<SPAN name="toc289" id="toc289"></SPAN> <SPAN name="pdf290" id="pdf290"></SPAN>
<SPAN name="Book_V_Chap_XIX" id="Book_V_Chap_XIX" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<h2 style= "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> <span style="font-size: 144%">Chap. XIX. How Coinred, king of the Mercians, and Offa, king of the East Saxons, ended their days at Rome, in the monastic habit; and of the life and death of Bishop Wilfrid. [709</span> <span class="tei tei-hi" style= "text-align: left"><span style= "font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">a.d.</span></span><span style="font-size: 144%">]</span></h2>
<p>In the fourth
year of the reign of Osred,<SPAN id="noteref_883" name="noteref_883"
href="#note_883"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">883</span></span></SPAN>
Coenred,<SPAN id="noteref_884" name="noteref_884" href="#note_884"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">884</span></span></SPAN> who
had for some time nobly governed the kingdom of the Mercians, much
more nobly quitted the sceptre of his kingdom. For he went to Rome,
and there receiving the tonsure and becoming a monk, when
Constantine<SPAN id="noteref_885" name="noteref_885" href="#note_885"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">885</span></span></SPAN> was
pope, he continued to his last hour in prayer and fasting and
alms-deeds at the threshold of the Apostles. <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page346"></span><SPAN name="Pg346" id="Pg346" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> He was succeeded in the throne by
Ceolred,<SPAN id="noteref_886" name="noteref_886" href="#note_886"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">886</span></span></SPAN> the
son of Ethelred, who had governed the kingdom before Coenred. With
him went the son of Sighere,<SPAN id="noteref_887" name="noteref_887"
href="#note_887"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">887</span></span></SPAN> the
king of the East Saxons whom we mentioned before, by name Offa, a
youth of a most pleasing age and comeliness, and greatly desired by
all his nation to have and to hold the sceptre of the kingdom. He,
with like devotion, quitted wife, and lands, and kindred and
country, for Christ and for the Gospel, that he might <span class="tei tei-q">“receive an hundred-fold in this life, and in the world
to come life everlasting.”</span><SPAN id="noteref_888" name="noteref_888" href="#note_888"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">888</span></span></SPAN> He
also, when they came to the holy places at Rome, received the
tonsure, and ending his life in the monastic habit, attained to the
vision of the blessed Apostles in Heaven, as he had long
desired.</p>
<p>The same year
that they departed from Britain, the great bishop, Wilfrid, ended
his days in the province called Inundalum,<SPAN id="noteref_889" name="noteref_889" href="#note_889"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">889</span></span></SPAN> after
he had been bishop forty-five years.<SPAN id="noteref_890" name="noteref_890" href="#note_890"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">890</span></span></SPAN> His
body, being laid in a coffin, was carried to his monastery, which
is called Inhrypum,<SPAN id="noteref_891" name="noteref_891" href="#note_891"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">891</span></span></SPAN> and
buried in the church of the blessed Apostle Peter, with the honour
due to so great a prelate. Concerning whose manner of <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page347"></span><SPAN name="Pg347" id="Pg347" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> life, let us now turn back, and briefly
make mention of the things which were done.<SPAN id="noteref_892" name="noteref_892" href="#note_892"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">892</span></span></SPAN> Being
a boy of a good disposition, and virtuous beyond his years, he
conducted himself so modestly and discreetly in all points, that he
was deservedly beloved, respected, and cherished by his elders as
one of themselves.<SPAN id="noteref_893" name="noteref_893" href="#note_893"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">893</span></span></SPAN> At
fourteen years of age he chose rather the monastic than the secular
life; which, when he had signified to his father, for his mother
was dead, he readily consented to his godly wishes and desires, and
advised him to persist in that wholesome purpose. Wherefore he came
to the isle of Lindisfarne, and there giving himself to the service
of the monks, he strove diligently to learn and to practise those
things which belong to monastic purity and piety; and being of a
ready wit, he speedily learned the psalms and some other books,
having not yet received the tonsure, but being in no small measure
marked by those virtues of humility and obedience which are more
important than the tonsure; for which reason he was justly loved by
his elders and his equals. Having served God some years in that
monastery, and being a youth of a good understanding, he perceived
that the way of virtue delivered by the Scots was in no wise
