The following extracts have been taken, where possible, from contemporary authorities. I have attempted to make this selection in some degree a companion book to the late Dr. Thomas Hodgkin’s Volume I. in Messrs. Hunt and Poole’s _Political History of England_—a book to which my obligations are great, as the reader may easily perceive. I am responsible for the translations marked “W.” I am greatly indebted to Mr. E. Barker, of New College, and Mr. W. H. Stevenson, of St. John’s College, Oxford, who have very kindly looked through the proofs, and corrected many blunders. A brief note on the chief authorities for the period has been added. JOHN E. W. WALLIS. SAYERS FARM, TWO MILE ASH, HORSHAM. _September, 1913._ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION v “449.” THE COMING OF THE ENGLISH:— 1. CONTEMPORARY EVIDENCE: (_a_) CHRONICA GALLICA (_b_) CONSTANTIUS 1 2. LATER EVIDENCE: (i.) A BRITON’S ACCOUNT _Gildas_ 3 (ii.) THE ENGLISH TRADITION: (_a_) BEDE 6 (_b_) THE WESSEX _A.-S. Chronicle_ 8 ACCOUNT 597. THE MISSION OF AUGUSTINE _Bede_ 10 _c._ 600. ETHELBERT’S DOOMS _Thorpe_ 13 601. POPE GREGORY’S LETTER TO 15 AUGUSTINE ON THE ORGANISATION OF THE CHURCH 603. AUGUSTINE’S ATTEMPT TO UNITE _Bede_ 17 THE ROMAN AND THE CELTIC CHURCHES 625. PAULINUS AND EDWIN _Bede_ 19 627. EDWIN OF NORTHUMBRIA HOLDS A _Bede_ 22 CONFERENCE 635. THE CHARACTER OF BISHOP AIDAN _Bede_ 24 642. OSWIN OF NORTHUMBRIA AND _Bede_ 25 AIDAN 664. THE SYNOD OF WHITBY _Bede_ 27 664. ABBOT BENEDICT BISCOP’S ZEAL _Bede_ 28 FOR RELIGIOUS ART 673. THE SYNOD OF HERTFORD _Bede_ 31 678. THEODORE AND WILFRID _Eddius Stephanus_ 34 680. THE STORY OF CÆEDMON _Bede_ 35 681. WILFRID CONVERTS THE SOUTH _Bede_ 37 SAXONS 687. SAINT CUTHBERT (1) AS ABBOT, _Bede_ 39 (2) AS ANCHORITE