This was Ceolulf King of the Northumbers to whom S. Beda had dedicated his History of Brittany, not so much that he might by his eminent quality be a protectour of it or of the Authour, as by his learning and iudge∣ment to be a correctour. And it is not to be doubted but that so many examples which he found there, of persons contemning, hating and flying from all worldly tenta∣tions and pleasures, had a strong influence on his mind to inflame it with the love of heavenly and only true happines.
2. A little before he thus offred himself a Holocaust to our Lord▪ he had bestowd libe∣rally many possessions on the Monastery of Lindesfarn where the famous S. Cuthbert learnt and practised the rudiments of his Sancti••y whose life and glorious act••ons he had read in S. Beda's writings. Hoveden among the munificent gifts of this King to S. Cuthbert reckons these p••aces, Vdecester, Wittingham, Edulfingham, and Cewlingham. But the Religious King esteemed this liberality not consid••rable▪ unlesse he gave himself likewise to him by embracing a penitenciall Life in his Monaste••y: which this year being the ninth of his raign, he perform••d
3 This space of nine years spent in vanity (saith Huntingdon) seemed to him a whole age: for he was in great anguish of mind that so great a part of his Life should be lost in the vain cares and encombrances of the world. He resolved therefore to consecrate the remainder of his years to spirituall Wisedom, and to the eternall ad∣vantage of his own soul. Therefore proposing to himself out of the History of S. Beda six potent Kings for his imitation, he resolved to follow their examples. These were Ethelred King of the Mer∣cians, and Kenred his Successour: Likewise Ced∣walla King of the West-Saxons and Ina his Suc∣cessour: Sigebert King of the East Angels, who be∣came a Monk, and was afterwards slain by the Tyrant Penda: And Sebbi King of the East Sa∣xons, who embracing a Religious Profession, by D••vine revelation foresaw the wishd-for day of his death, he saw it and was glad. These did not consume their Substance with harlots, like the Prodigal son, but went on their way with sorrow sowing their seed, that they might return with ioy and present their ••heaves to our Lord. King Ceolulf therefore added a seaventh (Hebdoma∣dam) to the number of perfect Kings: and re∣ceiving a Monasticall habit, in exchange of the Temporall Crown which he left, God sett upon his Head a glorious Crown of one entire precious stone
4. The Monastery into which he retired was th••t of Lindesfarn▪ the Monks whereof were the Disciples of S. Aidan, whom long before this, King Oswald had sent for thither out of Scotland: and they following his example practised far more rigourous austerities, then were usually seen else where. For not only all the R••ligious men, and women too, of that insti∣tut continued fasting every Wednesday and Friday till Vespers were accomplished: but also wholly abstained from wine and all strong drink, contenting themselves with Water mingled with a little milk. But whether it was that expe∣rience shewd them that English Complexions, not so robustious as those of the Scotts, could not support this great austerity, or whether likewise it was out of condescen∣dance to the delicacy and infirm temper of King Ceolulf, at his entrance an indulgence was given to the Monks, and they were per∣mitted for their drink to use a moderate pro∣portion of Wine or Ale.
5. Now besides his former liberalities to that Monastery, King Ceolulf at the time of his Monasticall Tensure gave the Mannor of Warkworth: So writes Camden out of our Ancient Monuments: Warkworth, saith he, with all its dependences was a possession of the Church of Lindesfarn by the gift of King Ceolulf For this mansion at his renouncing the world he bestowd on the said Church, in which bein•• made a Monk he aspired to a heavenly king∣dom.
6. Our Martyrologe, in which his memo•••• is celebrated among the Saints on the fifth of Ianuary, refers his death to this sa•••• year: But certain it is that his life was pro••long••d there the space of twenty thr•••• years: So that we are to interpret, tha•• thi•• year he dyed to the world. Now how hap∣pily he concealed himself in that solitude from the world, and how charged he was with merits and graces when he left it, this is sufficiently testified, saith William of Malms∣bury, by the honour he received in being bu∣ried close to S. Cuthbert, and by many Divine Miracles wrought there by his intercession. His Relicks were afterward translated to Northam, saith Hoveden, where they likewise became il∣lustrious by Miracles▪ being placed in a Church there built by Egred Bishop of Lindesfarn about seaventy years after this Kings death, and de∣dicated to the honour of Saint Peter, Saint Cuthbert and S. Ceolulf.
7. This Holy King resigned his Kingdom to his Nephew Eadbert, or Egbert, a Succes∣sour likewise of his vertue and piety: for saith William of Malmsbury, he governed it the space of twenty years with great prudence and iustice. He had likewise a Brother of his own name Arch-bishop of York, who by his own wisedom and his Brothers power restored his See to its primitive dignity. But of these two il∣lustrious persons more hereafter.