Prologue #

¹ If only it were within my power, O holy Bishop Edfrid, to fulfill your command and the wishes of your community as fully as I desire. The task you have assigned me is challenging, and my understanding is not equal to it. To speak plainly, I feel overwhelmed by the vast wealth of precious material at my disposal, and I cannot hope to make full use of it. Therefore, I must be content to do my best to carry out your instructions, and if I cannot achieve everything you wish, I will at least have done my duty. If, when the work is complete, it falls short of your expectations in any way, I ask you, in fairness, to consider both my limitations and the enormity of the task you have entrusted to me. Let any imperfections in the work be attributed to a lack of ability rather than a lack of goodwill. To my mind, the very fact that I have undertaken a task beyond my capacity at your request is the clearest expression of my respect and esteem for you and your revered community.

² If I succeed in producing anything worthy of your attention, it will undoubtedly be due to Divine aid and assistance. It will also owe much to your kindness and encouragement, which can inspire even the idle to action, and to the confidence you have shown in me by entrusting me with this task. That confidence is itself a promise and assurance that I will be able to complete the work you have so trustingly assigned to me. Your prayers have surely gone before me and lightened the burden of the commission you have given, as I can tell from the joy with which I received your charitable command. Whatever I have the privilege to record about the holy Cuthbert is a personal gain and blessing, for learning about his life reveals to me the perfect path to virtue. Even if you accept all that popular tradition has said about him—which you may safely do—you will still have grasped only a small part of the truth. I am certain that even you are not fully acquainted with the entirety of his remarkable story.

³ I therefore undertake to write the life of Saint Cuthbert, recounting both what he was before becoming a bishop and how he fulfilled the duties of the episcopate, though I am fully aware of how impossible it is for me to convey the fullness of his virtues. Much about his inner life remains unknown, not only to me but to everyone else, for he never sought the praise of others and, as far as possible, desired to keep his remarkable qualities hidden from view. I have deliberately omitted many things that I know, believing it sufficient to record only those events and virtues that are most remarkable and edifying. This is out of consideration for my readers, who might otherwise find too many details overwhelming. Nevertheless, let me assure them that everything I include can be accepted without the slightest doubt, and I sincerely ask them to believe that I have written nothing of which I am not entirely certain. Where there was any risk of error, I chose to remain silent. Since no words can truly add to the greatness of the works Saint Cuthbert accomplished, I will forgo further introduction and proceed directly to recount the events of his life.

Chapter 1 #

¹ We will begin with an incident from Saint Cuthbert’s earliest years, a story that we have heard from several reliable sources, including Bishop Tuda, of holy memory, and Elias, a priest of our church. Elias himself had heard this account directly from Saint Cuthbert, who described it as a sign of God’s spiritual election and predestination for his future life. Their account is as follows.

² When Cuthbert was just eight years old, he stood out among his peers for his energy and playful spirit. While other children of his age would tire and have to rest, he often continued on his own, as if victorious, challenging any of them to compete with him for longer. One day, a group of boys gathered in a meadow, with Cuthbert among them, and they began engaging in all sorts of wild and exuberant games. Some even took off their clothes and stood on their heads, stretching their legs into the air, performing other similar antics and displays of strength.

³ Among the group of boys was a little child, only three years old, who kept calling out to Cuthbert, “Oh, stop that! Leave off this foolish play.” When Cuthbert paid no attention, the child grew more insistent, eventually bursting into tears and sobbing uncontrollably, utterly inconsolable. After repeatedly asking him what was wrong, the child finally exclaimed, “O holy bishop and priest Cuthbert, these tricks and displays of agility are entirely unworthy of your character and future position!” Although Cuthbert did not understand the full meaning of these words at the time, he stopped his games to console the child. Returning home, he began to reflect on the words of prophecy, pondering them in his heart, much like the way holy Mary considered the words spoken about Jesus.

⁴ You see, brethren, how it was revealed that this saint was chosen by God’s providence even before he became renowned through his labors and deeds. As the prophet declared of the patriarch, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated”. Just as Samuel and David were chosen in their youth, so too were the prophet Jeremiah and John the Baptist consecrated in their mothers’ wombs for the service of God. The Apostle to the Gentiles affirms this truth when he writes, “Those whom He predestined, He also called”.

⁵ While still at about the same age, the Lord marked him with another miracle, showing that he was predestined for divine election. As a young child, not yet ordained, he suffered for a long time from a painful illness. His knee became swollen, and the muscles contracted, leaving him lame, unable to place one foot on the ground. One day, as he was carried outside and laid in the sunshine near a wall, he saw a man of noble appearance and extraordinary beauty approaching from a distance. The man was dressed in white garments and rode a magnificently adorned horse. When the stranger drew near, he greeted the boy warmly and graciously asked whether he was willing to offer him hospitality as his guest. The child, pointing to his physical affliction, answered boldly, “If it were God’s will, and He had not bound me with this infirmity as a consequence of my sins, I would not hesitate to serve strangers for the honor of His name.”

⁶ The rider dismounted and examined the boy’s knee, which the child explained had not been treated by any surgeon. The man then gave him this instruction: “You must boil wheat flour with milk and bathe your knee with it while it is still warm.” After the guest departed, the boy followed the prescription and realized that he had been visited by an angel of God. In just a few days, he was healed, according to his faith, and he gave thanks to God for His mercy, who had granted him a complete and perfect cure, just as He had healed the blind Tobias through the hand of His angel. From that time on, Cuthbert frequently received the aid of angels when he called upon God in moments of great difficulty, as he later acknowledged to trusted witnesses whose testimony is entirely reliable.

⁷ At another time, while still a youth and living a secular life among the hills near the River Leader, Cuthbert was caring for his master’s flock with other shepherds. As was his custom, he stayed awake all night, his mind deeply rooted in faith and engaged in frequent and fervent prayers. That night, he had a vision in which the heavens opened to him—not by any physical parting of the sky, but through the sharpness of his spiritual vision, much like the blessed patriarch Jacob at Luza, called Bethel. He saw angels ascending and descending, and they were carrying a holy soul, taking it to heaven as if within a globe of fire. Immediately waking the other shepherds, he told them about the marvelous vision exactly as he had seen it. He prophetically declared that the soul he had witnessed ascending was that of the holy Bishop Aidan, who had passed away on that very night, at the very hour when Cuthbert saw the vision.

