The history of the Church of Englande. Compiled by Venerable Bede, Englishman. Translated out of Latin in to English by Thomas Stapleton student in diuinite

Howe Coenrede kinge of the Marsshes, and Offa king of the East Sa∣xons ended their liues in the habitt of religion, and of the lyfe and de∣ath of bisshop VVilfride.

The 20. Chap.

THe iiij. yeare of Osredes raigne, king Coenrede which kept the soueraintie in the countrie of Marshes ho∣nourably for a tyme, did more honourably forsake it, and all his dominions. For vnder Constantine the Pope he went to Rome, and receiuing there the tonsure and habitt of a religious man, at the Apostles toumbes continued in praying, fasting, and dealing of almes vntill his dying daye. Vnto this noble prince Coenrede, succeded kinge Edilredes son, which E∣dildred had the gouuernement of the same realme before him. There went with him also to Rome Sigheres sonn king of the east Saxons called Offa, (whome we mentioned before) a prin∣cely, and beautefull gentleman, and then in his first flowres and much desired of his subiectes to remaine and rule among them. But he moued with leke deuotion and zeale as the other prince was, forsoke his ladye, his landes, his kinsfolke, and coun¦trie for Christes sake, and the ghospell: that in this world he might receiue an hundred folde and in the world to come life euerlasting with Christ. When he came to the holy places att Rome, he also was shoren into religion, in the which he passed the rest of his life, and came to the vision of the blessed Apo∣stles

in heauen, as he had longe desired before. The very selfe same yere that these ij. princes went out of Britannie, a worthy prelate and notable bishopp, called VVilfride, died the xlv. yeare after he had ben made bisshoppe, in the territory, cal∣led Wundale. And his body well chested, was caried to the mo∣nastery of Rhippon wher he had before liued, and with al ho∣nour, and solemnitie worthy for so noble a bishopp was buried in Saincte Peters church at Rhyppon: Of whose life and beha∣hauiour let vs brieflly make mention what things were done returning as it were backe againe to that we haue spokē before.

This Wilfride being but a childe was of such towardnesse and good nature, induced with so many goodly qualities, of such modest and honest behauiour in all pointes, that all the elders and auncients did with a speciall good loue reuerence him. After he was xiiij. yere olde, he more estemed a monasti∣call, and solitarie lyfe, than all secular and wordly wealth. The which thing when he had communicated with his father (for his mother was departed to the mercy of God) he gladly con∣descended to his holly requestes and godly desires, and exhor∣ted him to persiste in that godly purpose, which he had enten∣ded. Hereuppon he came to the isle Lindisfarne and there attē∣ding vpō the monks, he diligētly lerned, and gladly practised, al pointes of chastity, and godlinesse required in a solitarie and religious man. And because he had a goodly pregnant witt he lerned spedely psalmes and certain other bookes of prayers, being not yet shoren in or professed, but well garnished with those vertues, which far surmounted the outward profession to witt of humility and obedience. For the which he was wel loued and estemed bothe of the elders, and also of his equals. When he had serued God certaine yeares in that monastery he perceaued by litle and litle being growen in iudgement (as a wife younge man that could quickly fore see) the waye of trewe religion and vertue taught by the Scotts not to be alto∣gether

perfecte. Whereuppon he fully determined to make a voyage to Rome, only to see what ri••es and ceremonies were obserued there, as well of secular priestes as of religious per∣sonnes. The which determination of his, after notice geuen to his Bretherne by preuy conference, eche man did well com∣mēd it, and persuaded him to go forward in his good purpose. Incontinent coming to Quene Eamflede (who knew him wel, and by whose counsell and cōmendation he was receaued into that monastery) declared to her hyghnesse that he had an ear∣nest and feruent desyre to visit the monuments of the holy Apostles. The Quene much delited with the younge mans good purpose and zele, sent him to Caunterbury to kinge Ercombert which was her vncles sonne requiring that it might please his highnesse to send him honorably to Rome: at what time Honorius one of the blessed Pope Gregories schollers, a man profoundly lerned in holy scripture, was Archebishop there. When this younge man lackinge nor good courage, nor lyuely sprite, had tarried there a space, and employed his dili∣gence to lerne and commit to memory, that which he ouer∣loked, there repaired thither an other younge gentilman who∣se name was Bishop, and Christen name Benet, one of the nobles of Englande, desyrours to go to Rome, of whom I ha∣ue mentioned before. The kinge committed VVilfride to this younge gentilman and his company, with chardge that he shuld conduct him safe to Rome. When they came to Lyons in Fraunce, VVilfrid was stayd there by Dalphine, bishop of that city. The gentleman went on his iourney to Rome. The de∣light and pleasure, which the bishop had in VVilfrides wyse tal∣ke, aminable continaunce, ioly actituity, and graue inuention, was the occasion why he was staied there. For that cause also he gaue him, and all his company frendfull intertainement as long as they continued there: and furder offred him the gouer∣nement of a greate parte of Fraunce, the mariadge of his

