The history of our monastic establishments is but little regarded and as little known. The obscurity in which all monastic institutions is involved renders it difficult to give any certain and positive information respecting the origin of the building to whose history these pages are devoted3; but it appears to have been founded at a very early period—the churches of Canterbury, Rochester, London, Westminster, York, and Winchester, being the only large sacred edifices4 that preceded it. The date of the first building is stated to have been a.d. 655—fifty-eight years after the introduction of Christianity into England by St. Augustine; and so large were the foundation stones, that it required eight yoke5 of oxen to draw them. From this it may be inferred that the structure was not, like many of the Anglo-Saxon churches of this period—built entirely6 of wood; though it was probably far inferior in size and style of architecture to the building which succeeded it.
It was one of the kings of Mercia who laid the foundation of the monastery of Medeshamstede[1] in 655; his name was Peada, the eldest7 son of Penda, the fourth monarch8 of that kingdom. The facts are thus related by the Saxon chronicler:—"From the beginning of the world had now elapsed 5,850 winters, when Peada the son of Penda assumed the government of the Mercians. In his time came together himself and Osway, brother of King Oswald, and said they would rear a minster to the glory of Christ and honour of Saint Peter; and they did so, and gave it the name of Medeshamstede, because there is a well there called Medeswell. And they began the ground-wall and wrought9 thereon, after which they committed the work to a monk10, whose name was Saxulf. Peada reigned11 no while, for he was betrayed by his own queen in Eastertide, 658."
Wolfere was the youngest son of Penda, and when Peada died, King Osway assumed the government of Mercia, and ruled very despotically for about three years, when the nobles, incensed12 at his conduct, rebelled against him, drove him from the kingdom, and chose Wolfere for their king. It was in his reign that "Medeshamstede waxed rich," for Wolfere not only caused the monastery to be built, but he endowed it with a great number of lands, and made it "not subject except to Rome alone;" and the abbey, which was by this time completed, was dedicated13 with great pomp and ceremony to "Christ and St. Peter," and hallowed in the name of "Saint Peter and Saint Andrew."
Saxulf, who had superintended the building of the abbey, was the first abbot whose name is mentioned in the monkish14 chronicles as its ruler. He was remarkable15 for his learning, piety16, and humility17, and was chiefly instrumental in bringing Christianity into the kingdom of Mercia. Both Saxulf and Cuthbaldus who succeeded him were abbots of the monastery during the rule of Wolfere, although there is little mention made of either in the records which have been handed down to us.
Wolfere died in 683, and was succeeded by his brother Ethelred, who contributed very largely to the monastery, and secured to it by his interest extraordinary privileges. Those who could not afford to go to Rome to offer up vows18 and get absolved19 from their sins were allowed both indulgences at this monastery, and could likewise receive "the apostolical benediction20." Ethelred built a house for the abbot, which is now the palace of the bishop21, but, excepting for its antiquity22, it possesses no features of interest.
After a reign of thirty years, Ethelred exchanged the insignia of royalty23 for the rough garments of a monk, and became abbot of Bardney, in Lincolnshire, where he died, in the year, 716.
From the death of Cuthbaldus to the accession of Beonna in 775, there is a blank in the history of the monastery. During his rule one or two important concessions24 were made to the monks25 by King Offa.
The name of the next abbot was Celredus, but of him nothing particular is recorded. He was succeeded by Hedda, in 833, during whose abbacy the first destruction of the monastery by the Danes occurred, which founded an important era in the history of this institution. A band of savage26 Danes, headed by Earl Hubba, invaded the territory of the Mercians, and after committing numerous depredations27 in the country, they plundered30 the monastery of Croyland, and proceeded to attack Medeshamstede. The monks of this abbey had, however, gained intelligence of their intentions, and having closed the gates, resolved to act on the defensive31. Hubba and his desperadoes soon surrounded them, and demanded that the gates should be opened; and when he was told that he should not enter, he commenced to batter33 the walls. In the course of the attack, one of the monks hurled34 a great stone from the top of the building upon the besiegers, and Tulba, the brother of Hubba, was killed by it. This so incensed the earl, that he vowed35 to put every monk to death by his own hand; and having forced the gates, proceeded to put his horrible threat into execution,—robbed the monastery of everything that was valuable, and then set it on fire. It burned fifteen days. All the portable valuables were then packed on waggons36 and taken away. The plunder29, however, is said to have been lost, "either in the Nen or in the neighbouring marshes37."[2] This was in 870.
In a short time a few monks who escaped at Croyland re-assembled at their abbey there, and after electing Godric their abbot, proceeded to Medeshamstede, and buried the monks of that monastery who had been murdered by the Danish invaders38 in one vast tomb. Godric likewise had their effigies39 cut out in stone (a representation of which is here shown, the original being in the Lady Chapel),[3] and, to honour their memory, he went every year to weep over the grave in which he had laid his brethren.