⁸ Another miracle that took place in his youth should not be left out. While traveling north towards the River Wear, he arrived at a place called Leunckcester. After crossing the river, rainy weather set in, so he sought shelter in some buildings that were only used during the spring and summer. Since it was winter, the place was completely deserted, and he found no one to talk to or provide him with any food. Both he and his horse were tired and hungry, so he removed the saddle and led the horse into the shelter, tying it to the wall. There, he prayed to God and waited for the weather to clear. Suddenly, he noticed the horse lifting its head toward the roof of the shed and eagerly pulling down some hay from the thatch. Along with the hay, a quantity of still-warm bread and pieces of meat, all neatly wrapped in a linen napkin, fell to the ground. After finishing his prayer, he reflected on what had happened and became convinced that the food was meant for him, sent by God through the hand of an angel, who often helped him in times of need. Giving thanks to God, he blessed the food, ate, and, feeling refreshed and strengthened by this divine nourishment, set out once more, praising the Lord, and successfully completed his journey.

⁹ I pass over in silence many other remarkable events from his early years, so as not to weary the reader, being eager instead to recount in detail the more mature fruits of his later life, as revealed in his practice of Christ’s virtues and his service before God. I do not dwell on how, while serving in the army, though his salary was meager, he always had an abundance of food, so that God’s providence even granted him greater health—just as Daniel and the three young men, who refused the king’s food, miraculously thrived on the simple fare of slaves. Furthermore, I refrain from describing how he witnessed the soul of his general being carried up to heaven at the time of his death, or how he drove away demons and cured madness through his prayers.

Chapter 2 #

¹ [A.D. 651-661]

² Having now made the excellent decision to dedicate himself to a strict monastic life and to give up his former secular ways—pious and innocent though they were—in pursuit of a higher calling, he patiently embraced those devout practices which, through long dedication to the voluntary service of God, had become natural and effortless to him. His extraordinary endurance in watching and fasting astonished even those who doubted. He would often spend entire nights in prayer, sometimes continuing for two or three days and nights without rest, only pausing on the fourth day; for he remembered the words of the Apostle Paul: “All discipline at the time indeed seems not to bring with it joy, but sorrow; but afterwards it will yield to them that are trained by it the most peaceable fruit of justice.” O my brethren, I do not presume to consider myself worthy of having enjoyed his company; no words could ever fully describe what it was like. He appeared like an angel in his countenance, was graceful in speech, holy in all his actions, pure in body, brilliant in intellect, wise in counsel, steadfast in the Catholic faith, most patient in hope, and boundless in charity. Nevertheless, I will make an effort to describe in greater detail the steps by which he walked the path of virtue.

³ The vision of Aidan’s soul being carried up to heaven by angels was the turning point in Cuthbert’s life. From that moment, deeply moved by the fleeting nature of earthly things and inspired by the glorious end of a saintly life, he resolved to renounce the world and dedicate himself entirely to God in the monastic life. He knew that the Church of Lindisfarne was home to many holy men from whom he could learn through their teaching and example, but he was especially drawn by the great reputation of Boisil—better known as St. Boswell—a monk and priest of exceptional virtue. For this reason, he chose to enter the Abbey of Mailros (Old Melrose), located two miles east of Melrose Abbey. At that time, Eata was the Abbot of the monastery, and Boisil served as Prior. We next encounter Cuthbert at the gate of the Monastery of Mailros. As he dismounted his horse and prepared to enter the church to pray, he handed the reins and his spear to an attendant. It was Boisil who first saw him, standing at the door.

⁴ As soon as Boisil set his eyes upon Cuthbert, he recognized in him the future saint and exclaimed to those nearby, “Behold a servant of God!” Without saying anything further, Boisil warmly welcomed Cuthbert as he approached. After listening to the reason for his coming—namely, his desire to choose the monastery over the world—Boisil kept him close to himself. After spending a few quiet but fruitful years within the peaceful cloisters of Mailros, Cuthbert was transferred from the banks of the Tweed to the banks of the Ure.

⁵ Soon after Cuthbert had taken upon himself the yoke of Christ’s service in the Monastery of Ripon and received the tonsure of Peter—shaped in imitation of the crown of thorns that encircled Christ’s head—another special grace was bestowed upon him, further confirming his sanctity. According to the testimony of reliable witnesses, the newly professed monk was immediately chosen from among the brethren to serve strangers who came to the monastery. One winter morning, when the ground was covered with snow, an angel of the Lord visited him in the form of a solemn man of mature age, just as angels had appeared to the patriarch Abraham in the vale of Mamre.

⁶ He received the visitor kindly, as was his custom, believing him to be a mortal rather than an angel. With great humility, he washed the man’s hands and feet, dried them with a towel, and, because of the cold, rubbed his hands and warmed his feet. Then he earnestly invited him to stay until the third hour of the day so that he might have breakfast. When the stranger objected, saying he needed to continue his journey, Cuthbert pressed him to remain, finally persuading him by adjuring him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. After the signal for Terce was given and prayers were completed, he set the table, placing on it whatever food he could find. Since there was no bread readily available, he put only the crumbs that had been gathered for blessed bread.

⁷ He then went to the monastery to obtain more bread, but finding that it was still baking in the oven, he returned to his guest, whom he had left eating alone. However, upon his return, he found that the visitor had disappeared, and there were no traces of his footsteps, even though the ground was covered with snow. Greatly astonished and now convinced that his guest had been an angel of God, he moved the table to an inner chamber. As soon as he entered, he was immediately surrounded by the fragrance of a marvellously sweet aroma, like that of freshly baked bread, and he saw three hot loaves lying beside him. He gave thanks to God, recognizing that in his experience the words of the Lord had been fulfilled: “He that receives you receives Me; and he that receives Me receives Him that sent Me”. And again: “He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receives a just man in the name of a just man shall receive a just man’s reward”. From that day on, the Lord often provided for him in times of hunger, as he later testified to his faithful brethren—not out of pride, but for the edification of many, just as St. Paul shared his own experiences with the same intent.

