applied himself to build and extend the church of Christ in his kingdom; wherein, when the bishop, who was not skilful in the English tongue, preached the gospel, it was most delightful to see the king himself interpreting the word of God to his earls and thanes, for he had perfectly learned the Irish language during his long banishment. From that time many of the Irish came daily into Britain, and with great devotion preached the word to those tribes of the Angles over which King Oswald reigned, and those among them that had received priest's orders administered to them the grace of baptism. Churches were built in several places; the people joyfully flocked together to hear the word; lands were given of the king's bounty to build monasteries; and the children of the Angles were instructed by Irish teachers, together with their elders, in the pursuits and observance of monastic discipline, since most of them that came to preach were monks.

16. AIDAN'S MANNER OF LIFE (A.D. 635)
Bk. 3, chap. 5

From this island, from the confraternity of these monks, was Aidan sent to instruct the province of the Angles in Christ, having received the dignity of a bishop at the time when Segeni, abbot and priest, presided over that monastery; whence, among other instructions for life, he left the clergy a most salutary example of abstinence or continence. It was the highest commendation of his doctrine with all men that he taught no otherwise than as he and his followers were living;1 for he neither sought nor loved anything of this world, but delighted in distributing

1 Cf. Chaucer's 'poure persoun' (Prol. 496 ff.), and Mayor and Lumby's note on this passage; see also pp. 21, 242.

immediately among the poor whatsoever was given him by the kings or rich men of the world. He was wont to traverse both town and country on foot, never on horseback, unless compelled by some urgent necessity; and wherever in his way he saw any, either rich or poor, he would turn aside to them, and invite them, if unbelievers, to embrace the mystery of the faith; or if they were believers, he would strengthen them in the faith, and stir them up by words and actions to alms and good works.

His course of life was so different from the slothfulness

of our times that all those who bore him company, whether Life & Study tonsured monks or laymen, were employed in study, that is, either in reading the Scriptures or in learning Psalms.2 This was the daily employment of himself and all that were with him, wheresoever they went; and if it happened, which was but seldom, that he was invited to eat with the king, he went with one or two clerks, and having taken a small repast, made haste to be gone with them, either to read or to pray. At that time many religious men and women, stirred up by his example, adopted the

3

Prayer

custom of fasting till the ninth hour on Wednesdays Fang and Fridays throughout the year, except during the fifty days after Easter. He never kept silence before the rich concerning their sins, either out of deference or fear, but reproved them with severe rebukes. He never would give money to the powerful men of the world, but only food, if he happened to entertain them; and, on the contrary, whatsoever gifts of money he received from the rich, he either distributed, as has been said, for the use of the poor, or bestowed in ransoming such as had been wrongfully

1 Cf. p. 41.

2 See Plummer's note.

3 Mayor and Lumby say: 'The ninth hour proved ultimately too rigor< ous a limit, and soon was moved backward till it meant midday.'

sold. Moreover, he afterwards made many of those he had ransomed his disciples, and after having taught and instructed them, advanced them to the order of priesthood.

It is reported that when King Oswald had asked for a bishop from the Irish province 2 to minister the word of faith to him and his nation, there was first sent to him another man of more austere disposition, who, when he had preached for some time to the people of the Angles without success—they being loath even to listen to himreturned home, and in an assembly of the elders reported that he had been able to accomplish nothing in teaching the people to whom he had been sent, because they were untamable men, and of a stubborn and barbarous disposition. They, as is testified, seriously debated in a council what was to be done, being desirous to afford the nation the salvation for which they were asked, and grieving that they had not received the preacher sent to them. Then said Aidan, who was also present in the council, to the priest under consideration: I suspect, brother, that you were more severe to your unlearned hearers than you ought to have been, and did not at first, conformably to the apostolic rule, give them the milk 3 of more easy doctrine, till, being by degrees nourished with the word of God, they should be capable of greater perfection, and be able to practise God's sublimer precepts.' Having heard these words, all present, turning their faces and eyes upon him, began diligently to discuss what he had said, and presently concluded that he deserved to be made a bishop, and ought to be sent to instruct the unbelieving and unlearned, since he was found to be endued with singular discretion, which is the mother of the virtues. Accordingly, having ordained him, they sent him out to preach;

1 Cf. p. 30.

2 Meaning Iona.

81 Cor. 3. 2.

and he, as time proved, turned out subsequently to be adorned with other virtues, as at first he seemed remarkable for the temperance of his discretion.

17. THE HUMILITY OF KING OSWIN

Bk. 3, chap. 14

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-657)

King Oswin was of a graceful aspect, tall of stature, affable in discourse, courteous in behavior, and bountiful to all, whether gentle or simple; so that he was beloved by every one for the kingliness of his spirit and his looks, and for his distinguished merit, and men of the very first rank came from almost every province to serve him. Among other virtues and rare endowments, if I may so express it, humility is said to have been the greatest, as one example may suffice to prove.

He had given an extraordinarily fine horse to Bishop Aidan, which he might use either in crossing rivers or in performing a journey upon any urgent necessity, though he was wont to travel ordinarily on foot. Some short time after, a poor man meeting him and asking alms, he immediately dismounted, and ordered the horse, with all its royal furniture, to be given to the beggar; for he was very compassionate, a great friend to the poor, and, as it were, the father of the wretched. This being told to the king, he said to the bishop as they chanced to be going in to dinner: Why would you, my lord bishop, give the poor man that royal horse, which you ought to have kept for yourself? Had we not many other horses of less value, and of other sorts, which would have been good enough to give to the poor, without giving that horse, which I had particularly chosen for yourself?' To whom the bishop instantly answered, 'What is it you say, O king?

Is that foal of a mare dearer to you than this child of God?' Thereupon they went in to dinner, and the bishop sat in his place; but the king, who was come from hunting, stood warming himself with his attendants at the fire. Then on a sudden while he was warming himself, calling to mind what the bishop had said to him, he ungirt his sword and gave it to a servant, and running to the bishop, fell down at his feet, beseeching him to forgive him, For from this time forward,' said he, I will never speak any more of this, nor will I pass judgment on what or how much of our money you may give to the children of God.' The bishop feared greatly at this sight, and starting up, raised him, saying that he would be entirely reconciled to him if he would sit down to meat and lay aside all sorrow. The king, at the bishop's command and entreaty, beginning to be merry, the bishop, on the other hand, grew so melancholy as to shed tears. His priest then asking him, in the language of his country, which the king and his servants did not understand, why he wept, I know,' said he, that the king will not live long, for I never before saw so humble a king; whence I conclude that he will soon be snatched out of this life, because this people is not worthy of such a ruler.' Not long after, the bishop's prediction was fulfilled by the king's death, as has been said above.1 But Bishop Aidan himself was also taken out of this world, twelve days after the slaying of the king he loved, on the 31st of August,2 to receive the eternal reward of his labors from our Lord.

1 Oswin had ruled the province of Deira in great prosperity for seven years when he was murdered by the command of Oswy, king of Bernicia. Upon this, Deira and Bernicia were permanently united to form the kingdom of Northumbria.

2 A.D. 651.