CHAPTER 43: How peace was made with Archbishop Theodore [686–7]
CHAPTER 43
How peace was made with Archbishop Theodore [686–7]
ABOUT this time Archbishop Theodore was troubled with pangs of conscience and decided to honour the injunctions of the Roman See to which he owed his own appointment. So after his long delay during Wilfrid’s impoverished exile he now made hasty overtures of friendship. By this time Theodore was well advanced in years and nearly always in bad health. He invited Wilfrid and Bishop Erconwald to London. In their presence he gave a frank account of his whole life and made his confession to God.
‘What troubles me most,’ he said, ‘is the ill I did your lordship in consenting to the kings’ action when they stripped you of all your goods and sent you into bitter exile to your own harm and the detriment of your people. Before God and St Peter I confess this sin. And now, my fellow bishops, I call you to witness that to make up for my fault I will do everything in my power to restore my royal friends and their noblemen to your friendship, whether they will or no. God has revealed to me that this coming year will be my last. I therefore implore you by God and St Peter not to go against my wish which is that you should succeed me as archbishop. Here and now I appoint you my heir, for of all your race you are the wisest and most learned in the canon law of the Holy See.’
Wilfrid replied: ‘God and St Peter forgive you for all the opposition you stirred up against me. Now that you have made your confession I am your friend for ever and I shall pray for you. Only first send messengers to all your friends with letters to let them know that we are reconciled in the Lord and that, since my property was formerly confiscated without just cause, they are now to restore at least part of my goods. Later, God willing, the question of a worthy candidate for the archbishopric can be discussed in council.’
After this pact of true peace Theodore sent word to Aldfrith begging him, for the fear of God and out of respect for the Holy See’s commands, to be reconciled to Wilfrid by peace treaty, for thus many would be saved, including King Ecgfrith, the principal cause of his poverty and exile. The archbishop did not confine himself to this one act but strove to make friends of all Wilfrid’s former enemies. He wrote to the holy virgin, Abbess Aelfflaed, urging her to have no hesitation in obeying the Holy See and making friends with Wilfrid. Aethilred, King of Mercia, was requested, as he loved Christ and his own soul, to follow his former intention and renew relations with Wilfrid. Here is the text of the letter: ‘To the most glorious, most excellent King Aethilred of the Mercians, Theodore, by God’s grace archbishop, sends every grace and blessing in the Lord. Dearest son, may your wondrous holiness know that I am now at peace with Bishop Wilfrid. I urge you, beloved son, and charge you by the love of Christ, to do your utmost, as long as you live, to help this devoted servant of God, as you always used to in time past; and now especially, since for a long time now, while bereft of his own goods, he has been labouring among the pagans for the service of the Lord. Therefore I, Theodore, a humble bishop, now in my declining years, put this suggestion to your beatitude. It is no more than what Rome recommended. For this man Wilfrid does indeed possess his soul in patience, as the scripture says, imitating the meekness of his Master, Our Lord and Saviour, and humbly awaiting the redress of wrongs unjustly inflicted on him. If I have found favour in your sight, come, despite the discouraging length of the journey, and let me see your joyful face and let me bless you before I die. Now, my son, do as I ask concerning this most saintly man and your charity will stand you in good stead in the world to come. Go in peace; live with Christ; dwell in the Lord; and the Lord be with you.’
What more is there to say? King Aethilred, on account of those blessed pontiffs Agatho, Benedict, and Sergius – successors each in turn to the dignity of Peter – received our bishop in fulfilment of the canonical injunctions and did so most gladly. Many monasteries were returned to him and lands which he had possessed in his own right. Aethilred treated him with the deepest respect and remained his faithful friend for ever.