⁸ Cuthbert’s time at Ripon was brief, and he soon returned to Mailros. Shortly afterward, in the year 661, England was struck by the devastating plague known as the Yellow Pest. Boisil, the Prior of Melrose, was among those afflicted. Summoning Cuthbert to his bedside, he said, “I have but seven days to live.” He then instructed Cuthbert to take a copy of the Gospel of St. John, which was divided into seven parts, so that they might read and reflect on one section each day, completing it before his passing. During their time together in his illness, Boisil shared many things with Cuthbert, including a prophecy that the plague, which was then raging, would last for three years—from 661 to 664. He also foretold all the significant events of Cuthbert’s future life, including that he would one day become a bishop. When the seven days were completed, St. Boisil’s soul entered into the joys of eternal life.

⁹ Cuthbert succeeded Boisil as Prior, inheriting not only his exceptional wisdom and holiness but also his fervent zeal and love for souls. With the passion of an apostle, he tirelessly worked to convert the surrounding people, leading them away from their former way of life and guiding them toward the love of heavenly things. He especially sought out those living in remote villages, hidden away in wild and desolate mountain regions, places so poor and isolated that they had little contact with those who could instruct them in the faith.

¹⁰ This event is also worth recounting, as I heard it from several reliable sources, including the priest Pleculf. While he was staying with us at the monastery of Mailros, he was summoned by the holy widow Ebba, who was like a mother to us all in Christ. Obedient to her request, he traveled to the monastery called Coldingham and stayed there for several days. He remained faithful to his usual way of life, which included spending the night walking along the sea-shore, praying and singing hymns, as was his habit. One of the brothers of the monastery, curious to see how he spent his nights, secretly followed him from a distance. He observed that the man of God, Cuthbert, walked steadfastly toward the sea, wading into the water until it reached his waist, with the waves sometimes rising as high as his armpits.

¹¹ After emerging from the sea, Cuthbert knelt on the sand to pray. Remarkably, two small sea otters came up from the shore, followed his footsteps, and lay down before him. They licked his feet, dried them with their fur, and warmed them with their breath. Once they had completed this act of care, Cuthbert blessed them and sent them back to the sea, their natural home.

¹² At the break of dawn, the man of God returned to the church to join the brethren in their prayers. Meanwhile, the monk who had secretly observed him was overwhelmed with terror at what he had witnessed. Hidden among the rocks, he spent the entire night in great fear and anguish, feeling as though he were near death.

¹³ The next day, the monk threw himself at Cuthbert’s feet, pleading for forgiveness with heartfelt sorrow. The holy man, enlightened by divine insight, responded, “What troubles you, brother? Did you come closer to me than you should have? Since you confess your fault, I will forgive you, but on one condition: that you promise not to reveal what you have seen to anyone while I am still alive.” The monk, humbled, gave his word and left with Cuthbert’s blessing. True to his promise, he kept silent until after Cuthbert’s death. Then he shared the story widely, both as evidence of how animals submitted to Cuthbert’s holiness—just as the lions submitted to Daniel—and as proof of Cuthbert’s spiritual discernment. For even while the monk hid and secretly observed, Cuthbert knew of his presence, just as Peter knew of the deception of Ananias and Sapphira when they tested the Holy Spirit.

¹⁴ On another occasion, he traveled from Mailros with two brothers. After sailing to the land of the Picts, they arrived safely among the Niduari. However, they remained there for several days in great hardship, as they had no food and the stormy weather made it impossible to return to sea. The man of God spent the night in prayer on the seashore. By morning, he rejoined the others, as it was the Feast of the Lord’s Epiphany. They had begun their journey shortly after Christmas. He offered them this counsel:

¹⁵ “Let us go and search, praying to God in accordance with His promise: ‘Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you’. I trust our Lord will provide something for us to help celebrate this holy day, when the Magi worshiped Him with their gifts, when the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove at His baptism in the Jordan, and when He turned water into wine at Cana in Galilee to strengthen the faith of His disciples.”

¹⁶ Then they rose and set out, with Cuthbert walking ahead of them, as if to show the way, leading them toward the sea. When they reached the shore, they discovered three pieces of dolphin flesh, as though cut by human hands and washed clean in the water. They knelt down and gave thanks to God. Cuthbert then said, “Take them and carry them, blessing the Lord. See, these three portions will sustain three men for three days and nights, and on the fourth day, the weather will clear so that we can set sail.” They took the fish, prepared it, and marveled at its extraordinary sweetness. The storm continued to rage violently for three days, but on the fourth day, just as Cuthbert had foretold, the sky became calm. They resumed their voyage and safely reached their harbor.

¹⁷ This event was recounted to us by one of the two brothers who had been present, a man named Tydi, who is still living and is now a priest. He glorified God, who once provided meat for Elijah in the wilderness, and who now provided for this holy man in the same way. Filled with the same Spirit as the Apostle Paul, Cuthbert, like Paul in the Acts of the Apostles, foretold both the storm and the calm to his companions.

¹⁸ The same priest, Tydi, also told us of another miracle, one well known to many. The Saint was traveling one day near the River Tesgesta, heading south while teaching and baptizing the people living among the hills. As they walked, he asked a boy who was accompanying him, “Do you have any idea who is preparing dinner for you today?” The boy replied that he knew of no one on the road and had no expectation of kindness from strangers. The servant of God reassured him, saying, “Have faith, my son. God will provide for those who place their hope in Him. For He has promised: ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well’. He will fulfill the words of the psalmist: ‘I have been young, and now am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken’. And again, as the Gospel says: ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages’.”