brothers daughter, (whiche was yet in the flower of her virginity,) brefely to adopte him for his heyr, if he wolde make his abode there. But he rendring lowly and harty thankes for so great courtesy and gentilnesse, that the bishop vouchsafed to shew vnto him being but a straunger, answered, that he was fully determined to an other conuersation and trade of lyffe: and therfore had forsaken his country, and taken this iourney to Rome. The which when the bishop heard, he sent him to Rome, with a guide to conducte him in the waye, and gaue him mony sufficient to beare his chardges, desyringe that at his returne he wolde remember to take his house by the waye. VVilfride with in fewe dayes after cominge to Rome, and oc∣cypuing him selfe in daily contemplation of heauenly thinges, according to his first determination fel acquainted with a no∣table holy and lerned man called Boniface, who was Archedea∣con, and one of the Apostolike Popes counsellers. By whose instruction he lerned orderly the foure bookes of the Gospell, and the trewe counte of Easter, and many other godly lessons commodious and profitable to vnderstande the orders and disciplines of the churche, which he could not attaine vnto in his owne country. And when he had passed certaine mone∣thes there, in godly exercise and study, he returned to Dalfine againe in Fraunce, and after he had tarried with him iij. yea∣res, he toke the inferiour orders of the bishop, and was so en∣tierly loued of him that the bishoppe fully determined to ma∣ke him his successour. But by cruel death he was preuented and VVilfride reserued to a bishoprike in his owne natyue country, England. For Brunechild Quene of Fraunce sent a power, and commaunded the bishop to be put to death: whom VVilfride his chappellain folowed to the place of execution, desyring to die with him, albeit the bishop did vtterly forbid him. But whē the executioners knew, he was a stranger and an English man borne, they spared him, and wold not put him to death,

with the bishop. Wereuppon returning to England he was brought to be in frendship and amity with kinge Aldfride. Who leke a good Prince had lerned to folow and reuerence the general ordinaunces and rules of the catholike church. And for that he perceaued this VVilfride to be Catholique, he gaue him streytwayes a Lordshippe, of x. tenements in Stan∣ford: and within a while after a monastery with xxx. tene∣ments in Rhippon: which he had geuē but late to build an Ab∣bay forsuch as folowed the Scottes: but because they being put to liberty and choise, had rather departe thence then to receiue the trewe and Catholique celebration of the feast of Easter, and other canonicall rites and ceremonies after the custome of the church of Rome, and see Apostolike, he gaue it to him, whome he sawe better qualified both for lerninge and for ver∣tue. The same time in the very selfe same monastery he was made priest by Agilbert bishop of Geuisse (of whom we spake before) at the instaunce of the Kinge, moste earnestly requi∣ringe that so lerned a man shuld cōtinually follow his Courte, and especially be his teacher and preacher. Whome not longe after when the Scottes secte was disclosed (as is a fore said) and vtterly abandoned, he sent to Fraunce by the counsell and ad∣uise of his father Oswin, when he was but xxx. yeres of age to be consecrated and made bishop by Agilbert then bishop of Paris. With whom xj. other bishopps assemblinge them selfes to con∣secrate hym, did their dewty in that behalfe very honorably with all solemnities. But while he was yet beyonde the seas, Ceadda, a godly and vertuous man (as it is aboue mentioned) was consecrated byshop of yorke, at the commaundement of King Oswin. Who hauing gouerned the churche iij. yeares de∣parted thence, and toke the cure and charge of Lesting Abbay. After him VVilfrid toke vphōim the bishoprick of al Northū∣berland. Who afterwarde in the raigne of Kinge Ecgfride, was depriued of his bisshopricke, and others consecrated and put in

