Æthelred 2 (Male) King of the Mercians, 675-704, d.?716; abdicated, Abbot of Bardney
m vii-l x

Notes: BDDAB, pp. 25-6; Ann Williams, ?Æthelred (d. after 704)?, ODNB.

Factoid List

Recorded Name (98)
... Aedilredi (2)
 Bede.HE  iv.22
 Bede.HE  v.19
... Aedilredo (3)
 Bede.HE  iii.11
 Bede.HE  iv.17
 Bede.HE  iv.23
... Aedilredum (1)
 Bede.HE  v.13
... Æþelredi (1)
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  ii.1
Aedilred (3)
 Bede.HE  iv.12
 Bede.HE  iv.21
 Bede.HE  v.24
Aedilredus (1)
 Alcuin.VersEubor  358
Aethelraedus (1)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  45
Aethelredus (8)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  40
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  43 (p. 88)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  47 (p. 96)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  Cap48
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  51
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  54 (p. 116)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  57
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  58
Aeðilred (1)
 Anon.GenRegList1   
Athelred (2)
 S1428a   
 S1250   
Edilred (2)
 S10   
 S53   
Edilredus (1)
 Anon.VitGregorii  18
Ethelred (6)
 S70   
 S73   
 S239   
 S1166   
 S1169   
 Æthelweard.Chron  ii.11
Ethelredus (5)
 S68   
 S241   
 S82   
 Sergius.Ep.B83   
 S1783   
Etheredus (1)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  48
Ethrelwed (1)
 S70   
Hagona (1)
 S1248   
Ædilred (2)
 S10   
 S1246   
Ædilredus (1)
 S1805   
Ælredus (1)
 S1251   
Æthelred (12)
 S12   
 S51   
 S71   
 S73   
 S75   
 S77   
 S1167   
 S1168   
 S1248   
 S1429   
 Sergius.Ep.B106   
 S787   
Æthelredus (9)
 Felix.VitGuthlaci  1
 S230   
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  Preface
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  i.10
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  ii.2
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  ii.7
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  iii.1
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  iii.2
 Æthelweard.Chron  ii.Cap.
Æthelræd (1)
 Sergius.Ep.B106   
Æthered (1)
 RestingPlaces  II.8
Æthilred (2)
 S76   
 S77   
Æthlred (1)
 S233   
Æðdelredus (1)
 Agatho.Ep.B48  p. 74
Æðelred (10)
 S75   
 S81   
 ASC (E)  656 E (p. 35)
 ASC (E)  679 E
 ASC (DEF)  697 EF(OE)
 ASC  704 F(OE)
 ASC  675 E
 ASC  676 EF(OE)
 ASC (DEF)  963 E (p. 116)
 Anon.GenRegList2   
Æðelred Pending (2)
 ASC  704 E
 ASC  716 E
Æðelredus (5)
 S72   
 S1428a   
 ASC (DEF)  697 F(Lat.)
 ASC  704 F(Lat.)
 ASC  676 F(Lat.)
Æðilred (1)
 S52   
Æþelred (3)
 ASC (DEF)  697 D
 ASC  675 CG
 ASC  676 C
Æþelred Pending (2)
 ASC  704 ACDG, <704> B
 ASC  <716/17> B, <717> C, 716 D
Æþelræd (1)
 ASC  675 A
Æþelræd Pending (1)
 ASC  716 A
Æþered (1)
 ASC  676 AG, <676> B
ædelred (1)
 S74   
Personal Information (11)
(1)
 S74    ()
moral (5)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  43 (faithful)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  48 (very faithful)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  57 (very faithful)
 S10    (excellent)
 S12    (most clement)
piety (1)
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  ii.7 (friend of God)
psychological (1)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  57 (weeping copiously through an excess of joy)
religion (1)
 S233    (most Christian)
reputation (1)
 Felix.VitGuthlaci  1 (illustrious)
saintly status (1)
 RestingPlaces  II.8 (saint)
Authorship (2)
 Author of a letter to Agatho 2 informing him of what Peada 1, Wulfhere 1 and Seaxwulf 1 had done at Medshamstede and that they had freed it from the king and the bishop of all service. Æthelred 2 asked Agatho 2 that he might have it confirmed in writing and with his blessing. (Letter): ASC (E)  675 E (p. 35)
 Author of a petition to Agatho 2, asking for an apostolic privilege for Peterborough (Medeshamstede) (Letter): Agatho.Ep.B48  p. 75
Office (77)
Abbot (2)
 Bede.HE  v.19
 S82    (abbot of Bardney)
King (75)
 Felix.VitGuthlaci  1 (King of the English)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  40 (King of the Mercians)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  43 (p. 88) (Most glorious and excellent Æthelred, king of the Mercians)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  43 (p. 88) (your blessedness)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  45 (King of the Mercians)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  48
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  51 (King of the Mercians)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  54 (p. 116) (King of the Mercians)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  54 (p. 116) (most excellent lord)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  54 (p. 118) (your Christian and royal highness)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  54 (p. 120) (Your eminences)
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  55
 Stephen.VitWilfridi  57 ([He] who used to reign over the kingdom of the Mercian peoples)
 Anon.VitGregorii  18
 Bede.HE  iv.12 (King of the Mercians)
 Bede.HE  iv.17 (King of the Mercians)
 Bede.HE  iv.21 (King of the Mercians)
 Bede.HE  iv.22
 Bede.HE  iv.23
 Bede.HE  v.13
 Bede.HE  v.19
 Bede.HE  v.19
 Bede.HE  v.24
 Bede.HE  v.24
 Alcuin.VersEubor  358
 S10   
 S10    (king of the Mercians)
 S51   
 S52    (king of Britain)
 S70    (king of the Mercians)
 S71    (king of the Mercians)
 S72    (king of the Mercians)
 S73    (king of the Mercians)
 S74    (king of Mercia)
 S75    (king of the Mercians)
 S76   
 S77    (king of the Mercians)
 S230   
 S233    (king of the Mercians)
 S233    (king of the whole island of Britain)
 S239    (king of the Mercians)
 S241    (king of the Mercians)
 S1166   
 S1167   
 S1168   
 S1246   
 S1248   
 S1428a    (king of the Mercians)
 S1251    (king of the Mercians)
 S1429    (king of the Mercians)
 S1250   
 ASC (DEF)  774 DE
 ASC  704 ACDEF(OE and Lat.)G, <704> B
 ASC  676 ACEF(OE and Lat.), <676> B (King of the Mercians)
 ASC  704 ACDEF(OE and Lat.)G, <704> B (Miercna cyning)
 ASC  675 ACEG
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  Preface (King of the Mercians)
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  i.10 (King of the Mercians)
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  i.12
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  ii.1
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  ii.2
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  iii.1 (King of the Mercians)
 Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  iii.2 (King of the Mercians)
 Agatho.Ep.B48  p. 74 (King of the Mercians)
 Sergius.Ep.B83   
 Sergius.Ep.B106    (King of the Mercians)
 Anon.GenRegList1    (King of the Mercians)
 Anon.GenRegList2    (King of the Mercians)
 Æthelweard.Chron  ii.Cap. (King of the Mercians)
 Æthelweard.Chron  ii.11 (King of the Mercians)
 S1783    (king of the Mercians)
 Anon.LiberEliensis  I.17 (king of the Mercians)
 S1038   
 S1805    (king of the Mercian people)
 RestingPlaces  II.8
Occupation (3)
(Other) (1)
 S1169   
Monk (2)
 Bede.HE  v.24
 ASC  704 ACDEF(OE and Lat.)G, <704> B
Status (1)
monachus (1)
 WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.107.2
Personal Relationship (57)
Æthelred 2 Brother (Consanguineal kinship) of ~ (7)
 of Wulfhere 1: Stephen.VitWilfridi  51
 of Wulfhere 1: Bede.HE  v.24
 of Wulfhere 1: S68   
 of Wulfhere 1: ASC (E)  656 E (p. 37)
 of Wulfhere 1: ASC (DEF)  963 E (p. 116)
 of Wulfhere 1: Anon.LiberEliensis  I.17
 of Wulfhere 1: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.35
~ Brother (Consanguineal kinship) of Æthelred 2 (8)
 Wulfhere 1: of Æthelred 2: Stephen.VitWilfridi  51
 Peada 1: of Æthelred 2: S72   
 Wulfhere 1: of Æthelred 2: S72   
 Osweard 2: of Æthelred 2: S1251   
 Osweard 2: of Æthelred 2: S1250   
 Osweard 2: of Æthelred 2: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  iii.1
 Wulfhere 1: of Æthelred 2: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.107.3
 Wulfhere 1: of Æthelred 2: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  v.203
~ Brother-in-law, sister’s husband (Affinal kinship) of Æthelred 2 (1)
 Ecgfrith 4: of Æthelred 2: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102.1
~ Father (Honorific kinship) of Æthelred 2 (1)
 Seaxwulf 1: of Æthelred 2: S72   
Æthelred 2 Friend (General relationship) of ~ (5)
 of Wilfrid 2: Stephen.VitWilfridi  43 (p. 90)
 of Wilfrid 2: Stephen.VitWilfridi  45
 of Wilfrid 2: Stephen.VitWilfridi  57
 of Wilfrid 2: Stephen.VitWilfridi  58
 of Ecgwine 1: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  ii.2
~ Friend (General relationship) of Æthelred 2 (1)
 Osric 2: of Æthelred 2: S74   
Æthelred 2 Husband (Affinal kinship) of ~ (1)
 of Osthryth 1: Bede.HE  iii.11
Æthelred 2 Lord (General relationship) of ~ (1)
 of Cenfrith 2: S1166   
~ Nephew, brother’s son (Consanguineal kinship) of Æthelred 2 (3)
 Beorhtwald 3: of Æthelred 2: Stephen.VitWilfridi  40
 Beorhtwald 3: of Æthelred 2: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102.1
 Cenred 2: of Æthelred 2: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.107.3
~ Propinquus (Consanguineal kinship) of Æthelred 2 (2)
 Cenfrith 2: of Æthelred 2: S73   
 Cenfrith 2: of Æthelred 2: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  v.200.2
~ Sister (Consanguineal kinship) of Æthelred 2 (2)
 Cyneburg 1: of Æthelred 2: S72   
 Cyneswith 2: of Æthelred 2: S72   
Æthelred 2 Son (Consanguineal kinship) of ~ (6)
 of Penda 1: S81   
 of Penda 1: ASC  704 ACDEG, <704> B
 of Penda 1: ASC  716 (A)
 of Penda 1: Anon.GenRegList1   
 of Penda 1: Anon.GenRegList2   
 of Penda 1: Æthelweard.Chron  ii.11
~ Son (Consanguineal kinship) of Æthelred 2 (3)
 Ceolred 1: of Æthelred 2: Bede.HE  v.19
 Ceolred 1: of Æthelred 2: S81   
 Anonymi 1483: of Æthelred 2: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  ii.2
Æthelred 2 Son (Honorific kinship) of ~ (4)
 of Theodore 1: Stephen.VitWilfridi  43 (p. 88)
 of Agatho 2: Agatho.Ep.B48  p. 74
 of Agatho 2: Agatho.Ep.B48  p.74
 of Sergius 1: Sergius.Ep.B83   
Æthelred 2 Successor (General relationship) of ~ (1)
 of Wulfhere 1: Anon.LiberEliensis  I.17
~ Successor (General relationship) of Æthelred 2 (3)
 Cenred 2: of Æthelred 2: Stephen.VitWilfridi  57
 Cenred 2: of Æthelred 2: ASC  704 ACDEG, <704> B
 Cenred 2: of Æthelred 2: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.107.3
Æthelred 2 Uncle (Consanguineal kinship) of ~ (1)
 of Wærburg 4: Anon.LiberEliensis  I.23
Æthelred 2 Uncle, Paternal (Consanguineal kinship) of ~ (1)
 of Beorhtwald 3: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102.1
~ Wife (Affinal kinship) of Æthelred 2 (6)
 Osthryth 1: of Æthelred 2: Stephen.VitWilfridi  40
 Osthryth 1: of Æthelred 2: Bede.HE  iv.21
 Osthryth 1: of Æthelred 2: S76   
 Osthryth 1: of Æthelred 2: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  iii.1
 Osthryth 1: of Æthelred 2: Anon.LiberEliensis  I.23
 Osthryth 1: of Æthelred 2: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102.1
