Acca 3 (Male) Bishop of Hexham, 709-731; d.737/740
e/m viii

Notes: See also Anonymous 152.

BDDAB, p. 2; BEASE, p. 4; CDNB 1:8; DNB 1:56-7 = 1:56-7; Fletcher, p. 85; Alan Thacker, ?Acca [St Acca] (d. 740)?, ODNB.

Factoid List

Recorded Name (28)

Acca (27)

Stephen.VitWilfridi Praef.

Stephen.VitWilfridi 22

Stephen.VitWilfridi 56

Stephen.VitWilfridi 65

Acca.Ep 2

Bede.EpAccMansFilIsr Col. 699A

Bede.CommEsrNeemiam Praef.10

Bede.EpAccDeEoQuod col. 702B

Bede.CommAct Prol.1

Bede.CommMc Praef.40

Bede.VersDieIud 162

Bede.CommGn Praef.1

Bede.RetractAct Prol.10

Bede.CommLc Prol.79

Bede.CommLc Incip.i

Bede.Templ Praef.Incip.

Bede.HistAb 20

Bede.HE iii.13

Bede.HE iv.14

Bede.HE v.19

Bede.HE v.20

Bede.HE v.23

Annals.MooreMS 572.731

ASC (DEF) 710 DEF(OE and Lat.)

ASC (DEF) 733 DEF(OE)

ASC (DEF) 737 DEF(OE and Lat.)

Milred.Sylloge L8

Acha (1)

Bede.CommEsrNeemiam Praef.Incip.

Personal Information (16)

intellectual (1)

Stephen.VitWilfridi 56 (of sharp intelligence)

moral (3)

Bede.CommMc Praef.40 (dearest of bishops)

Bede.VersDieIud 156 (dearest)

Bede.HE v.20 (man of great energy and noble in sight of God and man)

religion (1)

Bede.HE v.20 (untainted in his confession of the catholic faith and thoroughly familiar with the rules of the ecclesiastical custom)

reputation (8)

Stephen.VitWilfridi Praef. (venerable lords)

Bede.CommSm i.Prol.343-6 (o Acca 3, dearest and most beloved of all bishops who dwell on earth)

Bede.CommSm iii.8 (most beloved)

Bede.CommSm iv.26 (most loved)

Bede.CommGn Praef.46 (most beloved)

Bede.RetractAct Prol.10 (venerable)

Bede.HE iii.13 (most reverend)

Bede.HE iv.14 (most reverend)

saintly status (3)

Stephen.VitWilfridi 22 (of blessed memory, still by the grace of God living)

Bede.EpAccDeEoQuod col. 702B (holy)

Bede.CommAct Prol.1 (truly the most blessed)

Education (2)

a very learned theologian: Bede.HE v.20

instructed by the clergy of Bosa 1: Bede.HE v.20

Authorship (6)

Author of a letter to Bede 1 asking that he write a commentary on the Gospel of Luke (Letter): Acca.Ep 1-2

Author of On the Resting-Places of the Children of Israel (Letter): Bede.EpAccMansFilIsr Col. 699A

Author of On the Resting-Places of the Children of Israel (Letter): Bede.EpAccMansFilIsr Col. 702A

Author of a letter to Bede 1 enquiring about the interpretation of a text in Isaiah (Letter): Bede.EpAccDeEoQuod col. 702B

Author of a letter to Bede 1 (Letter): Bede.CommLc Prol.94

Office (40)

Bishop (34)

Stephen.VitWilfridi Praef. (... uenerabiles domini ...)

Stephen.VitWilfridi 22 (... beatae memoriae ... episcopus ...)

Stephen.VitWilfridi 65

Bede.EpAccMansFilIsr Col. 699A (To the most beloved lord in Christ and a bishop always to be named with all honour)

Bede.CommEsrNeemiam Praef. (Most reverend prelate)

Bede.CommSm Prol.34-6

Bede.CommSm iii.8

Bede.CommSm iv.26

Bede.EpAccDeEoQuod col. 702B (The most blessed lord who is always to be venerated with profoundest love, the holy bishop)

Bede.CommAct Prol.1-2 (The most beloved lord in Christ and truly the most blessed bishop)

Bede.CommMc Praef.40

Bede.CommGn Praef.1 (The most beloved and most reverent prelate)

Bede.CommGn Praef.21 (Your holiness)

Bede.RetractAct Prol.10

Bede.CommLc Prol.79-80 (Most blessed lord and bishop very greatly to be desired)

Bede.CommLc Prol.93-4 (Your sweetest sanctity)

Bede.CommLc Incip.i

Bede.Templ Praef.Incip.

