Great Britain -- History -- Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066 -- Sources
Agilbert, bishop of the West Saxons, above-mentioned, a friend to King
Alfrid and to Abbot Wilfrid, had at that time come into the province of
the Northumbrians, and was making some stay among them; and at the
request of Alfrid, made Wilfrid a priest in his monastery. He had in his
company a priest, whose name was Agatho. The controversy being there
started, concerning Easter, or the tonsure, or other ecclesiastical
affairs, it was agreed, that a synod should be held in the monastery of
Streaneshalch, which signifies the Bay of the Lighthouse, where the
Abbess Hilda, a woman devoted to God, then presided, and that there this
controversy should be decided. The kings, both father and son, came
thither, Bishop Colman with his Scottish clerks, and Agilbert with the
priests Agatho and Wilfrid; James and Romanus were on their side. But
the Abbess Hilda and her followers were for the Scots, as was also the
venerable Bishop Cedd, long before ordained by the Scots, as has been
said above; and he was in that council a most careful interpreter for
both parties.
* * * * *
When Wilfrid had spoken, the king said, “Is it true, Colman, that these
words were spoken to Peter by our Lord?” He answered, “It is true, O
king!” Then says he, “Can you show any such power given to your
Columba?” Colman answered, “None.” Then added the king, “Do you both
agree that these words were principally directed to Peter, and that the
keys of heaven were given to him by our Lord?” They both answered, “We
do.” Then the king concluded: “And I also say unto you, that he is the
door-keeper, whom I will not contradict, but will, as far as I know and
am able, in all things obey his decrees, lest, when I come to the gates
of the kingdom of heaven, there should be none to open them, he being my
adversary who is proved to have the keys.” The king having said this,
all present, both great and small, gave their assent, and renouncing the
more imperfect institution, resolved to conform to that which they found
to be better.
ABBOT BENEDICT BISCOP’S ZEAL FOR RELIGIOUS ART (664 ONWARDS).
=Source.=—Bede, _Lives of the Holy Abbots of Wearmouth and Jarrow_.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account