Event (114)
Abdication (1)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
Absolution (1)
 Theodore 1.restoring bishopric to Wilfrid 2: Theodore 1 was nearing his death, and feeling remorse for his sin against Wilfrid 2 he summoned both him and Bishop Eorcenwald 1 to London. He confessed his sins before the two bishops, asking Wilfrid 2 to forgive him and to accept his archbishopric in his place. Wilfrid 2 would not agree to take over the archbishopric without a decision in a higher council. Theodore 1 did everything to ensure that Wilfrid 2 receives his bishopric back, sending envoys to Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians, Ecgfrith 4's successor, to his sister Ælfflæd 2 abbess of Whitby, and to Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Aldfrith 1, who had known Wilfrid 2 well in the past, received the archbishop's letter, he granted him the monastery at Hexham and then, on the decision of his council, the bishopric of York and the monastery of Ripon.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.103.1-104.1
Accusation (3)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
 Aldhelm 3.journey to Rome: On consultations with Ine 1 and Æthelred 2, Aldhelm 3 resolved to go to Rome to win privileges from the pope Sergius 1 for his monasteries, which he founded thanks to the generosity of Leuthhere 2. During his stay in Rome, Aldhelm 3 won the pontiff's heart by his devotion and by two miracles: a chasuble he dropped having celebrated a mass hung on a sunbeam; he also cleared the pope from accusations of fathering a nun's son by making the infant proclaim miraculously that Sergius 1 was innocent. The pope granted the privileges Aldhelm 3 was asking for, writing a letter. Aldhelm 3 returned safely to England with rich gifts, particularly a marble altar. The camel carrying it collapsed under its weight, and the altar broke in two; but Aldhelm 3's prayers restored both the piece to its former entity and the animal to its strength. In England Aldhelm 3 was welcomed back by Ine 1 and Æthelred 2; the latter was given many gifts from the pope, but the altar Aldhelm 3 gave to the former. Ine 1 placed it in his town called Bruton.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  v.217-222
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Advice/counsel (3)
 Aldhelm 3.journey to Rome: On consultations with Ine 1 and Æthelred 2, Aldhelm 3 resolved to go to Rome to win privileges from the pope Sergius 1 for his monasteries, which he founded thanks to the generosity of Leuthhere 2. During his stay in Rome, Aldhelm 3 won the pontiff's heart by his devotion and by two miracles: a chasuble he dropped having celebrated a mass hung on a sunbeam; he also cleared the pope from accusations of fathering a nun's son by making the infant proclaim miraculously that Sergius 1 was innocent. The pope granted the privileges Aldhelm 3 was asking for, writing a letter. Aldhelm 3 returned safely to England with rich gifts, particularly a marble altar. The camel carrying it collapsed under its weight, and the altar broke in two; but Aldhelm 3's prayers restored both the piece to its former entity and the animal to its strength. In England Aldhelm 3 was welcomed back by Ine 1 and Æthelred 2; the latter was given many gifts from the pope, but the altar Aldhelm 3 gave to the former. Ine 1 placed it in his town called Bruton.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  v.217-222
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
Affection (1)
 Wulfhere 1.support for Medeshamstede: Wulfhere 1 loved [Medeshamstede] greatly out of love for Penda 1 and others.: ASC (E)  656 E
Agreement (3)
 Wilfrid 2.journey back to Britain: When Wilfrid 2 arrived, Beorhtwald 6 and Æthelred 2 readily took his part. Cenred 2 agreed to make peace with Wilfrid 2, whereas Aldfrith 1 scorned to receive him.: Bede.HE  v.19
 Wilfrid 2.meeting with Æthelred 2 and Cenred 2, his successor: Æthelred 2 agreed to uphold the decisions of the Apostolic See; he immediately met with Cenred 2 and secured his agreement to do likewise.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  57
 Æthelred 2.confirmation of agreement with Wilfrid 2: After the council of Austerfield Wilfrid 2 returned to Æthelred 2, who confirmed his previous conditions with Wilfrid 2.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  48
Appointment - ecclesiastical (1)
 Æthelred 2.appointing Wærburg 4 abbess of Hanbury and Threekingham: King Æthelred 2 took Wærburg 4 from Ely and put her in charge of certain monastic communities of virgins in the office of abbess, namely Hanbury and Threekingham.: Anon.LiberEliensis  I.24
Appointment/consecration/elevation/ordination of bishop (6)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
 Putta 1.ecclesiastical career: Theodore 1 appointed bishop of Rochester Putta 1, a man as fit for the ease of the church life as he was dull and lazy in lay business. In the end, after frequently thinking of retiring from his bishopric while all was perfectly peaceful, he was happy to embrace the excuse of injury from an enemy. For Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians, inflamed by some insolent reply from the king of Kent, was putting his whole realm to fire and sword, and he had devastated all the lands of the bishopric of Rochester. Putta 1 took this misfortune calmly, and repaired to Seaxwulf 1 bishop of the Mercians. By his generosity he obtained a country church and a small estate, where he lived out his live in peace, conduction public instruction in church music wherever he was asked to go.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  i.72.7-8
 Theodore 1.restoring bishopric to Wilfrid 2: Theodore 1 was nearing his death, and feeling remorse for his sin against Wilfrid 2 he summoned both him and Bishop Eorcenwald 1 to London. He confessed his sins before the two bishops, asking Wilfrid 2 to forgive him and to accept his archbishopric in his place. Wilfrid 2 would not agree to take over the archbishopric without a decision in a higher council. Theodore 1 did everything to ensure that Wilfrid 2 receives his bishopric back, sending envoys to Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians, Ecgfrith 4's successor, to his sister Ælfflæd 2 abbess of Whitby, and to Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Aldfrith 1, who had known Wilfrid 2 well in the past, received the archbishop's letter, he granted him the monastery at Hexham and then, on the decision of his council, the bishopric of York and the monastery of Ripon.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.103.1-104.1
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
 Wilfrid 2.ordination of Oftfor 1: Oftfor 1 was appointed bishop in Bosel 1's place at Æthelred 2's command by Wilfrid 2.: Bede.HE  iv.23 (691)
 Æthelred 2-others.election of Ecgwine 1 to episcopal see: Because of his innate goodness, Ecgwine 1 was elected bishop of Worcester.: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  i.10
Appointment/consecration/elevation/ordination of king (1)
 Æthelred 2.accession to kingdom: Æthelred 2 acceded to the kingdom.: ASC  675 ACEG (675)
Arrest (1)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Assembly (3)
 Anonymi 1322.confirmation of letter of Agatho 2: They [sc. Anonymi 1322] granted and confirmed completely the letter sent by the pope [sc. Agatho 2].: ASC (E)  675 E
 Deusdedit 1.consecration of mynster: Deusdedit 1 consecrated the mynster [at Medeshamstede] in the presence of various people.: ASC (E)  656 E
 Æthelred 2.instruction to Theodore 1 to call a witenagemot at Hatfield: The king [sc. Æthelred 2] ordered Theodore 1 to call a meeting of all the witan (Anonymi 1322) at Hatfield.: ASC (E)  675 E (p. 37)
Assistance (2)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
Baptism (1)
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
Battle (4)
 Ecgfrith 4-Æthelred 2.battle near River Trent: A great battle was fought between Ecgfrith 4 and Æthelred 2. Ælfwine 4 was killed. Through Theodore 1's intervention peace was restored between the two kings.: Bede.HE  iv.21, 22, v.24 (679)
 Ecgfrith 4-Æthelred 2.fighting near Trent: Ecgfrith 4 and Æthelred 2 were fighting near the Trent.: ASC (E)  679 E (679)
 Ecgfrith 4-Æthelred 2.fighting the Battle of the Trent: King Ecgfrith 4 and King Æthelred 2 fought a grievous battle near the River Trent.: Anon.LiberEliensis  I.23
 Ælfwine 4.killing: Here Ælfwine 4 was slain near the Trent where Ecgfrith 4 and Æthelred 2 were fighting.: ASC (E)  679 E (679)
Book circulating/making/reading/translating/writing (1)
 Æthelwold 1.discovery of writings by Headda 6: [Æthelwold 1] found in the old wall writings that Headda 6 had composed earlier about Wulfhere 1 and Æthelred 2 and the freedom of [Medeshamstead].: ASC (DEF)  963 E
Burial (2)
 Æthelred 2-Osthryth 1.burial: St Æthelred 2 the king, and St Osthryth 1, sister [should be "niece"] of king St Oswald 1, is buried in the minster called Bardney, near the river called Witham.: RestingPlaces  II.8
 Æthelred 2.burial at Bardney: [The body] of Æthelred 2 [rested] at Bardney.: ASC  716 ADEG, <716/17> B, <717> C (716)
Campaigning (1)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Capture (1)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Charter confirmation (2)
 S233 - Various confirming with Æthelred 2 S233: Confirmation by Æthelred 2, king of Mercia, of: (a) Cædwalla, king of the (West) Saxons, to Ecgbald, abbot, and his familia; grant of 40 hides (manentes) at Hoo (ad Hebureahg insulam), Kent. (b) Swæfheard, king of Kent, to Ecgbald, abbot; grant of adjoining 20 hides at Hoo and woodland at Fercanhamstede: S233    (691)
 Æthelred 2.S233 confirming lands of Ecgbald 1 and [Medeshamstede 1]: Confirmation by Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians of (a) Cædwalla 1, king of the (West) Saxons, to Ecgbald 1, abbot, and his familia [Medeshamstede 1]; grant of 40 hides (manentes) at Hoo (ad Hebureahg insulam), Kent. (b) Swæfheard, king of Kent, to Ecgbald 1, abbot; grant of adjoining 20 hides at Hoo and woodland at Fercanhamstede: S233    (687 x 691)
Charter-witnessing (26)
 Merchelm 1-Mildfrith 1.granting land to Mildburg 1: Merchelm 1 and Mildfrith 1 to Mildburg 1, their sister; grant of land around Clee Hill, by the river Corve, at Kenbecleag, and in Chelmarsh, Salop..: S1799    (674 x 694)
 S10 - Swæfheard 1 granting land to Æbbe 3: Swæfheard 1, king of Kent, to Æbbe 3, abbess (of Minster-in-Thanet); grant of 44 hides (manentes) in Sudaneie in Thanet, and 12 hides in Sturry, Kent: S10    (689)
 S1166 - Cenfrith 2 granting land to Aldhelm 3: Cenfrith 2, comes Merciorum, to Aldhelm 3, abbot; grant of 10 hides (cassati) at Wootton Bassett, Wilts.: S1166    (680)
 S1167 - Æthelmod 1 granting land to Beorngyth 1, Folcburg 1 and their monastery: Æthelmod 1 to Beorngyth 1, abbess, and to Folcburg 1, and their monastery; grant of 20 hides (manentes) by the river Cherwell: S1167    (680)
 S1168 - Wigheard 3 granting land to Beorngyth 1: Wigheard 3 to Abbess Beorngyth 1; grant of 40 hides (manentes) at Slæpi (Islip, Oxon): S1168    (681)