¹⁹ Cuthbert, looking up and seeing an eagle soaring in the sky, said to the boy, “It is this eagle that God has commanded to prepare our dinner today.” As they walked further, they came upon the eagle sitting on the bank of the river. At Cuthbert’s command, the boy ran toward the eagle and saw a very large fish lying near it. He picked up the fish and brought it back to Cuthbert. But the man of God said to him, “Why have you not given our fisherman his share?” Obeying Cuthbert, the boy cut the fish into two portions, giving one half to the eagle. They kept the other half and, upon reaching the first house they came to, boiled it. They ate the fish themselves and shared it with others as well. Having satisfied their hunger, they prayed to the Lord, gave thanks in accordance with God’s will, and continued their journey into the mountains. As previously mentioned, they taught the people and baptized them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

²⁰ At the same time, while baptizing among the mountains and preaching the Word of life to a gathering in a certain village, Cuthbert suddenly perceived in his spirit that the old enemy was present among them, seeking to disrupt the work of salvation. Anticipating his snares, he called out, “Beloved brethren, if any sudden temptation arises from outside, remain steadfast and do not leave. It is only a deception meant to distract you from hearing the Word of God.”

²¹ After saying this, he continued his sermon where he had left off. Before long, loud cries and shouts of “Fire!” were heard, as though a house were ablaze. Nearly everyone present, except for a few whom Cuthbert held back with an outstretched hand, ran out toward the supposed fire, trying to dismantle the walls and extinguish the flames. But suddenly, they realized there was no fire—no smoke, nor any sign of flames. Recognizing that they had been deceived by a false and illusory fire created by the devil, they returned to the man of God. Falling to their knees, they begged for his forgiveness, confessing that they now understood the cunning and varied tricks of seduction used by evil spirits. Thus, all of them—greatly improved in spirit and strengthened by his teaching—returned to their homes rejoicing.

²² Around the same time, the holy man of God was invited by a woman named Kenswith, a widow devoted to a religious life, who is still living. She had raised him from the age of eight until he grew to full maturity and dedicated himself to God’s service. Because of this, he called her his mother and often visited her.

²³ One day, he went to the village where she lived, called Herningaham. While there, a fire broke out in a house at the far eastern end of the town. The wind was blowing strongly from that direction, causing the fire to spread rapidly. Kenswith, alarmed, ran back to her own house, where Cuthbert was staying, and begged him to pray for God’s help to protect their homes from the flying embers that threatened to engulf them. Without showing any fear, Cuthbert reassured her, saying, “Do not be afraid. This fire will not harm you.” He then went to the door, cast himself facedown on the ground, and prayed silently. As soon as he began to pray, a strong wind arose from the west, driving the flames in the opposite direction, where they could cause no further harm. Everyone saw clearly that the divine power of God had worked through him, protecting them from great danger. Filled with gratitude, they gave thanks and blessed the Lord.

²⁴ There was a certain religious man, dearly loved by the servant of God, whose name was Hildmer. His wife was tormented by a devil, leaving her greatly emaciated, near death, and prone to gnashing her teeth and crying out in a pitiful voice. Convinced that she would soon meet a miserable end, Hildmer hurried to our monastery and sought an audience with St. Cuthbert, who was then the Provost of our Church. Hildmer explained that his wife was gravely ill and near death, but he refrained from mentioning that her illness was caused by madness. He felt ashamed to admit that someone who had once been a devout woman was now afflicted by an evil spirit, not realizing that even Christian people can sometimes suffer such trials. Instead, he simply asked for a priest to accompany him and for a burial place to be prepared.

²⁵ The man of God immediately went to arrange for someone to go with Hildmer. However, suddenly moved by the Spirit of God, Cuthbert turned back and said, “I should not send another in my place—I must go with you myself to visit her.”

²⁶ The man of God prepared himself, and they set out together on horseback. Along the way, Cuthbert noticed that his companion was deeply distressed and in tears. His grief arose partly from the fear of losing his wife and leaving his children orphaned, but even more so from the shame and sorrow of her degraded and pitiful state. Her insanity had reduced her to a miserable condition—neglecting herself, filthy, and incoherent. Hildmer feared the man of God would find her in this wretched state. But Cuthbert gently comforted him, revealing that he already knew what had been kept hidden. Then, with prophetic assurance, he said, “As soon as we arrive at your house, the wife you believe to be dying will come out to meet me and take the bridle of my horse, which I now hold in my hand. For by the help of God, the demon will be cast out, and she herself will serve us.”

²⁷ When they arrived at the house, events unfolded just as Cuthbert had foretold. The woman, as if awakened from a deep sleep, came outside to meet them. At the very moment she touched the bridle, the devil was completely driven away. She was fully restored to her former health, and with great joy and gratitude to God, she welcomed them into her home and offered them hospitality.

Chapter 3 #

¹ [A.D. 664]

² St. Cuthbert faithfully carried out his duties as Provost in the monastery of Mailros, serving the Lord, who performed many miracles through him. I have endeavored to recount these miracles for the benefit of those whose faith was weak. In time, St. Cuthbert fled from worldly glory and chose a life of deeper solitude. Later, at the earnest request and invitation of the holy Bishop Eata, and according to the will of God, he came to our island of Lindisfarne. Here, whether he was present or absent, he healed those who were possessed by evil spirits and cured many suffering from various diseases.

³ St. Cuthbert lived according to the teachings of Holy Scripture. Even while engaged in active duties, he maintained the contemplative spirit of monastic life. He also established, for the first time, the rule we observe to this day, which is a combination of the rule of St. Benedict and his own guidance. After some years, he resolved to retreat to the island called Farne, a desolate place surrounded by waves, where he intended to live as a hermit. No one had ever attempted to inhabit this island before due to the terrifying appearances of evil spirits in the area. However, St. Cuthbert, with fearless courage, drove the demons away.

⁴ On the island, he dug a chamber into the solid rock to a depth of about a cubit and constructed an extraordinary wall. The wall, also about a cubit high, was made of stones so massive that no one could believe he had positioned them there without firsthand knowledge of the strength God had given him. His dwelling consisted of two small rooms, designed so that he could see nothing from within except the heavens above.

⁵ Simeon of Durham records that this change of residence took place in A.D. 664 (History of the Church of Durham, Book I, Chapter VI). St. Cuthbert had lived at Lindisfarne for twelve years prior to this move, which, counting from A.D. 664, brings us to the year 676.