Bede.HistAb 20

Bede.HE iii.13

Bede.HE iv.14

Bede.HE v.20 (bishop of Hexham)

Bede.HE v.23

Annals.MooreMS 572.731

ASC (DEF) 710 DEF(OE and Lat.)

ASC (DEF) 733 DEF(OE)

ASC (DEF) 737 F(Lat.)

Anon.EpisList1 (bishop of the church of Hexham)

Anon.EpisList2 (bishop of the church of Hexham)

Anon.EpisList3 (bishop of the church of Hexham)

Anon.EpisList4 (bishop of the church of Hexham)

Milred.Sylloge L8

WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum iii.117.3

NorthernAnnals.FirstSet 31

Priest (6)

Stephen.VitWilfridi 56

Stephen.VitWilfridi 65

Bede.HE iii.13

Bede.HE v.19

Bede.HE v.20

ASC (DEF) 710 DEF(OE and Lat.)

Occupation (1)

Singer (1)

Bede.HE v.20

Status (5)

Dominus (5)

Stephen.VitWilfridi Praef.

Bede.EpAccMansFilIsr Col. 699A

Bede.EpAccDeEoQuod col. 702B

Bede.CommAct Prol.1

Bede.CommLc Prol.79

Personal Relationship (3)

Acca 3 Brother (Honorific kinship) of ~ (1)

of Bede 1: Bede.VersDieIud 156

Acca 3 Father (Honorific kinship) of ~ (1)

of Bede 1: Bede.VersDieIud 162

Acca 3 Successor (General relationship) of ~ (1)

of Wilfrid 2: ASC (DEF) 710 DEF(OE and Lat.)

Event (48)

Affection (1)

Bede 1.expression that Acca 3 will be preserved unharmed for him: Bede 1 expressed the wish that Christ would preserve his very dear brother (Acca 3) unharmed for him.: Bede.VersDieIud 156-7

Appointment/consecration/elevation/ordination of abbot (2)

Acca 3.confirmation of Hw�tberht 1 as abbot: On Hw�tberht 1's return from meeting Ceolfrith 1, Bishop Acca 3 was called; he came and confirmed Hw�tberht 1 as abbot.: Bede.HistAb 20

Acca 3.confirmation with his blessing of the substitution of Hw�tberht 1 as abbot: Acca 3 confirmed with his blessing the substitution of Hw�tberht 1 as abbot.: Bede.CommSm iv.18-20

Appointment/consecration/elevation/ordination of bishop (1)

Acca 3.elevation to episcopacy: Here Acca 3 acceded to the bishopric [DEF(OE): that Wilfrid 2 had held earlier; F(Lat.): after Wilfrid 2].: ASC (DEF) 710 DEF(OE and Lat.) (710)

Ascetic practices/fasting/resisting temptation (1)

Anonymous 253.vision of St Peter and St Paul: While the brothers of the monastery were observing a three-day fast, a little boy (Anonymous 253), who was also afflicted by a virulent plague, had a vision of the most blessed chiefs of the apostles.: Bede.HE iv.14

Blessing (2)

Acca 3.confirmation with his blessing of the substitution of Hw�tberht 1 as abbot: Acca 3 confirmed with his blessing the substitution of Hw�tberht 1 as abbot.: Bede.CommSm iv.18-20

Bede 1.invocation of a blessing for Acca 3 and request for prayers: Bede 1 invoked a blessing for Acca 3 and requested prayers for himself.: Bede.VersDieIud 156-7, 159-63

Book circulating/making/reading/translating/writing (15)

Acca 3.encouragement to Bede 1 to complete his commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah: With the encouragement of Acca 3 Bede 1 had devoted effort to completing the volume [containing Bede 1's commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah].: Bede.CommEsrNeemiam Praef.

