The Chapters of the Second Book Begin #

¹ * Chapter One: How Bishop Eardulfus and Abbot Eadredus Carried the Incorrupt Body of Saint Cuthberti Away from the Island of Lindisfarnense, and Travelled with It from Place to Place for Seven Years.

• Chapter Two: How the Haugustaldensis Bishopric Was Restored at Cestriam by Eardulphum, Bishop of Lindisfarnensem, and How the Body of Saint Cuthberti Was Afterwards Carried to Dunelmum by Bishop Aldunum.
• Chapter Three: How the Haugustaldensis Church, by Virtue of the Prerogative of Its Ancient Honour, Possesses This Liberty: That It Owes No Duty to the Bishop of Dunelmensi, Whether for a Synod, for Chrism or for Any Other Cause, Unless the Bishop Himself Summons the Church to Discuss Some Ecclesiastical Matter; and Then the Prior or Another Brother of That Church Shall Attend.
• Chapter Four: How the Haugustaldensis Church, Protected by Divine Mercy, Has Never Been Abandoned by Its Patrons, Namely the Holy Bishops Eatæ, Acce and Alchmundi, and the Other Venerable Prelates Fredberti and Tilberti, Nor Has It Ever Been Deprived of Their Sacred Relics.
• Chapter Five: How the Haugustaldensis Church, Once Renowned and Magnificent for Its Abundant Possessions and Religious Observance, Was Given to the Eboracensi Church as a Prebend, Together with a Certain Estate Named Holm.
• Chapter Six: A Certain Memorable Deed of Archbishop Thomæ, and How God Should Not Be Provoked to Anger by Offence, but Rather Moved to Mercy by Good Works, So That, Being Appeased, He May Have Mercy upon His Creature.
• Chapter Seven: The Election of the Second Thome, Archbishop of Eboracensis.
• Chapter Eight: When the Hagustaldensis Church Was Restored to Religious Life after the Second Devastation Carried Out by Haldano, King of the Danorum, as Related Above.
• Chapter Nine: How Ailavus the Priest, Father of Etheldredi, Abbot of Rievallis, Offered the Same Church to God, Free and Undisturbed, and Surrendered It into the Hand of the Prior, Rodberti Biset, with Great Devotion, by Means of a Beautiful Reliquary.
• Chapter Ten: How the Same Priest Received the Monastic Habit at Saint Cuthbertum in Dunelmi, and What Gifts the Second Thomas, Archbishop of Eboracensis, Gave to the Same Canons for the Adornment of the House of the Lord [Psalm 26:8].
• Chapter Eleven: The Death of the Same Thomæ, Archbishop of Eboracensis, of Pious Memory; His Successor Turstino; and the Benefits He Bestowed upon the Same Canons.
• Chapter Twelve: The Liberties Granted by Kings, the Gifts of Princes and the Alms of Other Faithful People.
• Chapter Thirteen: The Great Veneration and Dignity in Which the Haugustaldense Monastery Was Held by the Ancients, How Marvellously It Was Founded, How Magnificently It Was Adorned and How Gloriously It Was Exalted.
• Chapter Fourteen: The Peace Anciently Granted by Kings and Princes to the Haugustaldensi Church and to All Who Took Refuge There, and the Penalty Imposed upon Those Who Broke It.

The Chapters End #

Book Two Begins #

Chapter One: How Bishop Eardulf and Abbot Eadred Carried the Incorrupt Body of Saint Cuthbert from the Island of Lindisfarne, and Wandered with It from Place to Place for Seven Years. #

¹ In the year of our Lord’s Incarnation 875, the two hundred and forty-first year from the foundation of the church of Lindisfarne, the one hundred and eighty-ninth from the death of Saint Cuthbert, the fifty-fourth since the bishops of the church of Hexham had ceased, the eighty-third from the former devastation, and the twenty-second of Eardulf’s episcopate, Northumbria having been laid waste by Halfdan, king of the Danes, as has already been said, the same Bishop Eardulf and Abbot Eadred carried the incorrupt body of Saint Cuthbert, together with the greater part of the treasure of that church, away from the island of Lindisfarne, and for seven years wandered with it from place to place before the advancing barbarians. Afterwards, coming to a village called Crayke, they remained there for four months. At length, returning to the place formerly called Chester-le-Street, and now called Chester, they arrived there and rested with the relics.