⁶ On the island, St. Cuthbert found a large stone, which he asked some visiting brothers to fetch using a cart so he could use it in his building project. The brothers promptly obeyed and attempted to transport the stone. However, they were forced to leave it halfway through the journey, fearing that its immense weight might break their cart or cause them harm. A few days later, when these same brothers sailed back to the island, they were astonished to find the very stone they had been unable to move now perfectly set in its place within the structure that the servant of God was building. They praised and glorified God, who performs such wondrous works through His servants, recalling the Scripture: “God is glorious in His saints”.

⁷ On another occasion, some of the brethren visited St. Cuthbert. As was his custom, he first preached the Word of God to them and then said, “My beloved brethren, you know that this place is nearly uninhabitable due to the lack of water. Let us therefore implore God’s help. I ask you to dig in this rocky patch of ground, right in the middle of the pavement of my dwelling, trusting that the Lord God is able to bring water out of hard rock for those who pray to Him, just as He gave water to the thirsty people when Moses struck the rock with his staff, and again provided water for Samson, when he was parched, from the jawbone of a donkey.” The brethren obeyed and dug as he had directed. At St. Cuthbert’s prayer, a spring of living water immediately burst forth from the stony ground and began to flow toward him. We ourselves have tasted this spring and have gratefully experienced its extraordinary sweetness, which remains even to this day. Furthermore, I have it on reliable testimony that the holy anchorite and servant of God confessed that in this water, which God had granted him, he could perceive the sweet taste of all other drinks.

⁸ There is another miracle I cannot omit, which God performed out of love for His faithful servant. St. Cuthbert was in need of a beam twelve feet long to serve as the foundation for part of his construction. He asked the brethren who came to visit him to bring one. The sea waves often reached the hollow he had carved into the rock, sometimes flowing into it, and he planned to lay the beam there as a foundation for his building. However, the brethren were unable to fulfill his request (may God not hold this against them). Our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom St. Cuthbert turned in prayer, came to his aid. That very night, the waves of the sea brought a beam twelve feet long, floating on the water, and deposited it exactly at the edge of the rock where St. Cuthbert needed it for his construction. In this way, God answered the prayer of His servant.

⁹ The brethren, who were keeping watch during the night, saw the beam in the morning and gave thanks to God. They marveled that the sea, in honor of Christ, had shown greater obedience to the holy anchorite than men had. To this very day, the building, resting on the transverse beam, remains visible to all who sail past the island.

¹⁰ Just as the sea obeyed the man of God, so too did the birds of the air submit to his authority. One day, while he was digging in the ground on his island, he noticed two ravens, long-time inhabitants of the place, attempting to build their nest. They were tearing the thatch from the roof of a house near the landing area built for sailors. At that time, during the early years of his life on the island—before he closed his doors and confined himself to solitude—he labored with his own hands for his daily needs, in accordance with the words of Scripture: “He who does not work, shall not eat”. The man of God waved his hands to shoo the birds away, concerned that their actions might cause problems for the brothers who occasionally visited. When the ravens ignored his gestures, he sternly rebuked them, commanding in the name of Jesus Christ that they leave the island immediately. At once, they obeyed his command and flew away.

¹¹ Three days later, one of the ravens returned. As the man of God continued to work the ground, the bird approached him and, spreading its wings over the furrow and bowing its head to the earth, seemed to beg for forgiveness. Recognizing the raven’s repentance, the man of God granted it permission to return. Soon after, both ravens returned together, this time bearing a gift. Each carried a large piece of pork in its beak, which they laid at the man’s feet. He forgave them for their earlier wrongdoing, and they have dwelt on the island ever since. Eyewitnesses who visited the man of God vouched for the truth of this story. Remarkably, they even used the fat from the pork brought by the ravens to oil their shoes, and this supply lasted them an entire year.

¹² [A.D. 681]

¹³ The consecrated virgin and royal abbess, Elfleda, humbly requested the holy anchorite to meet with her on Coquet Island. This servant of God knelt before him, asking him many questions. Finally, she solemnly adjured him, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the nine orders of angels, and all the holy saints, to reveal how long her brother, King Egfrid, would live.

¹⁴ Thus pressed and unwilling to offend the Lord, the man of God responded indirectly. He spoke at length about the brevity of human life and then added these words: “O handmaid of God, surely it is no small blessing to be assured of life even for twelve months!” Elfleda understood that he spoke with divine foresight and intention. Overcome with sorrow, she wept bitterly. A year later, her grief—and that of countless others—was renewed when the royal house fell, cruelly struck down by the enemy’s sword.

¹⁵ She then asked him another question: “By that same Holy Unity and Trinity, I adjure you to tell me—who will be his heir?” After a brief pause, he said, “Him you may take as your brother, no less than the other.” Elfleda found his words puzzling and earnestly asked where this person might be found. The holy man, with great gentleness, replied, “O servant of God, why are you surprised? Could he not even now be in an island within this very sea?”

¹⁶ At this, she realized that he was speaking of Alfrid, who was now happily reigning as king, and who, at that time, was residing on the island of Hy (Iona). She then turned her questioning to him personally, knowing that the king desired to call him to the episcopate. She asked whether the king’s wish would come to pass and how long he would serve as bishop. He humbly declared himself unworthy of such an honor but acknowledged that it would be impossible to avoid, whether by hiding on land or sea. “Within the brief span of two years,” he said, “I will receive the reward of my labors. But I charge you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to tell no one of this as long as I live.”

¹⁷ After sharing these words—and many other prophetic statements, all of which were later fulfilled without a doubt—he boarded his boat and returned to Farne.

¹⁸ For many years, he continued to live in solitude, hidden from the sight of men. Yet, in all circumstances, he remained constant in both his expression and the disposition of his mind. He was always joyful and glad-hearted. No memory of sin ever clouded his face with sorrow, nor did any praise or admiration inflate him with pride. His words, though modest, were sharp with meaning and laced with ready wit. They brought comfort to the sorrowful, instruction to the ignorant, and peace to the angry. To all who heard him, he conveyed one undeniable truth: that nothing in this world is to be preferred over the love of Christ.

