(A.D. 767.)
[Old English Martyrologies on March 14th; later ones on this day,
on which he is commemorated in the Roman Calendar. Authorities:
Bede, Florence of Worcester, William of Malmesbury, Henry
Huntingdon, Simeon of Durham, &c.]
Bede dedicated his "History of the English" to Ceolwulf, King of
Northumbria, whose tender solicitude for monastic interests made the
monk of Jarrow look to him as a patron. Ceolwulf was of the race of Ida
the Burner; after two obscure reigns, Ceolwulf was called to the throne,
and vainly attempted to struggle against the disorder and decay of his
country. He was vanquished and made captive by enemies whose names are
not recorded, and was shut up in a convent. He escaped, however,
regained the crown, and reigned for some time in a manner which gained
the applause of Bede. But after a reign of eight years, a regret, or an
unconquerable desire for that monastic life which had been formerly
forced upon him against his will, seized him. He made the best
provisions possible for the security of his country, and for a good
understanding between the spiritual and temporal authorities, nominating
as his successor a worthy prince of his race. Then, giving up the cares
of power, and showing himself truly the master of the wealth he
resigned, he cut his long beard, had his head shaved in the form of a
crown, and retired to bury himself anew in the holy island of
Lindisfarne, in the monastery beaten by the winds and waves of the
northern sea. There he passed the last thirty years of his life in study
and happiness. He had, while king, enriched this monastery with many
great gifts, and obtained permission for the use of wine and beer for
the monks, who, up to that time, according to the rigid rule of ancient
Keltic discipline, had been allowed no beverage but water and milk.
[Illustration: Decoration]