In the time of this Edmund, was Ulstanus Archb. of York,1 and Odo Archbishop of Canterbury, which Odo being a Da•e borne (as is before touched) was promoted to that sea by king Ethelstane, for that (as they say) he being first bishop of Witone, & present with king Ethelstane in the field against Analafus before mentioned, what time the said Ethelstane had lost his sword, he thorough his intercession up to heaven, did see a sword from heaven, come down into the sheath of the king. Whereof relation being made to the king by the foresaid Bishop,2 Ethelstane upon the same was so affected toward Odo, that not only he counted him for a Patron of his life, but also made him Primate of Canterbury after the decease of Ulfelmus. This Odo was the first from the coming of the Saxons, till his time which was Archbishop of Canterbury being no monk.3 For all the other before him were of the profession of Monks, of whom a great part had been Italians unto Berctualdus. Notwithstanding this Odo, being also a stranger borne, after he was elected into the bishopric, to answer to the old custom of others before him, sailed over into France, and there at Floriake (after the usual manner above mentioned of Englishmen) received the profession and habit of monkish religion, as saith my foresaid author. And like as the said Odo first being no monk, was made Archbishop of Canterbury. So also Ulstanus the same time, being bishop of York and of Worcester,4 differed from divers his predecessors before him in profession and in habit: of whom the forenamed author thus writeth in his iij. book, speaking of Ulstanus qui sanctitate discrepabat & habitu, that is, he differed in sanctimony and in habit.5 Whereby is to be collected, that in those days was a difference in habit & garment, not only between monks & bishops, but also between one Bishop and an other. Albeit what difference it was yet, I do not find. But I return again to Odo, who by the description of his manners, might seem not to be the worst that occupied that place, were it not that our lying histories feigning false miracles upon him (as they do of other) make him in deed to seem worse then he was.6 As where they imagine that he should see from heaven a sword fall into the scabbard of king Ethelstane. Item, where he should cover and defend the church of Canterbury with his prayers from rain.7
In the tyme of this Edmund, was Ulstanus Archb. of Yorke,1 and Odo Archbishop of Canterbury, which Odo beyng a Da•e borne (as is before touched) was promoted to that sea by king Ethelstane, for that (as they say) hee being first bishop of Witone, & present with kyng Ethelstane in the field against Analafus before mentioned, what time the said Ethelstane had lost his sword, he thorough his intercession vp to heauen, did see a sworde from heauen, come downe into the sheath of the kyng. Whereof relation beyng made to the kyng by the foresayd Byshop,2 Ethelstane vpon the same was so affected toward Odo, that not onely he counted him for a Patrone of his life, but also made him Primate of Canterbury after the decease of Ulfelmus. This Odo was the first from the commyng of the Saxons, till his tyme which was Archbishop of Canterbury being no mōke.3 For all the other before him were of the profession of Monkes, of whō a great part had bene Italiās vnto Berctualdus. Notwithstanding this Odo, beyng also a stranger borne, after he was elected into the bishoprike, to aunswer to the old custome of others before him, sayled ouer into France, and there at Floriake (after the vsuall maner aboue mentioned of Englishmen) receiued the profession and habite of monkish religion, as sayth my foresayd author. And like as the sayd Odo first beyng no monke, was made Archbishop of Canterbury. So also Ulstanus the same tyme, beyng bishop of Yorke and of Worcester,4 differed from diuers his predecessours before him in profession and in habite: of whome the forenamed author thus writeth in his iij. booke, speaking of Ulstanus qui sanctitate discrepabat & habitu, that is, he differed in sanctimonie and in habite.5 Whereby is to be collected, that in those dayes was a difference in habite & garment, not only betwene monkes & bishops, but also betwene one Bishop and an other. Albeit what difference it was yet, I do not finde. But I returne agayne to Odo, who by the description of his maners, might seeme not to be the worste that occupied that place, were it not that our lying histories faining false miracles vpon him (as they do of other) make him in deede to seeme worse then he was.6 As where they imagine that he should see from heauen a sworde fall into the scabberd of king Ethelstane. Itē, where he should couer and defend the church of Canterbury with his praiers from raine.
- 1Ulstanus Archbishop of York. Odo Arch. of Canterbury.Vlstanus Archbishop of Yorke. Odo Arch. of Canterbury.
- 2Guliel. de pont. lib. 1. Polycron. lib. 6. ca. 6.
- 3Odo made monk at Floriake, after he was Archb. of Canterbury. Guliel. de pont. lib. 1.Odo made monke at Floriake, after he was Archb. of Cāterbury. Guliel. de pont. lib. 1.
- 4Guliel. lib. 3. de pont. Ebor.
- 5The difference of habit and garments among men of the Church.The difference of habite and garmentes among men of the Church.
- 6False and lying miracles noted upon Odo.False and lying myracles noted vpon Odo.
- 7A note to the reader.
