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] FOOTNOTES: [52] For authorities for these statements, see Montalembert's Monks of the West, I. p. 315. [53] S. Jerome, Proef. in Reg. S. Pachomii, § 6. [54] Pallad. Hist. Lausiaca, c. 7. [55] S. John Chrysostom, in Matt., hom. VIII. The above account of the life of the monks in Egypt is by the eloquent pen of the Count de Montalembert. [56] Rabbulus was afterwards consecrated Bishop of Edessa. [57] Bollandus gives two lives; one is authentic, the other is not. The first states that he lived at Constantinople, from which he escaped to Gomon, threescore furlongs from the city, by water. The second, mistaking new Rome for old Rome, makes him voyage from Italy to Bithynia. January 16. S. PRISCILLA, _Matron, at Rome, 1st cent._ S. MARCELLUS, _Pope, M., at Rome, circ._ A.D. 309. S. MELAS, _B. C., at Rhinoclusa, 4th cent._ S. HONORATUS, _B. C., of Arles, circ._ A.D. 430 S. JAMES, _B. C., of the Tarantaise, 5th cent._ S. VALERIUS, _B. C., of Sorrente, circ._ A.D. 600. S. TATIAN, _B. C., at Underzo, in Italy, 7th cent._ S. FURSEY, _Ab., in France, circ._ A.D. 653. S. TOSSA, _B. C., of Augsburg_, A.D. 661. S. HENRY, _H., in Northumberland_, A.D. 1127. SS. FRANCISCAN MARTYRS, _in Mauritania_, A.D. 1220. S. PRISCILLA, MATRON, AT ROME. (1ST CENT.)