CHAPTER I
THE STORY OF AUGUSTINE
Six tall young warriors landed one summer morning on the British shore,at Ebbs-fleet, in the Isle of Thanet. They were healthy, and strong,and goodly to look upon. The eldest was a dark Italian, the otherswith the fair hair and florid complexions of Englishmen. Young Sivelhad quite recovered his health and good looks, and all were alert andready for anything that might betide. It was the last year of the sixthcentury. Their eager inquiries were answered by the news that someItalian monks and two English lads had landed two years before, and hadbeen allowed to establish themselves at Canterbury, the capital of thekingdom of Kent.
The Jutes who formed the Kentish settlement had been near neighboursof the English on the Continent, and like the royal houses ofBernicia and Deira, the AEskingas of Kent were descended from Woden.King Ethelbert had succeeded his father Imeric in 561, and was nowan old man, having reigned for thirty-eight years. He had married aFrankish princess, Bertha, the daughter of Charibert, King of Paris.They were an aged couple, and their son Eadbald had arrived at man'sestate. Ethelbert, in spite of one crushing defeat which he receivedat Wimbledon from Ceaulin and Cutha of Wessex in 568, had been asuccessful ruler. Northwards his influence extended to the Humber.Sledda, the King of Essex, who married his sister Ricula, acknowledgedhis sovereignty, and he was received by all the English people southof the Humber as Bretwalda, or overlord. As the Queen Bertha was aChristian, she had always had a priest in attendance upon her, andLuidhard, the Bishop of Senlis, was now her chaplain.
The young warriors became acquainted with these particulars on theirarrival, and, as horses could not be procured at once, they set out onfoot for Canterbury. The first person they met, superintending somebuildings outside the town, was their old friend Peter. He told themthat Hereric and Godric were safe and well, and conducted them to thetemporary monastery, where the Atheling and his young companion weresoon embracing their friends. At length all the boys were again united.Soon they sat down round Hereric, to hear the story of his adventures.
"I and Godric," he said, "saw you all waving to us from the wall ofAurelian as we rode out of Rome, looking so tall and strong, and wewere happy in the certainty that, if it was God's will, you wouldrescue our Sivel. It was a mournful journey, for the unwilling monksdid nothing but sigh and groan with coward fear, for which our Fortherewas partly answerable. The stories they told, on his authority, wereenough to appal even brave men, which they certainly were not. Atlast they sent back the Prior to entreat the Holy Father to allowthem to return to Rome. But Gregory's reply urged them to proceed,and the threats of Augustine obliged them to continue the journey.When we arrived at Arles, the good bishop Vergilius received us mosthospitably, and supplied us with the means of carrying ourselves andour goods across France. Here many of the monks feigned sickness, anddeclared that they could not travel. They were left behind, and othersfell away when we passed through towns where there were convents withthe Benedictine rule. Queen Brunehaud of Austrasia sent us a Frankishinterpreter, but although I could understand him, he had no knowledgeof English, and was useless in the interpretation of Augustine's Latin.We went over much of the road we all know so well, and at Amfleet ourpitiful condition, when we stood shivering on the sand, came back toour minds.
"Forty very cowardly monks and servants left Rome. Only a fourthpart embarked at Amfleet. The party consisted of the Prior Augustine,Laurentius and Peter, Godric and I, and five convent servants. Welanded in the island of Thanet, which, as you saw, is separated fromKent by the river Wantsum, nearly a mile in width. All now dependedupon us, for the monks could not speak a word to the people, and theFrank sent by Queen Brunehaud was of little or no use. I proposed toAugustine that I should go to the King of the country, announce hisarrival, and ask for license to land. The Prior consented, but enjoinedme to conceal my rank and name. I rode to Canterbury, and was allowedto have an interview with King Ethelbert and his son Eadbald. The Queenwas also present, and the Bishop of Senlis. They received me verykindly, and allowed me to keep my name and rank from them until a timewhen I could more fitly divulge it. Eadbald did not wish that the monksshould be allowed to remain. But the Queen and her bishop stronglyurged their cause, and I was sent back with a message that they mightremain until Ethelbert had seen them, when they would hear further.
"I returned to Thanet, and, by order of the King, we were suppliedwith provisions and a house. Here were stored the precious Easternbales of Coelred and Porlor, five books sent by Gregory, a cross anda picture, and some vestments. A few days afterwards the King came toThanet, and, sitting in the open air, he ordered our company to bebrought before him. He would not let us come into his presence undera roof, lest we should practise any magical arts so as to impose uponhim, and get the better of him. The Prior formed the most imposingprocession possible under the circumstances. First he came himselfbearing a silver cross in his hand, with Laurentius and Peter closebehind him, carrying a board with the Son of God painted upon it. Nextcame Godric and I, while the five convent servants brought up the rear,singing a litany. The King ordered Augustine to deliver his message,and when I explained the royal words, the Prior began to preach inLatin until they all seemed weary, for not a word did they understand.He then told me to repeat what he had said in English more briefly,which I did, giving only the substance of his discourse. The King andthose with him seemed very favourably impressed; and not only waspermission granted for the monks to live in Canterbury, but a promisewas given to supply them with all necessaries, and they had license topreach the new religion."