perfect, and he resolved to go to Rome, to see what ecclesiastical
or monastic rites were in use at the Apostolic see. When he told
the brethren, they commended his design, and advised him to carry
out that which he purposed. He forthwith went to Queen Eanfled, for
he was known to her, and it was by her counsel and support that he
had been admitted into the aforesaid monastery, and he told her of
his desire to visit the threshold of the blessed Apostles. She,
being pleased with the youth's good purpose, sent <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page348"></span><SPAN name="Pg348" id="Pg348" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> him into Kent, to King
Earconbert,<SPAN id="noteref_894" name="noteref_894" href="#note_894"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">894</span></span></SPAN> who
was her uncle's son, requesting that he would send him to Rome in
an honourable manner. At that time, Honorius,<SPAN id="noteref_895" name="noteref_895" href="#note_895"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">895</span></span></SPAN> one
of the disciples of the blessed Pope Gregory, a man very highly
instructed in ecclesiastical learning, was archbishop there. When
he had tarried there for a space, and, being a youth of an active
spirit, was diligently applying himself to learn those things which
came under his notice, another youth, called Biscop, surnamed
Benedict,<SPAN id="noteref_896" name="noteref_896" href="#note_896"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">896</span></span></SPAN> of
the English nobility, arrived there, being likewise desirous to go
to Rome, of whom we have before made mention.</p>
<p>The king gave
him Wilfrid for a companion, and bade Wilfrid conduct him to Rome.
When they came to Lyons, Wilfrid was detained there by
Dalfinus,<SPAN id="noteref_897" name="noteref_897" href="#note_897"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">897</span></span></SPAN> the
bishop of that city; but Benedict hastened on to Rome. For the
bishop was delighted with the youth's prudent discourse, the grace
of his comely countenance, his eager activity, and the consistency
and maturity of his thoughts; for which reason he plentifully
supplied him and his companions with all necessaries, as long as
they stayed with him; and further offered, if he would have it, to
commit to him the government of no small part of Gaul, to give him
a maiden daughter of his own brother<SPAN id="noteref_898" name="noteref_898" href="#note_898"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">898</span></span></SPAN> to
wife, and to regard him always as his adopted son. But Wilfrid
thanked him for the loving-kindness which he was pleased to show to
a stranger, and answered, that he had resolved upon another course
of life, and for that reason had left his country and set out for
Rome.</p>
<p>Hereupon the
bishop sent him to Rome, furnishing him with a guide and supplying
plenty of all things requisite for his journey, earnestly
requesting that he would come that way, when he returned into his
own <span id="page349"></span><SPAN name="Pg349" id="Pg349" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> country. Wilfrid
arriving at Rome, and daily giving himself with all earnestness to
prayer and the study of ecclesiastical matters, as he had purposed
in his mind, gained the friendship of the most holy and learned
Boniface, the archdeacon,<SPAN id="noteref_899" name="noteref_899"
href="#note_899"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">899</span></span></SPAN> who
was also counsellor to the Apostolic Pope, by whose instruction he
learned in their order the four Gospels, and the true computation
of Easter; and many other things appertaining to ecclesiastical
discipline, which he could not learn in his own country, he
acquired from the teaching of that same master. When he had spent
some months there, in successful study, he returned into Gaul, to
Dalfinus;<SPAN id="noteref_900" name="noteref_900" href="#note_900"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">900</span></span></SPAN> and
having stayed with him three years, received from him the tonsure,
and Dalfinus esteemed him so highly in love that he had thoughts of
making him his heir; but this was prevented by the bishop's cruel
death, and Wilfrid was reserved to be a bishop of his own, that is,
the English, nation. For Queen Baldhild<SPAN id="noteref_901" name="noteref_901" href="#note_901"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">901</span></span></SPAN> sent
soldiers with orders to put the bishop to death; whom Wilfrid, as
his clerk, attended to the place where he was to be beheaded, being
very desirous, though the bishop strongly opposed it, to die with
him; but the executioners, understanding that he was a stranger,
and of the English nation, spared him, and would not put him to
death with his bishop.</p>
<span id="page350">[pg
350]</span><SPAN name="Pg350" id="Pg350" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<p>Returning to
Britain, he won the friendship of King Alchfrid,<SPAN id="noteref_902" name="noteref_902" href="#note_902"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">902</span></span></SPAN> who