 S1248 - Eorcenwald 1 granting land to Barking 1: (? Eorcenwald 1), bishop, to (? St Mary's, Barking); grant of 28 hides (manentes) at Battersea, 20 at Watsingaham (i.e. Washingham, lost, in Battersea) and 20 (cassatae) by Hidaburna (the river Wandle), all in Surrey. The land had been granted to him by Cædwalla 1, king of the West Saxons, and confirmed by Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians: S1248    (693)
 S1251 - statement by Ecgwine 1: Statement by Ecgwine 1, bishop of the Hwicce, on the foundation and endowment of the minster at Evesham 1: S1251    (714)
 S1428a - Theodore 1 decreeing the division of bishoprics: Decree of Archbishop Theodore 1 respecting the division of the bishoprics: S1428a    (680)
 S1798 - Mildburg 1 and Æthelheah 14 exchanging lands: Æthelheah 14, abbot of Icheanog (? Iken, Suffolk), and to the nun Mildburg 1; grant of 97 manentes at Wimnicas (Much Wenlock, Salop), 12 hides by the river Monnow, at 5 hides at Marund, Herefords., and 30 hides in the district called Lydas (? Lyde, Herefords.). In return Mildburg 1 granted Abbot Æthelheah 14 and Abbess Leubswith 1 [Liobsynde] 60 hides at Hampton, Salop..: S1798    (675 x 690)
 S1805 - Frithuric 4 granting land to Headda 6: Frithuric 4, princeps, to Abbot Headda 6; grant of 31 manentes at Hrepingas (cf. Repton, Derbys.).: S1805    (675 x 691)
 S1806 - Æthelred 2 granting land to Medeshamstede: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, to the minster of Medehamstede; grant of land at Leugttricdun (? Laughterton, Lincs.).: S1806    (675 x 691)
 S230 - Cædwalla 1 granting land to Wilfrid 2: Cædwalla 1, king, to Wilfrid 2, bishop; grant of 70 hides (tributarii) at Pagham, Shripney, Charlton, Bognor, Bersted, North Bersted, Crimsham, North and South Mundham (and, in the shortened version, Slindon), all in Sussex, and to the community at St Andrew's church situated on the east of the harbour called Uedringmutha (Pagham Harbour), grant of 10 hides (tributarii) at Tangmere, Sussex: S230    (685)
 S233 - Various confirming with Æthelred 2 S233: Confirmation by Æthelred 2, king of Mercia, of: (a) Cædwalla, king of the (West) Saxons, to Ecgbald, abbot, and his familia; grant of 40 hides (manentes) at Hoo (ad Hebureahg insulam), Kent. (b) Swæfheard, king of Kent, to Ecgbald, abbot; grant of adjoining 20 hides at Hoo and woodland at Fercanhamstede: S233    (691)
 S239 - Ine 1 granting land to Hæha 1: Ine 1, King of Wessex, to Hæha 1, abbot; grant of 15 hides (cassati) at Bradfield, 15 at Bestlesforda (near Basildon), 25 at Streatley and 80 at Æaromundeslee, all in Berks.: S239    (687)
 S51 - Osric 2 granting land to Bertana 1: Osric 2, king, to Bertana 1, abbess; grant of 100 hides (manentes) at Bath, Somerset, for the foundation of a nunnery: S51    (676)
 S52 - Oshere 1.granting land to Frithuwald 3: Oshere 1, king, to Frithuwald 3, monk of Bishop Wynnfrith 1 (? for Wilfrid 2); grant of 30 hides (manentes) at Ripple, Worcs: S52    (680)
 S53 - Oshere 1 granting land to Cuthswith 1: Oshere 1, king of the Hwicce, to Cuthswith 1, abbess; grant of 15 hides (tributarii) at Penintanham (probably Inkberrow, Worcs.) and Dyllawidu (?), for the foundation of a minster: S53    (693)
 S65 - Swæfred 1 and Pæogthath 1 granting land to Wealdhere 2: Swæfred 1, king of East Saxons, and Pæogthath 1, comes, with the consent of Æthelred 2, king, to Waldhere 1, bishop; grant of 30 hides (cassati) at Twickenham, Middx: S65    (704)
 S68 - Wulfhere 1 confirmation and granting of land St Peter's, Medeshamstede 1: Wulfhere 1, king of Mercians, to St Peter's Minster, Medeshamstede 1; confirmation and grant of land at many places: S68    (664)
 S71 - Æthelred 2 granting land to Aldhelm 3: Æthelred 2, king of Mercians, to Aldhelm 3, abbot; grant of 15 hides (cassati) near Tetbury, Gloucs: S71    (681)
 S72 - Æthelred 2 granting land to St Peter's, Medeshamstede 1: Æthelred 2, king, to St Peter's Minster, Medeshamstede 1; grant, appended to a bull of Pope Agatho 2, of land at Breedon on the Hill, Leics.; Hrepingas (? Repton, Derbys.); Cedenac; Swineshead, Lincs.; Heanbyrig; Lodeshale; Shifnal, Salop.; Costesford; Stretford (? Stretford, Salop.); Wattlesborough and Lizard, Salop.; Æthelhuniglond (? in Kent); and Bardney, Lincs: S72    (680)
 S73 - Æthelred 2 granting land to Aldhelm 3: Æthelred 2, king of Mercians, to Aldhelm 3, abbot, and his successors; grant of 30 hides (cassati) west of the highway (Long Newnton, Wilts., cf S 1038) and 15 near Tetbury, Gloucs: S73    (681)
 S74 - Æthelred 2 granting privileges to Gloucester, St Peter's 1: Æthelred 2, king of Mercians, to the church of Gloucester, St Peter's 1; grant of privileges: S74    (682)
 S75 - Æthelred 2 granting land to Oslaf 2: Æthelred 2, king of Mercians, to Oslaf 2, his former minister and now a servant of God at Worcester; grant of 10 hides (manentes) at Wychbold, Worcs: S75    (692)
 S76 - Æthelred 2 granting land to Oftfor 1: Æthelred 2, king, to Oftfor 1, bishop; grant of 44 hides (cassati) at Fladbury, Worcs., so that monastic life may be re-established there: S76    (697 x 699)
 S77 - Æthelred 2 granting land to Oftfor 1: Æthelred 2, king of Mercians, to Oftfor 1, bishop, and St Peter's, Worcester; grant of 30 hides (cassati) at Henbury and Aust, Gloucs.: S77    (691 x 699)
Church/monastery/minster foundation/dedication/restoration (9)
 Aldhelm 3.journey to Rome: On consultations with Ine 1 and Æthelred 2, Aldhelm 3 resolved to go to Rome to win privileges from the pope Sergius 1 for his monasteries, which he founded thanks to the generosity of Leuthhere 2. During his stay in Rome, Aldhelm 3 won the pontiff's heart by his devotion and by two miracles: a chasuble he dropped having celebrated a mass hung on a sunbeam; he also cleared the pope from accusations of fathering a nun's son by making the infant proclaim miraculously that Sergius 1 was innocent. The pope granted the privileges Aldhelm 3 was asking for, writing a letter. Aldhelm 3 returned safely to England with rich gifts, particularly a marble altar. The camel carrying it collapsed under its weight, and the altar broke in two; but Aldhelm 3's prayers restored both the piece to its former entity and the animal to its strength. In England Aldhelm 3 was welcomed back by Ine 1 and Æthelred 2; the latter was given many gifts from the pope, but the altar Aldhelm 3 gave to the former. Ine 1 placed it in his town called Bruton.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  v.217-222
 Deusdedit 1.consecration of mynster: Deusdedit 1 consecrated the mynster [at Medeshamstede] in the presence of various people.: ASC (E)  656 E
 S51 - Osric 2 granting land to Bertana 1: Osric 2, king, to Bertana 1, abbess; grant of 100 hides (manentes) at Bath, Somerset, for the foundation of a nunnery: S51    (676)
 S53 - Oshere 1 granting land to Cuthswith 1: Oshere 1, king of the Hwicce, to Cuthswith 1, abbess; grant of 15 hides (tributarii) at Penintanham (probably Inkberrow, Worcs.) and Dyllawidu (?), for the foundation of a minster: S53    (693)
 S76 - Æthelred 2 granting land to Oftfor 1: Æthelred 2, king, to Oftfor 1, bishop; grant of 44 hides (cassati) at Fladbury, Worcs., so that monastic life may be re-established there: S76    (697 x 699)
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
 Wulfhere 1-Æthelred 2.construction of Medeshamstead: Wulfhere 1 and Æthelred 2 freed [Medeshamstead] from the king, the bishop and secular service.: ASC (DEF)  963 E
 Æthelred 2-Oshere 1.granting land to Dunne 1 and Bucga 1 S1429: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, and Oshere 1, subregulus of the Hwicce; grant of 20 cassati by the river Tillath (Coln) to the nuns Dunne 1 and Bucga 1, Dunne 1's daughter, for the building of a monastery [Withington, Gloucs.]: S1429    (675 x 704)
 Æthelred 2.granting land to Osric 2 S70: Æthelred 2, king of Mercians, to Osric 2 grant of 300 hides (tributarii) at Gloucester, Gloucs. for the foundation of a minster: S70    (679)
Commendation (2)
 Sergius 1.letter to kings of England: Sergius 1 commends Beorhtwald 6 to Æthelred 2, Aldfrith 1, and Ealdwulf 3 as the primate of all England.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  i.34
 Æthelred 2.commending Anonymi 1483 to Ecgwine 1 for instruction: Æthelred 2 commended his sons (Anonymi 1483) to the instruction of Ecgwine 1.: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  ii.2
Confession (1)
 Theodore 1.restoring bishopric to Wilfrid 2: Theodore 1 was nearing his death, and feeling remorse for his sin against Wilfrid 2 he summoned both him and Bishop Eorcenwald 1 to London. He confessed his sins before the two bishops, asking Wilfrid 2 to forgive him and to accept his archbishopric in his place. Wilfrid 2 would not agree to take over the archbishopric without a decision in a higher council. Theodore 1 did everything to ensure that Wilfrid 2 receives his bishopric back, sending envoys to Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians, Ecgfrith 4's successor, to his sister Ælfflæd 2 abbess of Whitby, and to Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Aldfrith 1, who had known Wilfrid 2 well in the past, received the archbishop's letter, he granted him the monastery at Hexham and then, on the decision of his council, the bishopric of York and the monastery of Ripon.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.103.1-104.1
Confirmation of land/privileges (12)
 Agatho 2.letter to Æthelred 2, Theodore 1 and Seaxwulf 1: Following Æthelred 2's request, the Agatho 2 sent a privilege for the monastery of Medeshamstede (Peterborough): Agatho.Ep.B48  pp. 74-7 (680)
 Anonymi 1322.confirmation of letter of Agatho 2: They [sc. Anonymi 1322] granted and confirmed completely the letter sent by the pope [sc. Agatho 2].: ASC (E)  675 E
 S1248 - Eorcenwald 1 granting land to Barking 1: (? Eorcenwald 1), bishop, to (? St Mary's, Barking); grant of 28 hides (manentes) at Battersea, 20 at Watsingaham (i.e. Washingham, lost, in Battersea) and 20 (cassatae) by Hidaburna (the river Wandle), all in Surrey. The land had been granted to him by Cædwalla 1, king of the West Saxons, and confirmed by Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians: S1248    (693)
 S233 - Various confirming with Æthelred 2 S233: Confirmation by Æthelred 2, king of Mercia, of: (a) Cædwalla, king of the (West) Saxons, to Ecgbald, abbot, and his familia; grant of 40 hides (manentes) at Hoo (ad Hebureahg insulam), Kent. (b) Swæfheard, king of Kent, to Ecgbald, abbot; grant of adjoining 20 hides at Hoo and woodland at Fercanhamstede: S233    (691)
 S68 - Wulfhere 1 confirmation and granting of land St Peter's, Medeshamstede 1: Wulfhere 1, king of Mercians, to St Peter's Minster, Medeshamstede 1; confirmation and grant of land at many places: S68    (664)
 S74 - Æthelred 2 granting privileges to Gloucester, St Peter's 1: Æthelred 2, king of Mercians, to the church of Gloucester, St Peter's 1; grant of privileges: S74    (682)
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