² And because, as stated above, the see of the church of Hexham had already been vacant for a long time—for, as some relate, Tilferth, its last bishop, had died on a journey towards Rome, and because of the violence of the persecutions there was no one in that region to succeed him and undertake his episcopate in his place—the same Eardulf began to perform episcopal duties within his diocese, and thus survived there for seventeen years. After his death, eight bishops succeeded him there in due order.

Chapter Two: How, Through Eardulf, Bishop of Lindisfarne, the Bishopric of Hexham Was Restored at Chester-le-Street; and How Afterwards Bishop Aldhun Transferred the Body of Saint Cuthbert. #

¹ Thus, in the year of our Lord’s Incarnation 883, and the one hundred and ninety-seventh from the death of Saint Cuthbert, during the reign of Guthred, the bishopric of Hexham was restored at Chester-le-Street through Eardulf, Bishop of Lindisfarne, and his successors, and remained there for one hundred and fifteen years. But in the year of our Lord’s Incarnation 995, the three hundred and eleventh from the death of Saint Cuthbert, the seventeenth year of the reign of Æthelred, and the sixth year of his own episcopate, Bishop Aldhun, warned in a vision of the impending fury of pirates, transferred the body of the most holy confessor from there to Ripon in the spring, together with the people of that place. After three or four months, when peace had been restored and they intended to return to Chester-le-Street, they found themselves entirely unable to move the vehicle bearing the holy relics from a place called Wardlaw, to the east of Durham. But after a three-day fast, it was revealed to them in a vision that they should turn aside to the place where Durham now stands and rest there. And so it was done.

² In this way, therefore, together with the holy body, the episcopal see which had been at Hexham remained, through the successors of the bishops of Lindisfarne, first at Chester-le-Street and then at Durham, where it has continued to the present day. If anyone wishes to know these matters more fully, he will be able to find them in the Deeds of the Bishops of Durham.

Chapter Three: That the Church of Hexham, by Virtue of Its Ancient Prerogative of Honour, Possesses This Liberty: That It Owes Nothing to the Bishop of Durham for Synods, Chrism, or Any Other Cause, Unless the Bishop Himself Summons the Church to Discuss Some Matter, in Which Case the Prior or One of the Brethren Shall Attend. #

¹ Thus, from the year in which Bishop Aidan first occupied the episcopal see at Lindisfarne to the year in which Bishop Aldhun began his episcopate at Durham, three hundred and sixty-one years are reckoned; and three hundred and nine from the death of Saint Cuthbert. From the time when the bishopric of Hexham was begun by Saint Wilfrid to the year in which Aldhun first re-established that same bishopric at Durham, it is believed that about three hundred and thirty-two years had passed.

² This church, therefore, that is, the church of Hexham, by virtue of that ancient prerogative of honour, possesses this liberty and authority: that it owes no due or customary payment, whether for a synod, for chrism, or for any ecclesiastical matter, to the Bishop of Durham, his archdeacon, or their officials, unless perhaps the bishop himself summons the church to discuss some ecclesiastical matter; and then the Prior, or one of the brethren of that church, shall go to him. But if the Bishop of Durham or the archdeacon should, for some reason, refuse to give the same church the holy oil at Easter, it is permitted, by decree of the Metropolitan of York, to receive it from the church of York; and it is also permitted to send its clerks wherever it wishes for ordination.

³ It is also established that from ancient times it has possessed this privilege: that it may receive for burial the bodies of any deceased persons from any place within the bishopric of Durham or any other bishopric, together with their lawful offerings, provided that, while they were alive, they committed themselves to the brethren of the church and chose among them their place of rest.

⁴ By the generosity and confirmation of kings, archbishops, bishops and princes, it also possesses this liberty: that nowhere does it pay any toll or customary charge for the transport or trade of its own goods. Therefore, whether in cities and towns, boroughs, villages or ports, if its servants sell or buy anything for the use of the church itself or its brethren, or travel from place to place with their money, they are accustomed and entitled to do so free from every exaction and customary charge.

Chapter Four: How the Church of Hexham, by Divine Protection, Was Never Abandoned by Its Patron Bishops, Namely Saints Eata, Acca and Alchmund, and the Other Venerable Prelates Frethbert and Tilbert, and Was Never Deprived of Their Holy Relics. #

¹ In the year of our Lord’s Incarnation 1113, the church of Saint Andrew the Apostle at Hexham was converted to the religious life. For although, over the course of many previous years, it had often been plundered and depopulated along with the surrounding region, and had long remained deserted, nevertheless, by the protection of Divine mercy, it was never deprived of its patrons, the bishops of that same church, namely Saints Eata, Acca and Alchmund, and the other venerable prelates, Frethbert and Tilbert; never, I say, was it deprived of their holy relics. For in a certain porch beside the sacristy of that church, towards the south, the relics of Saint Eata rested, fittingly placed in a single reliquary. By whom, however, or at what time they were raised from the ground, is unknown to us.

