S. Egwin was of the royal blood of the Mercian kings, and was born at Worcester, in the reign of Ethelred and Kenred. He was elected Bishop in 692. By his zeal in rebuking the illicit connexions formed by some of the great men in his diocese, and vehemence in reforming the corrupt morals of all, he stirred up a party against him, and with the connivance of the King, he was expelled his diocese. Egwin, meekly bending to his fate, determined to make a pilgrimage to Rome. According to a popular mediaeval legend, he also resolved to expiate at the same time certain sins of his youth, by putting iron fetters on his feet, which were fastened with a lock, and he cast the key into the Avon. As he neared Italy, on a ship from Marseilles, a huge fish floundered upon deck, and was killed and cut open; when, to the surprise of the Saint, in its belly was found the key to his fetters. He accepted this as an expression of the will of heaven, and released his limbs. According to another version of the story, the fish was caught in the Tiber, after S. Egwin had appeared before the Pope in Rome; but William of Malmesbury doubts the whole story as an idle legend. [Illustration: S. EGWIN, BISHOP OF WORCESTER, After Cahier. [Jan. 11.]] After his return, with the assistance of Kenred, King of Mercia, S. Egwin founded the famous abbey of Evesham, under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin. After this he undertook a second journey to Rome, in company with Kenred, and Offa, King of the East Saxons. S. Egwin died on the 30th December, 717, and was buried in the monastery of Evesham. The translation of his relics probably took place on Jan. 11th, on which day many English Martyrologies mark his festival. [Illustration: Decoration] FOOTNOTES: [38] Theodoret, lib. i. c. 11. January 12. S. ARCADIUS, _M., in Africa, circ._ A.D. 260. SS. SATYRUS, CYRIACUS, MOSENTIUS, _MM._ SS. TIGRIS, _P., and_ EUTROPIUS, _MM._, A.D. 404. S. JOHN, _B. C. of Ravenna, circ._ A.D. 495. S. CAESARIA, _V., at Arles, circ._ A.D. 530. S. VICTORINUS, _Ab., in Spain_, A.D. 560. S. BENEDICT BISCOP, _in England_, A.D. 703. SS. XXXVIII, MONKS, _MM., in Ionia, circ._ A.D. 750. S. AELRED, _Ab. of Rievaulx, in Yorkshire_, A.D. 1166. S. ARCADIUS, M. (ABOUT A.D. 260.) [Roman Martyrology, those of Bede, Ado, Usuardus, Notker, &c. Authority, a panegyric by S. Zeno, Bishop of Verona, his contemporary.] During a severe outbreak of persecution, in the reign of Gallienus, in the north of Africa, Arcadius, doubting his own constancy, sought refuge in flight, and escaping from Caesarea, hid himself. As he did not appear at the sacrifices, the Governor ordered his house to be searched. It was found to be deserted, save by a relative of his, whom the soldiers seized, and, at the command of the Governor, detained till Arcadius should surrender himself.