some freinds, who might take care of him. As he was going away, he was mett with and taken by some of the enemies, the Mercians, and brought to their Captain, a principall Officer of King Ethelred, who examined him what he was. The poore man was a fraid to acknowledge himself a soldier, therefore he answered that he was a poore country-man, who had a wife, and was come in this expedition with severall others of the like quality, to bring provision to the Army. Vpon this answer the Officer commanded that care should be taken of his wounds, and when they began to be almost cured, he made him every night to be putt in chains, to prevent his running away.
3. But no chains could hold him: for after they were gone which had putt the chains upon him, they presently fell off. And the cause of this wonder was this. He had a Brother na∣med Tunna, a Preist and Abbot of a Mona∣stery in a certain town which at this day from his name is called Tunnacestir. This Abbot having heard that his brother was slain in the late battell, came himself to search for his body: and having found another in all regards very like to his, he caried it to his Monastery, and there buried it honourably. Moreover he took care that severall Masses should be said for the pardon of his sins: and by vertue of those Masses it came so passe that no bands could hold him, but they presently fell loose from him.
4. In the mean time the Officer whose Pri∣soner he was, began to ask him, How it came to passe that he could not be bound? Whether he had about him certain Charms, which as some think, have a power to untye all bands?
His answer was, that he was utterly ignorant of such unlawfull arts: But, said he, I have a Brother in mine own countrey, and I am assu∣red that he thinking I am slain, says frequent Masses for mee: so that if I were now in the other world, I doubt not but my soule by his inter∣cession and prayers, would be absolved from all pains.
5. After he had continued a good space a Pri∣soner to the said Officer, those who guarded him observed by his countenance, gesture and speeches that he was no countrey-peasant, but a person of quality. Thereupon the Officer calling him aside privatly, enquired more diligently who he was: withall promising him that if he would simply declare his condition, he would not use him any thing the worse.
He then plainly ma∣nifested to him that he was a servant of the King of the Northumbers. Whereupon the Officer replied, I did assure my self by the manner of thy speech that thou wert not of a base condition. And now thou deservest to dye, in revenge of all my brethren and kinsmen who have been slain in the battell: but because I will not break my promise I will not kill thee.
6. Assoon therefore as he had recovered health and strength the Officer sold him to a certain man at London called Freson. But neither could he be bound by his New Master: for after try all of se∣verall sorts of bands and chaines, they became all unloosed. When he therefore who had bought him perceived that he could not be restained by fetters, he gave him permission to redeem him∣self, if he could. For commonly after nine of the clock in the morning the usuall time of Masses, his bands were untyed. Vpon this offer the Pri∣soner was suffred to depart, having first given his promise by oath that he would either send the money agreed on for his ransome, or return and yeild himself a prisoner again. He went therefore from London into Kent to King Lothere Nephew to the famous Queen Ethelreda by her Sister, who likewise had formerly been a servant to the sayd Queen: and from him the Prisoner re∣ceived the money appointed for his ransome, which according to promise he sent to his Master.
7. Being thus free, after some time he re∣turned to his Countrey, and coming to his Bro∣ther the Abbott, he related to him particu∣larly all the accidents, both good and bad, which had befalln him: and then perceived that his chains for the most part had been loo∣sed precisely at the howers in which Masses had been celebrated for him: and moreover that many other commodities and comforts had be∣falln him from heaven, in his dangers, by his Brothers prayers and the Oblation of the saving Sacrifice.
8. Very many persons being informed from the foresaid person of these particulars, have been much kindled in their Faith and devotion to pray, give almes and Offer holy Sacrifices for the deliverance of their freinds who were depar∣ted this life. For hereby they perceived that that saving Oblation was of wonderfull vertue for the redemption both of soule and body. This relation I my self received from severall persons who had heard it from the man himself to whom these things befell: And therefore I thought it expedient, having been clearly convinced of the truth of it, to insert it as undoubtedly certain in this my History. Thus writes S. Beda. After this disgression, wee will return to Saint Wilfrid at Rome.