Acca 3.library-foundation: Acca 3 built up a very large and most noble library, assiduously collecting histories of the passions and martyrs as well as other ecclesiastical books.: Bede.HE v.20

Acca 3.request to Bede 1 to write a commentary on the Gospel of Luke: Acca 3 had often suggested to Bede 1 to write a commentary on the Gospel of Luke.: Acca.Ep 1-18

Bede 1.completion of a commentary on the Acts of the Apostles: Bede 1 had completed a commentary on the Acts of the Apostles.: Bede.CommAct Prol.13-23

Bede 1.composition of De die iudicii at the request of Acca 3: Following the orders of Acca 3, Bede 1 had composed for him the poem of weeping.: Bede.VersDieIud 158

Bede 1.composition of his CommLc in response to the letter of Acca 3: Bede 1 submitted himself to the task of composition that he had been enjoined to undertake in which as one dictating to himself he would be both transcriber and copyist.: Bede.CommLc Prol.93-105

Bede 1.composition of his first recension of his commentary on Genesis for Acca 3: Bede 1 compiled two books of commentary on Genesis for Acca 3.: Bede.CommGn Praef.24-35

Bede 1.correct interpretation of Isaiah xxiv.21-3 given to Acca 3: Bede 1 corrected the misinterpretation by Acca 3 of his interpretation of Isaiah xxiv.21-3.: Bede.EpAccDeEoQuod 702B-C, 709C

Bede 1.despatch of his commentary on the Letter of John to Acca 3: Bede 1 sent a small commentary on the Letter of John to Acca 3.: Bede.CommAct Prol.76-80

Bede 1.his obedience to the request of Acca 3 to complete his commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah: Bede 1 diligently obeying Acca 3's encouragement to complete [the commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah] had published it.: Bede.CommEsrNeemiam Praef.

Bede 1.letter to Acca 3 introducing his commentary on Genesis: Bede 1 wrote that he had composed a commentary on a portion of Genesis in response to a request from Acca 3.: Bede.CommGn Praef.

Bede 1.reasons for failing to do a commentary on Luke at the behest of Acca 3: Bede 1 had hitherto failed to do a commentary on Luke.: Bede.CommAct Prol.3-12

Bede 1.request to Acca 3 that Bede 1�s source references be retained should his commentary be copied.: Bede 1 asked that his source references be retained should his works be copied.: Bede.CommLc Prol.111-15

Bede 1.transcription of his commentary on the Apocalypse for Acca 3: Bede 1 had arranged for his commentary on the Apocalypse to be transcribed for Acca 3.: Bede.CommAct Prol.6-8

Bede 1.willinglness to do a further commentary on Genesis: Bede 1 expressed his willingness to do a further commentary on Genesis after completing a commentary on Ezra.: Bede.CommGn Praef.35-7

Building construction/restoration (1)

Acca 3.library-foundation: Acca 3 built up a very large and most noble library, assiduously collecting histories of the passions and martyrs as well as other ecclesiastical books.: Bede.HE v.20

Church-adornment (2)

Acca 3.church-construction: Acca 3 enriched the fabric of the church with all kinds of decoration and works of art. He gathered relics of the apostles and martyrs to put up altars for their veneration.: Bede.HE v.20

Acca 3.decorating Hexham: significant ornaments of gold, silver and precious gems, ... with altars of purple and silk: Stephen.VitWilfridi 22

Church/monastery/minster foundation/dedication/restoration (2)

Wilfrid 2.building of church of St Andrew the Apostle at Hexham: Wilfrid 2 built a church at Hexham dedicated to St Andrew.: Stephen.VitWilfridi 22

Conversation (1)

Wilfrid 2.vision at Meaux of St Michael: Wilfrid 2 fell ill while travelling and had a vision of St Michael, which he recounted to Acca 3.: Stephen.VitWilfridi 56

Correspondence (4)

Acca 3.renewed request to Bede 1 to write a commentary on the Gospel of Luke: Acca 3 responded to Bede 1's objections against writing a commentary on Luke and renewed his request.: Acca.Ep 19-78

Bede 1.despatch of his commentary on the Letter of John to Acca 3: Bede 1 sent a small commentary on the Letter of John to Acca 3.: Bede.CommAct Prol.76-80

Bede 1.letter to Acca 3 introducing his commentary on Genesis: Bede 1 wrote that he had composed a commentary on a portion of Genesis in response to a request from Acca 3.: Bede.CommGn Praef.