² Concerning Saints Acca and Alchmund, however, it is recorded that Ælfred Westou, a vigorous man and sacrist of the church of Durham, in the time of Æthelwine, bishop of that same church, being forewarned by a Divine revelation, raised them from the ground and placed them in the more secluded parts of the church. Afterwards, as time passed, they were placed more honourably and fittingly in two arches in the sacristy of that same church, Acca at the right-hand side of the altar and Alchmund at the left. Then, as the devotion of the faithful increased, both were placed together, much more suitably and honourably, behind and beside the altar, in a single reliquary, as may be seen at the present day. The relics of the venerable fathers Frethbert and Tilbert are also contained with them in the same shrine. Who raised them from the ground is not known to us. But because they were found everywhere with the same fathers, it is believed that they were raised together with them. In the reliquary situated to the south are the relics of Saint Eata. In the other, placed towards the north, is preserved the dust of the holy bodies of Acca and Alchmund. There are also many other relics there, with their inscriptions, which were afterwards given to that same church.

Chapter Five: How the Church of Hexham, Once Illustrious and Magnificent in Its Manifold Wealth and Religious Observance, Was Given to the Church of York as a Prebend, Together with a Certain Village Called Holme. #

¹ This church, enriched with so great a heavenly treasure, was under the care of a certain secular priest named Eilaf during the time of Thomas I, Archbishop of York. But not long afterwards, the same archbishop gave it, together with a certain village called Holme, as a prebend of the church of York to a certain canon of the church of Saint John of Beverley, who was called Richard of Maton. Under him, a priest named Eilaf, the son of the same Eilaf, administered that same church and received a certain portion of its benefices for his service.

² Thus that church, once illustrious and magnificent in its manifold wealth and religious observance, remained in this miserable condition until the death of the same Gerard; but by then, because of the faithlessness of its inhabitants and the grievous wickedness of secular and carnal men, it had been torn apart and brought to ruin by oppression. Thomas II succeeded the same Gerard as Archbishop of York, a man distinguished by the great nobility of his birth, but far more distinguished by the refined uprightness of his character. His father, Samson, was descended from the noblest Norman lineage, and was himself a magnificent man: first chaplain to William, King of the English, and treasurer of the church of Bayeux, over which Richard, a son of the same Samson, afterwards presided with episcopal dignity; and later the same Samson became Bishop of Worcester. Thomas I, Archbishop of York, mentioned above, most renowned for his many qualities of refinement and most worthy of glory for his exceptional vigour and prudence, was the brother of the same Samson and the paternal uncle of the later Thomas named above.

Chapter Six: Concerning a Certain Memorable Deed of Archbishop Thomas; and That God Should Not Be Provoked to Anger by Sin, but Rather Inclined to Mercy by Good Works, That He May Graciously Have Mercy upon His Creature. #

¹ In this Thomas II, therefore, a distinguished man, a praiseworthy natural character was richly adorned with many marks of virtue. His natural quickness of mind was enhanced by learning and eloquence of speech. His generosity in giving was made still more admirable by the pleasing cheerfulness of his countenance and the ready kindness of his disposition. As for how unspeakably his whole being overflowed with compassion and charity for the poverty of the needy, the sorrow of the mournful and the misery of the afflicted, and as for the exceptional refinement of his character, I have thought it better to remain silent than to say too little.