his place, of whome we made mention before. But when he had taken shipp to go to Rome, and pleade his cause before the Apostolike pope he was dryuen by a Sowthweast winde into Freslande, where he was honorably receaued as well of the rude and barbarous people, as of the Kinge Aldgiste. Where he pre∣ached also vnto them Christ and his ghospell, conuerting ma∣ny thousandes to the faith, and with baptisme wasshing away their sinnes. Whereby he layed the fundation of Chri∣stes ghospell in those countries, which the Reuerend father and holy byshopp VVilbrord perfited and finyshed afterward. But when he had passed ouer a winter with this people newly conuerted to Christe, he went forwarde his iourny to Rome. When his cause was debated to and fro, in the presence of Pope Agatho, and many other bishopps, he was founde in processe by all their iudgementes to haue bene most vniustly accused, and best worthy of that bishopprick. At what time the same Aga∣tho gathering a Synode at Rome of a 125. byshopps against such heretikes as held the opinion, that there was but one will and one operation in our Sauiour Christe, commaunded VVilfride also to repaire thither. And when he came he willed him to declare his faith and the faith of the countrie from whence he came, sittinge amongest the other bishops: Wherin when he and his country was founde to be Catholique, it pleased them amongest other things to haue this also put in the Actes of the decrees, the tenour wherof foloweth. VVilfride the vertuous bishop of yorke, and appealinge to the see Apostolique for his cause, and by that full authoritie absolued as well from certaine complaints laied to his chardge, as all other vncertaine quarels, and sitting in iudgement in the felowship of a 125. bishopps in this present Synod, hath confessed, for al the north partes of the isles of Englande and Irelande, whiche ar inhabited with En∣glishe men, Britons, Scottes, and Pictes, the trewe and catholike faith, and confirmed the same with his subscription. After his

returne to Britanny againe, he conuerted the South saxons frō idolatrye and superstition to Christes trewe faith and religion. In the isle of Wight also he apointed certain to preach the word of God: and the seconde yere of kinge Aldfrides raigne, who had the soueraintye next after Ecgfride, receaued his see and bi∣shoprick againe, at the instaunt request of the kinge. But fyue yeres after he was accused of the same king, and many other bi∣shopps, and depriued againe of his bishopricke. Wherein vpon repairing againe to Rome, and obtaining lycence to pleade in his owne defence before his accusers, Pope Iohn and many o∣ther byshopps sittinge in iudgment, it was by their diffynitiue sentence concluded, that in some parte his accusers hadd falsly forged these malycious surmises against him. The Pope also wrote letters to the kinges of England Edilrede and Alfride re∣quiringe them to see him restored to his bishopricke againe, be∣cause he was vniustly condemned. The reading of the decrees concluded in the fore said Synod assembled by Pope Agatho of blessed memory, kept but of late when he hym selfe was pre∣sent in the cytie and resident amongest other bishops, did much furder his cause. For when the Actes of the Synode, as occasion was moued, were openly read ij. or iij. dayes before the nobyli∣tie and greate assembles of people, by the popes commaunde∣ment, the protonotarie coming to that place where it was writ∣ten, Wilfride the vertuous bishopp of yorke appealing to the see Apostolique for his cause, and by that ful authoritie absol∣ued as well from certaine thinges layed to his chardges, as all o∣ther vncertaine quarells &c. As we sayed before, these wordes being read euery man was astonned and the protonotary cea∣sing, eche man inquired off other, what manner of man thys bysshopp VVilfride was. Then Bonyface a counseller to the Pope, and many other whiche sawe hym there in Pope Aga∣tho his tyme, made answere and sayd. He is the bishop which was accused of his owne cuntry men, and came to Rome to be