had learnt to follow always and love the catholic rules of the
Church; and therefore finding him to be a Catholic, he gave him
presently land of ten families at the place called Stanford;<SPAN id="noteref_903" name="noteref_903" href="#note_903"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">903</span></span></SPAN> and
not long after, the monastery, with land of thirty families, at the
place called Inhrypum;<SPAN id="noteref_904" name="noteref_904" href="#note_904"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">904</span></span></SPAN> which
place he had formerly given to those that followed the doctrine of
the Scots, to build a monastery there. But, forasmuch as they
afterwards, being given the choice, had rather quit the place than
adopt the Catholic Easter and other canonical rites, according to
the custom of the Roman Apostolic Church, he gave the same to him
whom he found to be instructed in better discipline and better
customs.</p>
<p>At the same
time, by the said king's command, he was ordained priest in the
same monastery, by Agilbert,<SPAN id="noteref_905" name="noteref_905"
href="#note_905"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">905</span></span></SPAN>
bishop of the Gewissae above-mentioned, the king being desirous
that a man of so much learning and piety should attend him
constantly as his special priest and teacher; and not long after,
when the Scottish sect had been exposed and banished,<SPAN id="noteref_906" name="noteref_906" href="#note_906"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">906</span></span></SPAN> as
was said above, he, with the advice and consent of his father Oswy,
sent him into Gaul, to be consecrated as his bishop,<SPAN id="noteref_907" name="noteref_907" href="#note_907"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">907</span></span></SPAN> when
he was about thirty years of age, the same Agilbert being then
bishop of the city of Paris. Eleven other bishops met at the
consecration of the new bishop, and that function was most
honourably performed. Whilst he yet tarried beyond the sea, the
holy man, <span id="page351">[pg
351]</span><SPAN name="Pg351" id="Pg351" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
Ceadda,<SPAN id="noteref_908" name="noteref_908" href="#note_908"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">908</span></span></SPAN> was
consecrated bishop of York<SPAN id="noteref_909" name="noteref_909"
href="#note_909"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">909</span></span></SPAN> by
command of King Oswy, as has been said above; and having nobly
ruled that church three years, he retired to take charge of his
monastery of Laestingaeu, and Wilfrid was made bishop of all the
province of the Northumbrians.</p>
<p>Afterwards, in
the reign of Egfrid, he was expelled from his bishopric, and others
were consecrated bishops in his stead, of whom mention has been
made above.<SPAN id="noteref_910" name="noteref_910" href="#note_910"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">910</span></span></SPAN>
Designing to go to Rome, to plead his cause before the Apostolic
Pope, he took ship, and was driven by a west wind into
Frisland,<SPAN id="noteref_911" name="noteref_911" href="#note_911"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">911</span></span></SPAN> and
honourably received by that barbarous people and their King
Aldgils, to whom he preached Christ, and he instructed many
thousands of them in the Word of truth, washing them from the
defilement of their sins in the Saviour's font. Thus he began there
the work of the Gospel which was afterwards finished with great
devotion by the most reverend bishop of Christ, Wilbrord.<SPAN id="noteref_912" name="noteref_912" href="#note_912"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">912</span></span></SPAN>
Having spent the winter there successfully among this new people of
God, he set out again on his way to Rome,<SPAN id="noteref_913" name="noteref_913" href="#note_913"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">913</span></span></SPAN> where
his cause being <span id="page352">[pg
352]</span><SPAN name="Pg352" id="Pg352" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
tried before Pope Agatho and many bishops,<SPAN id="noteref_914" name="noteref_914" href="#note_914"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">914</span></span></SPAN> he
was by the judgement of them all acquitted of all blame, and
declared worthy of his bishopric.</p>
<p>At the same
time, the said Pope Agatho assembling a synod at Rome, of one
hundred and twenty-five bishops, against those who asserted that
there was only one will and operation in our Lord and
Saviour,<SPAN id="noteref_915" name="noteref_915" href="#note_915"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">915</span></span></SPAN>
ordered Wilfrid also to be summoned, and, sitting among the
bishops, to declare his own faith and the faith of the province or
island whence he came; and he and his people being found orthodox
in their faith, it was thought fit to record the same among the