¹⁹ Before everyone, he consistently set forth the greatness of the blessings to come and the gifts that God has already given us, who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for the salvation of all people.

Chapter 4 #

¹ [A.D. 684.]

² Having been chosen for the episcopate of our church of Lindisfarne at the request of King Egfrid, the Saxon bishops, and the Senate, the King himself, along with Bishop Trumwin of holy memory and some chosen members of our household, went to him. The Synod, having assembled behind closed doors within the monastery, fell on their knees and solemnly entreated him by our Lord Jesus Christ to accept their request. With great reluctance, many tears, and expressions of grief, he was brought before the Synod, over which Archbishop Theodore presided, and after the customary period of consideration, he was admitted to the episcopate. It is beyond my ability or authority to fully describe how excellent and great he was in carrying out this office, though it is better to offer some account than to remain silent. He remained always as he had been before—unchanged in the compassion of his heart and the simplicity of his outward appearance. Thus, with both authority and grace, he fulfilled the dignified office of bishop while never departing from the strict rule of the monk or the virtue of the anchorite.

³ In all things, he diligently followed the teaching of St. Paul to Titus: “A bishop must be without crime”. His speech was always pure and resolute, both serious and straightforward, yet full of sweetness and grace, whether he spoke on the ministry of the law, the teaching of faith, the virtue of self-control, or the practices of a just life. He provided each person with varied and appropriate instruction because he always knew in advance what to say, to whom, when, and how to say it. Above all else, he took special care to unite fasting, prayer, and vigilance with the study of the Scriptures. His memory, ever mindful of the Church’s canons and the virtues of the Saints, served him in place of books. He fulfilled all the duties of brotherly love toward his brethren and practiced humility, along with that supreme charity without which every other virtue is worthless. He cared for the poor, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, sheltered strangers, ransomed captives, and protected widows and orphans, striving to earn the reward of eternal life in the company of the choirs of angels with our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ The holy Cuthbert, being thus deeply rooted in the virtues required for the exercise of the episcopal office, was exalted by our Lord to the highest degree of dignity and authority through many miracles and wonders. Just as it was said to the Apostles, “Whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven”, so his priests and deacons have testified that these words were fulfilled in him not only in a spiritual sense but also through tangible deeds. Moreover, as we read in the Acts of the Apostles, many signs and wonders were performed among the people.

⁵ One of King Egfrid’s earls, named Heunna, who lived in the region called Henitis, had a wife who fell gravely ill, to the point that her life was almost despaired of. As our holy bishop traveled and preached the word of God among the people, he arrived at the place where the earl resided. The earl immediately went out to meet him, giving thanks to God for his arrival, and received him and his companions with kindness and hospitality, washing their hands and feet. He then informed the holy bishop of his wife’s dangerous condition, which had brought much grief and sorrow to the entire household. He asked the bishop to bless some holy water for her, believing that if she were to die, she might depart more peacefully, or if her life were to be spared, she might recover more quickly. The holy bishop blessed the water in the presence of all and handed it to his priest, Beta, who is still living. When the priest entered her bedchamber, where she lay as if half-dead, he sprinkled her and her bed with the water and poured a little into her mouth. She immediately regained consciousness, gave thanks, and blessed God for granting her the grace of receiving such great guests who had brought healing. Without delay, she rose up in full health and, like Peter’s mother-in-law, ministered to them with her own hands. She was the first in this noble household to offer the cup of joy to the bishop, who had taken from her lips the cup of death.

⁶ The priest Ethelwold, now Abbot of the Monastery of Mailros, recounted to me another instance of a miraculous healing that he personally witnessed. He said, “One day, we arrived with the holy bishop at a town called Bedesfeld. There, a girl who was a close relative of mine had been suffering for nearly a year from severe pain in her head and down one side of her body, which no physician had been able to cure or relieve. When our bishop heard of her illness, he was moved with compassion at our request and anointed her with oil that he had consecrated himself. From that very hour, she began to recover, and within a few days, she was restored to perfect health.”

⁷ Another miracle of a similar kind I heard from the testimony of many witnesses, whose account leaves no room for doubt. Among them, Heunna related: “One day, the holy bishop set out from Hagustaldese and traveled toward Carlisle. On the way, he stopped in a region called Alise, where a great number of people had gathered. He remained there for two days, laying his hands on each person’s head, anointing them with the oil he had consecrated, and preaching the word of God. Suddenly, some women appeared, carrying on a litter a young man who had been wasted by a long and grievous illness. They set him down at the edge of the forest, not far from our tents where the holy bishop was staying, and sent a message begging him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant the afflicted man his blessing, as well as the prayers of the other holy men with him, so that he might obtain pardon for his sins, which they believed had brought upon him the weight of divine punishment. When the bishop saw their unwavering faith, he sent us away, blessed the young man, and healed him of his sickness, restoring him to health. The bishop glorified God for coming to the aid of His servant who had trusted in Him. At that very hour, the young man rose up, refreshed himself with a little food, and walked away with the women, giving thanks and magnifying the Lord, who works such wonders in His saints.”

⁸ The priest Tydi, whom I have already mentioned, gave me the following account: “Our holy bishop was in a town called Methelwong during the pestilence that devastated both that area and many others. As he was preaching the word of God to the remaining people, he turned to me and quietly asked, ‘Is there anyone in this town still afflicted by the pestilence, to whom I can go to bring blessing and comfort?’ I pointed out to him a poor woman standing at a distance, weeping bitterly. She was pleading with him on behalf of one son who had just died, while she held in her arms his brother, who was now swollen and gasping for breath in the throes of death. Cuthbert immediately rose, went to her, blessed and kissed her child, and assured her, ‘O woman, do not weep. The son you have lost is saved, and no one else in your family shall die from this pestilence.’ Both the mother and the son are still alive and bear witness to the truth of this account.”

