672.
This year King Cenwalh died, and his Queen Seaxburh held the kingdom
one year after him.
673.
This year Ecbryht King of Kent died, and the same year there was a
synod at Hertford.--And St. Ætheldryth began the monastery at Ely.
674.
This year Æscwine succeeded to the kingdom of Wessex, he was the son of
Cenfus, Cenfus of Cenferth, Cenferth of Cuthgils, Cuthgils of Ceolwulf,
Ceolwulf of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic.
675.
This year Wulfere the son of Penda, and Æscwine the son of Cenfus,
fought at Bedanheafd (Bedwin, Wiltshire?) And the same year Wulfere
died, and Æthelred succeeded to the kingdom. He sent Bishop Wilfrid
to Rome, to the Pope that then was, named Agatho, and informed him
by letter and by a message, how his brethren Peada and Wulfere had
builded a monastery, which was called Medeshamstede, and that they
had freed the same from all subjection to King or Bishop, and he
desired that the Pope would confirm this with his rescript and with
his blessing. Then the Pope sent a letter to England, saying thus,
“I Agatho, Pope of Rome, greet well the worshipful Æthelred King of
Mercia, and Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury, and Saxulf Bishop of
Mercia, who before was Abbot, and all the Abbots in England, with the
salutation of God, and my blessing. I have heard the desire of King
Æthelred, and of the Archbishop Theodore, and of the bishop Saxulf,
and of the Abbot Cuthbald, and I will that it be in all wise, even
as ye have spoken. And I command, on behalf of God and of St. Peter,
and of all the Saints, and of all consecrated persons, that neither
King, Bishop, Earl, nor any man, receive any duty, tax, tribute, or
farthing, and that none claim any service of any kind from the abbacy
of Medeshamstede. I command also that the Bishop of the Shire presume
not to perform either ordination or consecration within this abbacy,
unless the Abbot desire it of him; neither may he claim any bishop’s
or synod’s fine, nor receive therefrom any returns of any kind. I will
also that the Abbot be held as the Legate of Rome over all the island,
and that whosoever may be chosen by the monks be consecrated by the
Archbishop of Canterbury. I will and enact, if any man have made a
vow to go to Rome, which he may not be able to perform, either from
sickness, from his Lord’s need of him, from poverty, or from any other
cause, that he, be he of England or of any other island, repair to the
monastery of Medeshamstede, and he shall receive the same absolution
from Christ and St. Peter, from the Abbot and from the Monks, that he
would have if he went to Rome. Now I desire thee, brother Theodore,
that thou cause it to be proclaimed throughout England, that a synod
be assembled, and that this letter be read and observed. I say also to
thee, Bishop Saxulf, that as thou desirest that this monastery should
be free, so I forbid thee, and all Bishops sent of Christ and of his
Saints, who come after thee, to receive any gain from the monastery,
excepting that which pleaseth the Abbot. Now will I say this in
words, that whosoever observeth this rescript and this commandment,
he shall dwell for ever with Almighty God in the kingdom of heaven,
and whosoever breaketh it, he shall be excommunicated and condemned to
punishment with Judas and with all the devils in hell, unless he come
to repentance. Amen.” Pope Agatho and 120 Bishops sent this letter to
England by Wilfrid Archbishop of York. This was done 680 years after
the birth of our Lord, in the 6th year of King Æthelred. Then the King
commanded Archbishop Theodore that he should appoint a meeting of all
the Witan at the place which is called Heatfeld (Hatfield). When they
were there assembled, then he caused the letter, which the Pope had
sent thither, to be read, and they all confirmed the same, and fully
ratified it. Then said the King, “All things that my brother Peada,
and my brother Wulfere, and my sisters Cyneburh and Cyneswith, gave
and secured to St. Peter and to the Abbot, I will that these stand;
and I will in my day increase the gift for the sake of their souls and
of mine own. Now give I this day to St. Peter and to his monastery
of Medeshamstede these lands, and all thereunto belonging: to wit,
Bredune, Hrepingas, Cedenac, Swines-hæfed (Swineshead), Heanbyrig,
Lodeshac, Scuffanhalch, Costesford,[N] Stretford, Wætelle-burne,
Lufgeard, Æthelhuniglond, Barthan-ig (Bardney), These lands I give to
St. Peter all as freely as I myself possessed them, and so that none of
my successors may take any thing therefrom. If any do this let him have
the curse of the Pope of Rome, and the curse of all Bishops, and of all
who are here as witnesses; and I confirm this with the sign of Christ.”