"All this was due to Hereric alone," interrupted Godric. "The Priorwas so long and unintelligible that they were all weary of him, and Iam sure that he and his monks would have been sent straight back toFrance. But when the Atheling stood up, not stooping with a cowl overhis head, but erect and graceful, with his golden hair waving in thebreeze, the scene changed as if by magic. All eyes were turned to him,and every man present listened eagerly. His voice, as we all know,is sweet and pleasant to hear. He described the wonderful birth andthe good works of Jesus. He related the events of His death with suchfeeling that the Kentish warriors swore great oaths, while Ethelbertsprang to his feet, drew his sword, and waved it over his head withexcitement. The monks were terrified. The servants ran away, Augustineand Laurentius cowered down, old Peter alone stood his ground. Theyunderstood nothing, but heard the oaths and saw the old King with hisdrawn sword, vowing vengeance on the Jews. There was a long pause.Then, in a gentler voice, Hereric declared to them that the Son of Godhad risen from the dead to save all, of every nation under heaven,who turned to Him for comfort and help in the hour of death. When hestopped there was not one present, from the King downwards, who was notwilling to grant anything the Atheling might ask."
"Nay," said Hereric, "our Godric goes too far. I was but theinstrument to convey Augustine's meaning in English words." "It wasnot the words," persisted Godric; "it was the gracious person thatdelivered the discourse, and the way he spoke the words, that wonall hearts. Say, my brothers, who was it that deserves the praise?""Hereric! Hereric!" they all shouted, Forthere more vociferously thanthe rest. "It is the partial voice of love," resumed Hereric, "whichmethinks is a little beyond reason. Say no more of me, I pray." "Wemust speak out," said Forthere, "for the jealous monks will not putthy name into their chronicle, it will be Augustine who did it all."Hereric looked distressed, and the subject was dropped. "We all marchedto Canterbury," he continued, "and as we drew near the city, with thecross raised on high, Augustine caused another litany to be sung. Wewere temporarily lodged in a house, where the Prior at once establishedand put in force the _Regula Monachorum_ of St. Benedict, in use atSt. Andrew's on the Caelian Hill. As the monks were unable to preachintelligibly, they had to be contented with good works for a time.""Yes," said the incorrigible Godric, "they have resorted to signs andwonders and miraculous cures. Augustine performed more miracles in theshort time he was at Canterbury than he ever dared to a
ttempt duringhis former life, under the eye of Gregory at Rome. I can work some ofthem myself." "So can I," added Forthere, "and I know very well howothers are done." The Atheling took no notice of this interruption."There is," he went on, "on the east side of this city a church builtby the Romans, and dedicated to St. Martin, of whom we all heard atthe Gate of the Twins outside Amiens, when we were in the power ofMystacon. Here the Frankish Bishop performs Christian services for theQueen. Here the monks say masses and baptize, and Ethelbert himself hassubmitted to the rite of baptism. But the people hold back, encouragedby Eadbald. Augustine himself is not here. He has hurried back toFrance to be consecrated by the Bishop of Arles; but before he wenthe had obtained from the King the grant of another old Roman church,which he has dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, and where he hasbegun to build a monastery. It was there that you met old Peter, who isto be the first Abbot. I have promised to remain here until Augustinereturns as Bishop, and until I have taught Laurentius and Peter enoughEnglish to enable them to preach to the people. Godric has promisedto stay with me, and I know Forthere will also. You all need rest.Besides, our absence has been long, and we have heard no news. I haveindeed received a rumour that Ella, our King, is dead, and that ourcountry has been seized by the Bernicians. I fear that it will be asad home-coming for most of us. Let us give ourselves a little timefor preparation to bear our sorrows manfully. I would fain desire thatwe should all come home together." They unanimously agreed to waitfor Hereric, and to go home in his company. It was a great joy to betogether again, not only with no one missing, but with one more, thefaithful Bassus, added to their company.
"At one time," said Godric, "I feared that our Atheling would become amonk, but now I know that he never will." "Wherefore?" asked the rest."Because he is in love," replied Godric. Hereric blushed crimson whenGodric went on to declare that the name of Braga was often on his lipswhen he slept. "Truly," said Porlor, "the Prince used to be very fondof our little sister. If he ever had a present to give, it was alwaysfor Braga. Do you remember, Coelred, the day when Alca came to visitus at Stillingfleet? That very day Hereric presented little Braga witha pretty scarf. I think it was the last gift she received from any ofus." "Hereric is not the only one," said Forthere, wishing to turnattention from the Atheling. "Lilla is also in love, if words spokenin sleep are to be so explained. Twice have I heard him whisperingthe name of Bergliot." "'Tis true," said Coelred, "that the youngPrincess's last message was for our Oswith, when she left us on thatfatal day." So the light talk went on, full of joyous reminiscencesof home and friends; until Hereric said that they must all speakreverently of their loved ones, if they spoke at all, until they knewcertainly what had befallen.