 Æthelred 2.S12 confirming land of Oswine 2: Æthelred 2 confirmed the land passed down from Oswine 2's parents to him: 1 sulung (aratrum) of iron-bearing land, formerly belonging to the royal vill at Lyminge, Kent: S12    (674 x 704)
 Æthelred 2.S233 confirming lands of Ecgbald 1 and [Medeshamstede 1]: Confirmation by Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians of (a) Cædwalla 1, king of the (West) Saxons, to Ecgbald 1, abbot, and his familia [Medeshamstede 1]; grant of 40 hides (manentes) at Hoo (ad Hebureahg insulam), Kent. (b) Swæfheard, king of Kent, to Ecgbald 1, abbot; grant of adjoining 20 hides at Hoo and woodland at Fercanhamstede: S233    (687 x 691)
 Æthelred 2.confirming land given to Oswine 2 by his parents: Æthelred 2 confirmed the land passed down from Oswine 2's parents to him: S12    ( x 689)
 Æthelred 2.confirming land of Æbbe 3 S10: Confirmation by Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, of: Swæfheard 1 (Suabhardus), king of Kent, to Æbbe 3, abbess (of Minster-in-Thanet); grant of 44 hides (manentes) in Sudaneie in Thanet, and 12 hides in Sturry, Kent: S10    (691)
 Æthelred 2.granting privileges to Gloucester, St Peter's 1 S74: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, to the church of Gloucester, St Peter's 1; grant of privileges as they were in Osric 2's day: S74    (682)
Confiscation (2)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Conquest (1)
 Æthelred 2.recovery of Lindsey: Æthelred 2 recovered the kingdom of Lindsey which had been conquered by Ecgfrith 4. Then, Eadhæd 1 returned and was placed by Theodore 1 over the church at Ripon.: Bede.HE  iv.12
Conspiracy/intent to murder (2)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
Conversation (1)
 Æthelred 2-Ecgwine 1.discussions: Æthelred 2 always loved discussions with Ecgwine 1.: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  i.10
Conversion (2)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
Correspondence (9)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
 John 17.letter to Aldfrith 1 and Æthelred 2: John 17 wrote to Aldfrith 1 and Æthelred 2 bidding them restore Wilfrid 2 to his bishopric because he had been unjustly condemned.: Bede.HE  v.19
 John 17.ruling written to Æthelred 2 and Aldfrith 1 concerning Wilfrid 2: John 17 wrote to Æthelred 2 and Aldfrith 1 communicating his decisions arising out of the synod hearing Wilfrid 2's appeal.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  54
 Sergius 1.letter to Aldhelm 3: Sergius 1 sent Aldhelm 3 a privilege for the monasteries at Malmesbury and Frome, following Aldhelm 3's request.: Sergius.Ep.B106    (700 x 701)
 Sergius 1.letter to kings of England: Sergius 1 commends Beorhtwald 6 to Æthelred 2, Aldfrith 1, and Ealdwulf 3 as the primate of all England.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  i.34
 Sergius 1.letter to Æthelred 2 and others: Sergius 1 wrote to the three English kings, asking them to welcome Beorhtwald 6 as the primus pontifex of all Britain.: Sergius.Ep.B83    (693)
 Wilfrid 2.reconciliation with Theodore 1: Theodore 1 and Wilfrid 2 were reconciled in a peace treaty. At Wilfrid 2's urging Theodore 1 sent letters to various people urging reconciliation between them and Wilfrid 2.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  43
 Wilfrid 2.reconciliation with Æthelred 2: Following a letter from Theodore 1, Æthelred 2 was reconciled to Wilfrid 2 and returned many monasteries and estates to him.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  43
 Æthelred 2.communications with Agatho 2: Æthelred 2 made known to Agatho 2 in writing and orally about Medeshamstede.: ASC (E)  675 E (p. 35)
Council-meeting, ecclesiastical (4)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
 Theodore 1.restoring bishopric to Wilfrid 2: Theodore 1 was nearing his death, and feeling remorse for his sin against Wilfrid 2 he summoned both him and Bishop Eorcenwald 1 to London. He confessed his sins before the two bishops, asking Wilfrid 2 to forgive him and to accept his archbishopric in his place. Wilfrid 2 would not agree to take over the archbishopric without a decision in a higher council. Theodore 1 did everything to ensure that Wilfrid 2 receives his bishopric back, sending envoys to Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians, Ecgfrith 4's successor, to his sister Ælfflæd 2 abbess of Whitby, and to Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Aldfrith 1, who had known Wilfrid 2 well in the past, received the archbishop's letter, he granted him the monastery at Hexham and then, on the decision of his council, the bishopric of York and the monastery of Ripon.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.103.1-104.1
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
 Æthelred 2.confirmation of agreement with Wilfrid 2: After the council of Austerfield Wilfrid 2 returned to Æthelred 2, who confirmed his previous conditions with Wilfrid 2.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  48
Death/dying (3)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
 Ecgfrith 4-Æthelred 2.battle near River Trent: A great battle was fought between Ecgfrith 4 and Æthelred 2. Ælfwine 4 was killed. Through Theodore 1's intervention peace was restored between the two kings.: Bede.HE  iv.21, 22, v.24 (679)
 Theodore 1.restoring bishopric to Wilfrid 2: Theodore 1 was nearing his death, and feeling remorse for his sin against Wilfrid 2 he summoned both him and Bishop Eorcenwald 1 to London. He confessed his sins before the two bishops, asking Wilfrid 2 to forgive him and to accept his archbishopric in his place. Wilfrid 2 would not agree to take over the archbishopric without a decision in a higher council. Theodore 1 did everything to ensure that Wilfrid 2 receives his bishopric back, sending envoys to Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians, Ecgfrith 4's successor, to his sister Ælfflæd 2 abbess of Whitby, and to Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Aldfrith 1, who had known Wilfrid 2 well in the past, received the archbishop's letter, he granted him the monastery at Hexham and then, on the decision of his council, the bishopric of York and the monastery of Ripon.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.103.1-104.1
Decision-making (1)
 John 17.ruling written to Æthelred 2 and Aldfrith 1 concerning Wilfrid 2: John 17 wrote to Æthelred 2 and Aldfrith 1 communicating his decisions arising out of the synod hearing Wilfrid 2's appeal.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  54
Deposition of bishop (1)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Disobedience (1)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
Election of king (1)
 Anonymi 1335.adoption of Æthelred 2 as lord: [The Northumbrians (Anonymi 1335)] took Æthelred 2 as their lord.: ASC (DEF)  774 DE (774)
Embassy (1)
 Theodore 1.restoring bishopric to Wilfrid 2: Theodore 1 was nearing his death, and feeling remorse for his sin against Wilfrid 2 he summoned both him and Bishop Eorcenwald 1 to London. He confessed his sins before the two bishops, asking Wilfrid 2 to forgive him and to accept his archbishopric in his place. Wilfrid 2 would not agree to take over the archbishopric without a decision in a higher council. Theodore 1 did everything to ensure that Wilfrid 2 receives his bishopric back, sending envoys to Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians, Ecgfrith 4's successor, to his sister Ælfflæd 2 abbess of Whitby, and to Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Aldfrith 1, who had known Wilfrid 2 well in the past, received the archbishop's letter, he granted him the monastery at Hexham and then, on the decision of his council, the bishopric of York and the monastery of Ripon.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.103.1-104.1
Episcopal see, acquisition/institution/division/merge (2)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
 S1428a - Theodore 1 decreeing the division of bishoprics: Decree of Archbishop Theodore 1 respecting the division of the bishoprics: S1428a    (680)
Exhumation (1)
 Æthelred 2.commending Anonymi 1483 to Ecgwine 1 for instruction: Æthelred 2 commended his sons (Anonymi 1483) to the instruction of Ecgwine 1.: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  ii.2
Exile (2)
 Wilfrid 2.banishment from kingdom of Aldfrith 1: Aldfrith 1 banished Wilfrid 2, whom Æthelred 2 then received. Wilfrid 2 then lived in the bishopric ruled by Seaxwulf 1 before his death.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  45
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
Expulsion (4)
 Anonymi 1481.sedition against Ecgwine 1: Several scoundrels (Anonymi 1481) incited others against Ecgwine 1 and propagated a dire sedition. The king (Æthelred 2), being exceedingly credulous, ordered him to hasten to Rome.: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  i.12
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
 Wilfrid 2.banishment from kingdom of Aldfrith 1: Aldfrith 1 banished Wilfrid 2, whom Æthelred 2 then received. Wilfrid 2 then lived in the bishopric ruled by Seaxwulf 1 before his death.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  45
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: After founding a monastery, Wilfrid 2 was forced to leave; he then went to Cenred 2, who also forced him to leave.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  40
Flight (2)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
Freeing captives (1)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Freeing from dues (1)
 Wulfhere 1-Æthelred 2.construction of Medeshamstead: Wulfhere 1 and Æthelred 2 freed [Medeshamstead] from the king, the bishop and secular service.: ASC (DEF)  963 E
Friendship-making (1)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Governing (1)
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
Grant and Gift (53)
 Aldhelm 3.journey to Rome: On consultations with Ine 1 and Æthelred 2, Aldhelm 3 resolved to go to Rome to win privileges from the pope Sergius 1 for his monasteries, which he founded thanks to the generosity of Leuthhere 2. During his stay in Rome, Aldhelm 3 won the pontiff's heart by his devotion and by two miracles: a chasuble he dropped having celebrated a mass hung on a sunbeam; he also cleared the pope from accusations of fathering a nun's son by making the infant proclaim miraculously that Sergius 1 was innocent. The pope granted the privileges Aldhelm 3 was asking for, writing a letter. Aldhelm 3 returned safely to England with rich gifts, particularly a marble altar. The camel carrying it collapsed under its weight, and the altar broke in two; but Aldhelm 3's prayers restored both the piece to its former entity and the animal to its strength. In England Aldhelm 3 was welcomed back by Ine 1 and Æthelred 2; the latter was given many gifts from the pope, but the altar Aldhelm 3 gave to the former. Ine 1 placed it in his town called Bruton.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  v.217-222