♰ “And I Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury am witness to this charter
of Medeshamstede, and I confirm it with my own hand-writing, and I
excommunicate all those who may break any part thereof, and I bless all
who shall observe it.” ♰ “I Wilfrid Archbishop of York am witness to
this writing, and I confirm the said curse.” ♰ “I Saxulf, who was first
Abbot and am now Bishop, do lay my curse and that of all my successors
upon those who may break it.” “I Ostrithe Queen of Æthelred do sanction
the grant.” “I Adrian the Legate assent to the same.” “I Putta Bishop
of Rochester subscribe to it.” “I Waldhere Bishop of London confirm
it.” “I the Abbot Cuthbald do establish the same, so that whosoever
breaketh it let him take the curse of all Bishops, and of all Christian
people.” Amen.
676.
This year Æscwine died and Hedda succeeded to the bishoprick (of
Winchester) and Centwine to the kingdom of Wessex. Centwine was the son
of Cynegils, Cynegils of Ceolwulf. And Æthelred King of Mercia overran
Kent.
678.
This year a comet appeared in August, and shone like a sun-beam every
morning for three months. And Bishop Wilfrith was driven from his see
by King Ecgverth, and two Bishops were consecrated for his bishoprick,
Bosa for the Deiri, and Eata for the Bernicians. And Eadhed was
appointed to the see of Lindsey, of which he was the first Bishop.
679.
This year Ælfwine was slain near the Trent, where Ecgferth and
Æthelred fought. And this year St. Ætheldrith died. And Coludes-burh
(Coldingham, Berwickshire) was burned with fire from God.
680.
This year Theodore convoked an Archiepiscopal Synod at Hatfield, that
he might set forth aright the Christian faith. And the same year died
Hilda Abbess of Streones-heale (Whitby).
681.
This year Trumbriht was consecrated Bishop of Hagulstades-ea (Hexham),
and Trumwine as Bishop of the Picts, who were then subject to this
country. This year also Centwine drove the Britons to the sea.
684.
This year Ecgferth sent an army against the Scots, and Briht his
Alderman therewith, and they lamentably plundered and burned the
Churches of God.
685.
This year King Ecgferth commanded that Cuthberht should be made a
Bishop, and Archbishop Theodore consecrated him at York, on the first
day of Easter, as Bishop of Hexham, for Trumbriht had been deprived of
that see. And the same year on the 13th of the calends of June King
Ecgferth was slain by the north sea, and a great army with him. He
reigned 15 years, and his brother Aldfrith succeeded him: this Ecgferth
was the son of Osweo, Osweo of Æthelverth, Æthelverth of Æthelric,
Æthelric of Ida, Ida of Eoppa. This year Ceadwalla began to contend
for the kingdom, he was the son of Cenbyrht, Cenbyrht of Cada, Cada of
Cutha, Cutha of Ceawlin, Ceawlin of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic, and Mul
was the brother of Ceadwalla, and he was afterwards burned in Kent. And
Hlothere King of Kent died the same year. And John was consecrated to
the bishoprick of Hexham, and he kept possession of it till Wilfrith
returned, and afterwards, on the death of Bishop Bosa, John received
the bishoprick of York, and his priest Wilferth was afterwards
consecrated to the bishoprick of York, and he retired to his monastery
in Derawuda (Beverley). This year it rained blood in Britain, and milk
and butter were turned into blood.
686.
This year Ceadwalla and his brother Mul laid waste Kent and Wight;
this Ceadwalla gave to St. Peter’s monastery of Medeshamstede a valley
in a certain island called Heabureahg, the name of the Abbot of the
monastery at this time was Egbalth, he was the third after Saxulf,
Theodore being then Archbishop of Kent.
687.
This year Mul was burned in Kent, and 12 others with him; and this
year Ceadwalla again ravaged Kent.
688.
This year King Ceadwalla went to Rome and received baptism from Pope
Sergius, who gave him the name of Peter, and he died while he was yet
in his baptismal garments, about seven days afterwards, on the 12th of
the calends of May, and he was buried in St. Peter’s Church. And Ina
succeeded him in the kingdom of Wessex, and reigned 37 years, and he
built the monastery of Glastonbury, and he afterwards went to Rome, and
abode there unto the end of his days. Ina was the son of Cenred, Cenred
of Ceolwald, Ceolwald was the brother of Cynigils, and they were both
the sons of Cuthred the son of Ceawlin, Ceawlin was the son of Cynric,
Cynric of Cerdic.
690.