From this time until the reign of Alfred the Great [872] the monastery of Medeshamstede was frequently invaded, and the lands which belonged to it were seized by the conquerors40. It was left for the wisdom and courage of Alfred to restore that tranquility to England which it had so long lost, and to give protection and security to his subjects. The Danes who had committed so many depredations before his accession to the throne were now beaten back and finally checked by the powerful fleet which he built to protect the kingdom from invasion. King Edgar, who succeeded Alfred, followed his example in this respect, and kept up the strength of the fleet. By this means increased security was given to England, and the people, comparatively happy in their internal government, and freed from the fear of foreign interruption, began to improve their public buildings and religious houses.
It was in 966 that the monastery of Medeshamstede was rebuilt after the old model, at the instigation of Athelwold, who was at that time Bishop of Winchester. King Edgar assisted in the re-construction of the monastery; and so important did he consider religion to be in the amelioration of the morals of his subjects, that he is said to have rebuilt upwards42 of forty religious establishments during his reign.
Ancient Monumental Stone in the Cathedral.
Ancient Monumental Stone in the Cathedral.
After the abbey of Medeshamstede was finished in 972, he ratified43 all the former charters which it possessed44, and gave it the name of Burgh.
The first abbot of the monastery, after its destruction, was called Adulphus, formerly45 the king's chancellor46; but having accidentally been the cause of the death of his only son, he could no longer live happily in the world, and he therefore endowed the abbey with all his wealth, and was elected its first abbot.
The monastery of Burgh was now in a more prosperous and wealthy condition than ever; all the neighbouring country was subject to it, and its possessions were so immense that its name was changed to Gildenburg. Adulphus, wishing to increase the value of the estates of the monastery and to encourage agriculture, had all the surrounding forests cut down and the lands cultivated. He was afterwards made Archbishop of York, [992,] and the eloquent47 Kenulfus succeeded him in the reign of Ethelred. Kenulfus built a high wall round the monastery, part of which is still in existence. He was translated to the see of Winchester, in 1006, and was so celebrated48 for his virtue49 and learning, that he gave a character to the monastery, and the monks were for a long time afterwards considered the most enlightened and intelligent men in the island.
Elsinus was the next abbot of whom we read in connection with the monastery, and was remarkable for the number of relics50 which he had collected. Gunton tells us that the arm of St. Oswald[4] was the most famous, and Walter de Whittlesea informs us that King Stephen came to Peterburgh to witness the miracles which it is said to have performed. During the abbacy of Elsinus, England was invaded by the Danes under King Sweyn, in revenge of a massacre51 of his subjects by the order of King Ethelred. They landed in the north, and, having gained some advantages, proceeded southward to the fen32 country, which they plundered and laid waste with fire and sword. Heavy fines were extorted52 from the rich abbeys; that on Crowland amounting to ￡64,000 of the present value of money. Elsinus died in 1055.
Arwinus was then elected abbot, but he resigned in 1067 to Leofric. He was nephew to Earl Leofric, of Mercia, whose Countess, according to the chroniclers, redeemed53 Coventry from toll54 by riding naked through the streets of that town.
During the third year of this abbot, William the Conqueror41 invaded England, and we are told that Leofric fought for some time in the English army, but in consequence of ill health, was obliged "to return to his monastery, where he died on the third of the kalends of November, a.d. 1066." Braddo (or Brand) was the next successive abbot, but died after a rule of three years.
Thorold of Fescamp, who for some service rendered to the conqueror, had been appointed to an abbacy near Salisbury, was considered by William, on account of his soldier-like qualities, to be a fit person to transfer to the rebellious55 and disorderly neighbourhood of the Camp of Refuge, and he was accordingly appointed Abbot of Peterborough, in 1069.
Between the death of Braddo and the arrival of his successor, the second destruction of the monastery took place. A band of Danish soldiers, headed by Hereward de Wake, nephew of Braddo, attacked the monastery, and all the valuable treasures which it possessed were either taken away or destroyed. They then set fire to the building. The following is Gunton's account of the treasures which they captured; and, as it puts us in possession of much curious information concerning those times, we will give the extract entire:—"They took the golden crown from the head of the crucifix, the cross with the precious stones, and the footstool under; duo aurea feretra (two golden or gilded56 biers whereon they carried the saints' reliques, and other such like things, in procession), and nine silver ones; and twelve crosses, some of gold and some of silver. And, besides all this, they went up to the tower and took away the great table which the monks had hidden there, which was all of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and wont57 to be before the altar, with abundance of books, and other precious things, which were valuable, there being not the like in all England."