⁹ Neither should I omit what was related by one of our priests, who is still alive but was at that time a layman in the service of a certain earl. He recounted this act of mercy in the bishop’s presence: “When our holy bishop first began to preach the word of God among the country people, he was invited by my lord, Tibba—one of the earls of King Egfrid—who lived near the river called Tweed, to visit his town. The bishop arrived in procession with his companions, singing psalms and hymns. My lord received him most cordially and informed him of the desperate condition of one of his servants, who lay gravely ill and was, in fact, at the point of death. The holy bishop, moved with compassion, blessed some water and gave it to me, as I was attending the sick man, with the instruction: ‘Go and give this water to the sick man. By God’s help and according to our faith, it will bring him safety, for the Lord will forgive the sins for which he is afflicted and grant him rest from his suffering—whether now, by restoring his health, or in the world to come, if he is to die.’ I went to the sick man as instructed, and as I poured a little of the water into his mouth for the third time, by God’s mercy, he regained consciousness and recovered his former health. He is still living, and he gives thanks to God, calls down blessings on the bishop, and prays for him continually.”

¹⁰ While King Egfrid was devastating the kingdom of the Picts—where, according to the predestined judgment of God, he was ultimately overthrown and slain—our holy bishop, during his travels, visited the city of Luel (now Carlisle), where the Queen was staying, awaiting the outcome of the war. On Saturday, at three o’clock in the afternoon, as affirmed by the priests and deacons, many of whom are still alive, all those present were inspecting the city walls and a fountain of remarkable craftsmanship, which had been built by the Romans, as their guide, Waga, the Provost of the city, informed them. While leaning on his staff, the good bishop suddenly bowed his face to the ground, then, raising himself again, lifted his eyes to heaven and, groaning deeply, exclaimed three times, “Ah! Ah! Ah! I fear the war is over, and that judgment has been pronounced against our people who are engaged in it.” When those around him anxiously asked what had happened, he answered enigmatically, “O my children, do you not see how marvellously the air has changed and become disturbed? And who among mortals is sufficient to comprehend the judgments of God?” Within a few days, the sorrowful and unexpected news of the battle’s outcome—fought and concluded on the very day and at the very hour it had been revealed to Cuthbert—spread throughout the land.

¹¹ In the city of Carlisle, a devout hermit named Herbert came to visit St. Cuthbert. Herbert, who lived on one of the western isles, had frequently sought spiritual guidance from the holy bishop. As was his custom, Herbert came again to resume their discussions on matters of faith and holiness. After speaking together for some time and exchanging words of encouragement, St. Cuthbert, filled with prophetic insight, said before a gathering of witnesses: “Beloved brother, consider if there is anything you wish to ask me or speak to me about, for, as Paul foretold to the Ephesians, we shall not see each other again in this life.”

¹² On hearing this, Herbert fell at Cuthbert’s feet, weeping bitterly. He pleaded, “I beg you, through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, pray to the Holy Trinity that I may not remain in this world without your companionship. Ask that I may be taken with you to share in the joy of His eternal kingdom.” Cuthbert paused to pray. Then, while Herbert still knelt before him, he gently said, “Rise and take comfort. The Lord Jesus Christ will grant your request.”

¹³ What followed confirmed the bishop’s words. On the night of Wednesday, March 20, 687, both the holy bishop and the faithful hermit passed from this life at the same hour. They are now united in glory, reigning with Christ forever.

¹⁴ From Bede (Chapter 127), we learn that Herbert was first purified through a prolonged illness. This, perhaps, was granted by the merciful dispensation of our Lord, so that the continual suffering of his extended sickness might atone for any deficiency in merit he might have compared to the blessed Cuthbert. By this divine provision, Herbert was brought to equal grace with his holy intercessor. Thus, they were both deemed worthy to depart this life at the same hour and on the same day, to be admitted together to a shared seat of eternal blessedness.

¹⁵ The faithful Abbess Elfleda recounted to me another instance of the miraculous insight of the holy Bishop Cuthbert. While seated with her at the table in her monastery at Osingadun (near Whitby), Cuthbert suddenly became enraptured in contemplation. His gaze became fixed, and the knife he had been holding dropped onto the table. Concerned, the abbess leaned towards him and said, “I beseech you, my lord bishop, tell me what you have seen.” Cuthbert replied, “I have seen the soul of a certain holy member of this monastery being borne by angels to heaven and placed among the choir of angels and holy martyrs.” When she pressed him for the name of the person, he responded, “Tomorrow, during Mass, you yourself shall tell me their name.”

¹⁶ The abbess immediately sent a messenger to the monastery to inquire whether anyone had recently passed away. The initial report was that everyone appeared safe and well. However, upon further inquiry, it was discovered that one of the shepherds, named Haduald, had fallen from a tree he had climbed recklessly and had died. When this was reported to the abbess, she hurried to Bishop Cuthbert, who was then consecrating the church and had reached the prayer of the Mass beginning, “Memento, Domine famulorum.” At that moment, she gave him the name of the deceased brother, Haduald.

¹⁷ This event revealed to all the extraordinary prophetic spirit and divine grace granted to St. Cuthbert, whose apostolic insight also foretold, in many ways, the time of his own death.

¹⁸ After serving for two years as the bishop of his diocese, St. Cuthbert, filled with the prophetic spirit of God and foreseeing that the day of his departure was near, relinquished the responsibilities of his pastoral office. Drawn by his deep love for the solitary life he had previously embraced, he returned to the island from which he had been reluctantly taken. There, he dwelled alone, content with the companionship and ministry of angels, his faith and hope firmly fixed on God. Though his body was frail and weighed down by illness, his spirit remained steadfast and resolute in its devotion.

¹⁹ As St. Cuthbert’s weakness grew and he approached the end of his earthly life, he sent for a trusted and faithful brother named Walhstod, who is still living. At the time, Walhstod was suffering from dysentery, but Cuthbert desired that he come to his cell to minister to him. Walhstod readily agreed and made the journey. As Walhstod himself recounts with tears, the moment he touched the bishop’s hand, his sickness and weakness left him completely. Where he had previously felt despondent, believing he was near death, he now experienced a full restoration of life and health. Overjoyed, he gave thanks to God and shared the miraculous event with the brethren.