² Although he was surrounded by no small number of powerful and extremely wealthy relatives and friends, flourished in the sweet grace of youth, shone with the great glory of dignities and honours, and possessed a great abundance of riches, he sought the advice of physicians concerning the severe and frequent ailments of the liver from which he had suffered for a long time. After examining with the greatest care his physical constitution and the cause and nature of his illness, they firmly declared that he could in no way recover his health unless, loosening the restraint of chastity, he regularly satisfied the natural desires of the flesh. He utterly rejected their advice and, forbidding under anathema that anyone should ever again dare to suggest such a thing to him, is said to have given them this memorable reply with great firmness of mind: “Far be it, far be it from me knowingly to offend the Author and Giver of eternal salvation for the sake of this fleeting health of corruptible flesh. For God should not be provoked to anger by offence, but rather inclined to mercy by good works, so that, being gracious, He may have mercy upon His creature.” He then ordered generous alms to be given and, his face drenched with a most abundant shower of tears, devoted himself to prayer with great devotion, as indeed he was accustomed to do. With the whole affection of his heart he repeatedly invoked for his aid Saint John the Confessor, patron of the church of Beverley, whom among the Saints of God he especially loved and honoured. At that time he held the dignity of provost there, and it was there that he happened to fall ill; but soon afterwards, through the intercession of the most holy confessor and with God’s help, he recovered his health. Thus, having preserved his chastity, he is firmly believed to have departed this life in the purity of virginity. Together with the same marks of virtue, the gracious mercy of God had bestowed upon him such favour that he was greatly loved and cherished by rich and poor alike. Accordingly, wherever he went, he was received with extraordinary favour and joy, and was honoured and loved.

Chapter Seven: Concerning the Election of Thomas II, Archbishop of York. #

¹ Thus, in the year of our Lord’s Incarnation 1108, and the ninth year of Henry’s reign, Thomas II, at the king’s desire and with the unanimous consent and desire of the clergy and people, was elected to the archbishopric of York. He strove, with great care and diligence, to fulfil the dignity of the episcopal office through good works as far as he was able. As he frequently visited the monasteries of his archbishopric and, according to his ability and what was appropriate to each place, promoted the service of God within them, he also happened frequently to come to the monastery of Hexham on visitation. From this, by God’s inspiration, he began more frequently to recall how that place, once exceedingly rich in the magnificence of its possessions and dignities, and renowned for its religious observance, had fallen into a most miserable condition. Therefore, through God’s mercy, and so that the merits of the Saints resting there might be made manifest, he was deeply grieved with compassionate sorrow at its downfall, and began earnestly to consider its restoration himself and diligently to discuss and reconsider the matter with his advisers. When his wishes became known, very many people, especially certain clerks of his who were particularly dear and close to him, encouraged him by every means in their power to accomplish this.

Chapter Eight: When the Church of Hexham, after the Second Devastation by Halfdan, King of the Danes, as Same, Was Converted to the Religious Life. #

¹ Thus, in the year 5315 from the creation of the world; 1113 from the Incarnation of the Lord; the four hundred and eighty-sixth year since the church of York, founded through the preaching of Saint Paulinus the Archbishop, received its archiepiscopal see; the four hundred and eightieth since Bernicia received the faith through the preaching of Saint Oswald, king and martyr, and Saint Aidan the Bishop; the forty-eighth since the coming of the Normans into England; the fourteenth year of Henry’s reign, which was the fifth year of Thomas’s archiepiscopate, the often-mentioned Thomas, with the advice and assistance of his chapter, namely the church of Saint Peter at York, freed the same church of Hexham from the hands of the aforementioned Richard of Maton. With the consent of those same canons, he also gave him one portion from their common property in the same church of York in return for its release.

² Without delay, in the same year, on 1 November, he brought regular canons there and entrusted the church to them, together with its customs and everything belonging to it, peaceful and free, just as he himself had held it in his own lordship, as their charters testify.

³ The same priest, the younger Eilaf, continued for a long time to hold from the canons, in great peace and honour, the care of the parish together with the greater part of the benefices, one carucate of land with certain dwellings in the town of Hexham itself, and six bovates of land in Anick, namely the endowment of that church. For although they could often have taken the same possessions from him by both divine and secular law, and although they themselves were many times reduced to great want, even lacking food, they never wished to do so, lest he should be able, whether justly or unjustly, to complain of them and thereby damage their reputation in any way. Therefore Divine mercy, before whom the patience of His servants is never lost, at length took pity upon their poverty and restored their possessions to them without any scandal and with great honour.