 Beorhtwald 4.grant to Aldhelm 3: Beorhtwald 4 gave Aldhelm 3 and the monastery of Malmesbury a gift of land to the east of the river Thames, near the ford called Somerford, fourteen hides.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  v.203-204 (685)
 Evesham 1.exchanging property with Æthelred 2 S1250: Æthelred 2, king, to Evesham 1; grant of the minster at Fladbury, Worcs. in exchange for the minster at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwicks.: S1250    (675 x 704)
 Ine 1-Æthelred 2-Cuthred 7.granting land to Hæha 1 & Ceolswith 1 S241: Cuthred 7, regulus, Æthelred 2, rex, and Ine 1, rex Saxonum, to Hæha 1 & Ceolswith 1; grant of 30 cassati to the east of the River Thames: S241   
 Merchelm 1-Mildfrith 1.granting land to Mildburg 1: Merchelm 1 and Mildfrith 1 to Mildburg 1, their sister; grant of land around Clee Hill, by the river Corve, at Kenbecleag, and in Chelmarsh, Salop..: S1799    (674 x 694)
 Oshere 1.S1255 granting land to Dunne 1: Oshere 1, subregulus of the Hwicce, with the consent of Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, to Dunne 1, famula Dei; grant of 21 hides (manentia) at Withington, Gloucs.: S1255    (675 x 704)
 S10 - Swæfheard 1 granting land to Æbbe 3: Swæfheard 1, king of Kent, to Æbbe 3, abbess (of Minster-in-Thanet); grant of 44 hides (manentes) in Sudaneie in Thanet, and 12 hides in Sturry, Kent: S10    (689)
 S1166 - Cenfrith 2 granting land to Aldhelm 3: Cenfrith 2, comes Merciorum, to Aldhelm 3, abbot; grant of 10 hides (cassati) at Wootton Bassett, Wilts.: S1166    (680)
 S1167 - Æthelmod 1 granting land to Beorngyth 1, Folcburg 1 and their monastery: Æthelmod 1 to Beorngyth 1, abbess, and to Folcburg 1, and their monastery; grant of 20 hides (manentes) by the river Cherwell: S1167    (680)
 S1168 - Wigheard 3 granting land to Beorngyth 1: Wigheard 3 to Abbess Beorngyth 1; grant of 40 hides (manentes) at Slæpi (Islip, Oxon): S1168    (681)
 S1248 - Eorcenwald 1 granting land to Barking 1: (? Eorcenwald 1), bishop, to (? St Mary's, Barking); grant of 28 hides (manentes) at Battersea, 20 at Watsingaham (i.e. Washingham, lost, in Battersea) and 20 (cassatae) by Hidaburna (the river Wandle), all in Surrey. The land had been granted to him by Cædwalla 1, king of the West Saxons, and confirmed by Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians: S1248    (693)
 S1798 - Mildburg 1 and Æthelheah 14 exchanging lands: Æthelheah 14, abbot of Icheanog (? Iken, Suffolk), and to the nun Mildburg 1; grant of 97 manentes at Wimnicas (Much Wenlock, Salop), 12 hides by the river Monnow, at 5 hides at Marund, Herefords., and 30 hides in the district called Lydas (? Lyde, Herefords.). In return Mildburg 1 granted Abbot Æthelheah 14 and Abbess Leubswith 1 [Liobsynde] 60 hides at Hampton, Salop..: S1798    (675 x 690)
 S1805 - Frithuric 4 granting land to Headda 6: Frithuric 4, princeps, to Abbot Headda 6; grant of 31 manentes at Hrepingas (cf. Repton, Derbys.).: S1805    (675 x 691)
 S1806 - Æthelred 2 granting land to Medeshamstede: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, to the minster of Medehamstede; grant of land at Leugttricdun (? Laughterton, Lincs.).: S1806    (675 x 691)
 S230 - Cædwalla 1 granting land to Wilfrid 2: Cædwalla 1, king, to Wilfrid 2, bishop; grant of 70 hides (tributarii) at Pagham, Shripney, Charlton, Bognor, Bersted, North Bersted, Crimsham, North and South Mundham (and, in the shortened version, Slindon), all in Sussex, and to the community at St Andrew's church situated on the east of the harbour called Uedringmutha (Pagham Harbour), grant of 10 hides (tributarii) at Tangmere, Sussex: S230    (685)
 S233 - Various confirming with Æthelred 2 S233: Confirmation by Æthelred 2, king of Mercia, of: (a) Cædwalla, king of the (West) Saxons, to Ecgbald, abbot, and his familia; grant of 40 hides (manentes) at Hoo (ad Hebureahg insulam), Kent. (b) Swæfheard, king of Kent, to Ecgbald, abbot; grant of adjoining 20 hides at Hoo and woodland at Fercanhamstede: S233    (691)
 S239 - Ine 1 granting land to Hæha 1: Ine 1, King of Wessex, to Hæha 1, abbot; grant of 15 hides (cassati) at Bradfield, 15 at Bestlesforda (near Basildon), 25 at Streatley and 80 at Æaromundeslee, all in Berks.: S239    (687)
 S51 - Osric 2 granting land to Bertana 1: Osric 2, king, to Bertana 1, abbess; grant of 100 hides (manentes) at Bath, Somerset, for the foundation of a nunnery: S51    (676)
 S52 - Oshere 1.granting land to Frithuwald 3: Oshere 1, king, to Frithuwald 3, monk of Bishop Wynnfrith 1 (? for Wilfrid 2); grant of 30 hides (manentes) at Ripple, Worcs: S52    (680)
 S53 - Oshere 1 granting land to Cuthswith 1: Oshere 1, king of the Hwicce, to Cuthswith 1, abbess; grant of 15 hides (tributarii) at Penintanham (probably Inkberrow, Worcs.) and Dyllawidu (?), for the foundation of a minster: S53    (693)
 S68 - Wulfhere 1 confirmation and granting of land St Peter's, Medeshamstede 1: Wulfhere 1, king of Mercians, to St Peter's Minster, Medeshamstede 1; confirmation and grant of land at many places: S68    (664)
 S71 - Æthelred 2 granting land to Aldhelm 3: Æthelred 2, king of Mercians, to Aldhelm 3, abbot; grant of 15 hides (cassati) near Tetbury, Gloucs: S71    (681)
 S72 - Æthelred 2 granting land to St Peter's, Medeshamstede 1: Æthelred 2, king, to St Peter's Minster, Medeshamstede 1; grant, appended to a bull of Pope Agatho 2, of land at Breedon on the Hill, Leics.; Hrepingas (? Repton, Derbys.); Cedenac; Swineshead, Lincs.; Heanbyrig; Lodeshale; Shifnal, Salop.; Costesford; Stretford (? Stretford, Salop.); Wattlesborough and Lizard, Salop.; Æthelhuniglond (? in Kent); and Bardney, Lincs: S72    (680)
 S73 - Æthelred 2 granting land to Aldhelm 3: Æthelred 2, king of Mercians, to Aldhelm 3, abbot, and his successors; grant of 30 hides (cassati) west of the highway (Long Newnton, Wilts., cf S 1038) and 15 near Tetbury, Gloucs: S73    (681)
 S74 - Æthelred 2 granting privileges to Gloucester, St Peter's 1: Æthelred 2, king of Mercians, to the church of Gloucester, St Peter's 1; grant of privileges: S74    (682)
 S75 - Æthelred 2 granting land to Oslaf 2: Æthelred 2, king of Mercians, to Oslaf 2, his former minister and now a servant of God at Worcester; grant of 10 hides (manentes) at Wychbold, Worcs: S75    (692)
 S76 - Æthelred 2 granting land to Oftfor 1: Æthelred 2, king, to Oftfor 1, bishop; grant of 44 hides (cassati) at Fladbury, Worcs., so that monastic life may be re-established there: S76    (697 x 699)
 S77 - Æthelred 2 granting land to Oftfor 1: Æthelred 2, king of Mercians, to Oftfor 1, bishop, and St Peter's, Worcester; grant of 30 hides (cassati) at Henbury and Aust, Gloucs.: S77    (691 x 699)
 Sergius 1.letter to Aldhelm 3: Sergius 1 sent Aldhelm 3 a privilege for the monasteries at Malmesbury and Frome, following Aldhelm 3's request.: Sergius.Ep.B106    (700 x 701)
 Theodore 1.restoring bishopric to Wilfrid 2: Theodore 1 was nearing his death, and feeling remorse for his sin against Wilfrid 2 he summoned both him and Bishop Eorcenwald 1 to London. He confessed his sins before the two bishops, asking Wilfrid 2 to forgive him and to accept his archbishopric in his place. Wilfrid 2 would not agree to take over the archbishopric without a decision in a higher council. Theodore 1 did everything to ensure that Wilfrid 2 receives his bishopric back, sending envoys to Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians, Ecgfrith 4's successor, to his sister Ælfflæd 2 abbess of Whitby, and to Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Aldfrith 1, who had known Wilfrid 2 well in the past, received the archbishop's letter, he granted him the monastery at Hexham and then, on the decision of his council, the bishopric of York and the monastery of Ripon.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.103.1-104.1
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
 Wulfhere 1-Æthelred 2.S787 granting privileges to Peterborough 1: The kings Wulfhere 1 and Æthelred 2 granted privileges to Peterborough 1.: S787   
 Wulfhere 1.support for Medeshamstede: Wulfhere 1 loved [Medeshamstede] greatly out of love for Penda 1 and others.: ASC (E)  656 E
 Æthelred 2-Oshere 1.granting land to Dunne 1 and Bucga 1 S1429: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, and Oshere 1, subregulus of the Hwicce; grant of 20 cassati by the river Tillath (Coln) to the nuns Dunne 1 and Bucga 1, Dunne 1's daughter, for the building of a monastery [Withington, Gloucs.]: S1429    (675 x 704)
 Æthelred 2.S1251 granting land to Evesham 1: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, to Evesham 1; grant of land at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwicks., and Chadbury, Worcs., and the minster at Fladbury, Worcs.: S1251   
 Æthelred 2.S1783 granting land to Wealdhere 2: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, to Wealdhere 2, bishop [of London]; grant of 10 hides (manentes) at Ealing, Middlesex.: S1783    (693 x 704)
 Æthelred 2.S233 confirming lands of Ecgbald 1 and [Medeshamstede 1]: Confirmation by Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians of (a) Cædwalla 1, king of the (West) Saxons, to Ecgbald 1, abbot, and his familia [Medeshamstede 1]; grant of 40 hides (manentes) at Hoo (ad Hebureahg insulam), Kent. (b) Swæfheard, king of Kent, to Ecgbald 1, abbot; grant of adjoining 20 hides at Hoo and woodland at Fercanhamstede: S233    (687 x 691)
 Æthelred 2.confirming land of Æbbe 3 S10: Confirmation by Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, of: Swæfheard 1 (Suabhardus), king of Kent, to Æbbe 3, abbess (of Minster-in-Thanet); grant of 44 hides (manentes) in Sudaneie in Thanet, and 12 hides in Sturry, Kent: S10    (691)
 Æthelred 2.exchanging property with Evesham S1250: Æthelred 2, king, to Evesham, St Mary's 1; grant of the minster at Fladbury, Worcs. in exchange for the minster at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwicks.: S1250    (675 x 704)
 Æthelred 2.granting land to Aldhelm 3 S71: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, to Aldhelm 3, abbot; grant of 15 hides (cassati) near Tetbury, Gloucs.: S71    (681)
 Æthelred 2.granting land to Aldhelm 3 S73: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, to Aldhelm 3, abbot, and his successors; grant of 30 hides (cassati) west of the highway (Long Newnton, Wilts., cf S 1038) and 15 near Tetbury, Gloucs.: S73    (681)
 Æthelred 2.granting land to Ecgwine 1: estate and monastery at Fladbury: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  iii.1
 Æthelred 2.granting land to Eorcenwald 1 S1246: Æthelred 2, king, to Eorcenwald 1, bishop; gift of 53 hides (manentes) at Isleworth, Middx.: S1246    ( x 688)
 Æthelred 2.granting land to Headda 6: Æthelred 2, king (of the Mercians), to Headda 6, abbot of Breedon; grant of 15 manentes at Cedenan Ac.: S1804    (675 x 691)
 Æthelred 2.granting land to Malmesbury 1: King Æthelred 2 to Malmesbury 1, grant of 30 hides at Long Newnton.: S1038    (675 x 704)
 Æthelred 2.granting land to Medeshamstede: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, to the minster of Medehamstede; grant of land at Leugttricdun (? Laughterton, Lincs.).: S1806    (675 x 691)
