OLD ENGLISH VILLAGE LIFE. 157 



dependent from quite early times upon Barrow, was dedicated 

 to S. Andrew, the patron apostle of S. Wilfrid, in whose name 

 he built his stately church at Hexham. It may be an accidental 

 nomenclature, but it is just as probable that the upgrowth of 

 these churches was due to the encouragement of S. Wilfrid, who 

 was so ardent a church builder, and that the twin names, S. Wil- 

 frid and S. Andrew, were meant to bear permanent testimony to 

 the influence and the predilection of that missioner. It was a 

 time of religious awakening. The monastery at Repton was a 

 centre of spiritual life. The royal court was stirred. Kings, 

 princes, princesses, gave themselves up to the religious life. 

 Guthlac, the ascetic, passed down the Trent by Twyford and 

 Barrow on and on until he reached the fens at Crowland, where 

 his name is commemorated in the foundation of its great Abbey. 

 In this interesting period what wonder if Saxon churches were 

 built, and if, in the industrial community around Barrow, there 

 were energy and enthusiasm enough under capable directors, to 

 build a simple wooden sanctuary as the monument of their 

 faith. 



Then came the fierce onset of the Danish invasion. In 

 the memorable year 874, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle informs us, 

 in a few brief sentences, how the kingdom of Mercia was sub- 

 dued, Burgred, the king, banished, and the kingdom committed 

 to the care of Ceolwulf, an unwise thane. The army was 

 encamped at Repton, and, after quartering there for the winter, 

 it departs. Three years later a large body returns, and the 

 work of apportioning the territory begins. From the year 877 

 we may date this new departure, which had a marked influence 

 upon these parishes. The old Saxon settlements became incor- 

 porated in the Five Boroughs. There were, no doubt, a few 

 violent dispossessions ; old lords and leaders were superseded, 

 and Danish chieftains took their place, but, as far as the 

 industrial system was concerned, it was continued with few 

 alterations. The Saxons had laboured with much constructive 

 ability, and the Danes entered upon their labours, and enjoyed 

 the fruits of their wisdom and perseverance. Instances of 



