IV. To Alexander, King of Scots.
St. Anselm The Devotions of Saint Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury ANSELM by the grace of God Archbishop of Canterbury to his dear brother and friend Burgundius and his wife Richera, his own sister, health and the blessing of God, and to the best of his power, his own also.
You have sent me word, my dearest Sir and friend Burgundius, that you purpose to go to Jerusalem for God's service and the health of your soul, and that you wish to have my consent to this, and that of your son, my nephew, Anselm.
I am glad to hear of your good intention and advise and entreat you, if you make this journey, neither to carry with you the sins you have committed nor to leave them behind at home, and to make a resolve of living well for the future, as befits a Christian of your degree. Make then a confession by name of all your sins from childhood upwards, so far as you can remember them.
See that you have no sin to charge yourself with in respect of your wife, whose goodness you know better than I; but leave her so that she may have the means of counsel and support, whatever God may do with you, and that she be not driven from your house and estate against her will so long as she lives, but may be able to serve God for the safety of your body and soul, and for her own soul and that of your children. Dispose therefore of all your property as you would do if you knew you were just about to die and to give account of all your life to God.
You ask my consent; I pray God you may always and everywhere have God's consent and counsel and aid and protection in all things.
I charge you, my dearest sister, turn your whole heart and mind to God's service and, as God hath taken from you all pleasure in this life, consider that He has done this so that you may have pleasure in none but Him; love Him, desire Him, think upon Him, serve Him at all times and in all places.
God Almighty ever bless you both.
IV238 To Alexander, King of Scots.239
This is Letter CXXXII. of Book III. in Gerberon's edition.
Son of Malcolm Canmore (the Malcolm of Macbeth) and St Margaret of Scotland: brother of Matilda, the wife of the English King Henry I. He reigned from 1107 to 1124, and was succeeded by his brother St David.
St. Anselm The Devotions of Saint Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury TO Alexander by the grace of God King of Scots, Anselm servant of the Church of Canterbury wishes health and promises his faithful prayers and sends him the blessing of God and, for what it is worth, his own also.
Both I and the whole society of Christ Church, Canterbury, thank God and rejoice that God has advanced you by right of inheritance to your father's240 kingdom after your brother's241 decease, and has adorned you with a character worthy of your royal dignity. As to your brother who by his holy living deserved to make a good end at his departure by God's mercy out of this life, we pray and will pray for him, as you request us, as for one who loved us and whom we loved, that God may grant to his soul eternal joy in His glory among His elect, and everlasting happiness.
I know that your Highness loves and desires my counsel. And so first praying God that He
Himself may so guide you by the grace of His Holy Spirit and give you His counsel in all your acts, that He may bring you after this life to His heavenly kingdom, I advise you earnestly to preserve by His help, from whom you received them, that fear of God and those good and pious habits, which you began to have in youth and even in childhood. For kings reign well when they live according to God's will and serve Him in fear; and when they reign over themselves and do not become the servants of their own vices, but master the impetuosity of these by courageous constancy.
For there is no inconsistency between constancy in virtue and royal courage in a king. For some kings, like David, at once lived a holy life and also governed the people committed to their charge with vigorous justice and gentle kindness, according as the matter in hand required. Do you show your self such that the wicked may fear you and the good love you; and, that your life may ever be pleasing to God, let your mind ever remember the punishment of the wicked and reward of the good which shall be after this life. May Almighty God entrust you and all your actions to none other than to His own gracious government.
As to our brethren,242 whom we have sent into Scotland at the desire of your brother, who has departed, as we trust, from the labours of this life into his rest, we have not thought it necessary to request your kindness for them, because we know well your good will toward them.
Malcolm Canmore. He succeeded to the kingdom of Scotland in 1057, married the English princess St Margaret as his second wife in 1068 and died in 1093.
Edgar, son and successor of Malcolm Canmore. He was named after his uncle, the English prince Edgar Atheling, St Margaret's brother. He reigned from 1094 to 1107.
Probably Benedictine monks from Canterbury. Both Edgar and Alexander were interested in the introduction into Scotland of the religious institutions prevalent in England. Edgar had refounded Coldingham for Durham monks; Alexander at a later date brought Canterbury monks to Dunfermline.