 Æthelred 2.granting land to Oftfor 1 S76: Æthelred 2, king, to Oftfor 1, bishop; grant of 44 hides (cassati) at Fladbury, Worcs., so that monastic life may be re-established there: S76    (697 x 699)
 Æthelred 2.granting land to Oftfor 1 S77: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, to Oftfor 1, bishop, and St Peter's, Worcester; grant of 30 hides (cassati) at Henbury and Aust, Gloucs.: S77    (691 x 699)
 Æthelred 2.granting land to Oslaf 2 S75: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, to Oslaf 2, his former minister and now a servant of God at Worcester; grant of 10 hides (manentes) at Wychbold, Worcs.: S75    (692)
 Æthelred 2.granting land to Osric 2 S70: Æthelred 2, king of Mercians, to Osric 2 grant of 300 hides (tributarii) at Gloucester, Gloucs. for the foundation of a minster: S70    (679)
 Æthelred 2.granting land to Oswald 2 S70: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, to Oswald 2, his noble minister; grant of 300 hides (cassati) at Pershore, Worcs.: S70    (679)
 Æthelred 2.granting land to St Peter's, Medeshamstede S72: Æthelred 2, king, to St Peter's, Medeshamstede; grant of land at Breedon on the Hill, Leics.; Hrepingas (? Repton, Derbys.); Cedenac; Swineshead, Lincs.; Heanbyrig; Lodeshale; Shifnal, Salop.; Costesford; Stretford (? Stretford, Salop.); Wattlesborough and Lizard, Salop.; Æthelhuniglond (? in Kent); and Bardney, Lincs.: S72    (680)
 Æthelred 2.granting privileges to Gloucester, St Peter's 1 S74: Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians, to the church of Gloucester, St Peter's 1; grant of privileges as they were in Osric 2's day: S74    (682)
Healing (1)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Hiding/harbouring/sanctuary (1)
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
Hostility (2)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Illness/demonic seizure/madness (1)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Imprisonment (1)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Introduction (1)
 Sergius 1.letter to Æthelred 2 and others: Sergius 1 wrote to the three English kings, asking them to welcome Beorhtwald 6 as the primus pontifex of all Britain.: Sergius.Ep.B83    (693)
Invasion (1)
 Putta 1.ecclesiastical career: Theodore 1 appointed bishop of Rochester Putta 1, a man as fit for the ease of the church life as he was dull and lazy in lay business. In the end, after frequently thinking of retiring from his bishopric while all was perfectly peaceful, he was happy to embrace the excuse of injury from an enemy. For Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians, inflamed by some insolent reply from the king of Kent, was putting his whole realm to fire and sword, and he had devastated all the lands of the bishopric of Rochester. Putta 1 took this misfortune calmly, and repaired to Seaxwulf 1 bishop of the Mercians. By his generosity he obtained a country church and a small estate, where he lived out his live in peace, conduction public instruction in church music wherever he was asked to go.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  i.72.7-8
Journey (7)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
 Aldhelm 3.journey to Rome: On consultations with Ine 1 and Æthelred 2, Aldhelm 3 resolved to go to Rome to win privileges from the pope Sergius 1 for his monasteries, which he founded thanks to the generosity of Leuthhere 2. During his stay in Rome, Aldhelm 3 won the pontiff's heart by his devotion and by two miracles: a chasuble he dropped having celebrated a mass hung on a sunbeam; he also cleared the pope from accusations of fathering a nun's son by making the infant proclaim miraculously that Sergius 1 was innocent. The pope granted the privileges Aldhelm 3 was asking for, writing a letter. Aldhelm 3 returned safely to England with rich gifts, particularly a marble altar. The camel carrying it collapsed under its weight, and the altar broke in two; but Aldhelm 3's prayers restored both the piece to its former entity and the animal to its strength. In England Aldhelm 3 was welcomed back by Ine 1 and Æthelred 2; the latter was given many gifts from the pope, but the altar Aldhelm 3 gave to the former. Ine 1 placed it in his town called Bruton.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  v.217-222
 Ecgwine 1.journey back to England: Ecgwine 1 returned rejoicing to his native land and gave hymns of thanks to Jesus Christ. He entered into the presence of Æthelred 2, who received him with joy, since he knew for certain that Ecgwine 1 had been accused through the incitement of envy.: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  ii.1
 Ecgwine 1.journey to Rome: Following the sedition which propagated against Ecgwine 1, Æthelred 2 ordered him to go to Rome to seek protection from the pope (Anonymous 517), who ordered him to come as quickly as possible. Ecgwine 1 had contemplated to go because he had a desire to visit the shrines of the apostles.: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  i.12-13
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
 Wilfrid 2.journey back to Britain: When Wilfrid 2 arrived, Beorhtwald 6 and Æthelred 2 readily took his part. Cenred 2 agreed to make peace with Wilfrid 2, whereas Aldfrith 1 scorned to receive him.: Bede.HE  v.19
 Æthelred 2.despatch of Wilfrid 2 to Agatho 2: In his time he [sc. Æthelred 2] sent Wilfrid 2 to Rome to the pope called Agatho 2.: ASC (E)  675 E (p. 35) (679 x 680)
Judicial decision/review (1)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Killing/murder (4)
 Ecgfrith 4-Æthelred 2.battle near River Trent: A great battle was fought between Ecgfrith 4 and Æthelred 2. Ælfwine 4 was killed. Through Theodore 1's intervention peace was restored between the two kings.: Bede.HE  iv.21, 22, v.24 (679)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
 Ælfwine 4.killing: Here Ælfwine 4 was slain near the Trent where Ecgfrith 4 and Æthelred 2 were fighting.: ASC (E)  679 E (679)
Kingdom - accession to (1)
 Æthelred 2.accession to kingdom: Æthelred 2 acceded to the kingdom.: ASC  675 ACEG (675)
Liturgical celebration (1)
 Aldhelm 3.journey to Rome: On consultations with Ine 1 and Æthelred 2, Aldhelm 3 resolved to go to Rome to win privileges from the pope Sergius 1 for his monasteries, which he founded thanks to the generosity of Leuthhere 2. During his stay in Rome, Aldhelm 3 won the pontiff's heart by his devotion and by two miracles: a chasuble he dropped having celebrated a mass hung on a sunbeam; he also cleared the pope from accusations of fathering a nun's son by making the infant proclaim miraculously that Sergius 1 was innocent. The pope granted the privileges Aldhelm 3 was asking for, writing a letter. Aldhelm 3 returned safely to England with rich gifts, particularly a marble altar. The camel carrying it collapsed under its weight, and the altar broke in two; but Aldhelm 3's prayers restored both the piece to its former entity and the animal to its strength. In England Aldhelm 3 was welcomed back by Ine 1 and Æthelred 2; the latter was given many gifts from the pope, but the altar Aldhelm 3 gave to the former. Ine 1 placed it in his town called Bruton.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  v.217-222
Marriage (1)
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
Meeting (3)
 Aldfrith 1.meeting with messengers of Wilfrid 2: Wilfrid 2 sent Badwine 1 and Alfrith 1 to Aldfrith 1 seeking a meeting but Aldfrith 1 rejected this and they returned to Wilfrid 2.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  58-59
 Theodore 1.restoring bishopric to Wilfrid 2: Theodore 1 was nearing his death, and feeling remorse for his sin against Wilfrid 2 he summoned both him and Bishop Eorcenwald 1 to London. He confessed his sins before the two bishops, asking Wilfrid 2 to forgive him and to accept his archbishopric in his place. Wilfrid 2 would not agree to take over the archbishopric without a decision in a higher council. Theodore 1 did everything to ensure that Wilfrid 2 receives his bishopric back, sending envoys to Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians, Ecgfrith 4's successor, to his sister Ælfflæd 2 abbess of Whitby, and to Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Aldfrith 1, who had known Wilfrid 2 well in the past, received the archbishop's letter, he granted him the monastery at Hexham and then, on the decision of his council, the bishopric of York and the monastery of Ripon.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.103.1-104.1
 Wilfrid 2.meeting with Æthelred 2 and Cenred 2, his successor: Æthelred 2 agreed to uphold the decisions of the Apostolic See; he immediately met with Cenred 2 and secured his agreement to do likewise.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  57
Message-sending (2)
 Aldfrith 1.meeting with messengers of Wilfrid 2: Wilfrid 2 sent Badwine 1 and Alfrith 1 to Aldfrith 1 seeking a meeting but Aldfrith 1 rejected this and they returned to Wilfrid 2.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  58-59
 Wilfrid 2.reconciliation with Theodore 1: Theodore 1 and Wilfrid 2 were reconciled in a peace treaty. At Wilfrid 2's urging Theodore 1 sent letters to various people urging reconciliation between them and Wilfrid 2.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  43
Miracle (3)
 Aldhelm 3.journey to Rome: On consultations with Ine 1 and Æthelred 2, Aldhelm 3 resolved to go to Rome to win privileges from the pope Sergius 1 for his monasteries, which he founded thanks to the generosity of Leuthhere 2. During his stay in Rome, Aldhelm 3 won the pontiff's heart by his devotion and by two miracles: a chasuble he dropped having celebrated a mass hung on a sunbeam; he also cleared the pope from accusations of fathering a nun's son by making the infant proclaim miraculously that Sergius 1 was innocent. The pope granted the privileges Aldhelm 3 was asking for, writing a letter. Aldhelm 3 returned safely to England with rich gifts, particularly a marble altar. The camel carrying it collapsed under its weight, and the altar broke in two; but Aldhelm 3's prayers restored both the piece to its former entity and the animal to its strength. In England Aldhelm 3 was welcomed back by Ine 1 and Æthelred 2; the latter was given many gifts from the pope, but the altar Aldhelm 3 gave to the former. Ine 1 placed it in his town called Bruton.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  v.217-222
 Oswald 1.post-mortem miracle at translation to Bardney: Oswald 1's niece, Osthryth 1, wanted her uncle's body to be translated to the monastery of Bardney, but the inmates did not receive the bones gladly. At night, the relics were left outdoors, under a large tent. But a column of light stretched from the carriage right up to heaven all through the night.: Bede.HE  iii.11
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Mission/mission-sending (1)
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
Monastery, violation of (1)
