburg and St. Kyneswith, who lay at Castor, and St. Tibba, who lay at 384 THE ANGLC -SAXON CHKONICLE. Ryliall, and brought tliem to Peterborough, and made an offering of them all to St. Peter in one day ; and preserved them all the while he was there. A. 963. This year, by king Edgar, St. Etlielwold was chosen to tho bishoprick at Winchester. And the archbishop of Canterbury, St. Dun- stan, 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 Yovk ; 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 Humsey. 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 tha*» thirty years of age. And soon after that, the king led all his ship-forces to Chester ; and there came to meet him si? kings, and they all plighted their tir.th to him, that they would be his fellow-workers by sea and hy A.D. 973.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. S85 A. 973. Here was Edgar, ruler of Angles, in full assembly, hallowed king, at the old citj Akemanscester ; but it the islanders, beorns, 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 of the glorious King, Pastor of light. but that there remaining then still was, of yearly-tale, as writings -say, seven and twenty : so 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 waen this was done, * Of and then in the thirti-: th. was hallowed ruler. A. 974. A. 975. Here, ended I the joys of earth, I Edgar, of Angles king chose him another light I 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, I widely and every where, I the glory of the Lord I laid low on earth : : many were expelled, Wells. 386 THtr ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICr.R, [aJ). 973. 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 from this land, o'er rolling waters, o'er the ganet's-bath ; hoary-haired hero, wise and word-skilled, o'er the water's throng, o'er the whale's domain, A. 975. The 8th before the Ides of July. Here Edgar died, ruler of Angles, West-Saxons' joy, and Mercians' protector. Known was it widely throughout many nations. ' Thset' offspring of Edmund, o'er the ganet's-bath. And this year Edward, Edgar's son, succeeded to the kingdom ; 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 very manifold con\motions among the English people. whom Edgar, king, ordered erewhile the holy bishop Ethelwold to stablish ; and widows they plundered, many times and oft 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 far. Kings him widely bowed to the king, as w is his due by kind. No fleet was so daring, nor army so strong, that 'mid the English nation took from him aught, the while that the noble king ruled on his throne. Ip ^lis days, for his youth, God's gainsay ers God's law broke ; Eldfere, ealdomian, and others many ; and rule monastic qitoshed. and minsters dissolved, and monks drove out, and God's servants put down and many unrighteousnesses, and evil unjust-deeds arose up afterwanls : and eter after that it greatly grew in evil. Aiid at that time also, was Oslac the great earl banished from England. 4 ». 97&-9791 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 387 A. 976. Tois year was the great famine among ihe 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 was seen a bloody cloud, often- times, in the likeness of fire ; and it was mostly apparent at midnight, and so in various beams 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 1 5th 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 greatly avenged, a worse deed done The earthly murderers than this was, would his memory since they first Britain-land sought. Men him murdered, but God him glorified. He was in life an earthly king ; he is now after death a heavenly saint. Him would not his earthly kiiwmen avenge, but him hath his heavenly Father on earth blot out, but the lofty A venger hath his memory 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 to his dead bones. cc2 m THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.ii. 980- 982. Now we may understand that men's wisdom And their devices, and their councils, are like nought '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 ravaged by a ship-force, and the most part of the townsmen slain, and led captive. And that same year wsls 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 Elfstan 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 seven 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 ealdonnen, 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, Herelufu at Shaftesbury, and Wulfwina at Wareham. And that same year went Otho the Roman emperor to Greek-land [Calabria], and there met he a large force of Saracens, coming up from the sea, and they would tlien 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 yarnage : and nevertheless he was there much harassed be- fore he turned thence : and as he homeward went, then died * Of New-minster. t Of St. Peter's. 4.D. 083— 991. J THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 38a 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 ealdorman, and Alfric succeeded to the same ealdorman-ship.* And Pope Benedict [VIL] 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 [II.], 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 Ethelgarf succeeded, after him, to the archbishopric 4 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 II died ; and abbat Wulfgar succeeded to the abbacy. A. 991. This year was Ipswich ravaged; and after that, very shortly, was Britnoth the ealdorman slain at Maldon. And in that year it was decreed that tribute, ^or 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^ left this, and passed to the heavenly life: and Ethelwin the ealdor • Mercia. f Of Selsey. t Of Canterburv § Of Canterbury, jj Of Abingdon. % Of York. 39C THE ANGl O-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a r. 992, 993 til an* died in the same year. Then decreed the king and ^11 his witan that all the ships which were worth anything 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 bishop Elfstan,| and of bishop Escwy;:]: and they were to try if they could any where betrap the army about. Then sent the ealdorman 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 from 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 this year the king and all his witan decreed that all the ships which were worth anything should be gathered together at London, in order that they might try if they could any where betrap the army from without. But -Elfric 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 have 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 Godwin, 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 about, 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: Bnd they there slew the ealdorman, and had possession of the place of • Of E. Angiia. t Of London. { Of Dorc ^ter. *.D 394, 995.J THE ANGLO-SAX J>N CHRONJOLE. 391 carnage. And after that peace was made with them; and him [Anlaf] the king afterwards received at the bishop's hands, through the instruction of Siric bishop of the Kentish-men, and of ^lphej«e [II.] of Winchester. A. 994. In this year came Olave and Sweyn to London, on the nativity of St. Mary, with ninety-four ships ; and they then continued fighting stoutly against the city, and would also have set fire 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 from 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 the 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 f was chosen I 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 mep 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 also the old men who • Of Winchester. i Afterwards Saliebu-y. : To Canterbury. 392 THE ANGLO-SAXON CPIRONICLE. ^.d. ^ jeerc able to say the soothest how each thing had been in this land in the days of their elders; in addition to wha himself had learned from books and from wise men. Him told the very old men, as well clergy as laitv that their elders had told them how it had be!^ est.&rL \Z soon after St. Augustine came to this land. When aJZ tine had obtained the bishopric in the city,* then was he S t'n'- f i'"^ f as it' s re! ated in Historia Anglorumf make (a bishop's) see by the king s aid in . . was begun by the old Romans . . . and to sprout lorth. In that company the foremost were Mel- htus, Justus Pauhnus, Rufinianus. By these sent the blessed pope the paU, and therewith a letter, and instruction how he shou d consecrate bishops, and in which place in Britain he should seat them. And to the king (also) he sent letters T'i^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^"g^- -A"^ 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 atter-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 hll 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) tlie day which is called the mass-day of the two martyrs. Primus et Fehcianus, and there within placed monks all as fet. Cxregory commanded: and they God's service continently performed; and from the same monks bishops were taken for ^^ch as thou mayst read in Historia Anglorum.t 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 also 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, Cffiiterbur/. f Bede, b. i c, 25. * Bede, b. i. c. 33. 4.D.&85.1 THE AJfGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 393 Atlielard's, Wulfred's, Theologild's. But the (first) year when Ceolnoth came to the archbishopric, there was such a mor- tality that there remained 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 amon^ 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 gifts, in order that he should give them the pall. And the pope said, 'Go now t3 England again with God's blessing, and St. Peters and mine ; and as thou comest home, place in thy minster men of that order which St. Gregorius commanded Augustine therein to place, by God'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 after that went to the (king) and the king and all his people thanked 394 THE ANGLO SAXON CHRONICLE. AD.99&-993 God for his return, and that he so had succec Jed as wag pleasing to them all. He then went again to Canterbury, and drove the clerks out of the minster, and there within placed monks, all 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- stroyecl every thing which they met with ; and they burned Ordulf's 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 year the army went again eastward into Frome-mouth, and everywhere there they went up as far as they would into Dorset. And 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 ! 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 fcrom day to day, and distressed the poor people who lay in • Canterbury. *». 1000, 1001 j THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 395 the ships : 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 people retired from the sea, and they ever went forth after them. And then in the end, these expeditions both by sea and land effected 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 Cumberland, and ravaged it well nigh all. And his ships went out about Chester, and should have come to meet him, 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 Whitchurch, and Leofwin the king's high-steward, and Wulf here the bishop's thane, and Godwin at Worthy, bishop Elfsy'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 well 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 thef *^ • Normandy. f See note at p. 413. BQr. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. U.d.1002, looa 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 army 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 together at Pen. And so soon as they joined battle, then the people gave way : and there they made great slaughtei, 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 caldorman ; and he then settled a truce with them by the king's word, and liis 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 Aldulff 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 bereave 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 Wiltsliire. Then was gathered a very large force from Wiltsliire and from Hampshire, and very • Duke of Normandy. f Of York + Emma. * *.o. 1004, 1005.J THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 39T rftsolutely they came in presence of the army. TheE should the ealdorman Elfric 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 Ulfkytel, with the witan of East-Anglia, that it were better that they should purchase peace of the army before they did very much harm 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, and 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-play among the English nation than Ulfkytel had brought to them. A. 1005. In this year was tl^e 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 Denimark ; and staid but a little space ere it came agaiii. 398 THE ANt LO-SAXON CilKONICLE. j«» A. 1006. This year died archbishop Alfric, and after him shop Bnthwm succeeded to the bishopric of Wiltshire t And m the same year was Wulfkeat deDrived of M hTJ ' • and Wnlfriih TTf ? deprived ot all his possessions, antt Wulteah and Ufgeat were blinded, and Elfelm the ea dorman was slain ; and bishop Kenulf + died. And then did all as they had been before wont ; they rava-ed ' and burned, and destroyed, wherever they went. Then the kW commanded all the people of Wessex and of Merc a to bf called out ; and then they lay out all the harvest in the field agains the army But it availed nothing the more than U oft before had done: but for all this the army went ha™ '.'f ,r"''^' f^^^es did everyLnd 0 haim to the inhabitants ; so that neither profited them, nor tlie home army nor the foreign army. When it becsme winter then went the forces home ; and the army t l en cCe over St. Martin's-mass, to their quarters in the Isk of and procured themselves there from all parts that which thev ^'tore ;h ^"t "r"TV"' ™id-winter, they went to their ready store throughout Hampshire into Berl^shire, to Eeadine - aMhev wfnt Th"" ""f V''^^^ '"^'^^^'^ war-bSs bLnfJ A ^? ^^"y *° Wallingford, and that all burned and were then one day in Choked: and they went then along Ashdown to Cuckamsley-hill, and there abode, as a daring boast ; for it had been often said, if they should reach Cuckamsley-hill, that they would nev^r again get to the sea : then they went homewards another way. Then were forces assembled at Kennet, 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 ol the army so great, that no man could think or discover how they could be driven out of the land, or tliis land maintained against them ; for they had every shire ic it e. 100«— ' -.'HE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 399 Wassex sadlj marked, by burning and by plundering. Then the king began earnestly with ^lis witan to consider what might seem most advisable to them all, so that thi.s land might be saved, before it was utterly destroyed. Then the king and his witan decreed, for the behoof of the whole nation, though it was hateful to them all, that they needs must pay tribute to the army. Then the king sent ""o 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 kingdom of Mercia. This year bishop Elphege went to Rome after his pall. A. 1008. This year the king commanded that ships should be speedily built throughout the English nation : that is then, from 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 whicl: 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 be 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, father of Godwin the earl. He then went out, and enticed ships 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 Brihtric took with him eighty ships, and thought that he should acquire gr3at fame if he could seize Wulfncth alive • Of Canterbury. 400 TllE ANGLO-SAXON CHROi^iCLE. LA.D. 1009 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 Wulfnoth, 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 all hopeless ; and the king went his way home, and the ealdormen and the nobility, and thus lightly left the ships ; and then afterwardsj the people who were in the ships brouglit 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 after 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 all 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 (tailed out ; so that they should be opposed on every side : l)ut lo ! nevertheless, they marched as they pleased. Then, upon a certain occasion, the king had got before them with all his forces, as they would go to their ships ; and all the people were ready to attack them. But it was then prevented through Edric the ealdorman, as it ever is still* 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 Chiltern, and so to Oxford, and burned the city ; and betook themselves then, on both sides of the * These expressions in the present tense afFord a strong proof tliat the original records of these transactions are nearly coeval with the transjictioni themselves. Later MSS. use the past tense. — Ingram, AM. 1010.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 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 during Lent they were in Kent, and repaired their ships. A. 1010. This year, after Easter, came the fore-mentioned army into East-Anglia, and landed at Ipswich, and went forthwith where they understood Ulfkytel was with his forces. This was on the day, called the first 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 Wulfric, Leofwin's son, and Eadwy, Efy's brother, and many other good thanes, and numberless of the people : the flight first began 8,t 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 all 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 towr^ and took there-about as much as they themselves would ; and thence they went over Thames into Wessex, and so by 402 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. U.D. 1011. 