iudged by the see Apostolik, euen the very same which of late coming hither for the false accusations of his aduersaries, was iudged giltlesse and innocent by•• Pope Agatho, after the cau∣se and controuersie was well examined of bothe parties, and thought to haue ben depriued of his bishopricke against all la∣we, and more than that hadd in such honour and estimation of Pope Agatho of blessed memory, that he cōmaunded him to sitt in the Synode which he assembled at Rome, as a man off a trew perfect faith and syncere minde. All these allegations be∣ing heard, the Pope and all that were present sayed, that a man of such authoritie which had bene bisshoppe xl. yeares, ought not to be condemned, but once agayne dischardged and quit∣ted from the false accusations and malicious surmises of his enemies, and sent home againe with honour to his countrie. With this iudgement returning towardes England, he fell so∣dainly sicke, when he came to Fraunce, and was so weakened, the desease growing vppon him more and more, that he could not ryde, nor kepe his horse, but was caried in a bed by strength of his seruauntes. Being thus brought to Meldune a citye in Fraunce, he lay iiij, dayes and iiij. nights as though he had byn dead. Only declaring by a litle breath, which he drewe very fa∣yntly and short, that he was a lyue. Thus continuing iiij. dayes without meate and drinke, as speachelesse, and past hearing, he rose the fifte daye, and sate vppe in his bed, as a man awaked out of a deape sleepe, and when his eyes were open, he sawe a company of his brethern aboute him, some singing, some wea∣ping, and fetting a litle sigthe, asked for his chaplyn Acca. By and by he was called. Who entring into the chambre, and seing his bishoppe somewhat better amended, and able to speake, he fell downe vpon his knees, and gaue thankes to God with all the company that was present. And when they had sate toge∣ther a litle while, and entred talke fearefully, of the high iudge∣ments of God, the bishop commaunded al to auoide the cham∣bre

for an houre, and beganne to talke after this manner to his chaplin Acca. There appeared vnto me euen now a terrible vision, the which I wil haue thee heare, and concele withal vn∣till I know knowe furder the pleasure of almighty God, what shal become of me. A certaine man clothed all in white, stode by me, saying. I am Michael the Archangell sent hither for this only purpose, to deliuer thee from daunger of death. For our Lord hathe geuen the longer tyme to lyue for the earnest pra∣yers, and lamentations, which thy scholars and bretherne here haue made, and also for the intercession of the blessed virgin Marie his mother: Wherefore I say vnto the, that presently thou shalt be healed of this infirmitie and sickenesse, but yet be in a readynesse: for after iiij. yeares I will returne againe and visit the. Agayne, as sone as thou art returned to thy countrye, the greatest part of thy possessions, that haue ben taken away from the, thou shalt receiue againe, and ende thy life in tran∣quillitie and peace. Vppon which comfortable wordes the bis∣shoppe recouered to the greate ioye of all men, reioysing and praysing God for him. Thus going forward on his iourney he came to England. When the letters brought from the see Apo∣stolique were reade, Berechtwald archebisshop and Edilrede so∣metimes kinge (but then made an Abbot) receiued him gladly in fauour againe. Edilred also entreating Coenrede whom he had made kinge in his place, to come and speake with him, re∣quested him to be a good and gratious Lord to the saied bis∣shopp, which also he obtained. But Aldfride king of Northum∣berland which would not receiue him, died within a while af∣ter. By which occasion it fel out in the raigne of kinge Osred his sonne, that in a Synode assembled by the riuer Nid after greate contention and reasoning in both partes, he was recei∣ued into his church and bisshopprike againe with all fauour they coulde shewe him. So iiij. yeres space, to witt to his dying daye, he liued in peace, and died the xij. daye of October in a

monasterie, which he had in the prouince of Wundale vnder the gouuernement of Abbot Cudbalde. From whence by the handes of the couent he was caried to his owne monasterie in Rhyppon, and interred in the blessed Apostle S. Peter his chur∣che harde by the aultar, towarde the Sowth side, as we signified before, and ouer him is written this epitaphe.

Notes

• Lib. 3. cap. 52.
• The lyfe of bishop VVilfrid the Apo∣stle of Sussex.
• Holy Ilond.
• The countre about Salisbury
• Lib. 3. cap. 28.
• Lib. 4. cap. 12.
• The he∣resie of the mo∣nothelites condem∣ned.
• The See Aposto∣lique.
• Bishopp VVilfride the Apo∣stle of Sussex.