Aldfrith's Qualifications as a Patron of Literature 307 



account given by Eddi.^ That he was accepted by a proud and 

 resolute people as their accredited representative, and not merely 

 as their nominal leader, is clear from the issue of the great trial 

 of strength between Northumbria and the Roman See. 



This trial of strength arose in connection with Wilf rith, one of 

 the most remarkable men of the Old English period. Uncon- 

 querable pride, dogged determination, and a restless energy, spent 

 in the overthrow of heathenism and what he understood as heresy, 

 were the outstanding notes of his character. Born in 634, he 

 entered the monastery of Lindisfarne at the age of fourteen, but 

 shortly resolved to visit Rome. This, after various delays, he 

 accomplished at the age of nineteen. He became Bishop of 

 Northumbria at thirty, soon after the Synod of Whitby in 664, 

 where he had triumphed over the Celtic party. This triumph, 

 however, embarrassed and embittered his whole subsequent life. 

 He was not installed in his see till he was thirty-five ; nine years 

 afterward his diocese was divided, and his seat was transferred 

 from York to Lindisfarne. To this he objected, and appealed to 

 Rome, but, on his return from that city, was imprisoned, and then 

 exiled. Five or six years later (686?), at the instance of Arch- 

 bishop Theodore, he was restored by Aldfrith, who had recently 

 become king. Wilfrith, however, seems to have been discon- 

 tented with his new position, and in 691 or 692, accusations hav- 

 ing l)een brought against him, he was again removed from his 



This day Bruide fights a battle for the land of his grandfather ; 

 Unless the Son of God wish it otherwise, he will die in it. 

 To-day the son of Oswy was killed in a battle with green swords; 

 Although he did penance, he shall lie in Hi after his death ; 

 This day the son of Oswy was killed, who had the black drinks ; 

 Christ heard our supplications, they spared Bruide the brave.' 



This Bruide, son of Dereli, died the year after Aldfrith (Skene, Celtic 

 Scotland i. 270; Chronicle of the Picts, pp. cxxi, 7^. 353). This may be 

 taken to imply that Bruide fought a battle with Aldfrith, Aldfrith being 

 slain, and Bruide surviving till the next year. 



'Green' [swords] might also be 'gray,' 'blue' ; another meaning for the 

 adjective (glasa) is 'bitter.' 'Black' [drinks] ; alternatively, 'destructive,' 

 'deadly,' 'poisonous' ; dub here partly for the sake of alliteration (diiba 

 deoga ^'hlack drinks'). L. 86 of Aldfrith's poem {Erin 8. y2)) is: 'Brave 

 heroes with blue swords.' (Information from Professor Joseph Dunn.) 



' Chap. 59. Can it be that Eddi was misinformed, or not disinclined to 

 wrest the truth to the advantage of his cause ? 