 Æthelred 2.devastation of Kent: At the head of a cruel army Æthelred 2 devastated Kent, profaning churches and monasteries. He also destroyed Rochester.: Bede.HE  iv.12, v.24 (676)
Monastic life, converting to/joining/oblation (4)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
 Æthelred 2.adoption of monastic habit: Æthelred 2 adopted the monastic habit.: Æthelweard.Chron  ii.11 (704)
 Æthelred 2.monkhood: Here Æthelred 2 received the status of monk.: ASC  704 ACDEF(OE and Lat.)G, <704> B (704)
Oath-swearing/fealty (1)
 Anonymi 1335.adoption of Æthelred 2 as lord: [The Northumbrians (Anonymi 1335)] took Æthelred 2 as their lord.: ASC (DEF)  774 DE (774)
Ordering (3)
 Anonymi 1481.sedition against Ecgwine 1: Several scoundrels (Anonymi 1481) incited others against Ecgwine 1 and propagated a dire sedition. The king (Æthelred 2), being exceedingly credulous, ordered him to hasten to Rome.: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  i.12
 Ecgwine 1.journey to Rome: Following the sedition which propagated against Ecgwine 1, Æthelred 2 ordered him to go to Rome to seek protection from the pope (Anonymous 517), who ordered him to come as quickly as possible. Ecgwine 1 had contemplated to go because he had a desire to visit the shrines of the apostles.: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  i.12-13
 Wilfrid 2.ordination of Oftfor 1: Oftfor 1 was appointed bishop in Bosel 1's place at Æthelred 2's command by Wilfrid 2.: Bede.HE  iv.23 (691)
Papal advice/audience/decision/privilege (6)
 Agatho 2.letter to Æthelred 2, Theodore 1 and Seaxwulf 1: Following Æthelred 2's request, the Agatho 2 sent a privilege for the monastery of Medeshamstede (Peterborough): Agatho.Ep.B48  pp. 74-7 (680)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
 Aldhelm 3.journey to Rome: On consultations with Ine 1 and Æthelred 2, Aldhelm 3 resolved to go to Rome to win privileges from the pope Sergius 1 for his monasteries, which he founded thanks to the generosity of Leuthhere 2. During his stay in Rome, Aldhelm 3 won the pontiff's heart by his devotion and by two miracles: a chasuble he dropped having celebrated a mass hung on a sunbeam; he also cleared the pope from accusations of fathering a nun's son by making the infant proclaim miraculously that Sergius 1 was innocent. The pope granted the privileges Aldhelm 3 was asking for, writing a letter. Aldhelm 3 returned safely to England with rich gifts, particularly a marble altar. The camel carrying it collapsed under its weight, and the altar broke in two; but Aldhelm 3's prayers restored both the piece to its former entity and the animal to its strength. In England Aldhelm 3 was welcomed back by Ine 1 and Æthelred 2; the latter was given many gifts from the pope, but the altar Aldhelm 3 gave to the former. Ine 1 placed it in his town called Bruton.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  v.217-222
 S72 - Æthelred 2 granting land to St Peter's, Medeshamstede 1: Æthelred 2, king, to St Peter's Minster, Medeshamstede 1; grant, appended to a bull of Pope Agatho 2, of land at Breedon on the Hill, Leics.; Hrepingas (? Repton, Derbys.); Cedenac; Swineshead, Lincs.; Heanbyrig; Lodeshale; Shifnal, Salop.; Costesford; Stretford (? Stretford, Salop.); Wattlesborough and Lizard, Salop.; Æthelhuniglond (? in Kent); and Bardney, Lincs: S72    (680)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
 Æthelred 2.despatch of Wilfrid 2 to Agatho 2: In his time he [sc. Æthelred 2] sent Wilfrid 2 to Rome to the pope called Agatho 2.: ASC (E)  675 E (p. 35) (679 x 680)
Pastoral activities/preaching (1)
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
Peace agreement (3)
 Ecgfrith 4-Æthelred 2.battle near River Trent: A great battle was fought between Ecgfrith 4 and Æthelred 2. Ælfwine 4 was killed. Through Theodore 1's intervention peace was restored between the two kings.: Bede.HE  iv.21, 22, v.24 (679)
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
 Wilfrid 2.reconciliation with Theodore 1: Theodore 1 and Wilfrid 2 were reconciled in a peace treaty. At Wilfrid 2's urging Theodore 1 sent letters to various people urging reconciliation between them and Wilfrid 2.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  43
Pilgrimage (1)
 Ecgwine 1.journey to Rome: Following the sedition which propagated against Ecgwine 1, Æthelred 2 ordered him to go to Rome to seek protection from the pope (Anonymous 517), who ordered him to come as quickly as possible. Ecgwine 1 had contemplated to go because he had a desire to visit the shrines of the apostles.: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  i.12-13
Praying (1)
 Ecgwine 1.journey back to England: Ecgwine 1 returned rejoicing to his native land and gave hymns of thanks to Jesus Christ. He entered into the presence of Æthelred 2, who received him with joy, since he knew for certain that Ecgwine 1 had been accused through the incitement of envy.: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  ii.1
Property-exchanging (3)
 Evesham 1.exchanging property with Æthelred 2 S1250: Æthelred 2, king, to Evesham 1; grant of the minster at Fladbury, Worcs. in exchange for the minster at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwicks.: S1250    (675 x 704)
 S1798 - Mildburg 1 and Æthelheah 14 exchanging lands: Æthelheah 14, abbot of Icheanog (? Iken, Suffolk), and to the nun Mildburg 1; grant of 97 manentes at Wimnicas (Much Wenlock, Salop), 12 hides by the river Monnow, at 5 hides at Marund, Herefords., and 30 hides in the district called Lydas (? Lyde, Herefords.). In return Mildburg 1 granted Abbot Æthelheah 14 and Abbess Leubswith 1 [Liobsynde] 60 hides at Hampton, Salop..: S1798    (675 x 690)
 Æthelred 2.exchanging property with Evesham S1250: Æthelred 2, king, to Evesham, St Mary's 1; grant of the minster at Fladbury, Worcs. in exchange for the minster at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwicks.: S1250    (675 x 704)
Raiding (3)
 Putta 1.ecclesiastical career: Theodore 1 appointed bishop of Rochester Putta 1, a man as fit for the ease of the church life as he was dull and lazy in lay business. In the end, after frequently thinking of retiring from his bishopric while all was perfectly peaceful, he was happy to embrace the excuse of injury from an enemy. For Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians, inflamed by some insolent reply from the king of Kent, was putting his whole realm to fire and sword, and he had devastated all the lands of the bishopric of Rochester. Putta 1 took this misfortune calmly, and repaired to Seaxwulf 1 bishop of the Mercians. By his generosity he obtained a country church and a small estate, where he lived out his live in peace, conduction public instruction in church music wherever he was asked to go.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  i.72.7-8
 Æthelred 2.devastation of Kent: At the head of a cruel army Æthelred 2 devastated Kent, profaning churches and monasteries. He also destroyed Rochester.: Bede.HE  iv.12, v.24 (676)
 Æthelred 2.harrying of Kent: Æthelred 2 harried across the land of Kent.: ASC  676 ACEF(OE and Lat.)G, <676> B (676)
Rebellion/sedition (1)
 Anonymi 1481.sedition against Ecgwine 1: Several scoundrels (Anonymi 1481) incited others against Ecgwine 1 and propagated a dire sedition. The king (Æthelred 2), being exceedingly credulous, ordered him to hasten to Rome.: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  i.12
Reconciliation (2)
 Ecgwine 1.journey back to England: Ecgwine 1 returned rejoicing to his native land and gave hymns of thanks to Jesus Christ. He entered into the presence of Æthelred 2, who received him with joy, since he knew for certain that Ecgwine 1 had been accused through the incitement of envy.: Byrhtferth.VitEcgwini  ii.1
 Wilfrid 2.reconciliation with Æthelred 2: Following a letter from Theodore 1, Æthelred 2 was reconciled to Wilfrid 2 and returned many monasteries and estates to him.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  43
Refusal (2)
 Aldfrith 1.meeting with messengers of Wilfrid 2: Wilfrid 2 sent Badwine 1 and Alfrith 1 to Aldfrith 1 seeking a meeting but Aldfrith 1 rejected this and they returned to Wilfrid 2.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  58-59
 Wilfrid 2.journey back to Britain: When Wilfrid 2 arrived, Beorhtwald 6 and Æthelred 2 readily took his part. Cenred 2 agreed to make peace with Wilfrid 2, whereas Aldfrith 1 scorned to receive him.: Bede.HE  v.19
Relics-collecting/depositing/granting (1)
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
Relics-incorrupt preservation/placing in reliquary/requesting/translating (1)
 Oswald 1.post-mortem miracle at translation to Bardney: Oswald 1's niece, Osthryth 1, wanted her uncle's body to be translated to the monastery of Bardney, but the inmates did not receive the bones gladly. At night, the relics were left outdoors, under a large tent. But a column of light stretched from the carriage right up to heaven all through the night.: Bede.HE  iii.11
Request (1)
 Agatho 2.letter to Æthelred 2, Theodore 1 and Seaxwulf 1: Following Æthelred 2's request, the Agatho 2 sent a privilege for the monastery of Medeshamstede (Peterborough): Agatho.Ep.B48  pp. 74-7 (680)
Residence (1)
 Wilfrid 2.banishment from kingdom of Aldfrith 1: Aldfrith 1 banished Wilfrid 2, whom Æthelred 2 then received. Wilfrid 2 then lived in the bishopric ruled by Seaxwulf 1 before his death.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  45
Restoration of land/property (3)
 Theodore 1.restoring bishopric to Wilfrid 2: Theodore 1 was nearing his death, and feeling remorse for his sin against Wilfrid 2 he summoned both him and Bishop Eorcenwald 1 to London. He confessed his sins before the two bishops, asking Wilfrid 2 to forgive him and to accept his archbishopric in his place. Wilfrid 2 would not agree to take over the archbishopric without a decision in a higher council. Theodore 1 did everything to ensure that Wilfrid 2 receives his bishopric back, sending envoys to Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians, Ecgfrith 4's successor, to his sister Ælfflæd 2 abbess of Whitby, and to Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Aldfrith 1, who had known Wilfrid 2 well in the past, received the archbishop's letter, he granted him the monastery at Hexham and then, on the decision of his council, the bishopric of York and the monastery of Ripon.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.103.1-104.1
 Æthelred 2.restoring land to Wilfrid 2: Æthelred 2 restored [to Wilfrid 2] many ... lands in his own right: Stephen.VitWilfridi  43, 47
 Æthelred 2.restoring monasteries to Wilfrid 2: Æthelred 2 restored [to Wilfrid 2] many monasteries.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  43, 47
Restoration to bishopric (5)
