CHAPTER 24: What he predicted about King Ecgfrith in answer to Aelfflaed. He foretells his own consecration
CHAPTER 24
What he predicted about King Ecgfrith in answer to Aelfflaed. He foretells his own consecration
THAT same holy virgin Aelfflaed, mother of the handmaids of Christ, sent to Cuthbert on another occasion begging him in God’s name to come and talk over some important matter. He took a boat and sailed with his brethren to the appointed meeting place, Coquet Island, so called because it lies opposite the mouth of the Coquet. It was renowned for its monasteries. In the course of conversation, after Cuthbert had answered her queries at length, she suddenly broke off and flung herself before him, adjuring him by the awful name of the King of Heaven and His Angels to tell her how long her brother Ecgfrith would last and who was to rule after him.
‘I know you can tell me,’ she said, ‘if only you will, for the spirit of prophecy is strong in you.’
Her oath frightened him, yet he still shrank from revealing the truth.
‘It surprises me,’ he answered, ‘that a sensible woman, and one so well versed in the scriptures should think of calling human life long. Does not the psalmist declare “our years are reckoned as a spider’s web”? Does not Solomon exclaim: “If a man live many years and rejoice in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. When they come the past is reckoned as vanity.”?1 Then how much shorter must a man’s life appear when he happens to be in his last year with death at the gates?’
She wept at such dire prophecies, then wiped her face and with true feminine audacity adjured him by the Divine Majesty to say who would be her brother’s heir, since he had neither children nor brothers. Cuthbert was silent for a while, then said: ‘Do not say there is no heir. One will come whom you will embrace with as much sisterly affection as though he were Ecgfrith’s own self.’
‘Then tell me where he is!’ she cried.
‘Look at the sea,’ he replied. ‘It abounds in islands. God could easily provide a ruler for the English from one of them.’
She realized he was hinting at Aldfrith, the supposed son of Ecgfrith’s father, who was away in Ireland being educated. She knew also that Ecgfrith wanted to see Cuthbert a bishop and she wanted to know whether the proposal would be carried out. She began again:
‘Oh how divided in aim are the hearts of men! Some enjoy the wealth they have gained, others love riches but never have any to enjoy. You spurn worldly glory when offered you and reject a bishopric – than which there is nothing higher in the sight of men – in preference to that barren fastness.’
‘I know I am not worthy,’ he replied, ‘but I know too that the decree of the Supreme Ruler cannot be escaped, no matter where one might flee to. If however, I am forced to shoulder a burden, I do not think it will be for long. After two years, perhaps, I shall be allowed to go back to my accustomed solitude and peace. Now I command you in the Name of our Lord and Saviour not to tell anyone what I have said while I am still alive.’
He expounded many other questions for her and gave her necessary advice, then went back to the Farne to cultivate the solitary life.
Shortly afterwards there was a great synod presided over by Archbishop Theodore of happy memory, in the presence of King Ecgfrith, at which Cuthbert, by general consent, was elected Bishop of Lindisfarne. Letters and messengers were sent to him repeatedly, but he refused to move. The King himself and that most holy bishop, Trumwine, with numerous devout and influential personages sailed across, knelt down and adjured him by the Lord, and wept and pleaded with him, until at last he came forth, very tearful, from his beloved hiding-place and was taken to the synod. Very reluctantly he was overcome by their unanimous decision and compelled to submit to the yoke of the episcopacy. The consecration was postponed till the end of winter, which was just then beginning. His prophecy was completely fulfilled; next year Ecgfrith was slain by the Picts and the throne went to his bastard brother Aldfrith recently returned from his studies in Ireland, where he had willingly exiled himself for the love of learning.