1012. Cannings-marsli, burning all the way. When they 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 peace, and promised them tribute and food, on condition that they would cease from their plundering. They had then over-run, 1st, East-Anglia, and 2d, Essex, and^3d, Middlesex, and 4th, Oxfordshire, and 5th, Cambridge- shire, and 6th, Hertfordshire, and 7th, Buckinghamshire, and Sth, Bedfordshire, and 9th, half of Huntingdonshire, and iOth, much of Northamptonshire ; and south of Thames, all Kent, and Sussex, and Hastings, and Surry, and Berkshire, and Hampshire, and much of Wiltshire, All these misfortunes befel us through unwise counsel, that they were not in time offered tribute, or fought against ; but when they had done the most evil, then peace and truce were made with them. And nevertheless, for all the truce and tribute, they went everywhere in bands, and plundered our miserable 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 through treachery, because Elfmar betrayed it, whose life the archbishop Elpheg© had before saved. And there they took the archbishop Elphege, and Elfward the king's steward, and the abbess Leo- fruna,* and bishop Godwin. "f And abbat Elfmar J they let go away. And they took there within all the men in orders, and men and women : it is not to be told to any man how many there were. And they remained within the city afterwards as long as they would. And when they had thoroughly searched the city, then went they to their ships, and led the archbishop with them. erewhile saw bliss, in that hapless city, whence to us came first Christendom and bliss, 'fore God, and 'fore the world. Was then captive he who erewhile was head of the English race and Christendom. There might then be seen misery, where men oft And they kept the archbishop with them so long as imtil the time that they martyred him. A. 1012. In tliis year came Edric the ealdorman, and all • Of S. Mildred's, f Godwin III. of Rochester. J Of St. Augustine'* fc.D. 1013.] THE A^GLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 403 the chief witan, clergy and laity, of the English people to London, before Easter ; Easter-day was then on the Ides of April ; and they were there then so long as until all the tribute was paid, after Easter ; that was eight and forty thousand pounds. Then on the Saturday was the army greatly excited against the bishop, because he would not pro- mise them any money : but he forbade that any thing should be given for him. They had also drunk deeply, for wine had been brou^t there from the south. Then took they the bishop, led him to their hustings on the eve of Sunday, the octaves of Easter, which was on the 13th before the Kalends of May ; and there they then shamefully slaughtered him : they cast upon him bones and the horns of oxen, 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 God's kingdom. And on the morrow the body was carried to London, and the bishops Ednoth* and Elfhun,! and the townsmen, re- ceived it with all reverence, and buried it in St. Paul's minster ; and there Grod now manifesteth the miraculous powers of the holy martyr. When the tribute was paid, and oaths of peace were sworn, then the army separated widely, in like manner as before it had been gathered together. Then became subject to the king five and forty ships of the army, and cpvenanted with him that they would defend this country, and that he should feed and clothe them. A. 1013. Li the year after that in which the archbishop Elphege was martyred, the king appointed bishop Living to be archbishop of Canterbury. And 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, md so upward along Trent, until 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 after, all the army north of Watling-street ; and hostages were delivered to him from every shire. After he had learned that all the people were * Of Dorchester. f Of London. X Namely, Leicester, Littcoln, Nottingham, Stamford, and Derby. See A. 942, 1015. t>J>2 404 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 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 Wathng- 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 all their might, because king Ethelred was therein, and Thurkill with him. Then went king Sweyn thence to Wallingford, 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 fall 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 like for the army which lay at Grreen- 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, j" 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 there with her, went to the minster which is called Boneval, where St. Florentine's body lay. There found he a poor place, a poor abbat, and poor monks ; for they had been plundered. Theis * Emma, + Duke of Normandy. A.D. 1014.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 405 bought he there of the abbat and of the monks St. Flcren tine's body, all except the head, for five 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 Canute for king. Then counselled all the witan who were in England, clergy and laity, that they should send after king Ethelred ; 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 full friendship, by word and by pledge, on either half, 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 Lindsey 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 full 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 ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. tA..D. 1015, lOld A, 1015. In this year was the great council at Oxford ; and there Edric the ealdorman betrayed Sigeferth and Morcar, the chief thanes in the Seven Boroughs. He allured them into his chamber, and there within they were cruelly slain. And the king then took all their possessions, and, ordered 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 woman, contrary to the king's will, and had her for his wife. Then, before the Nativity of St. Mary, the etheling went thence, from the west, north to the Five Boroughs, and soon took possession of all Sigeferth's property, and Morcar's ; and the people all submitted to him. Aiid then, during the same time, came king Canute to Sandwich ; and soon after went about Kent into Wessex, until he came to the mouth of the Frome : and then he ravaged in Dorset, and in Wiltshire, and in Somer- set. Then lay the king sick at Corsham. Then gathered Edric the ealdorman forces, and the etheling Edmund in the north. When they came together, 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 their foes. And Edric the ealdorman then enticed forty ships from the king, and then went over to Canute. And the men of Wessex submitted, and delivered hostages, and horsed the army ; 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 Thames into Mercia at Cricklade. And then they went to Warwickshire, during the midwinter's tide, and ravaged, and burned, and slew all that they could come at. Then began 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 there 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 after that tide, the forces were again called out, so that each man, who was able to go, should come forth, under full penalties ; and they sent to the king at London, and prayed him that he would come to meet the forces with such help as he could gather. When they all had come together, then it availed them nothing more than it oft before had done,. D. 1016.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 407 Then was it made known to the king that they would betray him ; they who ought to have been of aid to him. Then left he the forces and returned to London. Then rode the etheiing Edmund into North-humbria to Utred the earl, and every man thought that they would assemble forces against king Canute. Then marched they into Staffordshire, and into Shropshire, and to Chester ; and they plundered on their part, and Canute on his part. He went out through Buckinghamshire into Bedfordshire, and thence to Hunting- donshire, and so into Northamptonshire along the fens 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 the North-humbrians with him ; and he delivered hostages : and, notwithstanding, they slew him, through the counsel of Edric 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 etheiing 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 I^thelred died, before the ships arrived. He ended his days on St. George's mass day, and he held his kingdom with great toil and under 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 withstood 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 Sherston ; and thero 403 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHSONICLE. [A.D. loie. much slaughter was made on either side, and the armies of themselves separated. In that battle was Edric the ealdorman, and ^Imer darling, helping the army against king Edm.und. 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 many of the English people were drowned, from their own carelessness ; they who went before the forces, and would 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 well 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, all 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 Mercia, 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 his 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 ealdormari^ * Of Dorchester. ».D. 1017.] THE AiVGlD-SAXON CHRONICLE. 409 and Godwin the ealdorman of Lindsey, and Ulfkytel 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 they delivered hostages mutually ; and the kings came together at Olney near Deerhurst, and then confirmed their friendship as well 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: and 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 Leofwin the ealdorman, and Ethel- ward, son of Ethelmar the great, and Britric, son 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. Jii this year the tribute was delivered through- out the whole English nation ; that was altogether, two and * Called Ethelsy in some MS? 4iO THE AN>LO-SAXON CHliONlCLE. [A.D. 1019- -1022. seventy tliousaud pounds, besides that wLich 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 live under Edgar's law. And this year abbat Ethelsy died at Abingdon, and Ethelwine :°ucceeded him. A. 1019. This year king Canute went with forty ships to Denmark, and there abode all the winter. A. 1019. And this winter died archbishop Elfstan :* he was named Living; and he was a very provident man, both as to God and as to thi 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 churls. 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 j * Of Canterbury. J Canterbury. f Of York. § Of Elmham. AJD. 1022, 1023.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 411 md tlien afterwards lie blithely went 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 him, 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 blessing. 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 Thurkyl's 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 suffragan 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 his 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 worshipfuUy brought him into Christ's Church, on the third before the Ides of June. Again, after that, on the eighth day, the seventeenth before the Kalends of July, arch- bishop Ethelnoth, and bishop Elfsy,J and bishop Brith- wine, and all those who were with them, deposited St. Elphege's holy body on the north side of Christ's altar, to the glory of God, 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 i»ercy on all Christian meri, through St Elphege's holy merits. ♦ Of York. t Of Sherborne. j Of Winchestef 412 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE.. Ia.d. 102S— 1031. A. 1023. -i-nd '"/e caused St. Elphege's remains to be borne from London to Canterbury. A. 1023. And the same year archbishop Ethelnoth bore St. Elphege's, 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 English thanes, to Norway, and drove king Olave out of the land, and possessed himself of all 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 all at the fullest, if a ship be floating so nigh the land as it nighest may, and there be a man standing in • ghip, 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 him, 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 [II.], submitted to him, and be- came his man, but that he held only a little while, and two other kings, Macbeth and Jelnnar. And Robert, earl of Nor- mandy, went to Jerusalem, and there died ; and William, who was afterwards king in England, succeeded to Nor- luandy, t hough he was a child. • Of York. *.D. 1032—1036.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. A. 1032. In this year appeared the wild fire, such n 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 Ramsey. This same year died Malcolm [II.], 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, Emma, 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 within, as long as she could. A. 1036. This year Alfred the innocent etheling, son of king Ethelredj came in hither, and would go to his mother, who sat at Winchester ; but that neither Godwin the earl, nor the other men who had much power, would allow him be- cause the cry was then greatly in fav our 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 God, 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 Elfsy or Elsinus. to be translated to Caa« terbury, 1038. + Worcester. t Wells. § Of Dorchester. 414 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 1036— lOM to Ely -bury, thus bound. Soon as he came 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 over all England very nigh twenty years. And soon after his decease there was a meeting of all 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 Hardecanute who was in Denmark. And Godwin the earl and all the chief men of Wessex withstood it as long as they could ; but they were unable to effect any thing in opposition to it. And then it was decreed that Elfgive, Hardecanute's mother, should dwell at Winchester with the king's, her son's, household, and hold all Wessex in his power ; and Godwin the earl was their man. Some men said of I^arold that he was son of king Canute and of Elfgive daughter of Elfelm the ealdorman, but it seemed quite incredible to many men j and he was nevertheless full king over all England. A. 1037. This year was Harold chosen king over all, and Hardecanute forsaken, because he stayed too long in Den- mark ; and then they drove out his mother Elfgive, the queen, without any kind of mercy, against the stormy winter : and she came then to Bruges beyond sea ; and Baldwin 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. 1037. 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 Bruges, and protected ajid kept her, the while that she there was. A. 1038. This year died Ethelnoth the good archbishop, f 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 Worc^tershire on the 13th before the Kalends of January. And then bishop Eadsine succeeded to the arch- • Of Flanders. t Of Canterbury . $ Selsey. § Elmhana. LX 1O38-1041.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 415 bishopric, and Grinketel to the bishopric in Sussex, and bishop Living to Worcestershire and to Gloucestershire. A. 1038. This year died Ethelnoth, the good archbishop, on the Ka- lends of November, and a little after, Ethelric bishop in Sussex, and then before Christmas, Briteagus bishop in Worcestershire, and soon after, Elfric bishop in East-Anglia. 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 Hardecanute 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 sixteen weeks ; 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 Hardecanute 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 pence, and even further. A. 1040. This year died king Harold. Then sent they after Hardecanute to Bruges ; thinking that they did well. And he then came hither with sixty ships before midsummer, and then imposed a very heavy tribute, so that it could hardly he 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 whole reign. He caused the dead Harold to be taken up, and had him cast 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 pounds. 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 Elfgive ; Emma, 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 th^ town within the minster. This year, soon after, came from beyond sea Edward, his brother oa the mother's side, king 416 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. iA.»>. i041 -104S Ethelred's son, who before for many years had been drivei. from his country ; and yet was he sworn king : and he then abode thus in his brother's family w^hile 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 years 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.:}: And soon after, the king caused all the lands which his mother possessed to be seized into his hands, and took from her all 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 lia advised her, as people thought. • Of Northumbria. f Of Durham. t FAmimssu 1043- -1045 ] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 417 A.. 1043. This year was Edward consecrated king at Winchester tn the first day of Easter. And this year, fourteen days before Andrew's-mass, the king was advised to ride from Gloucester, and Leofric the earl, and Srodwin the earl, and Sigwarth [Si ward] 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 since : and they suffered her after that to remain therein. This year king Edward took the daughter [Edgitha] of Godwin the earl for his wife. And in this same year died b'ishop Brithwin, and he held the bishopric 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 arclibisliop 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. And in this year was a very great famine over all England, and corn 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. 1044. This year died Living bishop in Devonshire, and Leofric suc- ceeded thereto : he was the king's priest. And in this same year died Elfstan 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 bishopric 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, that net man had • Of Canterbury. t Of Ramsbury, afterwards removed to Salisbury. £ £ 418 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 1045, 1048. 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, | and ordained 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 went to Denmark. A. 1045. This year 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 the north,t succeeded thereto. And in the same year Sweyn the earl went out to Baldwin's land§ to Bruges and abode there all the winter ; and then in summer he went out. A. 1046. In this year Sweyn the earl went into Wales, and Griffin the Northern king || went with him ; and they delivered hostages to him. As he was on his way home- 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, with 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. J046. 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 Si ward, and archbishop Eadsine again obtained the whole bisliopricIT And in this same year Lothen and Irling came with twenty- fivo ships to Sandwich, and there took unspeakable booty, in men, and * OfCrediton. t Of Evesham. t Of Elmham. i Flanders. fl Of Nonh Wales. % Of Canterbury. 