Chapter Nine: How Eilaf the Priest, Father of Æthelred, Abbot of Rievaulx, Offered the Same Church to God Free and Unencumbered, and Surrendered It into the Hands of Prior Robert Biset, by Means of a Beautiful Phylactery, with Great Devotion. #

¹ On one occasion, when he began to fall ill at Durham, on the advice of certain wise men he summoned Robert, Prior of those canons. As soon as he arrived, Eilaf voluntarily and with great devotion surrendered to him the same church, and whatever he had held from it, free and unencumbered by any claim from himself or from anyone belonging to him. He also gave many thanks to Robert and his canons for their innumerable kindnesses, because they had treated him familiarly among themselves not as a chaplain, but as their own father. But because he repented that he had for so long made improper use of ecclesiastical possessions, by which the servants of God ought more properly to have been supported, he considered how he might best make this restitution. He therefore made it with a beautiful phylactery, namely a silver cross, in which were contained relics of the holy confessors and bishops Acca and Alchmund. He also earnestly begged that, on account of this deed, a perpetual memorial should be preserved in that church. William, Abbot of Rievaulx, and Æthelred, his monk and the son of this Eilaf; and, from the church of Saint Cuthbert, Maurice the subprior, Aldred the sacrist and Henry the monk; and, from the church of Hexham itself, a certain canon named Richard; together with two sons of the same Eilaf, Samuel and Æthelwold—all these had assembled there so that these things might be done in their presence and with their testimony; and so it was done without any protest or opposition.

Chapter Ten: How the Same Eilaf the Priest Received the Monastic Habit at Saint Cuthbert’s in Durham; and What Gifts Thomas II, Archbishop of York, Gave to the Same Canons for the Adornment of the House of the Lord. #

¹ These things took place in the year of the Incarnate Word 1138, the twenty-sixth year since the canons had received that church, and the twenty-fifth year of Archbishop Thurstan. Afterwards, as his illness grew more severe, he received the monastic habit at Saint Cuthbert’s, whom he had always held in extraordinary veneration. Thereafter, for several days, in great self-examination, contrition of heart and lamentation for his sins, and strengthened by receiving the Lord’s body, he ended his life there.

² Moreover, the same Archbishop Thomas gave the canons four small villages and one mill upon the River Tyne, together with everything belonging to them, just as he had held them in his own lordship; and one thousand eels each year; and certain other things, as their privileges, issued by the archbishop himself and by the chapter of the church of Saint Peter at York, testify. He also granted them one hundred shillings a year for their clothing. He also gave them books, vestments and many other things necessary for the adornment of the house of God [Psalm 26:8]; and, if he had been able to live longer, he would have given much more. For he intended, so far as reason permitted, to raise them and their church to greater honour with ardent desire.

Chapter Eleven: Concerning the Death of the Same Thomas, Archbishop of York, of Pious Memory; His Successor Thurstan; and the Benefits He Conferred upon the Same Canons. #

¹ Thus, in the year of our Lord’s Incarnation 1114, the fifteenth year of Henry’s reign and the seventh of his archiepiscopate, the often-mentioned Thomas entered the way of all flesh [Joshua 23:14; 1 Kings 2:2] at Beverley on 16 February, a Tuesday, and was buried at York with due honour. Thurstan, chaplain to King Henry, succeeded him as archbishop, having been elected at Winchester in the same year, on the day of the Assumption of Saint Mary. Amid the innumerable and most severe adversities by which he was long and repeatedly assailed, he maintained an unconquered and steadfast spirit. When at last these had been overcome and brought to the desired conclusion, he deservedly gained, through the excellence of his character, a celebrated reputation and great esteem among many peoples. For he was a man of great chastity and prudence, integrity and justice, distinguished by the splendour of many virtues; in matters concerning ecclesiastical affairs and in the protection of his own people, he was an excellent defender, and in the distribution of alms a most prudent administrator. Moreover, with great devotion and firm authority, he assisted and protected men of every religious order.

² Although he loved all religious churches, he nevertheless especially loved and protected the same church of Hexham; and therefore he not only confirmed its possessions, customs and dignities by his authority, but also increased them through his generosity. For, besides relics of many Saints, books, vestments, two pairs of candlesticks, one of silver and the other of gilded copper, many other ornaments of the holy church and numerous other gifts, he gave to that church and its canons, as a perpetual alms, with the advice and consent of the chapter of Saint Peter’s at York, one prebend in that same church of York; one hundred shillings a year from the archdeaconry of the West Riding for their clothing; a certain portion of land in the town of Hexham itself, on which their men live; one field between Acuud and the River Tyne; another portion of land there for enlarging their own dwelling; the land on which the hospital was built; one village, namely Dotland; both Grottingtons; and free pasture on the land of Saint Andrew for their pigs and those of their tenants. In addition, he granted them certain tithes.

³ For all these things, privileges were issued both by him and by the chapter of the church of Saint Peter at York, and by two kings of England, Henry and Stephen; these, together with their seals, are preserved in that church. There are also preserved there privileges of Pope Calixtus and Pope Eugenius confirming that same church.