During the days that they were waiting for Augustine, the companionshelped Peter in his work at the monastery, and Hereric was a good dealemployed in teaching English to the monks. In the long summer eveningsthey engaged in conversations. The most important took place a few daysbefore they all set out for home, and was chiefly conducted by Porlor.He dwelt upon their peculiar position among their countrymen, andsuggested rules of conduct. "We are like men apart," he said. "I havefelt already in my intercourse with the AEskingas that there is a sortof gulf between us. Our knowledge is immeasurably greater than that ofour people. This is not due to any merit of our own, but simply to whathas happened. But it is a fact. We are as if we had been born in somelater age."
"I do not think that Godric and I know very much more than ourcountrymen," said Forthere. "It is true," replied Porlor, "that thereare differences amongst us. Hereric is as learned as any monk. Sivelunderstands the laws and the arts of the Greeks. Both can read andwrite. Lilla and Bassus have acquired a practical knowledge of Romanstrategy. Coelred and I have learnt much in our wanderings. Nor canForthere and Godric be left out. They too have stored up knowledge intheir travels and at Rome. No, Forthere; you and Godric are includedin all that I shall say. What I feel is that our knowledge is a giftfrom above, but a gift that we must not use for ourselves only. It isa trust that we are to use for our people, and we must think how itcan best be used. My fear is that if we openly proclaim our greaterknowledge, if we suddenly begin to tell of what we know and to advise,if we assume that we are wiser than our people, we shall be distrusted,by many disbelieved, and our power for good will pass away. RememberCoifi. All men confess that he is more learned than any one else inDeira, yet who would listen to him in counsel or take his advice? Hetalks too much, and is without credit or influence."
The others thought a great deal over what Porlor had said. Onthe next evening Lilla continued the discussion. "We have," hebegan, "been gifted with rare knowledge and experience, such asour fellow-countrymen can never possess except through equallyextraordinary accidents. Our gifts are, as Porlor says, a trust to beused with great care for our country. I have thought long over thematter, and I believe with him that we shall lose the power we maysurely gain unless we act wisely. What think you, my Coelred?" "Myrede is," said Coelred, "that, accepting the counsel and the warningof Porlor, we should keep silence until such time as the knowledgethat any of us possesses above that of our countrymen would be usefulto them. Then we should use it, but even then by action rather than byspeech. Such conduct will be very hard to adopt, and we shall need muchcounsel amongst ourselves." Hereric added that he agreed with all thathad been said, except that the Princess Alca and their other loved onesmust be told all they knew, withholding nothing. In this all concurred.Sivel asked Porlor to propose rules of conduct which might serve aslaws for them in this grave matter.
Next day Porlor said, "I have been thinking carefully over a schemefor us to adopt. We are dear friends, tried by companionship in danger,in sorrow, in shame, in hardships, and we know and are certain thatour friendship can have no change for ever. We must make a compact towatch over our gifts for the good of our countrymen. We must oftentake counsel with each other how to maintain our credit and influence,and how to use our gifts prudently and wisely. We will be one body,devoted to the weal of our countrymen, but in a sense apart. We willform a _Gemot_ of close friends and brothers for ever." The rede ofPorlor was the judgment of all. They clasped hands upon it, and theCoelred-_Gemot_ was formed.
Soon afterwards Augustine returned in all the importance of hisepiscopal dignity. His head was busy about the things pertaining tohis office. Although as yet he scarcely had a flock, he promptly senta long series of puzzling questions to Gregory about the degrees ofkindred within which members of his flock might marry, and on otherabstruse points. He also began to work miracles again, and to quarrelwith the Welsh bishops about the calculation of the date of Easter. Hedid not conceal his satisfaction that Hereric was about to leave him,which surprised the simple-minded Atheling, but which did not surpriseGodric or Forthere. Hereric explained to the King of Kent that he wasa Prince of the house of Deira, and Ethelbert ordered an escort to seehim and his friends as far as the Humber. A message was also sent toLondon, to secure hospitality for them from Sledda, the King of Essex.Ethelbert wished them a cordial farewell. They also had a friendlyparting from their old teachers, Laurentius and Peter, who gave theirblessings.
They first rode to London, then sparsely inhabited, and saw the oldRoman walls, the ruins of the temple of Diana on the hill, and the_miliarium_ whence all the main roads diverged. Sledda and his wifeRicula received them well in the ruined old praetorium near the temple,and sent them on their way with a fresh relay of horses. In two daysthey came to the country of the Gainas, and reached Godric's home nearthe banks of the Idle. To the boy's great joy he found his old fatherUlchel still alive, but failing, and their meeting was most pathetic.The friends were received very hospitably, and Bassus, who was ill,remained behind with Godric until they should be sent for by Coelred.The rest pressed northwards, with pack-horses bearing the preciousbales. They intended to proceed in a body to Bilbrough, and hear allthe news, bad and good, from their kind old friend Saebald the Fairfax,before they ventured to seek their homes. Going rapidly along the oldRoman ro
ad, they came in sight of the well-known Ingrish Hill withfeelings of deep anxiety.