ST. DUNSTAN, ABBOT.
Born 945.—Died 978.
A Saxon nobleman, who became a Benedictine monk, Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey, and Archbishop of Canterbury, was the most learned man of his time. He learnt every art then known, and first used stained glass and organs in England. He lived for some time in a cave, and is said to have had personal battles with Satan, who appeared under different shapes to tempt him.
CANUTE THE GREAT.
Reigned 1017–1035.
A Danish king who came to the throne in 1017, he ruled over England, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, and was therefore called “The Great.” He rebuked his courtiers, who flattered him, by commanding the waves to retire, and when they wetted his feet reminded them that there was only One who could say to the ocean, “Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther.” He died A.D. 1035.
PETER THE HERMIT.
Died 1115.
A poor French priest who, on his return from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, went about from country to country persuading princes and people to join in the crusades against the Saracens with great enthusiasm.