Bede 1.reception of letters from Acca 3: Bede 1 had received very frequent letters from Acca 3.: Bede.CommAct Prol.2-10

Culting/venerating saint(s) (1)

Death/dying (1)

Acca 3.death: In 740 Bishop Acca 3 of revered memory was exalted into the land of the living. : NorthernAnnals.FirstSet 36 (740)

Deposition of bishop (3)

Acca 3.exile: In 732 bishop Acca 3 was driven out from his see. : NorthernAnnals.FirstSet 31 (732)

Acca 3.expulsion from bishopric: Acca 3 was driven from the bishopric.: ASC (DEF) 733 DEF(OE) (731)

Acca 3.expulsion from episcopal see: Acca 3 was made to flee from his see.: Annals.MooreMS 572.731 (731)

Dreaming/seeing vision/revelation (2)

Wilfrid 2.vision at Meaux of St Michael: Wilfrid 2 fell ill while travelling and had a vision of St Michael, which he recounted to Acca 3.: Stephen.VitWilfridi 56

Education/teaching (2)

Acca 3.educated by Bosa 1: From his childhood Acca 3 was nurtured and educated in the curia of Bosa 1, bishop of York.: NorthernAnnals.FirstSet 36

Acca 3.invitation of Maban 1: Acca 3 invited a famous singer (Maban 1) to teach him and his people. He kept him for twelve years teaching them such church music as they did not know, while the music which they once knew was restored to its original form.: Bede.HE v.20

Exile (1)

Acca 3.exile: In 732 bishop Acca 3 was driven out from his see. : NorthernAnnals.FirstSet 31 (732)

Expulsion (1)

Acca 3.expulsion from episcopal see: Acca 3 was made to flee from his see.: Annals.MooreMS 572.731 (731)

Flight (1)

Acca 3.expulsion from episcopal see: Acca 3 was made to flee from his see.: Annals.MooreMS 572.731 (731)

Grant and Gift (1)

Acca 3.decorating Hexham: significant ornaments of gold, silver and precious gems, ... with altars of purple and silk: Stephen.VitWilfridi 22

Healing (2)

Oswald 1.post-mortem healing of Irish scholar: Acca 3 told Bede 1 of an Irish scholar (Anonymous 231) who was careless about his salvation. When he fell victim of a plague, he sent for Acca 3 and promised to correct his vicious ways, if he was granted any further term of life. He asked Acca 3 for some relics of Oswald 1.: Bede.HE iii.13

Wilfrid 2.healing: After being sick for four days and nights, Wilfrid 2 arose and sat up, as if he were awaking from a deep sleep. Then he asked to see the priest Acca 3.: Bede.HE v.19

Heresy-allegations/condemnations (2)

Bede 1.correct interpretation of Isaiah xxiv.21-3 given to Acca 3: Bede 1 corrected the misinterpretation by Acca 3 of his interpretation of Isaiah xxiv.21-3.: Bede.EpAccDeEoQuod 702B-C, 709C

Bede 1.expression of concern to Acca 3 about heresy: Bede 1 expressed concern to Acca 3 about falling into heresy in answering one of his questions.: Bede.EpAccMansFilIsr Cols 699B and 702A

Horse-using/giving/acquisition/riding (1)

Wilfrid 2.recounting of his life to Tatberht 2: Wilfrid 2 had told from memory the story of his life to Tatberht 2 one day when they were riding together on a journey.: Stephen.VitWilfridi 65

Hospitality (1)

Acca 3-Wilfrid 2.journey to Rome: On their way to Rome, Acca 3 and Wilfrid 2 stayed with Willibrord 1.: Bede.HE iii.13

Illness/demonic seizure/madness (3)

Wilfrid 2.healing: After being sick for four days and nights, Wilfrid 2 arose and sat up, as if he were awaking from a deep sleep. Then he asked to see the priest Acca 3.: Bede.HE v.19