²⁰ After this, the holy Bishop Cuthbert, having received Communion, lifted his hands to heaven and commended his soul to God with his final breath. Seated peacefully, without a groan, he departed to the eternal joys of the heavenly kingdom. The brethren placed his remains in a boat and brought them to their island. There, they lovingly washed his body, wrapped his head in a handkerchief, and placed the sacramental elements upon his holy breast. They then dressed him in his sacerdotal vestments, with sandals on his feet, prepared to meet Christ. After enclosing his body in a cerecloth, they laid his incorrupt remains, which appeared as though he were merely asleep, to rest with all due honor in his sepulchre within their church, while his soul rejoiced in the presence of Christ.

²¹ Eleven years later, guided by the Holy Spirit, the leaders of the monastery, with the consent of the holy Bishop Eadberht, decided to open the tomb of their most illustrious member, St. Cuthbert, and raise his remains. To their astonishment, when they opened the tomb, they discovered the saintly bishop’s body entirely intact, just as it had been when first buried eleven years earlier. The limbs were not stiff, nor were the sinews shrunken or the skin dried with the marks of age. Instead, the joints remained flexible, with full suppleness, as though he were still alive. When they lifted the body from the tomb, they found they could move his knees and neck with ease. His shoes and the parts of his robes that had touched his skin showed no signs of decay. The cloth that had been wrapped around his head was as bright and fresh as when it was first made. These miraculous items, including his headcloth and the new sandals he had worn, remain preserved among the relics in our church to this day as a testament to his sanctity.

²² Our Lord, in honor of His holy servant St. Cuthbert, granted miraculous cures to many after his passing. One such case involved a boy tormented by a cruel and violent spirit. The boy screamed, howled, destroyed everything within reach, and even attempted to harm himself. Despite his efforts, the priest Tydi, whom I have often mentioned, was unable to expel the spirit or bring relief.

²³ Seeing no other option, Tydi advised the boy’s father to bring him in a cart to the monastery and pray before the relics of the holy Apostles and Martyrs housed there. The boy’s agonizing cries and frenzied behavior struck terror into all who heard him, leading many to despair of any hope for his recovery. Moved by compassion, one of the priests—strong in faith and pure in life—placed his trust in God and invoked the intercession of St. Cuthbert. He blessed some water, then went to the spot where water used to wash St. Cuthbert’s body had been poured onto the ground. Taking a small amount of that soil, he mixed it with water and gave it to the boy to drink.

²⁴ As soon as the boy tasted the blessed water, his screams and chaotic behavior ceased. By the following day, he was calm. Accompanied by his father, he came to the monastery to offer thanks to God. Together, they prayed before the relics of the Saints and gave glory to God, whom they believed had healed the child through the intercession of St. Cuthbert. With great joy and gratitude, they then returned home, praising God for His wonders in His Saints.

²⁵ The Lord God, in His divine will, has seen fit to honor this holy confessor and preserve his incorruptible body, fulfilling what Jesus Christ foretold about John the Evangelist at His departure: “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”. Many wondrous events continue to occur daily through God’s permission, and one such miraculous incident took place recently.

²⁶ A clerk in the service of Bishop Wilbrord traveled from across the sea and was received as a guest in our community. While staying with us, he fell gravely ill. His sickness steadily worsened over a long period, reducing him to what seemed a hopeless state. On a Sunday, he said to his attendant, “Take me today, after Mass if at all possible, to the tomb of the most holy man of God. I trust and hope in God with simple faith and confidence that, for the honor of His servant—whose body lies there, perfect and incorruptible—He will either restore my limbs, wasted by this sickness, to full health or grant me a share of the heavenly glory which Cuthbert now enjoys, freeing me from these bonds of suffering.”

²⁷ To keep the account brief: with great effort, they brought him to the tomb. Kneeling down and bowing his head to the ground, he prayed fervently for healing. As soon as his prayer was completed, he gave thanks to God, for he was immediately cured. Rising to his feet without assistance, he walked back to the hospice. In a few days, fully restored in strength, he resumed his journey home.

²⁸ I will not omit another miracle, similar to the one just described, which occurred earlier this year. In a nearby community, there was a young man afflicted with palsy. He was brought in a cart to our monastery to consult the skilled physicians here. They attended to his case with the utmost care and did everything within their power to help him. Despite their efforts, most of his limbs had become mortified, his entire body was paralyzed and numb, and, after exhausting all possible remedies, they were forced to give up hope.

²⁹ Finding himself abandoned by the physicians, the young man tearfully said to his attendant, “This paralysis and numbness began in my feet and has spread to all my limbs. Please, I beg you, ask the Abbot to let me have the shoes that once covered the feet of the incorruptible man of God.” The attendant carried out his request, obtaining the shoes and placing them on the young man’s feet that same evening, just before bedtime. That night, by God’s grace, the young man awoke completely healed. The mortification and paralysis were gone; he could move freely and speak clearly. The following day, he went to all the shrines of the holy martyrs to give thanks to God, who had restored him to full health through the intercession of the holy bishop, in response to his faith.

³⁰ I have shared these few details with you, brethren, while leaving out many others. I have done so only to prevent the reader from becoming overwhelmed by their sheer number and thus abandoning my narrative altogether. Let me briefly mention that in many places, those who were infirm or possessed acknowledged that the demons left them upon his arrival—sometimes even before he arrived—and they never returned. Others were healed simply by his presence and with a single word. In many instances, brethren silently resolved in their hearts, without anyone knowing, to ask him to pray for the favors they sought. Through his prophetic spirit, he anticipated their requests and granted the desires of their hearts before they even asked. As Paul writes, “God has revealed it to us through the Spirit”.

³¹ Nor will I describe in detail the miraculous production of blessed bread, which occurred on two occasions, with such abundance and quality. Neither will I recount the draught of water that he blessed, so that those who drank after him tasted the sweetness of every beverage. I will also not go into the healing of the deacon of the holy Bishop Winfrid, who was cured of sickness on two separate occasions by the relics of this confessor of God.