CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Connection of the See of Bristol with St. Aldhelm. — Composite character of the See. — Consequent powers of the Bishop. — Erection of Bristol into a City. — Period covered by the lectures. — Ecclesiastical condition of England in Aldhelm's early time. — Sources of information : William of Malmesbury, Farituis, the Handboc. — William's account of the Vale of Gloucester, and of Bristol. — The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 7

CHAPTER II.

Malmesbury : its position and early history. — Inland's account. — The West-Saxon conquest. — Suggested antecedents of Maildubh. — Augustine's visit to the neighbourhood. — Aldhelm's contemporaries. — Connection with Ireland. — English Art, Literature, and Architecture in Aldhelm's time. — Suggested origin of Anglian Art. 38

CHAPTER III.

William of Malmesbury's scheme for his work. — Aldhelm's race ; spelling and meaning of his name ; parentage ; education. — Origin of the name Malmesbury. — The Beneaictine Rule. — Aldhelm's study at Canterbury; learning; skill in versification. — Recognized as a master of style ; the Irish Artwil and Cellanus. — His personal influence with friends and pupils. — Letter to the clergy of Wilfrith, and to Ethelwald a student 67

CHAPTER IV.

The desire to visit the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul. — The Schola Saxonum in Borne, and the English College there. — The origin of the ecclesiastical regard for Borne. — Aldhelin's style. — His knowledge. — The monasteries which he built. — Great gifts to Aldhelm's monastery. — The churches which he built 95

CHAPTER V.

Aldhelm's manner of life. — His visit to Borne. — Delay at Wareham. — Miracles at the church which he built. — The site of the church. — Miracles at Borne - the chasuble, the speaking infant. — The marble altar. — Treasures of Christian Art lost by Wessex 118

CHAPTER VI.

Aldhelm's election and consecration as bishop. — His miracle of the book. — His concessions to his monasteries. — His hard work in his diocese. — His death and burial. — The crosses erected at the places where his body rested.. — Some account of Saxon sculptured stones still remaining in those parts 138

CHAPTER VII.

The Abbey of Malmesbury two hundred and fifty years after Aldhelm. — Belies of the Saint. — The silver-gilt shrine. — The miracles shown on the panels of the shrine. — Other gold and silver work in Wessex. — Organs, bells, and other gifts from Dunstan. — The Danes and the shrine. — Later history of the shrine. — The Abbats to William's time. — Some lesser miracles 181

CHAPTER VIII.

Athelstan and Malmesbury. — Bearrangement of the dioceses of Wessex from Aldhelm's time to the present, — The Abbey Church as it now exists 215

CHAPTER IX.

Three of Aldhelm's Sacred Hymns : On the Basilica built by Bugge, the daughter of a King of England ; On the Altars dedicated to the Blessed Mary and the Twelve Apostles ; On entering the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul 235

CHAPTER X.

Letter from an Irishman and to Eahfrid. — John the Scot. — Aldfrith. — Concourse of English students to Ireland. — Connection between England and Ireland. — Origin of the English Coronation Service 259

CHAPTER XI.

The Letter to Acircius. — The Enigmas. — In Praise of Virgins. — Letter to Osgith 301

CHAPTER XII.

The Letter to the Britons 327

APPENDIX.

A. Extracts from the Charter of the Bishopric of Bristol as granted by Henry VIII 347

The Pope's Ratification of the Bishopric 353

B. Notes on Wine-growing in England 356

C. King Athelstan's Gift 360

King Athelstan's Feast Day 361

INDEX 363

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Abbey Church, Malmesbury, in 1903 Frontispiece

1. Saxon Church at Bradford-on-Avon 112

2. Saxon Wall at Corfe Castle 128

3. Sculptured stone at Ramsbury 157

4. „ „ Rowberrow 158

5. 6. „ „ West Camel 158

7. „ „ Doulton 160

8. „ „ Gloucester 160

9. „ „ Bradford 170

10. „ „ Bath 172

11. „ „ Colerne 172

12. „ „ Littleton Drew 173

13. „ „ Bradford 178

14. „ „ Frome 180

15. Altar of Wolvinius 184

16. Stole of Frithestan 186

17. „ „ 188

18. Cross of Drahmal 196

19. Abbey Church, Malmesbury, in 1900 230

20. „ „ 232

21. „ „ interior 234

22. Aldhelm, Hildelith, and the nuns of Barking 324