1046, i047 ] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, gold, and in silver, so 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 Besan9on, 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 Wulfric abbat of St. Augus- tine's, and abbat Elfwin,+ that they might make known to the king wl^t should be there resolved on for Christendom. And in this same year king Edward went out to Sandwich with a great fleet. And Sweyn the earl, son of Godwin 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 Beorn the earl contended that he should not be held wor- thy of any of the things which the king had granted to them : but a pro- tection of four days was appointed him to go to his ships. Then befell it during this, that word came to the king that hostile ships lay westward, and were ravaging. Then went Godwin the earl west about with two of the king's ships ; the one commanded Harold the earl, and the other Tos- ty his brother ; and forty-two of the people's ships. Then Harold the eari 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 Beorn the earl, and begged of Beorn that he would go with him to the king at Sandwich, and help him to the king's friendship : 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 him unless he should at the soonest come thither. Then went they 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 him up, and bore him to Winchester to the Old- minster : and he is there buried with king 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 [IL] bishop t of the north and Ulf was made bishop. A. 1047. In this year died bishop Grinketel ; he was Of Wells. + Of Ramsey. \ Of Dorchestero E E 2 420 THE A^^GLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. La d. 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 very great mortality in the same year. A. 1047. This year died Living the eloquent bishop, on the 10th before the Kalends of April, and he had three bishoprics; one in Devonshire, and in Cornwall, and in Worcester. Then LeofricJ 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 Denmark. A. 1047. In this year there was a great council in London at Mid-lent, and nine ships of lightermen were discharged, and five remained behind. In this saiAe 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 Verceili, 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 this year died archbishop Eadsine, 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 Alwynj 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, beg- ging assistance against Magnus, king of Norway ; that fifty ships should 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 then drove out Sweyn, and with much man-slaying won the laud : and the * OfSelsey. + Of Winchester. X Leofric removed the see to Exeter. j King of Ncrway. [ Of Canterbury. AJU^ 1048.] THE ANGLO-oaXON CHRONICLE. 49,\ Danes paid him much money and acknowledged him as king. And that lame 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. Peter's-mass-eve, and entered on his archiepiscopal see at Christ's Church on St. Peter's mass-day ; and sdon 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 full 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 knig 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 ot Boulogne. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.D. 1:4a Siward the earl * and Leofric the earl,f and much people with them, from the uorth, to the king ; and it was made known to the earl G-Ddwin and his sons, that the king and the men who were with him, were taking counsel concerning them : and they arrayed themselves on the other hand reso- lutely, though it were loathful to them that they should stand against their royal lord. Then the peers on either side decreed that every kind of evil should cease : and the king gave the peace of God and his full friendship to either side. Then the king and his peers decreed that a council of all the nobles 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. Then de- clared they Sweyn the earl an outlaw, and summoned Godwin the earl and Harold the earl, to the council, as quickly as they could effect it. When they had come thither, then were they summoned into the council. Then required he safe conduct and hostages, so that he might come, unbetrayed, into the council and out of the council. 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 should come with twelve men to the king's council. Then the earl again required safe conduct and hostages, that he might defend himself against each of those things which were laid to him. Then were the hostages re- fused him ; and he was allowed a safe conduct for five nights to go out of the land. And then Godwin the earl and Sweyn the earl went to Bosham, and shoved out their ships, and betook themselves 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 after this happened, then put away the king the lady who had been consecrated his queen.J and caused to be taken from 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 Spar- 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 Devonshire, and over Somerset, and over Dorset, and over the Welsh. And Algar, the son of Leofric the earl, was appointed to the earldom which Harold, before held. A. 1049. In this year the emperor gathered a countless *orce against Baldwin § of Bruges : by reason that he had ""estroyed the palace at Nimeguen, and also, that he had lone many other injuries to him : the force was not to be told which he had gathered. There was Leo [IX.] the pope of Rome, and many great men of many nations. He sent also to king Edward, 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 Northvnibna. i Editha. t Of Merck. § Earl of Flanders. A D. 1049.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CIIKONICLE. 423 win all that lie would. Thither came back again Swejn the earl to king Edward, and requested land of him, from which he might maintain himself. But Harold his brother contended, and Beorn the earl, that they 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 be his man, and begged of Beorn 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 Beorn 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 again to their ships. Then lay Godwin the earl and Beorn the earl at Pevensey, with their ships. Then came Sweyn the earl with fraud, and begged of Beorn the earl that he would be his companion to the king at Sandwich ; saying that he would swear oaths to him, 'and be faithful to him. Then Beorn 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 Beorn ; 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 Thorney, and Wulfnoth abbat of Westminster : and king Edward gave the bishopric to Ulf his priest, &nd unworthily bestowed it. And in this same year king Edward discharged nine ships from pay ; and tlioy went away, ships and all ; and five isliips remained be- * Dorchester. 424 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 1049, 105Q hind, and the king promised them twelve months' 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 Denmark, and Harold, uncle of Magnus, went to Norway after Magnus was dead ; and the Normans 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 mortality 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 liis body lies at Peterborough. Then king Edward held a council in London at Mid-lent, and appointed Robert archbishop of Canterbury, and abbat Sparhafoc to London; and gave to bishop Rodulf, 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 the Danes. He came thither with false pretences ; saying that he would again be obedient to the king. And Beorn the earl promised him that he would be of assistance to him. Then, after the reconciliation of the emperor and of Baldwin, many of the ships went home, and the king remained behind at Sandwich with a few ships ; and Godwin the earl also went with forty-two ships from Sandwich to Pevensey, and Beorn 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 after 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 ships. And the others landed in Sussex X 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. While Godwin the earl and Beorn the earl lay at Pevensey, then came Sweyn the earl, and begged Beorn the earl, with fraud, who was his uncle's son, that he would be his companion to the king at Sandwich, and better his affairs with him. He went then, on account of the relationship, with three companions, with him ; and he led him then towards Bosham, where his ships 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. ♦ Of Worcester. J Essex, A D. 1051, 10fi2.j THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 425 him to Dartmouth, and there ordered him to be slain, and deepjy buried. Afterwards he was found, and borne to Winchester, and buried with king Cancte 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 Beorn ; after that all forsook him except two. In the same year arrived m 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 ; 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 Wulfnoth 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'a 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 Leofwme 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 his 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. % Wincheste .. 426 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHKONICLE. other people : and soon after that he went about Penwith- stert. And then king Edward caused forty vessels to be fitted out. They lay at Sandwich many weeks ; they were 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 all the men of Kent, and all the boatmen from Hastings and every- where there by the sea-coast, and all the East-end, and Sus- sex, and Surrey, and much else in addition thereto. Then all declared that they with him would die and live. When the fleet which lay at Sandwich, learned this concerning God- win's voyage, then set they out after him. And he escaped them, and concealed himself wherever he then could ; and the fleet went again to Sandwich, and so homeward to Lon- don. Then when Godwin learned that the fleet 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 the 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 overflowing army. When king Edward learned that, then sent he up after more help ; but they came very late. And Godwin advanced ever towards London with his fleet until he came to Southwark, and there abode some time until the flood-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 flood-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 they 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 loathful to almost all of them that they should fight against men cf their own race ; for there was little else there which was of much account except Englishmen, on either side ; and more- 1052.1 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHROIHCLE. 427 over tliey were unwilling that this land should be still mure 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 Godwin landed, and Harold his son, and from their fleet as many as to them seemed fitting. Then there was a gei^eral 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 Eobert, * and bishop William, f and bishop Ulf,J with difficulty 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 Rees, the Welsh king's || brother, was slain. A. 1 052. This year died Alfrie, archbishop of York, a very 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 had 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 Eustace ^ landed at Dover : he * Of Cankrbury. § £ditha. + Of London. 11 Of South Wales. J Of DoTchester. ^ Earl of Boulogne. 428 THE ANGiO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A n. lOAft had king Edward's sister to wife. Then went his men inconsiderately =ifter quarters, and a certain man of the town they slew ; and another man of the town their companion ; so that there lay se ven 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 Leofric, the earl,t and north after Siward the earl,J 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 over 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 all to Gloucester to help the king, though it might be late. Then were they all BO united in opinion with the king that they would have sought out Godwin's forces if the kiiig had go willed. Then thought some of them that it would be a great folly that they should join 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 Thorney, 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 the 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 difficulty got away ; and there he sustained much damage. Then went he forth to Ireland when fit weather came. And Godwin, * Godwin's earldom consisted of Wessex, Sussex, and Kent : Sweyn's of Oxford, Gloucester, Hereford, Somerset, and Berkshire : and Harold'i ef Essex, East-Anglia, Huntingdon, and Cambridgeshire. t Of Mercia. J Of Northvmibria. $ Of WorcMter. A.I>. 1052.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHEONICLE. 429 and those who were with him, went from Thorney to Bruges, to Baldwin's 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 daughtei wedded and united 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 Edward's 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 Ralph, the earl, and Odda, the earl,t as head-men thereto. Then Godwin, the earl, 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 all departed, and all 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 yielded them so much as they laid on them. And then they went westward \mtil 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 on vard» ♦ Of Normandy t Of Devon* 430 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [AD. 1052. until he came to Ness, and got all the ships which were in Romney, and in Hythe, and in Folkstone. And then they went east to Dover, and there landed, and there took ships and hostages, as many as they would, and so went to Sandwich and did " hand " the same ; imd everywnere 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 burned, and betook themselves then toward 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 sent to the king, and required of him, that they might be held worthy of each of those things which had been unjustly taken from them. Then the king, however, resisted some while ; so long as until the people who were with the earl were much stirred against the king and against his people, so that the earl himself 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 be set 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 himself 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 proclaimed without London : and all the 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 king gave to the earl and his children his full friendship, and full 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 diflTerence between Godwin, the earl, and the king. And bishop Stigand obtained the archbishopric of Canterbury. In this same time Arnwy, 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 Arnwy lived afterwards eight years. And abbat Leofric then (enriched) the mnister, so that it was called the Golden-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 nnie 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 Folkstone, to Dover, to Sandwich, and ever they took ail the ships which they found, whxch could be of any service, and hostages, all as they proceeded ; and wunt then to London. • Ediths A.D 1053, 1054.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 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 Easter, 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 powerless, 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 Welshmen 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 ReeSjthe Welsh king's brother, should be slain, because he had done harm; and his head was brought to Gloucester on Twelfth-day 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 Egel- noth succeeded to the abbacy at Glastonbury. And the same year died Elfricy Odda's brother at Deorhurst ; and his body resteth at Pershore And the 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 father 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 earldwm which Harold before held. A. 1054. This year went Siward the earlij: with a great army into Scolgland, and made much slaughter of the Scots- * Dorchester. + Of Worcester. X Of Northumbria. 432 THE ANCLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [>.o. 1054, 1055. 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 Aldredj 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 Rome. And in this year there was so great a murrain among cattle, as no man remembered for many years before. And Victor [II.] 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-carls, and also of the king's, were there slain, on the day of the Seven Sleepers. 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 emperor,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 Galmanho, || which himself had before built, to the glory of God 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 ships, besides his own : and they went then to Wales, to king Griffin,^ 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. 1 Henry III. § Of Lichfield. Q A Saxon abbey, merged afterwards in Stc Mary's at York- f Of North Wales. *.D. 1055.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 43^ and there great slaughter was made, about four hundred men or five ; and they made none on the other side. And they 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 f^nd 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 Gloucfeter, 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 tlie ninth before the Kalends of November. In the same year died Tremerin the Welsh bishop, f soon after that ravaging ; he was bishop Athelstan's coadjutor from 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 God's and Olave's name. And Tosty succeeded to the earldom which he had held. And archbishop KynseyJ fetched his pall from pope Victor. And soon thereafter was outlawed Elgar the earl, son of Leofric the earl, well-nigh without guilt. But he went to Ireland and to Wales, and j)ro- cured himself there a great force, and so went to Hereford : but there came against 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 they 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 all the treasures therein, and carried them away with them. And when they had done the utmost evil, this counsel was counselled : that Elgar 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 died Tremerin the Welsh bishop,§ soon after that ravaging : 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. § Of St. David's THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 1056, 1037. all the people of the land. And he made a roi'fession of it before all the men who were there gathered ; though the word escaped him uninten- tionally. And the king gave the earldom to Tosty, son 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. Elthelbert's minster, and all the town of Hereford. A. 1 056. This year bishop Egelric gave up his bishopric at Durham, and went to St. Peter's minster, Peterborough ; and his brother Egelwine succeeded thereto. This year died Athelstan the venerable bishop, on thel^th before the Ides of February, and his body lies at Hereford-port ; and Leof- gar 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 chrism 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 tell 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 reconcilia- 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 Persliore, 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 came 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-land'[{ to be betrayed : but he there grew up to a good man, * Of Mercia. + Of Worcester. t H«n. IIL I i)i I>e¥€Mi» g Hungary* A. r>. 