learning amongst his people, so in the higher position and with the
larger opportunities he must have done the like. Himself a student, he
knew the advantages of learning, and would be anxious to make them as
widespread as possible.
Alfred is looked upon as the founder of the University of Oxford, or
of University College, its first hall, and we can understand how in
that work, in the conception as well as in the performance of it, the
advice and counsel of his own tutor, Plegmund, would be most valuable.
During his pontificate the West Saxon Episcopate was sub-divided,
and the number of sees thereby increased, a clear indication of his
vigorous and strenuous rule. In 909 on the same day no fewer than seven
bishops were consecrated by Plegmund, three of them for newly-founded
sees, and one of these for the extreme west in Devonshire. This was for
Kirton, identified as Crediton, and it is interesting to note that the
millenary of the consecration of Eadulf as the first bishop of Crediton
has just been celebrated at that place. On that occasion the Bishop
of Bristol (Dr. G. F. Browne), who is an eminent historian, gave a
most instructive address, referring specially to the work of Plegmund,
and to an earlier Saint connected with Crediton, S. Boniface. It was
probably owing to that connection that Crediton was chosen as the seat
of the Bishops of Devonshire, a position it retained for more than a
hundred and fifty years. The Archbishop of Canterbury was also present
on the occasion, and expressed the hope that the work they were doing
now, the things they were now starting, and the works they were taking
in hand, might give as good cause to people a thousand years hence
to thank God and take courage, as was given a thousand years ago to
them by Plegmund and the seven Bishops of whom they had heard that
day. Plegmund died on July 23, 914, and was buried in the Cathedral of
Canterbury. No likeness of him has been left, not even on the coins
which bear his name. His life in Cheshire must have been singularly
quiet, and yet we cannot doubt that he was thereby nerved and braced
for the battle of life, and fitted for the arduous duties of the high
position to which he was afterwards called.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account