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* 1.1XXIII. CHAP.
1.2. Edilhun a Valiane Consul rebells against the King of the West Saxons: and is sub∣dued.
3.4. The King of the Northumbers persecu∣tes a holy Bishop.
* 1.21. THE same year there were commo∣tions both in the Western and Nor∣thern Provinces of our Island. For in the West-Saxons Kingdom, as Huntingdon relates, Cuth∣red in the eleaventh year of his Raign fought a furious combat against Edelhun a Noble man (Consulem) of a most bold courage: Who raising a sedition against his Lord, and both their Armies meeting in the feild, though Edilhun was far inferiour to the King in number of soldiers, yet he maintaind the combat a long time with admi∣rable courage, for his single valour supplied the place of many bands of soldiers. And when the victory was ready to declare it self for him, an unfortunat wound peircing his body made the Kings iust cause to triumph over his perjury and infidelity.
2. Edelhun with the blood issuing out of this wound expelled likewise Pride and contumacy out of his heart. So that volun∣tarily submitting himself to his King, and re∣penting his rebellious Treason, he not only found pardon, but was admitted into his Lords favour and freindship.
3. But in the Kingdom of the Northumbe••s wee find a vertuous King persecuting a wor∣thy Bishop and another innocent person: and what the offence or provocation was, not any of our Historians mention. The Story is thus breifly touched by Mathew of Westmin∣ster and Hoveden:* 1.3 Eadbert (or Egbert) King of the Northumbers took Renulphus Bishop of Lin∣desfarn Prisoner, and lead him Captive into the Citty called Bebba, where he was cast into chains, & in that state remained a long time. Likewise he commanded the Church of S. Peter in Lindesfarn to be besieged. The motive of which siege is further declared by the same Houeden,* 1.4 saying, Offo the son of Alfred, an innocent young man was compelled for avoyding the fury of King Ead∣bert to seek sanctuary at the Relicks of the Holy Bishop S. Cuthbert, where he remained till being almost starved to death by famin, he was without armes taken out from thence. As touching the Citty where the said Bishop was so straitly imprisoned, and which in this Narration is called Bebba, it is seated in the Province of Northumberland near the Isle of Farne, and is at this day called Bamborow:
4 Now though wee find expressed in no Historian the cause of the Kings displeasure against the said Bishop, yet wee may perhaps probably collect it from other actions of the same King performed this year. To which purpose the Authaur of the Epitome at the end of S. Beda's History relates how King Ead∣bert this same year by force annexed to his Domi∣nions the territory of Cyel,* 1.5 with other regions. Now this Territory at this day called Keile or Coyle was possessed by the Scotts: and was seated at the Frith of Cluid (Glottae aestuarium:) where the Citty Alcuit, and the Castle now called Dunbritton lyes. Notwitstanding since the King of the Northumbers pretended to all the right which the Romans formerly enioyed in those parts, which extended as far as the said Frith: King Eadbert might think he had iust cause to recover it. Now it is probable that the pious Bishop Renulf opposed the Kings ambition and avarice, and so incurred his displeasure.