1057,1058.] THE ^GLO-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-laud for the mishap of this wretched nation. as God him granted, and him well became ; AO 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 earl| on the 12th before the kalends of January ; and he lies at Petei- borough. Moreover, bishop Heca died 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 year Edward etheling, king Edmund's son, cainenither 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 Aldredlf 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 \^'~ was appointed pope : he sent a pall to bishop Stigaacl, * OfMercia. t Selsey. Ji King of North Wales. + Of Hereford § Of Mercia. % Of Worcester. y F 2 436 * THE AI?OIX>-SAX0N CHKONICLE. [a v,. 1058— 10«3. Algeric was ordained bishop of Sussex,* and abbat Siward of Kochester. A. 1058. This year died Pope Stephen, and Benedict was consecrated pope : the same sent hither to land a pall to archbishop Stigand. And in this year died Heca, bishop of Sussex ; and archbishop Stigand ordained Algeric, a monk at Christchurch, bishop of Sussex, and abbat Siward bishop of Rochester. A. 1059. In tliis year was Nicholas [11. ] 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 ;| and Giso the priest was appointed in his sfead. A. 1061. This year bishop Aldred went to Rome after his pall, and he received it from Pope Nicholas. And Tosty and his wife also went to Rome : and the bishop and the earl suffered much distress as they came homeward. And this year died Godwin, bishop of St. Martin's 4 Wulfric iibbat of St. Augustine's, on the 14th before the Kalends of April [May?]. And Pope Nicholas died, and Alexandei [11.] was chosen pope : he had been bishop of Lucca. A. 1 06 1 . 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 the self-same year died Wulfric, 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 Rhyddlan, which was Griffin's, and burned the vill, and his ships, and all the stores which thereto belonged, and put him to flight. And then, at Roga« * Selsey. + Wells. J At Canterbury, «.i).106J-1065.] THE J^KaLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. tion-tide, Harold went with his ships from Bristol ahout Wales ; and the people made a truce and delivered hostages ; and Tostj 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 was 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 eari, as well with a land-force as a ship-force, into Wales, and they sub- dued the land ; and the people delivered 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 well 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 tD meet him with the men who were 438 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.D. 106S ill his earldom, and also many Britons came with him. There came Harold, the earl, to meet them ; and they laid an errand upon him to king Edward, and also sent messen- 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 went on their errand, Idp'^ 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 north with them ; so that that shire, and the other shires which there are nigh, were for many years the worse. And Tosty the earl, and his wife, and all those who would what he would, went south over sea with him to Baldwin, the earl, and he received them all ; and they were all the winter 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 Grod and of St. Peter, and of all God's saints ; and the church-hallowing was on Childsr- mass-day. And 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 soul to Christ, in G-od's protection, spirit holy. He in the world here dwelt awhile in royal majesty mighty in council. Four-and-twenty, lordly ruler ! 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, Angles and Saxons, chieftains bold. Where'er embrace cold ocean-waves, there all to Edward, noble king ! obeyed faithfully, the warrior-men. Aye was blithe-mind the harmless king, though he long erst of land bereaved, A.D. 1065. 1060.) THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 439 in exile dwelt «ride o'er the earth, since Canute o'ercame .he race of Ethelred, and Danes wielded the dear realm of Angle-land, eight-and-twenty of winters numbered, wealth dispensed. After forth-came, in 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 tliat he wielded the realm. A. 1065. And the man-slaying was on St. Bartholomew's mass-day. An<3 then, after Michael's-mass, all the thanes in Yorkshire went to York, and there slew all earl Tosty's hovisehold 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 council 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 God 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 Major, the 8th before the Kalends cf May, 440 THE AJ^GLO- SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.D, 1066. and so slione all the seven niglits. And soon after came in Tosty the earl from beyond sea into the Isle of Wight, -with so great a fleet as he might procure ; and there they yielded him as well money as food. And king Harold, his brother, gathered so great a ship-force, and also a land-force, 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 win this land ; all as it afterwards happened. And the while, came Tosty the earl into Humber with sixty ships ; and 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 there met him Harold king of Norway with three hundred ships ; and Tosty submitted 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 brother : 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. Then came Harold our king unawares on the Northmen, 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. Michael's- 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 Apjpledore ; and William came A.D. 1066.] THE ANGLO-SAXON OHRONICLE. 441 against him unawares, before his people were set in order. But the king nevertheless strenuously fought against hinj with those men who would follow him ; and there was great slaughter made on either hand. There was slain king Harold, and Leofwin 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 God granted them for the people's sins. Archbishop Aldred and the townsmen of London would then have child Edgar for 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 all passed away. This fight was done on the day of Calix- tas 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 which afterwards had come from 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 book, 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. 442 THE AJSGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.». loea land. And bishop Odo* and William tlie earl remained here behind, and they built castles wide throughout the nation, and poor people distressed ; and ever after it greatly grew in evil. May the end be good when God will ! 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 Christ- Churchf was burned. And this year appeared a comet on the 14th before the Kalends of May. A. 1066. . . . J And then he [Tosty] went thence, and did harm everywhere by the sea-coast where he could land, as far as Sandwich. Then was it made known to king Harold, who was in Loudon, that Tosty his brother was come to Sandwich. Then gathered he so great a ship-force, and also a land force, as no king here in the land had before gathered, because it had been soothly said unto him, that William the earl from Normandy, king Edward's kinsman, would come hither and subdue this land: all as it afterwards happened. When Tosty learned that king Harold was 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 the 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 assisted him 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 Isle of Wight, 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 ship-force, and no small 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 gather 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 possession of the place of carnage. And this fight was on the vigil of St. Matthew the apostle, and it was Wednesday. And then, after the fight, went Ha- rold king of Norway, and Tosty the earl, into York, with as much people * Odo, bishop of Bayeux, half brother of king William, ani William Fitz. Osbert, created earl of Hereford. t Canterbury. X Continued after "money as food," in page 440. A.D. ]06e." THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 443 as seemed meet to them. And they delivered hostages to them from the city, and also assisted them with provisions ; and so they went thence to their ships, and they agreed upon a full peace, so that they should all go with him south, and this 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 throughout York ; and Harold king of Norway, and Tosty the earl, and their forces, were gone from their ships beyond York to Stanfordbridge, because it had been pro- mised them for a certainty, that there, from all the shire, hostages should be brought to meet them. Then came Harold king of the English against them, unawares, beyond the bridge, and they there joined battle, and very strenuously, for a long time of the day, continued fighting : and there was Harold king of Norway and Tosty the earl slain, and nnmberless 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. 1066. In this year was consecrated the minster at Westminster, on Childer-mass-day. And king Edward died, on the eve of Twelfth-day ; and he was buried on Twelfth-day, within the 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 ail 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, whc * Earl of Normandy. ^44 THE ANftLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.o. 1U67 was liis uncle, before had made, and that of Crowland, and that of Thor« ney. And he conferred so much of good upon the minster of Peter- borough, in gold, and in silver, and in vestments, and in land, as never any other did before him, nor any after him. After, Golden-borough became a wretched borough. Then chose the monks for abbat Brand the provost, by reason that he was a very good man, and very wise, and sent him then to Edgar the etheling, by reason that the people of the land supposed that he should become king: and the etheling granted it him then gladly. When king William heard say that, then was he very wroth, and said that the abbat had despised him. Then Avent 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 every evil to the minster. God have mercy on it ! A. 1067. This year tlie king came back to England on St. Nicolas'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 this 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 well and performed ill : the citizens surrendered the city, because the thanes had betrayed them. This summer the child Edgar, with his mother Agatha, his sisters 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 other 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 befoie what he would do with her THE AKGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 415 namely that she should increase the glory of God in thia land, lead the king out of the wrong into the right path, bring him and his people to a better way, and suppress all the bad customs which the nation formerly followed. These things she afterwards accomplished. The king therefore married her, though against her will, and was pleased with her manners, and thanked God 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^'' 8^c. which means in our language " Full oft the unbelieving 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 God, 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 Ethelred, 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 after this the lady Matilda came to this country, and arch- bishop Eldred consecrated her queen at Westminster on Whitsunday. 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 built 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 Cospatric and all the best men went into Scotland. During these things one of Harold's sons came with a fleet from Ireland unexpectedly into the mouth of the river Avon, and soon plundered all that neighbourhood. They went to Bristol, and would have stormed the town, but the inhabitants opposed them bravely. Seeing they could get nothing from the town, they went to their sliips with the 446 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.b. 106S, lOCa booty thpy had got by plundering, and went to Somersetsliire^ 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 thos.e 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- brians to York, and the townsmen treated with him ; on which king William came from the south with all his troops, 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 Beorn camb 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 with much honour ten years, all but hfteen weeks. Soon after this, three of the sons of Sweyne came from Denmark with 240 ships, together with earl Osbern and earl Thorkill, into the Humber ; 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 the 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 aU the winter, and Easter he caane to Winchester, A.D. 1070., THE AifGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 447 This year bishop Egelric being at Peterborough, was accused and sent to Westminster ; and his brother bishop Egelwin 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 metropoHs on the * In the second year after Lanfranc's consecration he went to Rome, pope Alexander so greatly honoured him, that contrary to his custom he rose to meet him, and gave him two palls hi token of especial favour : Lanfranc received one of them from 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 mass. In the presence of the pope, Thomas brought forwards a calumny touching the primacy of the see of Canterbury, and the subjection of certain bishops. 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 Wulfric, abbat of the new monastery, and made many regulations touching Christian discipline. A few days afterwards, he consecrated Osbern 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 Lanfranc 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 Ernost departed this life. In his seventh year, he gave the bishopric of Rochester to Gundulpli, whom he consecrated at Canterbury. This year Thcmas 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 made bishop of those 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 dejpoaed Ailuoth abbat of Glastonbury. 448 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. Ia.d. 1079. fourth before the Kalends of September, by eight bishops his suffragans ; the rest who were absent signifying through mei^engers, and by writing, why they could not be In his eleventh year, a council was held at Gloucester, wherein, by the king's order, and Avith the consent of Lanfranc, Thomas archbishop of York consecrated William to the bishopric of Durham ; and because he could not be attended by the Scotch bishops his suffragans, the bishops Wolstan, Osbern, Giso, and Robert assisted at this ceremony by the con':- mand of Lanfranc. At this time Lanfranc sent letters rich in sacred lore to bishop Donald in Ireland. In his sixteenth year Lanfranc consecrated Donatus, his monk at Canterbury, to the bishopric of Dublin, by the desire of the king, clergy, and people of Ireland. Tliis year a council was held at Gloucester, wherein Lanfranc deposed Wulstcetel abbat of Croyland. He consecrated 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 Lanfranc's prelacy, on the death of king William beyond sea, he acknowledged his son William, as he had done hia father, and consecrated and crowned him in St. Peter's church, which is ir 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 then at Canterbury, conducted the abbat Wydo to St. Augustine's and commanded the brothers 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 receive him. Thus Lanfranc came leading the abbat, and when he found that the monks were obstinate in resistance, and that they would not obey him, he commanded that all the refractory should come out one by one. When therefore nearly all had left the monastery, Lanfranc and his suite led in the abbat with much pomp, placed him in the chair, and delivered the church up to him. He also seized the prior, Elfrin 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 there. 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 church. Hereupon he sent to them, saying, that if they would, they might return to the church before the ninth hour, but that if they delayed longer, they would not be aiiowed free entrance, but he treated as renegadoes. Havhig heard this message they doubted whether to return or to remain, b> t at the hour of refection, when they became hungry, many repenting of their obstinacy sent to Lanfranc and promised submission. These he treated with lenity, and desired that they should return directly and confiim by oath their profession of obedience to the aforesaid abbat. Thus they returned and swore faithfulness and obedience to the abbat Wydo, upon A.D. 1070.J 9 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHliONICLE. 