This year Archbishop Theodore died, he was a Bishop 12 years,
and he was buried at Canterbury, and Beorhtwald succeeded to the
Archbishoprick on the calends of July; he was before Abbot of Reculver.
Before this time the Bishops had been Romans, and afterwards they were
English. There were then two Kings in Kent, Wihtred and Wæbheard.
693.
This year Brihtwald was consecrated Archbishop by the Gallican Bishop
Godwin, on the 5th of the nones of July. At this time died Gifemund
Bishop of Rochester, and Archbishop Brihtwald consecrated Tobias to his
bishoprick. About this time Brihtelm also died.
694.
This year the men of Kent made a treaty with Ina, and gave thirty
thousand pounds for his friendship, because they had burned his brother
Mul. And Wihtred succeeded to the kingdom of Kent and held it 33
years; this Wihtred was the son of Ecgbyrht, Ecgbyrht of Arcenbyrht,
Arcenbyrht of Eadbald, Eadbald of Æthelbyrht. And as soon as he was
King he caused a great council to be convened at the place called
Baccancelde (Beckenham, Kent?); and there Wihtred King of Kent, and
Brihtwald Archbishop of Canterbury and Tobias Bishop of Rochester, with
Abbots and Abbesses, and many wise men were gathered together, all to
consult upon the restoration of the churches of God in Kent. Now the
King began to speak, and he said, “I will that all the monasteries and
churches that were given and bequeathed to the glory of God in the
days of faithful Kings my predecessors, and in the days of my kinsman
King Æthelberht and of those who followed after him, do so remain
dedicated to the glory of God, and that they continue thus evermore to
eternity. Forasmuch as I Wihtred an earthly King, incited by the King
of Heaven, and burning with zeal for righteousness, have learned this
of our forefathers, that no layman has the right to obtrude himself
into any church or into any thing that belongeth to the church, this
therefore we strictly and unreservedly establish and ordain, and in
the name of Almighty God, and of all the Saints, we forbid all Kings
our successors, and Aldermen, and all laymen, to hold any lordship
whatever over the churches, or over any of the possessions which I
or my predecessors in former days have given them, as an everlasting
inheritance to the glory of Christ, and of our Lady St. Mary, and of
the holy Apostles. And observe that when it shall happen that a Bishop
or an Abbot or an Abbess departeth this life, it shall be told to the
Archbishop, and with his counsel and advice let him that is worthy be
elected, and let the Archbishop inquire into the life and virtues of
him who is chosen to so high an office, and in no wise let any one
be chosen or consecrated thereto without the Archbishop’s sanction.
Kings shall create Earls and Aldermen, Sheriffs and Judges, and the
Archbishop shall govern and direct the church of God, and shall choose
and appoint Bishops, Abbots, Abbesses, Priests, and Deacons, and shall
consecrate them and confirm them by good precepts and example, lest any
of God’s flock stray and be lost.”
695.
This year the Southumbrians slew Æthelred’s Queen Ostrythe, the sister
of Ecgfrith.
699.
This year the Picts slew the Alderman Berht.
702.
This year Kenred succeeded to the kingdom of Southumbria.
703.
This year Bishop Hedda died; he held the Bishoprick of Winchester 27
years.
704.
This year Æthelred King of the Mercians, the son of Penda, became a
Monk, having reigned 29 years, and Cenred succeeded him.
705.
This year Ealdferth King of Northumberland died, at Driffield,
(Yorkshire) on the 19th of the calends of January. And Bishop Saxulf
died also. Then Ealdferth’s son Osred succeeded to the kingdom.
709.
This year died Bishop Aldhelm, whose diocese lay around Westan-wuda
(Westwood, Wiltshire). In the early days of Bishop Daniel the land of
the West Saxons was divided into two bishopricks, for before it had
formed only one. Daniel held the one, and Bishop Aldhelm the other.
Forthhere succeeded Aldhelm. And Ceolred received the kingdom of
Mercia, and Cenred went to Rome, and Offa with him, and Cenred remained
there to the end of his life. And the same year Bishop Wilferth died
at Oundle, and they carried his body to Rippon; he was the Bishop whom
King Ecgferth had banished to Rome.
710.
This year Acca Wilferth’s Priest received the Bishopric that Wilferth
had held before, and this year the Alderman Beorhtfrith fought with the
Picts between Hæfe and Cære (Heefield and Carehouse, Northumberland);
and Ina and his kinsman Nun fought with Gerent King of the Welsh; and
the same year Hygbald was slain.
714.