Chapter Twelve: Concerning the Liberties Granted by Kings, the Gifts of Princes, and the Alms of Other Faithful People. #

¹ There are also preserved there many charters and other documents concerning lands given to that church through the generosity and alms of various people. Among them, David, King of Scotland, and Henry his son gave them one dwelling in Carlisle, and another dwelling in the same town. Robert de Seton, together with Richald his mother, gave them half of a certain village called Achewic. Waltheof and Alan his son gave four bovates of land one dwelling for the herring fishery in Eltadala. Forne and Ivo his son gave two bovates of land ……… And Sunnulf the priest gave one dwelling in York. William son of Ulf gave four bovates of land in Geveldala. Ranulf de Merlay gave ten shillings each year, until he should settle that amount upon them in land. Riched, mother of Robert de la Val, again gave to God and the church of Saint Andrew at Hexham, and to the canons serving God there, the other half of Achewic as a perpetual alms, free and unencumbered by any claim from herself or from anyone belonging to her, together with every right that she herself possessed over it. Stephen, King of England, gave forty shillings each year for the purchase of wine.

Chapter Thirteen: How Greatly the Monastery of Hexham Was Venerated and Honoured Among the Ancients, How Wonderfully It Was Founded, How Magnificently Adorned, and How Gloriously Exalted. #

¹ Anyone who has carefully read or heard the History of the English and the Deeds of the Ancient Northumbrians will be able to know very clearly how greatly that noble monastery of Hexham was venerated and honoured among the ancients. For, with the advice and assistance of Ecrians will be able to know very clearly how greatly that noble monastery of Hexham was venerated and honoured among the ancients. Ecgfrith, the most glorious and powerful King of the Northumbrians, and at the request and through the gift of Saint Æthelthryth, it was wonderfully founded, magnificently adorned and most gloriously exalted by Wilfrid of blessed memory, bishop both of the church of York and of Hexham itself. From that time onwards, by the authority of the holy Roman Church, by the gifts and attestations of archbishops and bishops, and by the generosity and confirmation of kings, earls and princes, it is known, among the other marks of its privileges, to grant and preserve the firm protection of peace for any accused persons who flee to it for protection. For on the eastern, southern, western and northern sides of that church there are certain fixed places and clearly defined boundaries, established in ancient times and well known to the inhabitants, within which no one is permited to molest, or rashly lay hands upon, either those going to seek its peace or returning from it, or anything belonging to them.

Chapter Fourteen: Concerning the Peace Anciently Granted by Kings and Princes to the Church of Hexham and to All Who Flee to It; and What Penalty Is Imposed upon Those Who Violate It. #

¹ If, therefore, anyone seizes and detains any person accused and convicted of any crime or offence within the four crosses that stand outside the town of Hexham itself, by common judgement he shall make amends with two hundredh. If within the town, with four hundredh. If within the walls of the churchyard, with six hundredh. If within the church, with twelve hundredh. If within the doors of the choir, with eighteen hundredh. Penance shall also be imposed in each case, as for sacrilege. Eight pounds are contained in a hundredth. But if anyone, driven by a frenzied spirit, should dare with diabolical audacity to seize anyone in the stone chair beside the altar, which the English call fridstol, that is, the chair of tranquillity or peace, or even at the shrine of the holy relics behind the altar, the amends for so heinous a sacrilege shall fall under no judgement and shall be limited by no sum of money, but among the English it is called botolos, that is, without amends.

² These amends belong in no way to the archbishop, unless he himself is present in the town when offences of this kind occur, but rather belong to the canons of the church itself. It should be known, however, that although we have said that the same places mark the boundaries of the peace, Thurstan, Archbishop of York, of pious memory, twice established by legal judgement—once against Hudard the sheriff, and on another occasion against Walter of Bywell, a certain chaplain of Bernard de Balliol—in the sight and hearing of many wise and noble men, that on the side where the same town is surrounded by the River Tyne, the peace of the same church begins from the middle of the current of the river itself. Therefore the two same men were compelled by judgement to restore to the archbishop certain men together with their possessions, whom they had dared to seize and detain in the above-mentioned part of the river while they were fleeing to the peace of the church. Having done this, they made amends to the church, the archbishop and the canons. But because, owing to frequent and excessive floods, the crosses that ought to have been placed there could not be fixed in the middle of the river, they were set upon its bank.

Here Ends the Description of the Church of Hexham #