acts of that synod, which was done in in this manner: <span class="tei tei-q">“Wilfrid, the beloved of God, bishop of the city of
York, appealing to the Apostolic see, and being by that authority
acquitted of every thing, whether specified against him or not, and
being appointed to sit in judgement with one hundred and
twenty-five other bishops in the synod, made confession of the true
and catholic faith, and confirmed the same with his subscription in
the name of all the northern part of Britain and Ireland, and the
islands inhabited by the nations of the English and Britons, as
also by the Scots and Picts.”</span></p>
<p>After this,
returning into Britain,<SPAN id="noteref_916" name="noteref_916" href="#note_916"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">916</span></span></SPAN> he
converted the province of the South Saxons from their idolatrous
<span id="page353"></span><SPAN name="Pg353" id="Pg353" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> worship to the faith
of Christ.<SPAN id="noteref_917" name="noteref_917" href="#note_917"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">917</span></span></SPAN> He
also sent ministers of the Word to the Isle of Wight;<SPAN id="noteref_918" name="noteref_918" href="#note_918"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">918</span></span></SPAN> and
in the second year of Aldfrid, who reigned after Egfrid, was
restored to his see and bishopric by that king's invitation.<SPAN id="noteref_919" name="noteref_919" href="#note_919"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">919</span></span></SPAN>
Nevertheless, five years after, being again accused, he was
deprived of his bishopric by the same king and certain
bishops.<SPAN id="noteref_920" name="noteref_920" href="#note_920"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">920</span></span></SPAN>
Coming to Rome,<SPAN id="noteref_921" name="noteref_921" href="#note_921"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">921</span></span></SPAN> he
was allowed to make his defence in the presence of his accusers,
before a number of bishops and the Apostolic Pope John.<SPAN id="noteref_922" name="noteref_922" href="#note_922"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">922</span></span></SPAN> It
was shown by the judgement of them all, that his accusers had in
part laid false accusations to his charge; and the aforesaid Pope
wrote to the kings of the English, Ethelred <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page354"></span><SPAN name="Pg354" id="Pg354" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> and Aldfrid, to cause him to be
restored to his bishopric, because he had been unjustly
condemned.<SPAN id="noteref_923" name="noteref_923" href="#note_923"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">923</span></span></SPAN></p>
<p>His acquittal
was much forwarded by the reading of the acts of the synod of Pope
Agatho,<SPAN id="noteref_924" name="noteref_924" href="#note_924"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">924</span></span></SPAN> of
blessed memory, which had been formerly held, when Wilfrid was in
Rome and sat in council among the bishops, as has been said before.
For the acts of that synod being, as the case required, read, by
order of the Apostolic Pope, before the nobility and a great number
of the people for some days, they came to the place where it was
written, <span class="tei tei-q">“Wilfrid, the beloved of God,
bishop of the city of York, appealing to the Apostolic see, and
being by that authority acquitted of everything, whether specified
against him or not,”</span> and the rest as above stated. This
being read, the hearers were amazed, and the reader ceasing, they
began to ask of one another, who that Bishop Wilfrid was. Then
Boniface, the Pope's counsellor,<SPAN id="noteref_925" name="noteref_925" href="#note_925"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">925</span></span></SPAN> and
many others, who had seen him there in the days of Pope Agatho,
said that he was the same bishop that lately came to Rome, to be
tried by the Apostolic see, being accused by his people, and
<span class="tei tei-q">“who, said they, having long since come
here upon the like accusation, the cause and contention of both
parties being heard and examined, was proved by Pope Agatho, of
blessed memory, to have been wrongfully expelled from his
bishopric, and was held in such honour by him, that he commanded
him to sit in the council of bishops which he had assembled, as a
man of untainted faith and an upright mind.”</span> This being
heard, the Pope and all the rest said, that a man of so great
authority, who had held the office of a bishop for nearly forty
years, ought by no means to be condemned, but being altogether
cleared of the faults laid to his charge, should return home with
honour.</p>
<p>When he came to
Gaul, on his way back to Britain, on a sudden he fell sick, and the
sickness increasing, he was so weighed down by it, that he could
not ride, but was <span id="page355">[pg
355]</span><SPAN name="Pg355" id="Pg355" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
carried in his bed by the hands of his servants. Being thus come to