44y there. This year Thomas, who had been chosen as bishop of York, came to Canterbury, that he might be consecrated there after the old form, but when Lanfranc craved the the relics of St. Augustine. Lanfranc seized those who remained behind and placed them in various monasteries of England, confining them till he brought them to profess their submission. About the same time, he seized (me of them named Alfred, who had attempted to flee, and confined him loaded with ll-ons at Canterbury, together with some of his fellows : and he exercised upon them the utmost severity of their order. But when these monks were thought to be sufficiently humbled and had promised amend- ment, Lanfranc taking pity on them, had them brought from the several places whither he had banished them, and reconciled them to their abbat. The same year the dissensions were renewed, and the monks plotted the death of their abbat, but one of them, named Columban, being taken, Lanfranc caused him to be brought to him. As he stood there before him, Lanfranc asked if he desired to murder his abbat. And the monk forth- with replied, " Yes ! if I could I would certainly kill him." Then Lan- franc commanded that he should be tied up naked by the gates of St. Augustine's and suffer flagellation before all the people, that his cowl should then be torn off", and that he should be driven out of the city. This order was executed, and thenceforth, during Lanfranc's life, sedition waa repressed by the dread of his severity. In the nineteenth year of his prelacy, died the venerable archbishop Lanfranc, and he was buried at his metropolitan see of Canterbury, of which he had been possessed eighteen years, nine months, and two days. Hii deeds, his buildings, alms, and labours, are only in part recounted in the writing which is read on his anniversary, for they were very numerous. After his death the monks of St. Augustine's, openly rebelling against their aforesaid abbat Wydo, stirred up the citizens of Canterbury, who, with an armed force, attempted to slay him in his house. But his family made resistance, and when many had been wounded, and some killed on both sides, the abbat with much difficulty escaped unhurt from amongst them, and fled for refuge to the mother church of Canterbury (Christ's church.) On the report of this disturbance Walkelin bishop of Winchester, and Gundolf bishop of Rochester, suffragans to the see of Canterbury, with some noblemen sent by the king, hastened to Canterbury, that they might take vengeance on the delin-quents ; and when they had inquired into the causes of the sedition, and had found the monks unable to clear themselves, they 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, if they were to receive theii discipline before all the people, they should henceforth be accounted infamous, and so their profession and office come to be despised. Where- fore it was granted on their intercession, that the punishment should take place in the church, into which the populace should not be admitted, but those only who were appointed to see it executed. And two monks of Christ's church, Wydo and Norman, were called in, and they inflicted the punishment at the command of the bishops. Then the rebellious monks were dispersed into various monasteries of England ; and twenty-foxix mouka Q Q 450 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.D. l(i7iif confirmation of his subjection by oath, he refused, and said that he was not obliged to give it. Then was the archbishop 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. It 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 desired of him an oath of obedience, and that he had refused it. Then the archbishop Lanfranc began to make manifest with clear reasoning, that he had a right to demand that which he required : and he proved the same with strong arguments before the Pope Alexander, and before all the council then assembled : and thus they departed home. After this, Thomas came to Canterbury, and humbly performed all that 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 caused all the monasteries in England to be despoiled of their treasures. The same year king Sweyn came from Denmark into the Humber, and the people of those parts came to meet him and made an alliance with him, for they believed that he would conquer the land. Then the Danish bishop Christien, and €arl Osbern, 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, l;amed Anthony, who had been sub-'prior at Christ's church. The townsmen who entered the abbafs hall in arms were seized, and those who were con- victed 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 leogth, 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 Anselm abbat of Bee, a good and an upright man, of great learning, and amongst the most noted of his time. He came to Canterbury on the seventh before ^h« Kalends of October, his earlier arrival having been prevented by many diffident cQij^eSj.aiiid he- was- consecratied oa the second befote the Nonea of A.D. 1070.] THE AlfGLO-SAXON 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 stern 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 monk& 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, %nd 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 "j" which was hidden there ; it was all of gold and silver. They also seized two gilt shrines, and nine of silver, and they carried off fifteen great crosses of gold and silver. And they took so much gold and silver, and so^ much tre-asure 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 beheved that they should overcome the Frenchmen, and they drove away all the monks, leaving only one named Leofwin the Long, and he lay sick in the hospital. Then came the abbat 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 Ingi-am so translates the word, referring to a Gallo-Norman poem: published by Sharpe. Gibson, Lye, and Miss Giimey read " cope^**" G G 2 452 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.i>. 1071 the Is ones of June. Then the two kings, William and Sweyn, made peace with each other, on which the Danes departed from Ely, carrying 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 ships in which the treasures were : some were driven to Norway, some to Ireland, and others to Denmark, and all the spoils that reached the latter country, being the table * and some of the shrines and crosses, and many of the other treasures, they brought to one of the king's towns called , and laid it all up in the church. But one night, through their carelessness and drunkenness the church was burned, with all that was in it. Thus was the monastery of Peterborough burned and pillaged. May Almighty God have pity on it in his great mercy : and thus the abbat Turold came to Peterborough, and the monks returned thither and performed Christian worship in the church, which had stood a full week without service of any kind. When bishop Egelricf heard this, he excommunicated all the men who had done this 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 Arnulf succeeded him ; and earl William J and the French king should have been his support: but earl Robert came and slew his kinsman Arnulf, and the earl ; put the king to flight, and slew many thousands of his men. A. 1071. This year earl Edwin and earl Morcar fled, and wandered through the woods and fields. Then earl Morcar took ship and went to Ely ; and earl Edwin was slain treacherously by his own men : and bishop Egelwine,§ and Siward Barn, 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 bridge and entered in, his fleet lying ofl* the coast. Then all the outlaws surrendered ; these were, bishop Egelwine and earl Morcar, and all who were with them, excepting only Hereward, and his followers whom he led off with great valour. And the king seized their ships, and arms, and much * Or cope : see tht last note. t Of Selsey. t Fitz-Osberne. $ Of Durliam. A o. 1071— 1074.J THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 453 treasure ; and he disposed of the men as he would ; and he sent bishop Egelwine to Abingdon, where he died early iji the winter. A. 1072. This year king William led an army 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 reward 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 monastery 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 of EngUsh 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 over sea to Normandy ; and child Edgar came into Scotland from Flanders on St. G-rimbald'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 oifering 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-ski p- 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 them with such force upon the land, that their ships went to pieces and they saved their lives with much difficultyv They lost nearly all their riches and some of their men were taken by 454 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. U-d. 1074, 107S 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 their 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 of William Fitz-Osberne 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 born in Norfolk. Then the king gave the earldom of Norfolk and Suffolk tc 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 Roger 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 earl 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 eaft-1 Roger and put him in prison ; and earl Waltheof went over the sea and betrayed himself but he A.D. 1075, 1C76.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 45S 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 blinded, 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 Croylancl, 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 Berneges. A cell to the abbey of Fescamp, in Normandy. t "II. Kal. Jun. or the 31st 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 marrv 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 av^ prayer, and receiving the sacrament at the hands of Nicomedes the priea^ expired on the third day ! This is no Romish legend of modem growt^a, for her name appears in the martyrology of Bede, and in the motift venerable records of primitive Christianity." — Ingram. And yet, tl>o reader, who shall receive even the existence of Petronilla in any other light t}>aii as a fable, must possess a credulity which will enable him to realixe sili the impostures with which ecclesiastical history abounds. 4o6 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 1077—1080 1077. This year a peace was made between the king of France and William king of England, but it lasted only a little while. And this year, one night before the assumption of St. Mary, there was a more dreadful fire in London than 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. Bishop Herman also died on the tenth day before the Kalends of March. He was bishop in Berkshire, Wiltshire, and Dorset- shire. Also in this year king Malcolm won the mother of Malslaythe and all his best men and all his treasure and his oxen and himself hardly escaped .... There was also this year a dry summer, and wild-fire burned many towns, and many cities were ruined by it. A. 1078. A. 1079. This year king William's son Robert, fled from his father to his uncle Robert in Flanders, because his father would not let him govern his earldom in Normandy ; which he himself, and with his consent Philip king of France, had given to him. The best men of that land had sworn allegiance to him and taken him for their lord. And the same year king William fought against his son Robert Avithout the borders of Normandy near a castle called G-erberoy, 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 with 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 festivals of St. Mary, king Malcolm invaded England with a large army, and laid waste Northumberland as far as the Tyne ; and he slew many hun- dred men, and carried home much money and treasure and many prisoners. A. 1080. This year Walcher bishop of Durham was slain at a gemot, and a hundred French and Flemings with him : Walcher himself was born in Lorraine. The Northumbriana perpetrated this in the month of May. 1081-i08i:.: THE ANGLO-SAXON CHJIONICLE. 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 quarrel arose in Glastonbury be- tween the abbat Thurstan and his monks. It was first caused by the abbat's unwise conduct, in that he treated his monks ill 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- dient to him. But the abbat would none of this, and wrought them evil, 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. Then the monks 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 ox* that day, for the French broke into the choir and threw darts towards the altar where the monks were collected, and some of their servants went upon the upper floor f 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 mercy, since they could obtain no mercy at the hands of men. What can we say, but that they shot without ceasing, and others 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 king 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 story of the choii, coDomonly called the triforium. 458 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.b. lOSi lOga A. 1084. This year Wulfwold abbat of Chertsey lied on 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 coming 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 this, 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 tlieir 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 tlie 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 carried to such a height, that the king, after his return to Denmark, was slain bj his own soldiers. Vide Antiq. Celto-Scand. p. 228. See also our Chroa* icle, A.D. 1087. — Ingram. A.D. 1086. 1067.] 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 etheUng left him, because he received no great honour from him : may Almighty God give him glory hereafter. And the etheling's sister Christina went into the monastery of Romsey, 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 corn 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 "^intonise, called also Liber Wintonise. At the end of it is the date, A nm millesimo octogesimo ^to ab iricarnaiione Dei, vigesimo vero regni Willelmi, ^-c. 460 THE ANGtLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 1087 that 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 weathei 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 righteousness. Even so was it in those days ; there was little 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 sheriffs extorted money from the miserable people, nor how many uidawful 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 holy 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 this y?.ar, which brought forth so many calamities I 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 his people, and burned the town of Mante, and all the holy monasteries in it, and two holy men who served God as anchorites were burned there. This done king William returned into Normandy. Rueful deeds >.D 2087.: THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 461 he did, and ruefuUj he suiFered. Wherefore ruefully ? Hb fell sick and became grievously ill. What can I say ? The sharpness of death, that spareth neither rich nor poor, seized upon him. He died in Normandy tl^ day after 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 with gems, lay then covered with mould. He left three 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, w-e, 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 conquer England, and he established monks in it, and he made it very rich. In his days the great monastery at Can- terbury was built, and many others also throughout Eng- land; moreover this land was filled 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 Westmin- 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 also, was he a very stern and a wrathful man, so that none durst do anything * From this we learn that this part of the Chronicle was written by a oontemporary and eye-witness of the facts which he relates. THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE . [a.d. 1087. against his 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 with 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 con- * This is certainly an evident allusion to the compilation of Doomsday Book already described, a.d. 1085, as Gibson observes; and it is equally ch^ar to me, that the conposition of this part of the Chronicle is by a different haQd.-~l!i(6BAja« t Wales. tB. 1087.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 46!^ cerning the hares, 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 Michaelmas : 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. Albaa, whose relics had heen brought ftoBo England by this Canute* 464 THE AJS'GLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. '.a.d, lOSa 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 father's soul : to some he gave ten 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 burn 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 thp mercy of God, and the good desert of the bishop, they slew 4.0. 1089.J THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 465 or ttok captive five hundred men, and put all the rest to flight. ^ The bishop of Durham did as much harm as he could m all the northern 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 formidal)le to Leicestershire and Northampton. Bishop Odo, with whom these commotions originated, de- parted to his earldom of Kent, which he ravaged, and he wholly laid waste the lands of the king and the archbishop 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 for the English, and laid his necessities betore them, and entreated their assistance. He promised them better laws than had ever been in this land, and forbade all unjust taxes, and guaranteed to his subjects their woods and hunting. But these concessions 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 might with greater ease subdue the others. Then they came to Tun- bridge castle, in which were the knights of bishop Odo and many others, who resolved to hold out against William. But the Enghsh came on, and stormed the castle, and the <^arrison 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 kinff and his troops went after him, and he besieged that castli lull six weeks with a very large army. In the meantime Robert earl of Normandy, the king's brother, gathered together a great multitude, and thought that he should win England with the aid of the disaffected of 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 thaji any one can number. At length provisions be- came scarce m the castle, on which the insurgents prayed foi a truce and surrendered the place to the king, and the bishop took an oath that he would depart from England, and never return umess the king sent for him, and that he would also H H 466 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. lA.d. 1089, 1090. 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 born 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 besitiged the castle, 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 of 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 corn, and fruits of all kind, so that many men reaped their corn 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 gained 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 The nth of August. a.D imi.l THE AifGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 4G7 came into Normindy 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- land sent to Philip king of France, and he, for love of Wil- liam or for his great bribes, deserted his vassal earl Robert 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 had 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 from the earl, and also to establish him in the possession of all their father's territories abroad, excepting those places which the earl had then given up to the king. 