The monks were disconsolate58 at the loss of these valuable treasures, and the abbot solicited59 William the King to interfere60 for them, in order that they might be returned. It appears, however, that the conqueror did not pay much attention to their request; and it is probable that, as he had just after this depredation28 concluded a treaty of peace with the Danish sovereign, he was unwilling61 to do anything that should cause a breach62 of peace between them, especially as they were such troublesome and dangerous enemies. The greater part of the treasure was by some means once more restored to the monks,[5] and, according to the Saxon chronicler, they commenced from this time to build ramparts for their own protection, and for the security of the monastery. Tout63 Hill[6] in the vineyard field was raised at this time, and there is said to have been a subterraneous passage which ran thence to Croyland and Thorney. This hill was originally called Mount Thorold.
After the arrival of Thorold at Peterborough, being accompanied by 160 well-armed Frenchmen, he proceeded to turn his attention to the Camp of Refuge, situated64 near Ely; and, joining Ives of Taillebois in an assault upon it, was repulsed65 by Hereward de Wake, and taken prisoner, with many of the monks; nor was he liberated66, according to Dean Patrick, until he had paid three thousand marks. After his liberation, he returned to the monastery, and made himself more odious67 to the monks than before. He was depraved and dissolute, and, to satisfy his licentious68 desires, he is said to have made free with the treasury69. He introduced two monks likewise into the monastery, who were foreigners, and quite as unscrupulous as himself, in purloining70 the wealth of the abbey. He was afterwards made a bishop in France, but owing to his utter recklessness of conduct and morality, he was sent back to England four days after: was again admitted abbot of the monastery of Peterburgh, where he died in 1098, after an odious government of twenty-eight years.
During the reign of Henry I., the son of the Conqueror, Ernulphus became Abbot of Peterburgh. This event took place in the year 1107, and he made several important improvements in the monastery; built a new dormitory and refectory, and completed the chapter-house, which had been left in an unfinished state for several years. He likewise enriched the convent by making an arrangement with all who held in rent the abbey lands to pay tithes72 to him, and, when they died, that they should give the third part of their estates to be buried in the church. Thus it was that the monastery continued to grow in wealth, and when Ernulphus was made Bishop of Rochester, which happened in 1114, the abbey was entitled to a tithe71 of 40,800 acres of land.
During the rule of his successor, John de Sais, the monastery was burned down. The fire is said to have occurred accidentally, and such was the violence of the flames, that they reached the village and consumed most of the cottagers' houses. The additions which Ernulphus had made to the abbey, however, are said to have escaped the general ruin.
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1
monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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edifices
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| n.大建筑物( edifice的名词复数 ) | |
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yoke
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| n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶 | |
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6
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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9
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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10
monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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11
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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12
incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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monkish
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| adj.僧侣的，修道士的，禁欲的 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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16
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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17
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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18
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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19
absolved
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| 宣告…无罪，赦免…的罪行，宽恕…的罪行( absolve的过去式和过去分词 )； 不受责难，免除责任 [义务] ,开脱（罪责） | |
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20
benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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21
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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antiquity
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| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
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23
royalty
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| n.皇家，皇族 | |
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concessions
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| n.（尤指由政府或雇主给予的）特许权( concession的名词复数 )；承认；减价；（在某地的）特许经营权 | |
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monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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26
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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27
depredations
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| n.劫掠，毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
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depredation
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| n.掠夺，蹂躏 | |
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29
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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30
plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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fen
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| n.沼泽，沼池 | |
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batter
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| v.接连重击；磨损；n.牛奶面糊；击球员 | |
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34
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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waggons
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| 四轮的运货马车( waggon的名词复数 )； 铁路货车； 小手推车 | |
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marshes
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| n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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effigies
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| n.（人的）雕像，模拟像，肖像( effigy的名词复数 ) | |
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conquerors
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| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
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conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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42
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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43
ratified
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| v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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45
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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46
chancellor
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| n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长 | |
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47
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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48
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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49
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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50
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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51
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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52
extorted
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| v.敲诈( extort的过去式和过去分词 )；曲解 | |
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53
redeemed
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| adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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54
toll
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| n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟) | |
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rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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56
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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57
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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59
solicited
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| v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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61
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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tout
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| v.推销，招徕；兜售；吹捧，劝诱 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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liberated
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| a.无拘束的，放纵的 | |
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odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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licentious
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| adj.放纵的，淫乱的 | |
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69
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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70
purloining
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| v.偷窃( purloin的现在分词 ) | |
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71
tithe
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| n.十分之一税；v.课什一税，缴什一税 | |
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tithes
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| n.（宗教捐税）什一税，什一的教区税，小部分( tithe的名词复数 ) | |
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