* 1.1XVIII. CHAP.
1.2. &c. Of S. Wilfrid: his Descent, educa∣tion, &c.
4.5. &c. At twenty years of age he goes to Rome, &c.
8. He lives with Dalfin Bishop of Lyons: who was murdred.
* 1.21. IN this same year of Grace six hundred fifty three S. Wilfrid began to appeare in the world, being now twenty years old, and to give evident signs of those many graces which afterward eminently shone in him. We shall oft be obliged in the pursuit of this History to mētion his Gests: In this place there∣fore we will from S. Beda relate his descent, manner of life during his child hood, and till at the age of twenty years he undertook a Iourney to Rome to inform himself in cer∣tain Ecclesiasticall and Religious Observances, which he could not approve in Brittany.
2. He was born in the year of our Lords Incar∣nation six hundred thirty fower of a Noble En∣glish family,* 1.3 when Eadbald raignd in Kent, and Oswald over the Northumbers. Being a child of a towardly disposition and innocent manners, he be∣haved himself in all things with that modesty and circumspection that he was beloved and respe∣cted by those who were more aged, as if he had been of ripe years. When he was arrived at the four∣teenth year of his age, he in his affection preferd a Monastical life before a secular: Which having discovered to his Father (for his Mother was then dead) he willingly approved his vertuous and heavenly desires, advising him to pursue his good beginnings.
3. He went therefore to the Isle of Lindesfarn, where he committed himself to the direction and government of the Monks, and was carefull to learn and practise such duties of Chastity and piety as belonged to that Profession. And being of a sharp witt, he quickly learnt the Psalms and other Books, before he had yet received the Tonsure, but in the vertues of Humility and Obedience he ex∣celled those who had long before received it. For which he was deservedly loved and reverenced both by his equals and seniours.
4. It seems that whilst he lived in that Mo∣nastery he had not engaged himself in a Mo∣nasticall Profession,* 1.4 for it follows in the same Authour, Having spent some years in the said Monastery in Gods service, he being of a peircing iudgment observed, is young as he was, that the way of vertue and piety taught by the Scots was not perfect: therefore he resolved in his mind to un∣dertake a iourney to Rome, there to see what Eccle∣siastical and Monasticall Rites were observed at the See Apostolick. This his intention he having disco∣vered to his Brethren, they commended his purpose, perswading him effectually to accomplish it.
5. Thereupon without delay he went to Queen Eanfleda (the Wife of King Osw••, and daughter of Edwin by Ethelburga Sister of Eadbald King of Kent) to whom he was well known, for by her counsel and assistance he had been recommended to the foresaid Monastery. To her therefore he made known his desire to visit the Monuments of the Holy Apostles. She was much pleased with the good pur∣pose of the young man, and sent him to her Kins∣man Earcombert King of Kent, desiring him to assist him honourably in his iourney to Rome. At that time the Arch-bishop there was Honorius one of the Disciples of Blessed Pope Gregory, a man pro∣foundly skillfull in Ecclesiasticall affairs.
6. During the short time of his abode in Kent, where he began studiously to inform himself in the things he cheifly desird, there arrived another young man, calld Bishop, whose Sirname was Bene∣dict, born of Noble English parents, who also had a desire to goe to Rome. To his company therefore the King associated Wilfrid, commanding him to take him along with him. When they were come to Lyons, Wilfrid was there detaind by Dalf••n Bishop of that Citty: so that Benedict dispatched the rest of the iourney alone: For that pious