the city of Maeldum,<SPAN id="noteref_926" name="noteref_926" href="#note_926"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">926</span></span></SPAN> in
Gaul, he lay four days and nights, as if he had been dead, and only
by his faint breathing showed that he had any life in him. Having
continued thus four days, without meat or drink, without speech or
hearing, at length, on the fifth day, at daybreak, as it were
awakening out of a deep sleep, he raised himself and sat up, and
opening his eyes, saw round about him a company of brethren singing
psalms and weeping. Sighing gently, he asked where Acca,<SPAN id="noteref_927" name="noteref_927" href="#note_927"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">927</span></span></SPAN> the
priest, was. This man, straightway being called, came in, and
seeing him somewhat recovered and able to speak, knelt down, and
gave thanks to God, with all the brethren there present. When they
had sat awhile and begun to discourse, with great awe, of the
judgements of heaven, the bishop bade the rest go out for a time,
and spoke to the priest, Acca, after this manner:</p>
<p><span class="tei tei-q">“A dread vision has even now appeared to me, which I
would have you hear and keep secret, till I know what God will
please to do with me. There stood by me a certain one, glorious in
white raiment, and he told me that he was Michael, the Archangel,
and said, <span class="tei tei-q">‘I am sent to call you back from
death: for the Lord has granted you life, through the prayers and
tears of your disciples and brethren, and the intercession of His
Blessed Mother Mary, of perpetual virginity; wherefore I tell you,
that you shall now recover from this sickness; but be ready, for I
will return and visit you at the end of four years. And when you
come into your country, you shall recover the greater part of the
possessions that have been taken from you, and shall end your days
in peace and quiet.’</span> ”</span> The bishop accordingly
recovered, whereat all men rejoiced and gave thanks to God, and
setting forward on his journey, he arrived in Britain.</p>
<p>Having read the
letters which he brought from the Apostolic Pope, Bertwald, the
archbishop, and Ethelred,<SPAN id="noteref_928" name="noteref_928"
href="#note_928"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">928</span></span></SPAN>
<span id="page356"></span><SPAN name="Pg356" id="Pg356" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> sometime king, but
then abbot, readily took his part; for the said Ethelred, calling
to him Coenred,<SPAN id="noteref_929" name="noteref_929" href="#note_929"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">929</span></span></SPAN> whom
he had made king in his own stead, begged him to be friends with
Wilfrid, in which request he prevailed; nevertheless Aldfrid, king
of the Northumbrians, disdained to receive him. But he died soon
after,<SPAN id="noteref_930" name="noteref_930" href="#note_930"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">930</span></span></SPAN> and
so it came to pass that, during the reign of his son Osred,<SPAN id="noteref_931" name="noteref_931" href="#note_931"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">931</span></span></SPAN> when
a synod was assembled before long by the river Nidd,<SPAN id="noteref_932" name="noteref_932" href="#note_932"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">932</span></span></SPAN> after
some contention on both sides, at length, by the consent of all, he
was restored to the government of his own church;<SPAN id="noteref_933" name="noteref_933" href="#note_933"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">933</span></span></SPAN> and
thus he lived in peace four years, till the day of his death. He
died in his monastery, which he had in the province of
Undalum,<SPAN id="noteref_934" name="noteref_934" href="#note_934"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">934</span></span></SPAN> under
the government of the Abbot Cuthbald;<SPAN id="noteref_935" name="noteref_935" href="#note_935"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">935</span></span></SPAN> and
by the ministry of the brethren, he was carried to his first
monastery which is called Inhrypum,<SPAN id="noteref_936" name="noteref_936" href="#note_936"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">936</span></span></SPAN> and
buried in the church of the blessed Apostle Peter, hard by the
altar on the south side, as has been mentioned above, and this
epitaph was written over him:</p>
<p><span class="tei tei-q">“Here rests the body of the great Bishop Wilfrid, who,
for love of piety, built these courts and consecrated them with the
noble name of Peter, to whom Christ, the Judge of all the earth,
gave the keys of Heaven. And devoutly he clothed them with gold and
Tyrian purple; yea, and he placed here the trophy of the Cross, of
shining ore, uplifted high; moreover he caused the four
<span id="page357"></span><SPAN name="Pg357" id="Pg357" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> books of the Gospel
to be written in gold in their order, and he gave a case meet for
them of ruddy gold. And he also brought the holy season of Easter,
