45
675.
This year Wulfere the son of Penda, and Æscwine the son of Cenfus, fought at Bedan-heafd (Bedwin, Wiltshire?) And the same year Wulfere died, and Æthelred succeeded to the kingdom. He sent Bishop Wilfrid to Rome, to the Pope that then was, named Agatho, and informed him by letter and by a message, how his brethren Peada and Wulfere had builded a monastery, which was called Medeshamstede, and that they had freed the same from all subjection to King or Bishop, and he desired that the Pope would confirm this with his rescript and with his blessing. Then the Pope sent a letter to England, saying thus, "I Agatho, Pope of Rome, greet well the worshipful Ælhelred King of Mercia, and Theodore Archbisliop of Canterbury, and Saxulf Bishop of Mercia, who before was Abbot, and all the Abbots in England, with the salutation of God, and my blessing. I have heard the desire of King Æthelred, and of the Archbishop Theodore, and of the bishop Saxulf, and of the Abbot Cuthbald, and I will that it be in all wise, even as ye have spoken. And I command, on behalf of God and of St. Peter, and of all the Saints, and of all consecrated persons, that neither King, Bishop, Earl, nor any man, re-