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 tlie 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 him, 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 Robert with him. And they called out a fleet and army, but almost all the ships were lost, a few days before Michaelmas, ere they reached ScctlancL And H H 2 468 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.D. 1092, 1093 ihe king and his brother proceeded with the army : and when king Malcolm heard that they sought to attack him, he marched with his array out of Scotland into Lothian in England, and remained there. And when king William approached, earl Robert and Edgar etheling mediated a peace between the kings, on condition that king Malcolm should repair to our king, and become his vassal, and in all the like subjection as to his father before him ; and this he confirmed by oath. And king William promised him all the lands and possessions that he held under his father. By this peace Edgar etheling was reconciled to the king. And the kings separated in great friendship, but this lasted during a short time only. Earl Robert abode here with the king till Christmas drew near, and in this time he found little good faith as to the fulfilment of the treaty, and two days before the feast he took ship from the Isle of Wight and sailed to Normandy, and Edgar etheling with him. A. 1092. This year king William went northward to Carlisle with a large army, and he repaired the city, and built the castle. And he drove out Dolfin, who had before governed that country ; and having placed a garrison in the castle, he returned into the south, and sent a great number of rustic Englishmen thither, with their wives and cattle, that they might settle there and cultivate the land. A. 1093. This year, in Lent, king William was very sick at Grloucester, insomuch that he was universally reported to be dead: and he made many good promises in his illness; that he would lead his future life in righteousness — that the churches of God he would guard and free — and never more sell them for money — and that he would have all just laws in his kingdom. And he gave the archbishopric of Canter- bury, which he had hitherto kept in his own hands, to Anselm, who was before this abbat of Bee, and the bishopric of Lincoln to his chancellor Robe rt ; and he granted lands to many monasteries, but afterwards, when recovered, he took them back, and he neglected all the good laws that he had promised us. After this the king of Scotland sent desiring that the stipulated conditions might be performed ; and king William summoned him to Gloucester, and sent hostages to him in Scotland, and afterwards Edgar etheUng and othera Doet him, and brought him with much honour to the court 1.0. 1093,1094.] THE A^fGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 469 But when he came there, he could neither obtain a confer ence with our king nor the performance of the conditions formerly promised him, and therefore they departed in great enmity: and king Malcolm returned home to Scotland, and as soon as he came thither, he assembled his troops and invaded England, ravaging the country with more fury than behoved him : and Robert, earl of Northumberland, with his men, lay in wait for him, and slew him unawares. He was killed by Morael of Bambrough, the earl's steward, and king Malcolm's own godfather:* his son Edward, who, had he lived, would have been king after his father, was killed with him. When the good queen Margaret heard that her most beloved lord, and her son, were thus cut off, she was grieved in spirit unto death, and she went with her priest into the church, and having gone through all befitting rites, she prayed of God that she might give up the ghost. And then the Scots chose "I" Dufenal, the brother of Malcolm, for their king, and drove out all the English who had been with king Malcolm. When Duncan, the son of king Malcolm, heard all this, for he was in king William's court, and had re- mained here from the time that his father gave him as an hostage to our king's father, he came to the king, and did. such homage as the king required; and thus, with his con- sent, he departed for Scotland, with the aid that he could muster, both English and French, and he deprived his kins- man Dufenal of the throne, and was received as king. But then some of the Scotch again gathered themselves together, and 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 held his • Ingram translates the original " godsib" baptismal friend, and adds the following note, " literally a gossip ; but such are the changes which words undergo in their meaning as well as in their form, that a title of hono\ir, formerly implying a spiritual relationship in God, is now applied only to those whose conversation resembles the contemptible tittle-tattle of a christening : — Gibson translates it a ' susceptor,' i. e. an undertaker." + " From this expression it is evident, that though preference was naturally and properly given to hereditary claims, the monarchy of Scot- land, as well as of England, was in principle elective. The doctrine of hereditary, of divine, of indefeasible rightj is of modem growth." — Ingram. 470 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A O. lCi>4 court at Gloucester ; and there came messengers to liim out ot' 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 perjured 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 allow 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 earl's 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 soldiers ; and he afterwards took the castle of Hulme ; and frequently did each burn 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, after 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 until they came to Lune- • Battle Abbey. t Commonly called Herbert de Losinga. His letters are of mvich his- torical interest : they were supposed to be lost, until they were recently discovered by Robert Anstruther in the Brussels library, and pulrlished 8^0, Bruxellis, apud Vandale, et Londini apud D. Nutt. A.P. 1095,] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHKONICLE. 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 brother Henry, wh() was in the castle of Damfront, 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 him, and sternly commanded that if he would remain in peace he should come to his court at Pentecost. This year Eastei fell on the 8th before the Kalends of April, and after F^ister, * Now called Southampton, to distinguish it from Northampton; bul the common people, in both neighbourhoods, generally sny " Hampton" i« thit day. — Ingram. 472 THE AN(?LO- SAXON CHRONICLE a-b- 1095. on tlie night of the feast of St. Ambrose, the 2nd before th« Nones of April, there was seen all over the country a great multitude of stars falling from heaven during nearly the whole of the night, not one or two at a time, but so thickly that no man might number them. After this, at Pentecost, the king was at Windsor, and all his witan with him, excepting the earl of Northumberland, for the king would neither give hostages nor pledge his troth that he should come and go in security. On this the king called out an army, and marched against the earl into Northumberland, and as soon as he came thither he seized almost all the chief men of the earl's court in a certain fortress, and he put them in confinement. And he besieged Tinmouth castle until he took it, and there he seized the earl's brother, and all who were with him ; thence he proceeded to Bambrough, and there he besieged the earl ; and when the king found that he could not reduce him, he caused a castle be built over against Bambrough, and called it in his speech, Malveisin, which is in English, "the evil neighbour," and he garrisoned it strongly, and afterwards he departed southward. Then one night, soon after the king's return into the 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 Snow don, on All Saints' day. But the Welsh ever fled before him to the mountains and moors, so that 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 Robert earl of Northumberland, and lead him to Bambrough, and to put out both his eyes, unless the besieged would surrende the castle, which was defended by his wife, and his steward Morel, who was also his kinsman. On this, the castle was given up, and Morel was received at William's court ; and •.U.1O90.] THE AJfGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 47d through him many were discovered, both clergy ind laity, who had aided this rebellion with their counsel. Then the king ordered some of them to be imprisoned before Christ- mas, and he straightly commanded throughout the kingdom, that all who held lands of him should be at his court, on that 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 pope's legate came to England ; this was "Walter, bishop of Albano, 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 Romescot,* which had not been paid for many years before, was sent with him. This year also the weather was very unseasonable, so that the fruits of the earth were much injured over all the country. A. 1096. This year king William held his Christmas 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 GeofFry 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 him 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 deprived 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 tc contract. And thereupon the earl departed, and with him went the earls of * Commonly called ? cter's pence. 474 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.D. },0S7. 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, m^ny thou- sands perished miserably ther^, 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 sorely afflicted the land. This year also the nobles who had charge of this country frequently 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 Welslimen 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 other 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 the 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 inclination, 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 term is still retained Avith a slight varia- tion in the north of Europe, as ' the hetman PlatofF, of celebrated memory/ A.D 1097—1099.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 475 IS brmandy ; but whilst he waited for a fair wind, his train did as much injury in the count j 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 all 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, with the king's aid, 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 king 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 Robert succeeded him, having obtained this of the king. Before Michaelmas-day the heaven appeared as it were on fire, almost all 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 Ranulf, 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 tha^ province into subjection ; and at Michaelmas he returned tij this land. This year also, on 4:6 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. llcm St. Martin's day, there was so very high a tide, and the damage 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 his court in Gloucester ; and at Easter in Winchester ; and at Pentecost in Westminster. And at Pentecost blood was observed gushing from the *^,arth, at a certain town of Berkshire, even as many asserted who declared that they had seen it. And after this, on the morning after Lammas-day, Iting William was shot with an arrow by his own men, as he was hunting, and he was carried to Winchester and buried there.* This was in the thirteenth year from his accession. He was very powerful, and stern over his lands and subjects, and towards all his neighbours, and much to be dreaded, and through the counsels of evil men which were always pleasing to him, and through his own avarice, he was ever vexing the 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 God, and as to the bishoprics and abbacies, the incumbents of 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 layman, 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 it,f all that was abominable to God and oppressive to men was common in this island in William's time : and therefore he was hated by almost all his people, and abhorred by God as his end showeth, in that he died, in the midst of his unrighteousness, without repentance or any reparation made for his evil deeds. He was slain on a Thursday, and buried the next morning : and after he was buried, the witan who were then near at hand, chose his brother Henry as king, • His monument is still to be seen there, a plain gravestone of black marble, of the common shape called "dos d'ane," s.ich as are now frequently seen, though of inferior materials, in the church-yards of villages, *«id are only one remove from the grassy sod. — Ingram. t Ingram renders this, ** though I may be tedioiis." *.D. :m. 1101.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 477 and lie forthwith gave the bishopric of Winchester to William Giffard, and then went to London ; and on the Sunday following he made a promise to God and all the people, before the altar at Westminster, that he would abolish the injustice which prevailed in his brother's time, and that he would observe the most equitable 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 the men of this land submitted to him, and swore oaths and became his liege-men. And soon afterwards, the king, by the advice of those about him, caused Ranulf bishop of Durham to be taken and brought into the Tower of London, and confined there. Then before Michaelmas Anselm archbishop of Canterbury came to this land ; king Henry having sent for him by the advice of his witan, because he had left the country on account of the injustice done him by king William. And soon afterwards the king took for his wife Maud the daughter of Malcolm king of Scotland and of 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 the autumn, earl Robert came home into Normandy, and Robert earl of Flanders and Eustace earl of Boulogne also returned from Jerusalem, and on earl Robert's arrival in Normandy he was joyfully received by all the people, excepting those in the castles which were garrisoned with king Henry's men, and against these he had many contests and struggles. A. 1101. This year, at Christmas, 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 hostile 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 from the king, and submitted to earl Robert. At Midsummer the king posted himself with all his troops at Pevensey to oppose his brother, and ha waited for him there. And in the meantime earl Robert 478 THE AITCLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. Ta-d. 1101. IIOS. landed at Portsmouth twelve nights before Lammas, and the king marched against him with all his forces ; but the chief men interfered and made peace between them, on condition that the king should give up all those places in Normandy which he then detained from his brother by force of arms • and that all 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 from England ; and it was stipulated by this treaty that whichever 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 earl 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 Ranulf escaped by night from the Tower of London, in which he was confined, and went to Normandy. It was at his suff^es- tion chiefiy, that earl Robert was incited to invade this land. A. 1102. This year king Henry was at Westminster during the least of the Nativity, and at Easter he was at VVinchester. And soon afterwards a difference 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 followino- the king was at Westminster, with all the head men of tliil land, both clergy and laity ; and archbishop Anselm held a synod, at which many decrees were made touching the Christian rehgion ; and many abbats, both French and Enghsh, lost their staffs and their abbacies, because they ..D. 1102—1104.: THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 479 Lad 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 Gerard 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 Eobert 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 Berkshire. 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 corn 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. 1104. 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 J unp. and on the Tuesday after, at mid- day, there appeared four circles of a white colour round the sun, 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 Belesme,f whom king Henry had deprivL'd of his estates, and driven out of Eng • * Finchamstead. + Hence the English name Bel'am^, 480 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 1104— IIW. land, and from this, the king of England and the earl of Normandy became at variance. And the king sent his people over sea into Normandj, and the head men of thai 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 also, William earl of Moreton (Mortaigne) departed to Normandy, and being there, 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 Christmas, 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 thi^ 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 which he harassed continually as 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 Robert 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 taken. A.D. 1106.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 481 king would not give up that which he had won from the earl in Normandy, they se^parated 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 ; tmd one evening it seemed as if a beam from over against the star darted directly into it. Some persons said that they observed more unknown stars at this time, but we do not vrrite 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. Whilst 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- ville : 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 king 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 empire. 1 1 482 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. a.d. 1107— IIW A. 1107, This year king Henry was in Normandy 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 beginning 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, Ernulf prior of Canter- bury obtained that of Peterborough. This was about the seventh year of king Henry's reign, and the one and fortieth 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 Henry was at 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 on 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, and Thomas was afterwards appointed as his successor. A. 1109. This year king Henry was in Normandy both at Christmas and at Easter ; and before Pentecost he came hither and held his court at Westminster, at which place the stipulations were ratified, and the oaths sworn, relative to the marriage of his daughter with the emperor. There was much thunder this year, and that very terrible. And An- selm archbishop of Canterbury died on the 1 1th before the Kalends of April, and the first day of Easter was on the greater Litany. • Tlie moon is of the masculine gender, and the sun feaiinine, in Anglo-Saxon, as in Arabic. See a.d. 1110. 