returning in its course, to accord with the true teaching of the
catholic rule which the Fathers fixed, and, banishing all doubt and
error, gave his nation sure guidance in their worship. And in this
place he gathered a great throng of monks, and with all diligence
safeguarded the precepts which the Fathers' rule enjoined. And long
time sore vexed by many a peril at home and abroad, when he had
held the office of a bishop forty-five years, he passed away and
with joy departed to the heavenly kingdom. Grant, O Jesus, that the
flock may follow in the path of the shepherd.”</span></p>
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<SPAN name="Book_V_Chap_XX" id="Book_V_Chap_XX" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN>
<h2 style= "text-align: left; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> <span style="font-size: 144%">Chap. XX. How Albinus succeeded to the godly Abbot Hadrian, and Acca to Bishop Wilfrid. [709</span> <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: left"><span style= "font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">a.d.</span></span><span style="font-size: 144%">]</span></h2>
<p>The next year
after the death of the aforesaid father,<SPAN id="noteref_937" name="noteref_937" href="#note_937"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">937</span></span></SPAN> which
was the fifth year of King Osred, the most reverend father, Abbot
Hadrian,<SPAN id="noteref_938" name="noteref_938" href="#note_938"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">938</span></span></SPAN>
fellow labourer in the Word of God with Bishop Theodore<SPAN id="noteref_939" name="noteref_939" href="#note_939"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">939</span></span></SPAN> of
blessed memory, died, and was buried in the church of the Blessed
Mother of God, in his own monastery,<SPAN id="noteref_940" name="noteref_940" href="#note_940"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">940</span></span></SPAN> this
being the forty-first year after he was sent by Pope Vitalian with
Theodore, and the thirty-ninth after his arrival in England. Among
other proofs of his learning, as well as Theodore's, there is this
testimony, that Albinus,<SPAN id="noteref_941" name="noteref_941"
href="#note_941"><span ><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">941</span></span></SPAN> his
disciple, who succeeded him in the government of his monastery, was
so well instructed in literary studies, that he had no small
knowledge of the Greek tongue, and knew the Latin as well as the
English, which was his native language.</p>
<p>Acca,<SPAN id="noteref_942" name="noteref_942" href="#note_942"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">942</span></span></SPAN> his
priest, succeeded Wilfrid in the bishopric of <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page358"></span><SPAN name="Pg358" id="Pg358" class="tei tei-anchor"></SPAN> the church of Hagustald, being likewise
a man of zeal and great in noble works in the sight of God and man.
He enriched the structure of his church, which is dedicated in
honour of the blessed Apostle Andrew with manifold adornments and
marvellous workmanship. For he gave all diligence, as he does to
this day, to procure relics of the blessed Apostles and martyrs of
Christ from all parts, and to raise altars in their honour in
separate side-chapels built for the purpose within the walls of the
same church. Besides which, he industriously gathered the histories
of their martyrdom, together with other ecclesiastical writings,
and erected there a large and noble library. He likewise carefully
provided holy vessels, lamps, and other such things as appertain to
the adorning of the house of God. He in like manner invited to him
a notable singer called Maban,<SPAN id="noteref_943" name="noteref_943" href="#note_943"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">943</span></span></SPAN> who
had been taught to sing by the successors of the disciples of the
blessed Pope Gregory in Kent, to instruct himself and his clergy,
and kept him twelve years, to the end that he might teach such
Church music as they did not know, and by his teaching restore to
its former state that which was corrupted either by long use, or
through neglect. For Bishop Acca himself was a most skilful singer,
as well as most learned in Holy Writ, sound in the confession of
the catholic faith, and well versed in the rules of ecclesiastical
custom; nor does he cease to walk after this manner, till he
receive the rewards of his pious devotion. For he was brought up
from boyhood and instructed among the clergy of the most holy and
beloved of God, Bosa, bishop of York.<SPAN id="noteref_944" name="noteref_944" href="#note_944"><span><span style="font-size: 60%; vertical-align: super">944</span></span></SPAN>
Afterwards, coming to Bishop Wilfrid in the hope of a better plan
of life, he spent the rest of his days in attendance on him till
that bishop's death, and going with him to Rome, learned there many
profitable things concerning the ordinances of the Holy Church,
which he could not have learned in his own country.</p>
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