 Aldfrith 1-Wilfrid 2.conflict: Under the influence of venomous counsels, King Aldfrith 1 stripped the monastery of Ripon of its possessions, and began to think of setting up a bishopric there, following the plans of the middle years of Archbishop Theodore 1, that had so notoriously caused trouble [between Wilfrid 2 and Ecgfrith 4]. Wilfrid 2 took offence, and went off to his friend Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Seaxwulf 1 bishop of Lichfield died he governed that see. But King Aldfrith 1 and Beorhtwald 6, Theodore 1’s successor, thought up many schemes against Wilfrid 2. They lured him to a council, trying to make him renounce his property and bishopric. Wilfrid 2, that time already 70, decided to appeal to Rome and soon made his entrance to the great city. There he wrote a letter to Pope John 17, outlining the essence of the conflict. The accusers sent by Beorhtwald 6 maintained that Wilfrid 2 had refused to obey the decisions of the archbishop. Wilfrid 2 responded that he would only obey the decisions which did not conflict with canon law. This reply satisfied the Romans, and matter was decided in favour of Wilfrid 2, who, being an old man, wanted to stay in Rome and die on the holy city, but Pope John 17 insisted that he was needed in England. So back he went, bringing letters from the pope to Æthelred 2, who was now a monk. Æthelred 2 had no difficulty in obtaining the fulfilment of their instructions from Cenred 2, son of his brother Wulfhere 1, whom he had appointed as his successor. With equal promptness Archbishop Beorhtwald 6, genuinely desiring peace, hastened to be reconciled with Wilfrid 2. Only Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians persevered in obstinacy, but he had not much longer to live, before his death regretting his disregard for the pope’s letter. The letter, addressed to Æthelred 2, cleared Wilfrid 2 before all those persons of great holiness on record who assailed Wilfrid 2 with such deadly hatred: Theodore 1, Beorhtwald 6, John 17, Bosa 1, and abbess Hild 1. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.104-108
 John 17.letter to Aldfrith 1 and Æthelred 2: John 17 wrote to Aldfrith 1 and Æthelred 2 bidding them restore Wilfrid 2 to his bishopric because he had been unjustly condemned.: Bede.HE  v.19
 Theodore 1.restoring bishopric to Wilfrid 2: Theodore 1 was nearing his death, and feeling remorse for his sin against Wilfrid 2 he summoned both him and Bishop Eorcenwald 1 to London. He confessed his sins before the two bishops, asking Wilfrid 2 to forgive him and to accept his archbishopric in his place. Wilfrid 2 would not agree to take over the archbishopric without a decision in a higher council. Theodore 1 did everything to ensure that Wilfrid 2 receives his bishopric back, sending envoys to Aldfrith 1 king of the Northumbrians, Ecgfrith 4's successor, to his sister Ælfflæd 2 abbess of Whitby, and to Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians. When Aldfrith 1, who had known Wilfrid 2 well in the past, received the archbishop's letter, he granted him the monastery at Hexham and then, on the decision of his council, the bishopric of York and the monastery of Ripon.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.103.1-104.1
 Wilfrid 2-Ecgfrith 4.conflict: So long as the blessed Æthelthryth 2 shared Ecgfrith 4's bed, she strove to keep Wilfrid 2 on good terms with her husband. But Ecgfrith 4's new wife, Eormenburg 1, stirred up hostility to the bishop on the grounds of his great wealth and influence. On hearing that, Archbishop Theodore 1 took measures against Wilfrid 2. Wilfrid 2 went to the Continent to appeal to the pope. In his absence Æthelred 2, king of the Mercians and Wulfhere 1's brother, began a campaign against the Northumbrians to avenge the injuries done to his brother. He put Ecgfrith 4 to flight, slaying his brother Ælfwine 4. Æthelred 2 then banished Bishop Wynnfrith 1, successor of Chad 1 at Lichfield, because he had favoured Ecgfrith 4. Wynnfrith 1, driven by chance on to the coast of the Gaul, came upon King Theoderic 2 and Ebroin 1 duke of the Franks. They had received instructions from Britain to seize and despoil Bishop Wilfrid 2. Mistaken by the name, they killed Wynnfrith 1's company, Anonymi 337 and took away his property, though they let him get away. Meanwhile, Wilfrid 2 befriended Aldgisl 1 and converted him to Christianity; then he moved to Dagobert 3. Dagobert 3 offered Wilfrid 2 the see of Strasbourg, but the latter put off an answer till he should come back from Rome, and Dagobert 3 sent him freely on his way in the company of bishop Deodatus 1. On their way they encountered Perctarit 1, who first wanted to harm Wilfrid 2, but when he heard the true story he helped Wilfrid 2 to crown his business with success. Finally, he arrived to Rome. There had arrived earlier from Theodore 1 a monk of impeccable devoutness, one Cenwald 1, with written accusations against the bishop. Disturbed by this, Pope Agatho 2 summoned a council of fifty bishops and abbots. Andrew 1 and John 10 were present; John 12 kept the records. The council decided that Wilfrid 2's bishopric should be restored to him. Wilfrid 2 then returned to Britain, obtained audience of Ecgfrith 4 and gave him the papal decree. The king, however, showed no respect for the see of Rome, robbed the bishop of his property and handed him over to a certain reeve Osfrith 2, a man notorious for his cruelty. The court itched to do Wilfrid 2 some injury, and Eormenburg 1 went as far as to seize the bishop’s reliquary from him by force and carried it around, relics and all, on her neck or in her carriage. Osfrith 2 put the bishop into a dark prison, but through its darkness a light burst to shine on Wilfrid 2. The reeve was in fear when he heard about it, but he was even more afraid of Ecgfrith 4. Meanwhile his wife [Æbbe 1] grew very ill, first foaming at the mouth and then becoming paralyzed; Osfrith 2 threw himself at the bishop’s feet, and his wife’s health was restored; he then begged the king not to impose on him the guilt of punishing the innocent bishop. Ecgfrith 4 then passed Wilfrid 2 on to a more cruel man called Tydlin 1, who ordered the bishop to be chained – but the chains kept slipping off Wilfrid 2’s hands. The king and his wife continued to ignore these signs and treated the bishop with scorn and hostility, keeping him under arrest. But one night, on a visit from Ecgfrith 4’s aunt, Abbess Æbbe 2, Eormenburg 1 was seized with the Devil. The abbess understood what had happened and prevailed upon her nephew to restore the blessed man’s reliquary. To restore his spouse’s health, the king had to allow Wilfrid 2 to go free. The queen made a good recovery; later, after her husband’s death, she took the habit and was a religious repented of what she had done. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.100.32-101.10
 Æthelred 2.recovery of Lindsey: Æthelred 2 recovered the kingdom of Lindsey which had been conquered by Ecgfrith 4. Then, Eadhæd 1 returned and was placed by Theodore 1 over the church at Ripon.: Bede.HE  iv.12
Restoration to office (1)
 Æthelred 2.recovery of Lindsey: Æthelred 2 recovered the kingdom of Lindsey which had been conquered by Ecgfrith 4. Then, Eadhæd 1 returned and was placed by Theodore 1 over the church at Ripon.: Bede.HE  iv.12
Retirement (1)
 Putta 1.ecclesiastical career: Theodore 1 appointed bishop of Rochester Putta 1, a man as fit for the ease of the church life as he was dull and lazy in lay business. In the end, after frequently thinking of retiring from his bishopric while all was perfectly peaceful, he was happy to embrace the excuse of injury from an enemy. For Æthelred 2 king of the Mercians, inflamed by some insolent reply from the king of Kent, was putting his whole realm to fire and sword, and he had devastated all the lands of the bishopric of Rochester. Putta 1 took this misfortune calmly, and repaired to Seaxwulf 1 bishop of the Mercians. By his generosity he obtained a country church and a small estate, where he lived out his live in peace, conduction public instruction in church music wherever he was asked to go.: WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  i.72.7-8
Treaty (1)
 Wilfrid 2.reconciliation with Theodore 1: Theodore 1 and Wilfrid 2 were reconciled in a peace treaty. At Wilfrid 2's urging Theodore 1 sent letters to various people urging reconciliation between them and Wilfrid 2.: Stephen.VitWilfridi  43
War (2)
 Æthelred 2.devastation of Kent: At the head of a cruel army Æthelred 2 devastated Kent, profaning churches and monasteries. He also destroyed Rochester.: Bede.HE  iv.12, v.24 (676)
 Æthelred 2.recovery of Lindsey: Æthelred 2 recovered the kingdom of Lindsey which had been conquered by Ecgfrith 4. Then, Eadhæd 1 returned and was placed by Theodore 1 over the church at Ripon.: Bede.HE  iv.12
Writ-issuing/sending (1)
 Wilfrid 2.exile in southern kingdoms: So Wilfrid 2 was driven out from his native soil, and headed for Wessex. There he was taken in by a nobleman called Beorhtwald 3. But Æthelred 2, Beorhtwald 3’s lord and uncle, commanded him not to harbour Wilfrid 2: this was to curry favour with Ecgfrith 4, whose sister Osthryth 1 had married Æthelred 2 to solace him for the murder of his brother Ælfwine 4, cementing peace between husband and brother. Wilfrid 2 had already founded a little monastery in Wessex; but he left his monks [Anonymi 403] behind and fled to the South Saxons. There he won over King Æthelwalh 1, his queen [Eafe 1] and their people through his preaching, baptizing many them and becoming the bishop of Selsey. At this time Cædwalla 1 had been driven from Wessex by a conspiracy of the nobles. He often turned to Wilfrid 2 for advice, and the holy man was quick to give him solace, offering him and his men cavalry and money. Angry and resentful with everyone, Cædwalla 1 killed Æthelwalh 1 when by some ill chance he confronted him. Taking control of Wessex, he put Wilfrid 2 in charge of the kingdom as lord and master; he gave him vast properties in the Isle of Wight, and was happy to confirm his previous possessions by grant of an edict. : WilliamofMalmesbury.GestaPontificumAnglorum  iii.102
Factoids linked indirectly to Æthelred 2 (17)
Authorship (4)
John 17:  Author of a letter to Æthelred 2 and Aldfrith 1 (Letter): Stephen.VitWilfridi  53-54
John 17:  Author of a letter to Æthelred 2 (Letter): Stephen.VitWilfridi  57
Theodore 1:  Author of a letter to Æthelred 2 urging him to offer protection to Wilfrid 2 and expressing the wish to see him again before he died (Letter): Stephen.VitWilfridi  43
Sergius 1:  Author of a letter to Æthelred 2, Aldfrith 1 and Ealdwulf 3 (Letter): Sergius.Ep.B83   
Office (9)
Bishop of Æthelred 2 (2)
 Anonymous 139: Stephen.VitWilfridi  53 (p. 110)
 Oftfor 1: S77   
Minister of Æthelred 2 (1)
 Oslaf 2: S75    (minister of Æthelred)
Patricius of Æthelred 2 (1)
 Cenfrith 2: S71   
Princeps of Æthelred 2 (2)
 Herefrith 9: S1806   
 Eadfrith 8: S1806   
Queen of Æthelred 2 (3)
 Osthryth 1: S72    (queen of king Æthelred)
 Osthryth 1: ASC (DEF)  697 DEF(OE and Lat.)
 Osthryth 1: S1806   
Occupation (1)
Messenger of Æthelred 2 (1)
 Anonymi 406: Stephen.VitWilfridi  48
Status (3)
Comes of Æthelred 2 (3)
 Anonymous 254: Bede.HE  iv.22
 Torhtwald 1: S76   
 Oshere 1: S1429