1111-3 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 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 his 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 his 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 very clear all the night, and the stars shone very brightly all over the heavens, and the fruit trees were greatly injured by that night's frost. After this, in the month of June, there appeared a star in the north-east, 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 I of king Henry ; but on his death the earl of An- jou took possession of that province, and kept it against the king's will. This was a year of much distress from the taxes which the king raised for his daughter's dowry, and from the bad weather by which the crops were greatly 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 Chertsey. 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 on the marches of France, and principally by that of the earl of Anjou, who held Maine against him : and after his arrival many were the intrigues and great the • This is the term used by Miss Gurney. Dr. Ingram renders it Braiose ; the Anglo-Saxon is Brause ; the Latin, Braiosa. Is not the modem name Bracy derived from this root ? f That is, the territory was not a fee-simple, but subject to taiflagef or taxation ; and that particular species is probably here intended, which is called in old French *' en queuage," an expression not very different horn that in the text above. — Ingram. 11 2 484 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. tA.o. 1112-1114 burning and plundering carried on hj either party against the other.— This year Robert earl 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 jourt at Windsor, and he held no court again this year. And at Midsummer he entered Wales with an army, 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. Thi> 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 walking, 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 apparent in all woods and towns. This year also the king gave the archbishopric of Canterbury 1j® Ralph bishop of Rochester ; and Thomas [11. ] 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 thn weather. In the meanwhile he sent his writ to Ernulf ab- ba t of Peterborough, desiring him to come to him with speed, : A o. 1114—1116.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHBONICLE. 485 for that he would speak with him on something of import- ance. On Ernulf's 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 Ernulf 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 Rome for the archbishop's pall, and with him a monk named Warner, and the archdeacon John the archbishop's nephew, and they sped well on their journey. This was done on the 11th before the Kalends of October, at the town called Ruge- nor (Rowner, 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 all 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. Anselm an abbat of Rome, the nephew of archbishop An- selm, and John abbat of Peterborough, brought the pall from Rome. 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 carry him over sea." — Ingium. " Sittingbum." — Miss Guhnbt. + Odiham. 486 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHKONICLE. [A.D. 1117 also, the winter being severe and long, it was a yery heavy time for the cattle and all things. And soon after Easter 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 enmity was that king Henry aided his nephew earl Theobald de Blois, who was then at war with his lord Louis king of France. This was a very calamitous year, the crops being spoiled by the heavy rains, which came on just before August and lasted till Candlemas. Mast also was so scarce this year that none was to be heard of in ail this land, or in Wales : moreover this land and nation were many times sorely op- pressed by the taxes which the king raised both within the towns and out of them. This year also the whole of the monastery of Peterborough was burnt, with all the houses, excepting the chapter-house and the dormitory : and the greater part of the town was burnt also. All this happened on a Friday, being the 2nd day before the Nones of August. A. 1117. All 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 corn, through the rains which ceased scarcely at all. And Gilbert abbat of Westminster died on the 8th befors the Ides of December, and Farit* abbat of Abingdon * J iricius is the Latin name. Is he the same who wrote the fife of 4.7?. 1118, 1119. J THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 487 died on the 7tli before the Kalends of March. And in the same 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 Flanders 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 ^vas 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 was 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 ot Vienne was chosen pope, his name was Calixtus. He bishop Aldhelm, published in the end of my edition of Aldhelm's works ? [Aldhelmi Opera, Oxon. Lond. et Cant. 1845.] 488 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 1119— 112L afterwards came to Rheims, 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 his aunt and of St. Canute, king of Denmark. A. 1120. This year peace was made between the kings of England and of France, and after this all king Henry'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 very 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 credit, 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 afl»erwards 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 oi 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 A.j>. im— 1123.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONTCLE. 489 an armj, 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 G-loucester was burned the Lent before, for while the monks were singing mass, the deacon having begun the gospel PrcBteriens 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 fiamed up to heaven. They 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 understand not a spire, but a tower ; spires not btnng then invented. I believe * spear ' is the word in Saxon to express what we mean by a spire ; *stepel,' or *steopel,' signifying only a steep, lofty, or perpendicular structure ; and our old antiquarians very properly ntako a distinction between a spire-steeple and a tower-steeple." — Ikgjum. 490 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. U.D. 1123 bishops and all his court with him. Now it fell cut 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 of 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 dying," and the king alighted from his horse, and took him between his arms, and bade them 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 their 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 against 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 against them with all his might. Then they chose a clerk named William of Curboil, he was a canon of a monastery called Chiche ; J 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 . c was not founded till 1541. f Roger, bishop of Salisbury, was Lord Chief Justice, Lord Chancellor, and Lord Treasurer. X " St. Osythe, in Essex ; a priory rebuilt a, 1118, for canons of the Aivgustiiie order, of which there are considerable remains." — IwaaAM. 4. D. 1123 1 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 491 by all the 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 this time also a legate arrived from Rome ; his name was Henry, and he was abbat of the monastery of St. John of Angelo. He came for the Romescot ; 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 London, and Ernulf bishop of Rochester, and William Giffard bishop of Winchester, and Bernard bishop of Wales (St. David's), and Roger bishop of Salisbury. Then early in Lent the archbishop journeyed to Rome 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 Giffard who was the king's court-chaplain, went with him. Thurstan archbishop of York went to Rome at the same time by order of the pope, and he arrived tliree 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 Rome 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 otherwise have procured him the distinguished honour of an excommunication. Matthew Paris has a similar remark, but less openly expressed, respecting the venality of the Roman see : ' qucB nulli deese consuevit, dummodo albi aliquid vel rubei intercedat. An. 1103.' Dr. Ingram might have quoted an equally elegant compliment paid to the cardinals, "quorum nares odor lucri quxEstiis causa infoecavit,'" by Alan of Tewkesbury, if the ortho- dox editor of the Brussels edition of Vita Sancti Thomae had not carefully expunged the passage : I have only done justice to historical accuracy hy restoring the offensive words in " Vita Sancti Thomae, vol, i. p. 359, ediU Oxon. et Lond. 493 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [a.d. 1123, 1124. him 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 G-odfrey ; he was of Louvain : this was done at Woodstock on the 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 Romare, 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, Watteville, and Amalric the steward of the king of France, and Hugh the son of Gervais, and Hugh of Montfort, and many other good knights went with him. Then the king's knights from all 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 of Montfort, and A.0. 1124.1 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 49S five and twenty other knights, and brought them to the king j 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. AH 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 unjustly driven his son William out of Nor- mandy. This year there was much unseasonable weather which injured the corn 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 Ernulf, 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 deprived six men of their eyes and certain other members, f Mg^oy * The pennies were of silver at this time. + " Of here segon and of here stanes." — Original text. 494 THE Ai^aLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. men of truth said that several of them suffered with great injustice, but our Lord God Almighty, who seeth'and knoweth all hidden things, seeth that the miserable people 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 none, 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 limbs, 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 of Salisbury sent over all England, and desired all of them to come to Winchester at Christmas ; aiid when they came thither his men took them one by one, and cut off their right hands. All this was done within the twelve days, and with much justice, because they had ruined this land with the great quantity of bad metal which 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 then he journeyed over all 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, (beginning) 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 York, and Alexander bishop of Lincoln, and John bishop of Lothian (Glasgow), and Geoffrey abbat of St. Alban's accompanied him, and were received with great honour by the pope Honorius, and they remained there the 'arhole winter. The same year there was so great a flood on 4.P. 1026, 1027.] THE A^GLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. St, Lawrence's day, that many towns were deluged, and men drowned, the bridges were broken np, 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 after harvest ; and he came to this land between the nativity of St. Mary, and Michaelmas, accompanied by the queen, and by his daughter whom he had before given in marriage to the emperor Henry of Lorrain. He brought with him 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 Henry 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 his 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 all the French and the English, but the king did it to have the alliance* of * Miss Gurney renders this " to obtain peace from," following Gibson, who turns * sibbe' into Latin by pacem, which Ingram justly disapproses of, on the ground that the powerful Henry would hardly fear so small « potentate as the earl of Anjou. 496 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. Ca-d. 1127 the earl of Anjou and aid as^ainst 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 all 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 {jo, 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 Besnn^on, 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 five miles from his own abbey, and he kept this for nearly a week, but here again the abbat of Clugny displaced him, 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 kin>; himself, and through all his friends, by name for tho A.D.1128.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHKONICLE. 497 abbacy of Peterborough. And the king granted it to him, forasmuch as he was his kinsman, and in that he had been one of the first to swear oaths, and to bear witness, when the son of the earl of Norm an dj and the daughter of the earl of Anjou were divorced on the plea of kindred. Thus vex- atiously was the abbacy of Peterborough given away at Lon- don, between Christmas and Candlemas; and so Henry went with the king to Winchester, and thence he came to Peterborough, and there he lived even as a drone in a hive ; 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 from religious or from 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 the Sunday, when men sing " Exurge quare 0 Domine;^ several persons saw and heard many hunters hunting. — These hunters were black, and large, and loathly, and their hounds were all black, with wide eyes, and ugly, and 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 their 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 nothing yet : God knoweth it. A. 1128. All this year king Henry was in Normandy, on account of the war between him and his nephew the earl ot Flanders ; but the earl was wounded in battle by a servant, and being so wounded he went to the monastery of St. Ber- lin, and forthwith he was made a monk, and lived five days after, and then died, and was buried there: God rest his soul ! He was buried on the 6th before the Kalends of * * Thaer' in the original, not ' thider.' Dr. Ingram remarks, that this is the first instance of the negligent use of the word ' there' for " thither.' But use is second nature, and in conversation at least, the fcrsaer of these words has entirely supersed3d the latter. K K 498 THE ANGIO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A-D. 112ft August. The same year died Randulpli Passeflaml>ard bishop of Durham, and he was buried there on the Nones of September. And this year the aforesaid abbat Henry went home to his own monastery in Poitou, 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 ao-ain. May Almighty G-od 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 to Jerusalem. And he fnvited 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 thia 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 heen 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 God'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 priests, that they A.D. 11300 THE AXGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE 499 should part with them by 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 w^ent 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 Sth 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 lie had wholly given up that monastery. After him. the K 2 500 THE ANGI O-SAXON CHRONICLE. r^.D. 113L abbat of Clugny 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 Clugny but as it is said in the proverb : " The hedge still stands That parts the lands." May Almighty God frustrate evil counsels ! And soon afterwards the abbaf of Clugny went home to his own country. This year was Angus slain by the Scottish army, and a great number of persons with him. There was God'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 of 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. God mend the state of things when such is his will ! 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 had 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 laudamus, rang the bells, and set him on the abbat's seat, and did all obedience to him, even as * " Luna splendente." — Gibs. " Monday night," — Ingram. Ts- The original Anglo-Saxon has it sos ' ofFaerd.* A.D. llSl -1135 ] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 501 they would X) 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. All 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 universally, 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 Tell 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, on 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 Reading. He was a good man, and great wao 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 saj' 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 him, 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 Baldwin de Redvers, and he held Exeter against the king, and Stephen besieged him, and afterwards Baldwin 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 ; and there he seized Roger bishop of Salisbury, and Alexander bishop of Lincoln, and Roger the chancellor, his nephew, and he kept 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 filed the land full of castles. Thej^ I1.D. 1137.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 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 limbs. 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 king, 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 corn 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. 504 THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.D.ns7 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. The bishops and clergy were ever cursing them, but this to them was nothing, for they were all accursed, and ' forsworn, and reprobate. The earth bare no corn, 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 WTought 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 hre. And he went to Rome and was well received there by pope Eugenius, from whom he obtained sundry 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 William 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 of 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 Good Friday for the love of our Lord, and afterwards buried him. They believed that this would be k 3pt secret, but our Lord made manifest that he was a holy martyr, and the monks took him and buried him honourablj^ in the monastery^ and he A.D. 1138, 1140.] THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. 