A literal translation of the Saxon chronicle

by Unknown

This year Peada was slain, and (after three years) Wulfhere, the son of Penda, took possession of the kingdom of Mercia. In his time Medeshamstede, which his brother had founded, became very rich: the King favoured it much for love of his brother Peada, and for love of Oswy his brother in baptism, and for love of the Abbot Saxulf. Then he said he would make it renowned and glorious, and this with the advice of his brothers Æthelred and Merwala, of his sisters Kyneburg and Kyneswith, with the advice also of the Archbishop who was named Deusdedit, and with that of all his wise men (gewitan) both clergy and laity in the kingdom; and he did so. Then the King sent to the Abbot that he should come to him with all diligence, and he came: then said the King to the Abbot, “I have sent for thee, beloved Saxulf, for the good of my soul, and I will clearly tell thee wherefore. My brother Peada and my beloved friend Oswy began a monastery for the love of Christ and of St. Peter, and my brother is departed from this life even as Christ willed, and I would pray thee, O beloved friend, that they labour diligently at this work, and I will find thee gold and silver and land, and all and every thing that behooveth thereto.” Then the Abbot went home and began to work, and he sped as Christ enabled him, so that in a few years the monastery was finished. When the King heard that, he was very glad, and he gave commandment to send throughout the land to all his Thanes, to the Archbishops and Bishops, and to his Earls, and to all who loved God, that they should come to him, and he appointed the day on which the monastery should be consecrated. King Wulfere was present when the monastery was consecrated, together with his brother Æthelred and his sisters Kyneburg and Kyneswith: and Deusdedit Archbishop of Canterbury, and Ithamar Bishop of Rochester, and the Bishop of London named Wina, and Jeruman Bishop of Mercia, and Bishop Tuda consecrated the monastery, and the priest Wilfred who was afterwards a Bishop was there, and all the Thanes who were in the kingdom. Then the monastery was consecrated in the names of St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Andrew. Then the King stood up before all his Thanes, and said with a loud voice, “Thanked be the high and Almighty God, for the good deed that is here done, and I will this day render honour to Christ, and to St. Peter, and I will, that you all confirm my words. I, Wulfere, do this day freely give to St. Peter, and to the Abbot Saxulf, and to the monks of this monastery, these lands and waters, and meres, and fens, and wears, all that lie around and are of my domain, so that none but the abbot and the monks shall have any claim upon them. This is the grant—from Medeshamstede unto North-burh (Narborough) and thence to the place which is called Folies, and all the fen straight to Esendic,[J] and from Esendic to the place which is called Fethermuth, and thence 10 miles in a right line to Cuggedic, and so to Raggewilh, from Raggewilh five miles to the river which leadeth to Ælm (Elme) and Wisbeach, and so about three miles to Throkonholt (Trokenhole), and from Throkonholt direct through all the fen which is 20 miles long to Derevord (Denver?) and so to Grætecross, and from Grætecross through the clear water called Bradan-æ, and thence six miles to Paccelade, and so on through all the meres and fens that lie towards the town of Huntingdon, and the meres and the lakes Scælfremere and Witlesmere, and all the others thereabout, with the lands and houses that are on the eastern side of Scælfremere, and all the fens thence to Medeshamstede and to Welmes-ford (Welmsford) and from Welmes-ford to Clive (Cliff) and thence to Æstun (Easton) and from Æstun to Stan-ford (Stamford) and from Stan-ford even as the water runneth to the abovesaid North-burh (Narborough). These are the lands and the fens which the King gave to St. Peter’s monastery. Then said the King, for this gift, it is little, but I will that they hold it so royally and so freely, that neither tribute nor tax be taken therefrom, excepting for the monks only. Thus will I make this monastery free, that it be subject to Rome alone: and I will that all amongst us who may not be able to journey to Rome should repair hither to St. Peter.” Whilst he was thus speaking, the Abbot entreated that he would grant that which he should ask of him, and the King promised that he would: “I have some monks here who fear God, and would spend their lives as Anchorites if they knew where; but there is an island here called Ancarig (Thorney), and this would I ask, that we might there build a monastery for the love of St. Mary, and that those who would lead their lives in peace and rest may dwell there.” Then the King answered and spoke thus, “Not this only, beloved Saxulf, but all things which I know that thou desirest on our Lord’s behalf, even thus I approve and