A literal translation of the Saxon chronicle — John Shaqi
A literal translation of the Saxon chronicle
History
A literal translation of the Saxon chronicle
Great Britain -- History -- Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066 -- Sources
This year Peada was slain, and (after three years) Wulfhere, the
son of Penda, took possession of the kingdom of Mercia. In his time
Medeshamstede, which his brother had founded, became very rich: the
King favoured it much for love of his brother Peada, and for love of
Oswy his brother in baptism, and for love of the Abbot Saxulf. Then
he said he would make it renowned and glorious, and this with the
advice of his brothers Æthelred and Merwala, of his sisters Kyneburg
and Kyneswith, with the advice also of the Archbishop who was named
Deusdedit, and with that of all his wise men (gewitan) both clergy
and laity in the kingdom; and he did so. Then the King sent to the
Abbot that he should come to him with all diligence, and he came: then
said the King to the Abbot, “I have sent for thee, beloved Saxulf,
for the good of my soul, and I will clearly tell thee wherefore. My
brother Peada and my beloved friend Oswy began a monastery for the
love of Christ and of St. Peter, and my brother is departed from
this life even as Christ willed, and I would pray thee, O beloved
friend, that they labour diligently at this work, and I will find
thee gold and silver and land, and all and every thing that behooveth
thereto.” Then the Abbot went home and began to work, and he sped as
Christ enabled him, so that in a few years the monastery was finished.
When the King heard that, he was very glad, and he gave commandment
to send throughout the land to all his Thanes, to the Archbishops
and Bishops, and to his Earls, and to all who loved God, that they
should come to him, and he appointed the day on which the monastery
should be consecrated. King Wulfere was present when the monastery
was consecrated, together with his brother Æthelred and his sisters
Kyneburg and Kyneswith: and Deusdedit Archbishop of Canterbury, and
Ithamar Bishop of Rochester, and the Bishop of London named Wina, and
Jeruman Bishop of Mercia, and Bishop Tuda consecrated the monastery,
and the priest Wilfred who was afterwards a Bishop was there, and all
the Thanes who were in the kingdom. Then the monastery was consecrated
in the names of St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Andrew. Then the King
stood up before all his Thanes, and said with a loud voice, “Thanked
be the high and Almighty God, for the good deed that is here done, and
I will this day render honour to Christ, and to St. Peter, and I will,
that you all confirm my words. I, Wulfere, do this day freely give to
St. Peter, and to the Abbot Saxulf, and to the monks of this monastery,
these lands and waters, and meres, and fens, and wears, all that lie
around and are of my domain, so that none but the abbot and the monks
shall have any claim upon them. This is the grant--from Medeshamstede
unto North-burh (Narborough) and thence to the place which is called
Folies, and all the fen straight to Esendic,[J] and from Esendic to
the place which is called Fethermuth, and thence 10 miles in a right
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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