505 performed manifold and wonderful miracles tLrough tlie power of our Lord, and he is called St. William. A. 1138. This year David king of Scotland entered thia land with an immense army resolving to conquer it, and William earl of 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 Theobaild, abbat of Bee, archbishop. Then there arose a very great war between the king and Randolph 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 all England more disturbed than before, and all evil was in the land. After this, king Henry'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 AN ft hO- SAXON CHEONiCLE. ,A.D. 1140. brought up her strength and besieged them, till there was so great a famine in the town, they could endure it no longer. Then stole they out and fled, and the besiegers were aware of them, and followed them, and they took Robert earl of Gloucester and led him to Rochester, and imprisoned him there : and the empress fled into a monastery. Then wise men, friends of the king and of the earl, interfered 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 L one. After this the king and earl Randolph were recon- ciled at Stamford, and they took oaths and pledged their 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 he 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 besieged 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. Then 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. is here deficient ; but . . . . b for * byrig' is discernible.** A D. 1140,1154.] THE AifGLO-SAXON CHKONICLE. 507 should bear rule long, and he died, and his mother also. And the earl of Anjou died, and his son Henry succeeded him ; and the queen of France was divorced from the kingr, 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 Lave 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 bei:re he came home. And the king was received at Peter* 508 THE AI^GLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. [A.D. 1154. borough with great respect, and in full procession ; so he was also at Ramsey, at Thorney, and at .... and Spalding, and . . . .* * The MS. is defective. Ramsey and Thomey are elicited from some foint traces in the Laud MS. which seem to have escaped the penetration of Gibson. The last paragraph, if Gibson's reading be correct, appears 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. €andid. ap. Sparke, pp. 92, 93. END OF ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE. INDEX Aaron, martyr, 15. Abercumig (Abercom/ monastery, 20, 224. Abon, ealdorman, 324. Acca, bishop of Hexham, 129, 196, 274, 276. 292, 293, 333, 335. Acha, sister to king Edwin, 118. Acley, synod of, 342. Adamnan, abbat of lona, 262—266, 287, 288. Adamnan, monk of Coldingham, 220. Ad Barve, 174, 184. Adda, abbat of Gateshead, 144. Addi, earl, 241. Adgefrin, Northumberland, a royal seat, 97. Adrian, emperor of Rome, 307. Adrian, legate, in England, 328. Adrian, pope, 341, 342. Adrian, abbat- See Hadrian. JE.da.n, king of the Scots, 61. iElla, king of the South Saxons, 68, 310. MWa., usurper of Northumbria, 351. iEsc, king of Kent, 310. .(Etherius, bishop of Lyons, 35, 36, 40, 53 ^tius, groans of the Britons to him, 22, 33. .^gelric, bishop of Selsey, 435. Agilbert, bishop, 120, 155, 156, 160, 165, 271, 320, 325. Aidan, bishop of Lindisfarne, 112—117, 132 —137, 153, 160, 161, 320. Albinus, abbat of St. Augustine's, xxxviii, 2, 276. 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, 267, 333. Aldred, bishop, 420, 425, 428, 431, 434, 436, 446. Aldulf, abp. of York, 382, 383, 390, 396. 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—398. Alfric, ealdorman, 389. Alfred, king of England, 349—366. Alfrid, king of Deira, 144, 154, 164, 224, 263, 266, 274, 329, 332. Alfun, 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, 26. Androgens, commander of Trinovantum, 8. Anlaf Curran, 379. Anlaf. king of Northumbria, 376—378 • -Aulaf, son of Sihtric, 378. Arna, king of the East Angles, 119, 138, 139, 320. Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury, 450, 468, 473, 474, 477—479, 482. Anselm, abbat of Bury St. Edmund's, 485. Anwind, a Danish king, 355. Arculf, a French bishop, 2b3. Arianism spreads in Britain, 16. Aries, the principal see of Gaul, 36, 40, 44, 53. Asclepiodotus, captain of the pretorian bands, 11. Asser, bishop of Sherborne, 368. Athelard, 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, 146. Attila, king of the Huns, 22, 308- Athulf, bishop, 383. Augustine, archbishop of Canterbury, 34— 74, 314, 315. Augustine's abbey, 60, 73. Baccancelde ^Beckenham) council, 331. Badwin, bishop of North Elmham, 183. Bagsac, a Danish king, killed, 353. Baldred, king of Kent, 346. Baldulf, bishop of Whitherne, 342. Baldwin V. earl of Flanders, 422, 438, Baldwin VI. earl of Flanders, 452. Baldwin VII. earl of Flanders, 484 — i88. Bambrough (Bebba), a royal city, 112, 134, 312, 472. I Bancornburg (Bangor-Iscoedl, 70, 71. Barking monastery, 184 — 189. Barton monastery, 174. Bassianus, son of Severus, 11, 307. Bass, mass-priest, 326. Bassus, a soldier of king Edwin, 107. Battle Abbey founded, 461, 470. Beardney (Beardeneu) monastery, 12C. 510 INDEX. Bede (Venerable), his life, vi — xxiii ; Eccle- siastical History, xxiii — xxx ; his other works, 297; death, xxi, 300, 335. Bega, abbess, 215. Benedict Biscop, abbat, vii— ix, 202,270,297. Benedict (St.) 310, 311, 461. Beonna, abbat of Peterborough, 340. Beom, earl, 419, 423—425. Beornmod, bishop of Rochester, 344. Beort, ealdorman, 329, 332. ' Bernard, bishop of St. David's, 491. Bernred, king of Mercia, 300, 338. Bernulf, king of Mercia, 346. Bertgils, or Boniface, bishop of Dunwich, 143, 183. Bertha, queen, 37, 38, 41, 77. Berthun, abbat of Beverley, 237. Berthwald, archbishop of Canterbury, 73, 246, 292, 297, 331, 334, 335. Bethwegen, monk, 233. Berthwulf, king of Mercia, defeated, 343. Bertric, king of Wessex, 341, 344 Beverley monastery, 237. Bieda arrives in Bi-itain, 311. Birinus, bishop, 119, 318—320. Bisi, bishop of Dunwich, 183. Blecca, governor of Lincoln, 100, 318. Bledla, king of the Huns, 22. Boisii, 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. Bregowin, abp. of Canterbui-y, 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, 38L Briudun monastery, 292. Brocmail, 72, 74, 315. Burhred, king of Mercia, 349—354. Burton Abbey, 443. Cadwalla, king of the West Britons, 103, 109, 318. Cfedmon the poet, 217. Cfedwalla, king of Wessex, 191, 198, 244- 246, 329, 330. Caerleon-upon-Usk, a Roman city, 15 Caesar's, Julius, invasion, 7 — 9, 304. Campodonum, 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. €arau8iu8, a British general, 11, 12. CasBibellaoiij a Briiu^ ing. §. Cassibellaun's town ,St. Alban'e?), 9. Cataract (Catterick), 98, 108, 132. Cearl, king of the Mercians, 97. Ceawlin or Celin, king of Wessex, 76, 318 —314. Cedd, bishop of the East Saxons, 3, 144 - 149, 155, 160, 165. Celin, priest, 148. Cenbert, father of Casdwalla, 325. Ceolfrid, abbat of Wearmouth, 202,277,299 Ceol, king of Wessex, 314. Ceollach, bishop of Repton, 145, 152. Ceolnoth, abp. of Canterbury, 347, 352. Ceolred, king of Mercia, 268, 333 Ceolwulf, bishop of Lindsey, 342, 343 Ceolwulf, king of Northumbria, xvii, 1, 292, 293, 300, 334, 335, 338. Ceolwult, king of Wessex, 31 i, 315. Ceowulf, king of Mercia, 345, 346. Cerdic, 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. Claudius 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, brp. of Lindisfarne, 154—163, 179. Columba, abbat of lona, 113, 114, 159, 248, 313. Columbanus, abbat, 75. Constantine, emperor, 12, 16, 58. Constantine, usurper, 18. Constantius, count, defeats Constantine, 18 Constantius, emperor, 12, 16. Conwulf, orCynewulf, bishop of Lindisfarne. 300, 335, 340, 341. Crida, king of Mercia, 314. Cuichelm, bishop of Rochester, 192. Cuichelm, king of the West Saxons, 84, 315—319. Cunebert, or Cynebert, bishop of Sidnacester, 3, 193, 293. Cutha, 31.3, 314. Cuthbald, abbat, 274, 327, 323. Cuthbert, bishop of Lindisfarne and Hex* ham, 3, 225—235, 239. Cuthbert, abp. of Canterbury, 300, 336, 33a Cuthred, king, 319, 320, 325. I Cuthred, king of Kent, 345. Cuthred, king of Wessex, 300, 335, 338. Cuthwine defeats the Britons, 314. Cyna'jerga, laughter of king Penda, 144, ?33 INDEX. 511 Cjmebil, priest, 149. Cynegils, king of Wsssex, 119, 315—319. Cynemund, priest, 134 Cyneward, bishop of Wells, 384, 385. Cynewulf, king of Wessex, 300, 336—341. Cynric, king of Wessex, 311, 312. Cynwise, queen of Mercia, 151. Dacre monastery, 234. Dagan, bishop, 75. Dagobert, king, 107. Dalreudins, 7. Damian, abp. of Canterbury, 143. Danes arrive in England, 341. Daniel, bishop of Winchester, 2, 200, 267, 292, 333-336. David, king of Scotland, 493, 495, 602, 505. Dearm-ach (now Derry), 114. Deda, abbat, 100. Degsastan, 61, 315. Denewulf, bishop of Winchester, 368. Denisesburn, or Denis's-brook, 109. Deusdedit, abp. of Canterbury, 80 81, 143, 165, 170, 321—325. DicuU, priest, 142, 194. Dinood, abbat, 70. Diocletian, emperor, 10, 11, 16. Diuma, bishop of Repton, 144, 145 152. Dommoc (Dunwich), 99. Doomsday book compiled, 459. Dorchester (Dorcic) bishopric, 119. Dudoc, bishop of Wells, 419, 436. Dunchad, abbat of Zona, 290. Dunstan (St.), abp. of Canterbury, 374, 378 —389. Eadbald, king of Kent, 79, 81, 83, 86, 89, 107, 121. 316—319. Eadbert, bishop of Lindisfarne, 153. Eadbert, bishop of Selsey, 195, 268. Eadbert, king of Kent, .334, 336. Eadbert, k. of Northumbria, 300, 335-338, 339. Eadbert Pren, king of Kent, 342, 343. Eadbert, a Mercian general, 153. Eadburga, 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 Canterbury, 414 — 424. Eafa, a Mei-cian general, 153. Eafy, high-steward, murdered, 396. Ealhard, 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. Banfrid, son of Ethelfrid, 108 ; king of Ber- nicia, 109, 317, 318. Eanwulf, earl of Somerton, 348. Eappa, priest, 194, 196, 324, 325. Earconbert, king of Kent, 121, 1 70, 319, 325. garcongota, daughter of king Earconbert, m, 319. Earconwald, bishop of London, 184. Eardulf, king of Northumbria, 343, 345. Easter controversy, 104, 112, 115, 153—161, 262 271 277 289. Eata, 'bishop of Lindisfarne, 161, 192, 22.5^ 226, 229, 237, 329. Ebb, the Frisian, slain, 365. Ebba, queen, 194. Ebba, abbess of Coldingham, 204. Ecci, bishop of Dunwich, 183. Ecgric, king of the East Angles, 138. Edbert, bishop of Lindisfarne, 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, 408. Edred, king, 379, 380, 384. Edric, king of Kent, 225. Edric, ealdorman of 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. Edwin, king of Northumbria, 76, 82, 108, 152, 315, 317, 318. Edwy, etheling, banished by Canute, 409. EdVy, king of Wessex, 380. Egbald, abbat of Peterborough, 330. Egbert, king of Kent, 170, 183, 32.5, 326. Egbert, king of Wessex, 344-347. Egbert, bishop of York, 299, 300, 3.35, 339. Egbert, abbat of lona, 163, 164, 178 247— 249, 289, 291, 333, 334. Egbert, priest, 115. Egbert II. bishop of Lindisfarne, 345. Egelric, bp. of Durham, 416, 434, 447, 453. Egelwine, bishop of Durham, 434, 453. Egfert, king of Mercia, 341, 342. Egfrid, king of Northumbria, vii, 180, 192, 204, 209, 223, 225, 326—330. Elafius, a British chief, 32, 33. Eleutherius, bishop of Rome, 10, 307. Eleutherius, bishop of Winchester, 120, Idl 326. Elfgar, bishop of Elmham, 410. Elfhun, bishop of London, 403, 404. Elfleda, daughter of k. Oswy, 144, 151, Elfric, archbishop of York, 411, 412, 421 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 Sifwaxd, bishop of London, 418. 512 INDEX. Elfwin, brother to king Egfrid, 209, 329. Elfwina, queen of Mercia, 371. Elgar, earl of Mercia, 431- 435. Ella, king of the South Saxons, 76. Elmetewood, 98. Elmund, king of Kent, 341. Elphege, bishop of Winchester, 375, 379. Elphege II., archbishop of Canterbury, 389. 391, 398—403. Elstan, bishop of London, 366. Elswitha, Alfred's queen, 367. Ely monastery, 205, 326, 381. Emma Elgiva, 396, 404, 409, 414, 417, 429. Eolla, bishop of Selsey, 268. Eorpwald, k. of East Anglia, 98, 99, 137, 318. Erconwald, the patrician, 142. Eric, king of Northumbria, 379. Eric, earl of Northumbria, 407, 409. Ermenred, son of Eadbald, 319. Ernost, bishop of Rochester, 447. Ernulf, bishop of Rochester, 485, 493. Escwin, king of Wessex, 326, 328. Escwy, bishop of Dorchester, 390. Esius, abbat, 3. Ethelard, king of Wessex, 300, 334, 335. Ethelbald, king of Mercia, 300, 333—338. Ethelbald, king of Wessex, 348, 350. Ethelberga, daughter of king Ethelbert, 83, 88, 97, 107, 318. Ethelberga, daughter of k. Anna, 121, 122. Ethelberga, abbess of Barking, 187. Ethelbert, archbishop of York, 339, 340. Ethelbert, bishop of Whitherne, 340, 344. Ethelbert, king of Kent, 36—40, 58, 60, 68, 72-77, 83, 312—316. Ethelbert 11. king of Kent, 336, 338. Ethelbert, king of East Anglia, 342. Ethelbert, k. of Kent, Essex, &c. 350, 351. Ethelburga, Ina's queen, 334. Etheldrid, queen, 175. Etheldrida, daughter of king Anna, 204, 326, 329, 381. Etheldrith, 97. Ethelfled, lady of Mercia, 368-374. Ethelfrid, king of Northumbria, 61, 71, 91 —93, 108, 314—317. Ethelgar, abp. of Canterbury, 384, 388, 389. Ethelhere, king of the East Angles, 148, 151. Ethelhilda, abbess, 127. Ethelhun, son of king Edwin, 97. Ethelhun, monk, 163. Ethelnoth, abp. of Canterbury, 410, 414. Ethelred, k. of Mercia, 192, 209, 321—333. Ethelred, son of Moll, 339—342. Ethelred [Ethered], k. of Wessex, 351—3.54. Ethelred, king of England, 387- 4o7. Ethelric, king of Northumbria, 314. Ethelric, bishop of Selsey, 414. Ethelswith, queen of Mercia, 359. Ethelwalch, king of the South Saxons, 193, 195, 198, 325. Ethelwald, k'.ng of Deira, 148. Ethelwald, prince, 366, 367. Ethelwald, bp. of Lindisfarne, 292, 300, 335 Ethelwald, bishop of Lichf.eld, 347. 1 Ethelwald. abbat, 82, 235. I Ethelward, k. of Wessex, 300. S34, m. Ethelwerd, high-steward, slain, 395. I Ethelwin, bp. of Sidnacester, 127, 163, 192 I Ethelwold, bishop of Winchester, 357, 381, I 384, 386, 389. Ethelwulf, king of Wessex, 347—350. Ethered, ealdorman of Mercia, 359, 362, 3Q£ Etheric, bishop of Dorchester, 413. Burner, 84. Eustace II., earl of Boulogne, 421, 466. Fara's monastery, 121. Farne, isle of, 135. Felix, bishop of Dunwich, 99, 138, 143, 319 Finan, bishop of Lindisfarne, 136, 144, 153, 154, 160. Fingale synod, 341. Forthhere, 84, 268, 292, 333, 3,35. Frithbert, bishop of Hexham, 300, 339. Frithstan, bishop of Winchester, 368, 375. Frithwald, bishop of Whitherne, 300, 339. Fullan, abbat, 142. Fursey, abbat, 138—142. Gebmund, bishop of Rochester, 192, 247, 33L Gerard, archbishop of York, 482. Germanus, bishop, 26 — 34, 41. Gervii, 143, 204. Gessoriacum (Boulogne), 4. Geta, son of Severus, 11, 307. Gewissae (West Saxons), 78, 118, 198. Gildas, the historian, 34. Giso, bishop of Wells, 436. Glastonbury minster, 330, 457. Gobban, priest, 142. Godfrey, bishop of Bath, 492. Godmundingham (Goodmanham), 96. Godwin, earl, 413—431. Godwin III. bishop of Rochester, 402. Gosfrith, bishop, 464. Gothrun, a Danish king, 355, 356, 359. Gratian, emperor, 16, 17, 308. Gratian, tyrant, 18. Gregory I. pope, 2, 34—68, 314. Grithn, Welsh king, 418—437- Grinketel, bishop of Selsey, 415, 419. Gundulph, bishop of Rochester, 447 Gunnilde banished, 418. Guthfrid, abbat of Lindisfarne, 236. Guthfrith, king of Northumbria, 375. Hackness, a cell to Whitby, 215. Hadrian, abbat of St. Augustine's, 2, 17(h' 172, 275, 391. Hadulac, bishop of Elmham, 292. Hagulstad (Hexham), 110, 111. Halfdene, a Danish king, 353—355, 366. I Hardecanute, 411 — 416. I Harold Harfager killed, 440. I Harold I. king of England, 413—415. I Harold II. 421—443. I Hasten invades England, 360—362. I Heahmund, bishop of Sherborpe, 3£4 ; Heandred, bishop of He.xham; 344. INDEX, 513 Heathfield (Hatfield), 106, 201, 329. Heavenfield, or Havenfelth, 110. Heca, bishop of Selsey, 418—420, 435. Hedda, bishop 119, 191, 267, 328, 332. Heiu, abbess, 212. Hengist, a Saxon chieftain, 24, 77, 143, 309, 310. Henry de Blois, bp. of Winchester, 499, 505. Henry I. 459, 461, 471, 476—502. Herbert Losange, bishop of Thetford, 470. Herebald, abbat, 242. Herebert, priest, 230. Herefrith, bishop of Selsey, 347. Hereward plunders Peterborough, 451, 452 Herman, bp. of Sherborne, 417, 424, 425, 426. Hertford synod, 181. Heruteu (Hartlepool) monastery, 151, 212. Hewalds, missionaries, 250. Higbald, bishop of Lindisfarne, 341, 345. Higbert, bishop of Dorchester, 341. Hilda, abbess, 151, 155, 211, 329. Hildelith, abbess of Barking, 188. Hingwar and Hubba, 352. Honorius, archbishop of Canterbury, 99 — 104, 318, 320. Honorius, emperor, 17, 18. Honorius, pope, 15, 101—103, 318. Horsa, a Saxon chieftain, 24, 309. Howel, king of North Wales, 274. Howel, king of West Wales (Cornwall), 375. Huetbert, abbat of Wearmouth, xiv, xviii, 299. Ida, king of Northumbria, 312. Iffa, 97, 107. [mmin, a Mercian general, 153. Ina, king of Wessex, 330—344. Ingethlingum (Gilling), 132, 152. Ingild, brother of Ina, 333. Ingwald, bishop of London, 292. lona monastery, 113—115, 313. Ireland described, 6, 7. Irminric, 77. Ithamar, bishop of Rochester, 131, 322, 324. James, deacon, 100, 108, 154, 172. Jarrow monastery, viii. Jaruman, bishop of Repton, 153, 169, 174, 322,324. John, abbat of St. Martin's, 202. John IV., pope, 104, 105. John (St.), of Beverley, x, xi, 237—244, 330, 334. Julius, martyr, 15. Justus, abp. of Canterbury, 54, 72—74, 78— 83, 100, 102, 315. Kenebert, bishop of Winchester, 344. Kenred, king of Mercia. See Coenred. Kentwin, king of Wessex, 328, 329. Kenulf, king of Mercia, 343, 345. Kenulf, bishop of Winchester, 383, 390, 398. Kenwalk, k. of Wessex, 119, 120, 319—326. Kineward, bishop of Winchester, 336. Kyneburg, sister of Wulf here, 32. —324. Kyneswith, sister of Wulf here, 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. Lauren tius, abp. of Canterbury, 40, 74, 75. 78—80, 316, 317. Leofgar, bishop of Hereford, 434. Leofric, bishop of Devon, 417. Leofric, earl, 417—435. Leofric, bishop of Exeter, 420. Leofsy, bishop of Worcester, 413. Leofwine, bishop of Lichfield, 432. Leo IIL, pope, 344, 345. Lilla, 84. Lindisfarne monastery, 3, 112. Lindsey province, 99, 126. Living, abp. of Canterbury, 403, 410. Living, bishop of Worcester and Gloucestetj 415, 417—420. Loidis (Leeds) a regal seat, 98, 152. Lothen and Irling arrive, 418. Lothere, king of Kent, 183, 224, 33(^ 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, 469. Malcolm III., king of Scotland, 444, 453, 467—469. Maserfeld, 123. M&ss-vriest, his duties, xii. Maud, daughter of Malcolm, 477. Maurice, bishop of London, 448, 477, 482. Maximian, emperor, 11, 308. Maximus, usurper, 17. Mellitus, abp. of Canterbury, 54, 55, 72— 75, 78—80, 315—317. Melrose monastery, 254. Merewith, bishop of Somerset, 413, Milred, bishop of Worcester, 339. Moll Ethelwald, king of Northumbria, 338- Morcar, earl of Northumbria, 437—452. Mull, brother of Csedwalla, 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 Bernicia, 108. Nothelm, abp. of Canterbury, 2, 36, 30 In 2 vols. ' On Decision of Character. &c. &c. &c. Evils of Popular Ignorance, " Fosteriana: Thoughts, Ee- flectlons, and Criticisms. (JSTiarly 600 pages). Gibbon's Roman Empire. 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