grant. And I entreat thee, brother Æthelred, and my sisters Cyneburh and Cyneswith, for our soul’s redemption, that ye be witnesses, and that ye write this with your fingers. And I desire of all who succeed me, be they my sons or my brethren, or whosoever shall reign after me, that our gift may stand, even as they would be partakers of eternal life, and as they would escape everlasting torment. Whosoever diminisheth our gift, or the gift of other good men, let the heavenly porter diminish his part in the kingdom of heaven, and whosoever increaseth it, let the heavenly porter increase his portion in the kingdom of heaven.” These were the witnesses who were there, and who subscribed with their fingers the cross of Christ, and who confirmed the grant with their tongues. King Wulfere was the first who confirmed it by word, and afterwards subscribed to it with his fingers the cross of Christ, and he spoke thus, “I King Wulfere having these Kings, Earls, Generals, and Thanes as witnesses of my gift, and before the Archbishop Deusdedit, do confirm it with the cross of Christ.” ♰ “And I Oswy King of Northumberland, the friend of this monastery and of the Abbot Saxulf, do sanction it with the cross of Christ.” ♰ “And I King Sighere do confirm the same with the cross of Christ.” ♰ “And I King Sibbi do subscribe to it with the cross of Christ.” ♰ “And I Æthelred the King’s brother do confirm it with the cross of Christ.” ♰ “And we the King’s sisters Cyneburh and Cyneswith do sanction the same.” “And I Deusdedit, Archbishop of Canterbury, do confirm the same.” Then all the others who were there confirmed this grant with the cross of Christ; these were by name Ithamar Bishop of Rochester, and Wine Bishop of London, and Jeruman Bishop of the Mercians, and Bishop Tuda, and the Priest Wilfrid, who was afterwards a Bishop, and the Priest Eoppa whom King Wulfere sent to preach Christianity in Wight, and the Abbot Saxulf, and the Aldermen Immine, Eadberht, Herefield, Wilberht, and Abon, and Æthelbold, Brordan, Wilberht, Ælhmund, and Frethegis. These and many others, the King’s chief men, all confirmed the grant. This writing was made in the year 664 after the birth of our Lord, in the 7th year of King Wulfere, and the 9th of the Archbishop Deusdedit. Then they laid the curse of God, and that of all the Saints, and of all Christian people upon him who should undo any thing that was now done: “So be it,” said all, “Amen.” When this transaction was finished the King sent to Rome, to Vitalianus the Pope that then was, and entreated that he would confirm all the aforesaid proceeding with his rescript and with his blessing. And the Pope sent his rescript, saying thus, “I Vitalianus the Pope do grant unto thee King Wulfere, and unto the Archbishop Deusdedit, and unto the Abbot Saxulf, all things that ye desire; and I forbid the King or any man whatsoever to have any claim thereon, excepting the Abbot only, neither let him be subject to any excepting the Pope of Rome, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. If any man break this ordinance in any thing, let St. Peter with his sword destroy him: whosoever observeth it, let St. Peter with his key open unto him the kingdom of heaven.” Thus was founded the monastery of Medeshamstede, which was afterwards called Burh (Peterborough). Afterwards, another Archbishop came to Canterbury; he was named Theodore, a very wise and a good man, and he held his synod with his Bishops and the Clergy. Then Winfrid Bishop of Mercia was deprived of his See, and the Abbot Saxulf was chosen thereto, and Cuthbald, a monk of the same monastery, was made Abbot. This synod was held 673 years after the birth of Christ.

658.

This year Cenwalh fought with the Welsh at Pen, and drove them to the Parret. This battle was fought after he came from East Anglia: He was there three years, for Penda had driven him into exile because he had divorced his sister.

660.

This year Bishop Æthelbryht departed from Cenwalh, and Wine held the Bishoprick three years. And Æthelbryht received the see of Paris on the Seine in Gaul.

661.

This year at Easter Cenwalh fought at Possenbyrig (Pontesbury, Shropshire), and Wulfere the son of Penda laid waste the country as far as Æsces-dune (Aston, Berkshire?). And Cuthred the son of Cwichelm and King Cenbyrht died in the same year. And Wulfere the son of Penda ravaged Wight and gave the island to Æthelwald King of the South Saxons, because he (Wulfere) was his godfather: and the priest Eoppa by the desire of Wilverd and of King Wulfere first brought baptism to the inhabitants of Wight.

664.

This year the Sun was eclipsed. And Arcenbryht King of Kent died, and his son Ecbyrht succeeded him. And Colman[K] with his companions went to his own country. And this year there was a great pestilence in Britain, whereof Bishop Tuda died and he was buried at Wagele.[L] And Ceadda and Wilverth were consecrated. And the same year the Archbishop Deusdedit died.

667.