How the same man by prayer ceased the fyre that ennemies had put to the kinges citee.
The. 13. Chap.
AN other miracle worthy temembraunce, wrought by the same father, is reported of many, such as were mo∣ste likely to haue perfect knowledge of it. At what ti∣me Penda capitain of the Marshes, inuaded the prouince of Northumberland (this Aidan being bishop) and wasting and spoyling the whole countre, euen vnto Bebba the cite of the kinges owne abode, being not able neither by battaile neither by siege to winne it, minded to sett it a fire, and had for that purpose, caried thither in certaine chaines and gables (cut of by mayne force in the suburbes of the cyte) a great quantitye of beames, rafters, postes and small twigges, wherewith he had compassed that part of the cyte that adioyneth to the land, in a great height, and the winde now seruing at will, the fire was kindled and the cite began to consume, this reuerent prelate Aidan, being then in holy Ilond, about two myles from the ci∣te, whether oftentimes he vsed to departe to kepe his secret tra∣de of deuotions and solitary contemplacions (as euen to this day the place is well knowen) beholding the flakes of fire, and great smoke ouer the cyte, lifting vp his eyes and handes to heauen, with teares (as it is reported) cryed out, and sayed: Be∣hold O Lorde how great mischeif Penda worketh? Which wordes of that blessed man being pronounced, the windes being turned from the cyte, turned backe the light fyre againe, vppon them who had kindled it. In so much that some be∣ing hurte, all made afraied, they were fayne to leaue the as∣sault of the cyte which they sawe to be holpen by the hande of God.