Wilfrid 2.vision at Meaux of St Michael: Wilfrid 2 fell ill while travelling and had a vision of St Michael, which he recounted to Acca 3.: Stephen.VitWilfridi 56

Invitation (1)

Journey (3)

Acca 3-Wilfrid 2.journey to Rome: On their way to Rome, Acca 3 and Wilfrid 2 stayed with Willibrord 1.: Bede.HE iii.13

Acca 3.journey to Rome: Acca 3 travelled to Rome with bishop Wilfrid 2. : NorthernAnnals.FirstSet 36

Wilfrid 2.recounting of his life to Tatberht 2: Wilfrid 2 had told from memory the story of his life to Tatberht 2 one day when they were riding together on a journey.: Stephen.VitWilfridi 65

Life - orally recounted (1)

Wilfrid 2.recounting of his life to Tatberht 2: Wilfrid 2 had told from memory the story of his life to Tatberht 2 one day when they were riding together on a journey.: Stephen.VitWilfridi 65

Miracle (1)

Aldred 1.attempt to steal relics of Acca 3: A brother of the church of Hexham by the name of Aldred 1 related that when he was an adolescent and was living in the house of his brother [Anonymous 10136], a priest, he was once asked by his brother to keep an eye on some relics of St Acca 3 which he had wrapped in a cloth and laid on the altar of St Michael in the southern porch of the church. Then it appeared to Aldred 1 that a certain church [presumably Durham] would be greatly enriched by these bones. So, after prostrating himself on the ground and praying the seven penitential psalms, he entered the porch with the intention of taking them away. Suddenly he felt heat as of fire which thrust him back in great trepidation. Thinking that he had approached with insufficient reverence and preparation, he again prostrated himself and poured forth still more ardent prayers to the Lord. But on approaching a second time he felt a still fiercer heat opposing him. Realizing that his intention was not in accordance with the will of God, he withdrew. : NorthernAnnals.FirstSet 37

Praying (1)

Relics-collecting/depositing/granting (1)

Relics-incorrupt preservation/placing in reliquary/requesting/translating (1)

Reporting (1)

Request (9)

Acca 3 and Anonymi 428.request to Bede 1 to do a commentary on the Gospel of Mark: Acca 3 and numerous brothers (Anonymi 428) had urged Bede 1 to do a commentary on the Gospel of Mark.: Bede.CommMc Pref.39-41

Acca 3.frequent exhortation to Bede 1: Acca 3 had made a frequent request to Bede 1 [to provide a commentary on 1 Samuel].: Bede.CommSm Prol.34-6

Acca 3.renewed request to Bede 1 to write a commentary on the Gospel of Luke: Acca 3 responded to Bede 1's objections against writing a commentary on Luke and renewed his request.: Acca.Ep 19-78

Acca 3.request to Bede 1 to compile a commentary on the book of Genesis: Acca 3 had asked Bede 1 to compile a commentary on Genesis.: Bede.CommGn Praef.18-24

Acca 3.request to Bede 1 to compose a commentary on the Acts of the Apostles: Acca 3 had asked Bede 1 to compose a commentary on the Acts of the Apostles.: Bede.RetractAct Prol.9-11

Acca 3.request to Bede 1 to write a commentary on the Gospel of Luke: Acca 3 had often suggested to Bede 1 to write a commentary on the Gospel of Luke.: Acca.Ep 1-18

Bede 1.invocation of a blessing for Acca 3 and request for prayers: Bede 1 invoked a blessing for Acca 3 and requested prayers for himself.: Bede.VersDieIud 156-7, 159-63

Bede 1.request to Acca 3 to say farewell to the brothers (Anonymi 427): Bede 1 asked Acca 3 to say farewell to the brothers (Anonymi 427).: Bede.VersDieIud 161

Residence (3)

Acca 3-Wilfrid 2.journey to Rome: On their way to Rome, Acca 3 and Wilfrid 2 stayed with Willibrord 1.: Bede.HE iii.13

Acca 3.educated by Bosa 1: From his childhood Acca 3 was nurtured and educated in the curia of Bosa 1, bishop of York.: NorthernAnnals.FirstSet 36

Restoration of land/property (1)

Singing/song-composition (1)

Theft/attempted theft (1)